Chapter 98: The Lawless One of the Divine Sect (2)

Bang!

The sound of a small hole being drilled into the rock was not very loud.

However, at that small sound, Madongfil felt a chill run down his spine. If Xuliang had not warned him, his chest would have been pierced before the rock was.

And that was just from a single blade of grass.

'Who could it be?'

Madongfil quickly straightened his upper body and looked around.

At that moment, Xuliang was already in motion.

Whoosh!

Xuliang approached the place where the blade of grass had flown from in an instant and drew his sword. It was the Qiyedao he had brought just in case.

Flash! Swish!

As the wind blades of the Sixfold Hell Wind were unleashed, the small patch of grass was instantly turned into a mess.

Xuliang's sword technique had indeed changed from before. Even without unleashing the full power of the Sixfold Hell Wind, his sword movements were smooth and flexible, as if he were performing a continuous series of strikes.

The martial arts of the expert who had disappeared into the distance, having dodged Xuliang's sword, were even more remarkable.

Madongfil's eyes blazed with anger.

Whoosh!

He approached the bushes in an instant, eager to chase after the culprit.

At that moment, Xuliang raised his hand.

"Stop."

Thud!

Madongfil stopped.

"Master?"

"It's too late."

Xuliang frowned.

"In that direction, there are hundreds of people gathered. They are all experts. Finding the culprit's trace among such a group of experts is impossible."

"But, but..."

"Even I, who am stronger than you, or you, who are better at pursuit, would find it impossible. Accept it."

Madongfil bit his lip. It was an undeniable fact.

Xuliang, who had been patting his shoulder, approached the rock where the blade of grass was embedded.

"Huh? Look at this?"

Xuliang whistled.

"The technique of Zheyefei (摘葉飛花, Plucking Leaves and Flying Flowers)... with a speed faster than an arrow and the power to pierce through rock? This is quite a catch, isn't it?"

Madongfil's face hardened.

"An expert who can use Zheyefei to this extent could be called a top-notch master without any exaggeration, right?"

"Yes, but the important thing is not that."

"Huh?"

Xuliang looked down at his chest.

The golden fox, nestled in his front, yawned lazily, seemingly unaffected by the situation.

'Clearly, the killing intent of the blade of grass was not very strong. But if it were me, I would have sensed it in advance.'

There was no sense of danger from his heightened senses when such a master was about to launch an ambush. Even the golden fox was gradually closing its eyes, seemingly sleepy.

What does that mean?

"Hey, Dongfil."

"Yes, Master."

"What were you doing when I wasn't around? Did you break up with the sister of some unknown top master?"

"......Huh?"

"The target was you, not me."

"......?!"

"If it had been me, I would have sensed the attack before the blade of grass even flew."

Madongfil's mouth opened wide in shock.

Xuliang said with a bewildered expression.

"You seem to be in a bad situation?"

* * *

"What brings you here?"

"Really, why are you frowning so much? I didn't come to a place I shouldn't have."

"I've never frowned. And look at the Third Master. He's the kind of person who makes others tense just by being around him."

As Gogu said, Xuliang was dressed in a rather fierce manner.

A black martial uniform with a white robe draped over it. His well-toned physique suited the outfit well.

The problem was his weapons. On his right side, he wore the Qiyedao, on his back, the Liushuangdou, and on his shoulder, the Longlindao, which was over five feet long.

He was practically a human arsenal. If someone unfamiliar saw him, they might think he was off to war.

Xuliang scratched his head.

"I always try to stay alert, no matter what."

"......"

"Just take it that way."

"Your great martial arts skills won't be hindered by the weight of the sword, but for the sake of a smooth conversation, wouldn't it be better to put the sword behind you to the side?"

"I was just about to do that. It feels good in my hand, but it gets in the way when I sit."

Xuliang put the Longlindao to the side and sat down.

Gogu glanced at the Longlindao.

"You handle heavy weapons?"

"Pretty well, don't you think?"

"I didn't know."

"I hope you never find out. The more you know about me, the more troublesome it will be."

It's not just "pretty well."

When Liangshang offered to teach him a move and asked him to choose one of the four swords, Xuliang picked the Longlindao without hesitation.

He wielded the heavy Longlindao for half a day. And that was against an opponent of a different level, one he couldn't even land a single successful attack on.

It wasn't a conscious choice. No, there wasn't even time to think.

It was instinct. His body had been trained to the point where it could use its strength most efficiently with a weapon of the Longlindao's weight.

