The male supporting character was actually myself.

Afterwards, Miss Shen married Luo Junfei from a martial arts family, and Huo Changyun and I were both honored guests.

"Given Wanli Pavilion's capabilities, verifying the veracity of my statement would be a piece of cake. Therefore, it can be inferred that the Lieguang Hall incident was not perpetrated by Huo Changyun. However, all these massacres are strikingly similar. Don't you find that interesting?"

The Luo Family Manor held a grand wedding some time ago, and most of the martial arts masters in the Central Plains were invited. It was no surprise that the renowned physician Shangguan Jiangchen was among them.

The other party's explanation was detailed, and we can indeed check each point one by one.

There might really be a secret behind the matter of the villain Huo Changyun!

"Thank you for the information, Valley Master Shangguan." The vendor bowed in thanks, then pressed on, "I will report this matter to Wanli Pavilion, and I believe a conclusion will be reached soon. Valley Master Shangguan, what do you mean by this news..."

Jiang Chen opened his folding fan, gently shook it, and smiled slightly. "The message was sent to Wanli Pavilion. You can decide how to handle it."

I don't know whether Huo Changyun is a demon or not, but simply because he was recuperating in my Hundred Flowers Valley, those so-called righteous and honorable people slaughtered my entire Hundred Flowers Valley. I will never tolerate this hatred.

The vendor was clearly very dedicated, and upon hearing his words, he bowed deeply again. "Valley Master Shangguan, you should know that Wanli Pavilion is not only responsible for buying and selling information and intelligence, but sometimes recording the truth is even more important."

Now that we have met today, could you please tell me about the horrific massacre that you witnessed in Hundred Flowers Valley? Wanli Pavilion is willing to pay a high price to exclusively purchase all the information you provide regarding this matter!

Chapter Thirteen: The Bluewater Fortress Incident

The two talked in private in the room for a long time before the vendor took his leave, carrying with him a wealth of inside information.

Jiang Chen played with his folding fan, squinted at the window, and couldn't help but sneer. No wonder they framed and wiped out Hundred Flowers Valley. It turned out that they did this to avoid leaving any survivors for Huo Changyun to testify and clear him of suspicion!

As for Shen Rumeng...

The original plot only mentioned that the protagonist Huo Changyun led his own cult to fight his way through the enemy lines, and the Luo family manor was easily breached. He then witnessed Luo Junfei and his beloved Shen Rumeng die tragically.

He didn't kill the person.

When Huo Changyun entered, the two were already dead, so he couldn't witness the truth of their deaths. In his grief over losing his beloved, he burned down the Luo Family Manor to vent his anger.

Since Shen Rumeng, this witness, deeply loves Huo Changyun, why doesn't she stand up for him when he is being slandered?

As the only daughter of the martial arts alliance leader and the mistress of the Luo family manor, she held a prestigious position and was not worried about any threats. She could clear her beloved's name with just a few objective and truthful words. Why did Shen Rumeng remain silent?

If she was worried that her husband would find out she had fallen in love with Huo Changyun, then why did she so readily confess that she loved someone else when the newlyweds were caught in a love-hate entanglement in the original story?

With a multitude of questions swirling in his mind, Jiang Chen decided to expand the reach of the information and find the protagonist, Huo Changyun, as soon as possible to stop him from turning evil and falling into depravity. Then he could accompany Ling Xiao to Luo Family Manor.

What kind of sparks will fly when the Luo couple, who are supposed to die much later in the story, meet the protagonists early?

Jiang Chen is really looking forward to it!

And what role will Bluewater Fortress play, given that it was never mentioned in the original story and that the original owner only knew the general situation of that battle more than ten years ago?

Logically speaking, someone who becomes the protagonist in a martial arts story must have an unusual background.

The script only mentions that Huo Changyun is an orphan who learned martial arts from a young age under the tutelage of an unnamed old man on an unnamed mountain; nothing else is explained. But the fact that he is an orphan alone opens up endless possibilities in some respects.

Is there any hidden story behind Huo Changyun's background?

Does the nameless old man on the nameless mountain, who only appears in descriptions and memories, know something about the inside story? These mysteries can be solved one by one after we find Huo Changyun.

But where is he hiding now?

Will Huo Changyun, who is hiding in the shadows, be able to receive the missing person signals he has been trying to spread?

In the afternoon, the intelligence peddler from Wanli Pavilion came to his door again, bringing him detailed intelligence about the Battle of Bluewater Fortress eighteen years ago.

More than twenty years ago, three sworn brothers from different surnames were renowned in the martial arts world of Central China for their chivalry and righteousness, and were respectfully known as the Three Gallant Heroes. They were the eldest brother Lin Qitian, the second brother Yu Xian, and the youngest brother Huo Xinde. They came from the same sect and traveled the martial arts world together. The three brothers had a close relationship and shared the same ideals, and their reputation in the martial arts world was also very good.

