One person: Lu Jin, do I look like your master?

Who knows, maybe one day he'll be forced to completely abandon his obsession and shout, "Flesh and blood are weak, machines ascend!" and then he'll unleash the full power of the Divine Machine Refinement Technique, transforming himself into a human Gundam.

Thinking about this, Wang Xuan even felt that the scene was a little...exciting?

He reined in his wandering thoughts and stopped dwelling on this topic that was destined to be fruitless.

Since Ma Xianhong has chosen not to believe it, or rather, he is not ready to face the truth, there is no point in saying anything more.

Wang Xuan's tone returned to its previous calmness, as if the earth-shattering accusation had never happened.

"It doesn't matter if you don't believe me. Now, let's talk about Granny Jin Feng."

He steered the conversation back to the original purpose.

Mentioning Jin Feng seemed to give Ma Xianhong's chaotic thoughts a temporary respite.

He took a few deep breaths, trying to calm his churning blood, his voice still hoarse from the shock of surviving a close call:

"She...she's alright. We just...asked her to come and ask her some questions. We'll get her back safely soon."

This statement, rather than an assurance to Wang Xuan, was more of an attempt to reaffirm the "legitimacy" of his actions in order to stabilize his wavering conscience.

Wang Xuan gave Ma Xianhong a deep look, but didn't ask any more questions about Jin Feng's details, nor did he mention Qu Tong again.

He simply nodded and said in a low voice:

"okay, I get it."

After saying that, Wang Xuan turned and left.

The door was gently closed, separating the two worlds.

Ma Xianhong slumped into the chair, his hands tangled in his hair, clutching it tightly.

Wang Xuan's words were like a curse, swirling in his mind and waging a fierce and painful tug-of-war with his trust in his sister.

'Dual-wielding techniques...brainwashing...the soul has been completely destroyed...'

Every word was like a blunt knife, cutting back and forth in his heart.

On the other side, Wang Xuan walked out of Ma Xianhong's courtyard and was once again bathed in the cool moonlight.

Without the slightest hesitation, he took out his phone, found Xia Liuqing's number, and dialed it.

The call was answered almost instantly; Xia Liuqing had clearly been watching the phone the whole time.

"Hey? Wang boy! How's it going? Any news about Jin Feng? How is she? Is she injured?"

Xia Liuqing's rapid-fire voice came through the receiver, her anxiety and worry almost overflowing.

Wang Xuan's voice was steady, carrying a calming power.

“I asked. Granny Jin Feng is indeed in their hands.”

"What?! What are they trying to do?!"

Xia Liuqing's voice suddenly rose, filled with hostility.

“They claimed they were just ‘inviting’ her to ask some questions, assured her they wouldn’t hurt her, and would send her back afterwards.”

Wang Xuan relayed Ma Xianhong's words, but his tone was flat, making it impossible to tell whether he believed the story.

Xia Liuqing fell into a brief silence on the other end of the phone, with only his heavy and unsteady breathing audible.

A few seconds later, he spoke again, his voice low and resolute, carrying an undeniable stubbornness:

"No... I'm still not at ease."

Xia Liuqing spoke slowly, each word seemingly squeezed out from between her teeth.

"I need to see her alive or dead... I must go there myself! I must see with my own eyes that Jin Feng is safe and sound!"

Wang Xuan was not surprised at all. Xia Liuqing's obsession with Mei Jinfeng had long surpassed ordinary feelings.

It's a kind of protection that's ingrained in one's bones and permeates one's life, something that even Boiling Sheep would be ashamed of, and might even want to get Xia Liuqing tattooed on his body.

"Okay, I already sent you the address."

Wang Xuan did not try to dissuade him, but simply told him calmly.

"However, Elder Xia, there is something I must tell you beforehand."

His tone became serious:

“Biyou Village has already attracted the attention of Nadutong Company.”

Based on my judgment, the company will definitely take action here, and it probably won't be long.

If you are to come, please proceed with caution, and it would be best to... prepare for the worst-case scenario.

Wang Xuan's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Xia Liuqing's anxious head, but they also calmed his feverish mind a little.

Silence fell again on the other end of the phone, this time for a longer period. Clearly, the company's involvement had made things more complicated and dangerous.

"……I see."

After a long while, Xia Liuqing's voice came, carrying a sense of resolute determination.

"Thanks for the reminder, young Wang. But regardless, I have to go this time!"

The call ended. Wang Xuan put away his phone and looked at the quiet outline of Biyou Village.

Chapter 77 The Wudang King Blocking the Way

As the night deepened, Biyou Village resembled a giant beast lurking in the embrace of the mountains, breathing evenly, yet unable to conceal the undercurrents gradually boiling within.

Wang Xuan walked alone on the bluestone path back to his residence. His mind was not blank, but rather he was sorting through some vague fragments of memory.

Let's calculate the time.

He pondered to himself, his pace remaining unchanged.

'Those temporary workers from the company should be in place by now, ready to enter the village.'

His memory of the original plot was not exhaustive, but he still remembered some key moments and major events.

The mobilization of temporary workers to besiege Biyou Village was undoubtedly the climax of this incident.