So after the three brothers got married, they pooled their money to buy an island in the scenic Blue Water Lake in Ping'an Prefecture and built Blue Water Fortress, where they married, had children, and prospered.

However, eighteen years ago, a wicked wind suddenly swept through the martial arts world.

To prevent the invasion of foreign cults, the leader of the martial arts alliance at the time led all the major sects to keep a close watch and not let any disturbance slip by.

For reasons unknown, the once harmonious Bluewater Fortress suddenly became the target of public criticism.

The expeditionary force discovered letters within the fortress indicating communication between the three brothers and a foreign cult; they also found various secret manuals in a hidden chamber that involved drinking human blood and practicing demonic martial arts using human skulls; in a garden within Blue Water Fortress, they unearthed many headless corpses buried deep within; and several servants identified them on the spot…

With witnesses and physical evidence readily available, the three brothers from Bluewater Fortress, having no way to defend themselves, rose up in fierce resistance, but were ultimately trapped and brutally slaughtered due to their geographical location.

In the end, a great fire burned the once glorious and prosperous Blue Water Fortress to the ground, leaving only the rumor in the martial arts world that the demonic path had attempted to invade and dismantle the martial arts of the Central Plains but was ultimately slaughtered.

There were a total of nine factions, including rangers and gangs, that participated in the massacre of Bluewater Fortress.

Starting in spring, one after another, gangs and clans were wiped out, all of them having participated in the siege of Blue Water Fortress eighteen years ago. Huo Changyun was branded a demon not only because all the cases happened to have eyewitness accounts, but also because of another reason that sparked endless speculation—his surname was Huo!

Back then, he fought bravely but was captured and his whole family was doused with oil and burned to death. The most tragic one was his junior brother Huo Xinde, who was fierce and skilled in martial arts. Huo Changyun was also very close in age to him.

With a combination of factors at play, the young swordsman Huo Changyun quickly became a target for hunting.

The mastermind behind the scenes clearly wanted to solidify his claim that he was a descendant of the villain Huo Xinde and had diligently trained to avenge his parents. Unexpectedly, the plan went awry, and Huo Changyun was injured and lost control, being taken back to Hundred Flowers Valley by his guards.

To prevent anyone from testifying and clearing his name, they simply framed and wiped out Hundred Flowers Valley along with him...

"Blue Water Fortress? Is it really colluding with a cult or has it been framed?" Jiang Chen pinched his brow, feeling a bit of a headache.

After finally transmigrating into a martial arts world, can't it be filled with swordplay, bloodshed, and the unrestrained spirit of the martial arts world? Why do we have to unravel secrets and search for various hidden events from many years ago? Does the scriptwriting team not know how to write a martial arts story without creating some tragic cases and injustices?

Despite the complaints, the information that needs to be bought still needs to be bought, and the rumors that need to be spread still need to be disseminated.

The little white cat perched on his shoulder, diligently preparing for the silver note competition that evening.

"Host, I've got everything sorted out." As night fell and the city lights came on, the fluffy little dumpling stared at him intently. "If my martial arts aren't as good as yours, so be it. After all, it's the original owner's fault, not ours."

The fact that my physical condition is not as good as yours is only temporary. I've taken over a dead body, which is like being resurrected. It's already quite good that I can survive and recover slowly.

If I lose even more than silver notes, then I, this lucky cat, will lose all face!

To help you save face, I've practically turned into a money-printing machine! Look…”

The little white cat grabbed a stack of silver notes from its piggy bank, patted them proudly, and said, "See? This is all the empire I've built for my host! Let her compare! I'll take care of her!"

Jiang Chen: ...

"Won't there be inflation?" He frowned slightly, picked up a banknote and looked at it; the amount was quite substantial.

If this were actually cashed out, wouldn't the money exchange go bankrupt immediately?

"Don't worry, meow~" The fluffy ball explained as it stuffed silver notes into the bundle on the bed, "Anyway, the piggy bank will take care of it. The main system provides the host with tools to appease people and make them happier and more enjoyable to be tools."

For the main system, using items is most likely just a matter of adjusting values ​​in the background. Besides, we're barely at that level yet! We're probably not even as good as the biggest corrupt officials in the imperial court!

Before he could reply, there was a loud knock on the door and Ling Xiao's crisp, impatient voice, "Ah Chen, are you ready? I'm coming in~"

Chapter Fourteen: Let's Join Forces...

Jiang Chen glanced at the little white cat that was sticking its bottom out and stuffing silver notes into the package, then coughed twice with his right hand to his lips, "Miss Ling, please come in."

Upon receiving a response, Ling Xiao excitedly pushed open the door and entered.

She skipped happily into the room, a delicate little package slung over her shoulder, stealing a glance at the veiled interior. She thought to herself, "Finally, I've managed to get into the handsome man's room tonight. I absolutely can't go out; I have to get my hands on him!"

"How would you like to compete, young lady?" Jiang Chen asked with a slight smile.

This is a battle about who is keeping whom, and as a man, I absolutely cannot lose!

Ling Xiao, who was preoccupied with how to win over the handsome man, clearly had ulterior motives. He casually took the small bundle off his shoulder, placed it on the table, and shook it. "Here, all the silver notes I brought are here. See if it's enough to support you? If not, I can go and earn more!"

Jiang Chen: ...

"This is part of my wealth." He casually pulled the package over, revealing a thick wad of silver notes inside.

Ling Xiao, who was about to continue the conversation about raising him with a slight smile, glanced at something and was immediately dumbfounded. "My God! These are all silver notes?!"

Seeing her stunned expression, the fluffy little ball of fur wagged its big, fluffy tail, and Jiang Chen waved his folding fan. A sense of extreme comfort welled up in both of them.

An overwhelming victory is so satisfying!

"Ah Chen, you..." Ling Xiao reached out and rummaged through the pile of silver notes, which seemed to weigh at least by weight, and asked in surprise, "When I found you, I cleaned your wounds, applied medicine, and touched you thoroughly. You didn't have anything on you. Where did you get so many silver notes?"

You touched it all over?!

Upon hearing the other party emphasize this point, his face flushed slightly, and he waved his folding fan faster. He casually made up an excuse, "I am, after all, the Valley Master of Hundred Flowers Valley. Isn't it normal for me to have a backup plan?"

"As expected of the number one divine doctor in the martial arts world, his family background is indeed very wealthy!"

She reached out and grabbed her bag of silver notes, stacked them together, and said with a grin, "From now on, what's mine is yours, and what's yours is still yours. Let's join forces, a perfect match made in heaven..."

Jiang Chen leaned back slightly, her posture slightly upright. "The young lady's choice of words seems a bit..."

"Too reserved?!" Ling Xiao's eyes lit up as she stepped forward and grabbed his wrist, her petite body leaning against him with an air of dominance. "I think so too! Zhongyuan is actually not bad, just not straightforward and bold enough. We're all adults, we can be more direct."

He tried to pull away, but his wrist remained firmly gripped.

The difference in their internal strength and martial prowess was too great for him to overcome, yet he couldn't use his soul weapon. So, in a flash, he was tackled to the ground and quickly suffered from oxygen deprivation...

"Meow~" The little white cat hurriedly covered its eyes with its paws. "Host, you guys go ahead and do your work. I'll go rest in the next room. Anyway, there's a meter of space between us, so I can walk through walls!"

A gentle autumn breeze blew in through the window and extinguished the flickering red candle. In the dead of night, pedestrians, like cats, crept stealthily into the darkness on the quiet street, making their way toward the brothel that had lost its signboard.

A moment later the wind picked up, blowing down leaves and creating wisps of dust that whistled into the distance.

Huo Changyun huddled on an oxcart carrying vegetables, his tattered clothes offering no protection against the cold wind blowing in through the cracks in the wooden crates.

Even though martial artists are generally strong and more resistant to cold than ordinary people, he still felt terrible. After all, he was seriously injured and there were no medicines to treat or alleviate his condition, so he was now much weaker than an ordinary person.

The bumpy ride in the oxcart kept him awake, and Huo Changyun longed even more for the happy life he had in Hundred Flowers Valley.

How wonderful those days were! Brother Shangguan was gentle and knowledgeable. In our leisure time, we would stroll along the lake, enjoy the scenery, and chat about the strange and wonderful things in the martial arts world. Living in the picturesque valley, we had no worries about food and clothing and could devote ourselves to studying martial arts. How happy we were...

Unfortunately, I didn't know how to cherish it back then. I was so immersed in the pain of my beloved marrying someone else that I turned a deaf ear to the good things around me.

My beloved...

The image of that beautiful face involuntarily surfaced in Huo Changyun's mind, and he felt a dull ache in his chest.

Like a dream, she was indeed like a dream that made him admire and become infatuated, but he felt despair after waking up from the dream.

A surge of hatred rose in his heart for no reason. They were clearly in love, but she was forced to marry another man because of her family, her parents' wishes, and the matchmaker's arrangements!

If I had the influence of the number one martial arts family, I could easily ask Shen Rumeng for her hand in marriage, right?

Money, fame, and worldly desires can cruelly tear true love apart!

It's all my fault for being useless! If I could have made a name for myself and stood out from the crowd, Brother Shangguan's Hundred Flowers Valley wouldn't have been trampled into ruins, and the girl I love wouldn't have been separated from me by worldly constraints...

Huddled on the oxcart, looking utterly disheveled, Huo Changyun clenched his fists. His pent-up resentment only strengthened his resolve—I must make a name for myself throughout the world, avenge everyone in Hundred Flowers Valley, and reclaim the woman who belongs to me!

The autumn wind was bleak, and the oxcart rumbled along. Having made a firm decision, Huo Changyun wasted no more time. He got up, sat in the cold wind, and began to meditate and practice diligently.