With Ma Xianhong's stubbornness, Qu Tong's scheming, Shang Genqi's ulterior motives, and the impending arrival of an "outsider," the waters are getting increasingly murky.

As he walked, rummaging through the hazy river of memories for useful information, suddenly, in the shadows not far to his side...

A slightly lazy and teasing voice broke the silence of the night.

"Oh dear, it's really difficult to see you!"

Wang Xuan paused slightly, but his face showed no surprise. In fact, not long after leaving Ma Xianhong's residence, his keen senses had already detected someone following him in the shadows.

The aura was well concealed, but there was no murderous intent or malice; it was more like observation and waiting.

Since the other party showed no hostility, he didn't bother to point it out, but unexpectedly the other party showed up on their own initiative.

He turned his head and looked in the direction of the sound. He saw a young man strolling out of the shadow of a clump of bamboo, with his signature harmless smile on his face.

Who else could it be but Wang Ye?

A barely perceptible smile curved Wang Xuan's lips as he responded half-jokingly:

"What brings you here, King of Wudang?"

He deliberately pronounced "Wudang" and "Wang" separately, making it sound like he was referring to a strange title.

"The King of Wudang?"

When Wang Ye heard this address, he was clearly taken aback for a moment, and then couldn't help but raise his hand to scratch his already messy hair, with a look of both laughter and tears on his face.

He was internally ranting and raving:

What kind of ridiculous title is that?!

Is this guy doing this on purpose? Last time I introduced myself, I clearly said, "Wudang, the King!"

How come he's become the 'King of Wudang'? He sounds like some kind of mountain bandit...

Despite his complaints, Wang Ye maintained his usual carefree demeanor, walking a few steps closer to Wang Xuan while keeping a distance that was neither distant nor offensive.

He chuckled and cut to the chase, his frankness surprising everyone:

"It's nothing, it's nothing, I was just a little curious."

Wang Ye spread his hands, adopting a relaxed posture.

"Well, I'm just a little curious about you. I was chatting with Lao Qing before... oh, I mean Zhuge Qing, and he said you're very mysterious, which makes him really curious."

He unceremoniously "sold out" Zhuge Qing.

"That's piqued my curiosity too."

Wang Ye scratched his head, his smile unchanged, but his eyes were clear and honest.

"So I wanted to ask you about it. If you're willing to tell me, I'll listen and learn something."

If you feel uncomfortable, or if my question has offended you, please pretend I didn't ask anything, and I'll turn around and leave immediately, without saying another word!

His words were impeccable, expressing his purpose while fully respecting the other party's right to choose, adopting a humble attitude that made it difficult for anyone to feel any ill will towards him.

Looking at the seemingly carefree but actually insightful young Taoist priest before him, Wang Xuan understood.

As expected, it was the result of Zhuge Qing's "propaganda".

"I see."

Wang Xuan nodded, his tone flat, revealing neither joy nor anger.

He did not remain evasive or appear offended as Zhuge Qing had expected; instead, he gave a straightforward answer.

"There's nothing that can't be said."

Wang Xuan's gaze calmly fell on Wang Ye, and he slowly spoke, his voice exceptionally clear in the quiet night.

"My name is Wang Xuan."

He first gave his name, and then continued:

"Unaffiliated with any sect or school, a mere wanderer."

Finally, he casually mentioned the lineage he practiced:

"What I have learned are some minor techniques of the Trinity Sect."

The information is extremely concise—name, background, and school of thought.

After saying that, Wang Xuan said no more, nodded slightly to Wang Ye as a greeting, and then turned around and continued along the way he came.

He walked slowly towards his residence, showing no intention of continuing the conversation.

Wang Ye stood there, watching Wang Xuan's figure quickly disappear into the night, momentarily stunned.

That's it... all said? That was so quick and efficient!

"No sect, no faction... the Trinity Sect?"

Wang Ye subconsciously repeated the key words from Wang Xuan's words, his brows furrowing slightly, a thoughtful expression on his face.

While it was somewhat unexpected that he was "without a sect or faction," there were quite a few rogue cultivators in the world of supernatural beings, so it wasn't too surprising.

What truly made him feel unfamiliar and curious were the three words "Sanyi Gate".

"Trinity Gate...Trinity Gate..."

Wang Ye carefully searched his memory for relevant information. Although he came from Wudang Mountain, he was a "latecomer" to the field, and his main focus was on Feng Hou Qi Men.

My understanding of those once glorious but now extinct sects in the history of the supernatural world is not very deep.

In addition, he was lazy by nature, and apart from his necessary studies and the divination techniques that interested him, he had very limited knowledge of the history of other schools of thought.

No matter how hard he tried to recall, his memory of the "Sanyi Gate" was almost a complete blank.

This seems to be a name that is rarely mentioned in the current world of supernatural beings.

'Never heard of that before...'

Wang Ye scratched his head, looking somewhat troubled.

'It sounds like a Taoist sect? But what exactly do they practice? What powerful techniques do they have? I don't think I've ever heard my masters or grandmasters mention it.'

This is understandable. Although the Sanyi Sect was once a powerful force, and its leader, Immortal Zuo Ruotong, was a renowned master, it has since disbanded and disappeared into the annals of history for decades.