If the same situation arose now, he could probably wield it for a full day.

"Anyway, let's stop the chatter and get to the point."

"I want to know why you came. What's the matter?"

"You heard about the commotion I caused in front of the Martial Sword Sect's leader?"

"I heard. It was quite a close call."

"You also heard that it was well resolved?"

"Just because there was no swordplay doesn't mean it was well resolved."

Xuliang chuckled.

"Why? Didn't you like it?"

"Of course not. The Third Master was too hasty. And what was that ambiguous question?

If he had announced it to everyone, it might have been different, but by asking an ambiguous question, he only gave the culprit a sense of caution."

"Is this guy crazy? Announce the culprit's crimes in front of everyone? That would make me look like an idiot."

"What I'm saying is, he shouldn't have acted so rashly in the first place. The culprit will be even more cautious now because of the Third Master's words."

"On the contrary, there's also a benefit."

"A benefit?"

"The benefit is that even if the culprit is in the worst situation, we don't have to make the Martial Sword Sect our enemy."

"......!"

"The Martial Sword Sect's leader, being who he is, can't ignore his reputation. He answered in front of so many people in the Divine Sect.

He won't show favoritism, especially because it's his son."

"......"

"Even if he wanted to, he can't protect the culprit. At the very least, he can't act openly. Why? Because it would ruin his reputation."

Xuliang laughed coldly.

"Reputation is the key to the rise and fall of power. I don't think the Martial Sword Sect's leader would ruin his family to save one son."

Gogu's eyes wavered. He finally understood why Xuliang had acted so hastily.

"I understand the Third Master's intentions. But that's a problem to be dealt with after catching the culprit.

If we push without evidence, the Martial Sword Sect's leader's sword will be aimed at us in anger."

"True, that's a valid point."

"Do you have any other plans?"

"No other plans, but one thing is clear now."

"What is it?"

"If we don't catch the culprit during the Fahun Festival, the Martial Sword Sect's leader will forever look at me with suspicion."

"......!"

"So we have to catch the culprit no matter what. How about it? Does your ass feel a bit itchy now?"

"What does the Martial Sword Sect's leader looking at me with suspicion have to do with me?"

"Are you serious?"

Gogu sighed.

"The Third Master is a troublesome person."

We're in the same boat now. At least for this time, we need to support each other to achieve our goals.

"In return, I'll definitely boost your morale. Let's move with tension from now on."

"I don't think you came all the way here just to say that. What's the other reason you came to see me?"

"Let's get to the main point. But before that!"

"What is it now?"

"I called one more person. Is that okay?"

"Called someone? What do you mean?"

At that moment, the sound of footsteps approaching from outside the door was heard.

Gogu's eyes wavered instantly. He recognized the person not by the footsteps but by the subtle aura.

"Third Master......"

"Come in!"

Click!

The door opened, and Xiaoyanshen entered.

Her usual gentle smile was nowhere to be seen. Her expressionless face was so cold that it made anyone who saw her hesitate to speak.

Xuliang cleared his throat.

"You two know each other, right? Say hello."

Xiaoyanshen's transparent gaze fell on Gogu.

Gogu, who had been looking at her with a stern face, stood up and made a bow.

"It's been a while."

"About two years, I believe."

"I didn't think the Third Master would call the Prefect of Xiaoyuan."

"It doesn't seem like you're pleased."

"......"

"I'm glad. I would have been even happier if the Chief had asked for help directly."

Gogu shook his head.

"I don't have the face to see the Prefect of Xiaoyuan."

"Of course, you should. That's why I came here myself, to clear this uncomfortable relationship."

Failing to prevent a crime beforehand is understandable. Initially, it was the fault of Huanyuan and the Law Enforcement Hall.

But arresting innocent people was entirely the fault of the Criminal Law Hall.

And the man who was wrongfully accused and killed had worked at Huanyuan for three years.

As a result, Huanyuan not only lost a member but also suffered significant hardship due to the Criminal Law Hall's erroneous investigation.

Gogu looked at Xuliang.

"Shouldn't you have given me a heads-up?"

"I wanted to, but there wasn't much time. I know it might seem excessive, but let it go this time."

Xuliang scratched his head.

"More importantly, the Prefect of Xiaoyuan has also identified the outline of the culprit and is actively searching for them."

"......!"

"Where else would you find such a capable person? It's better to work together to catch and punish the culprit as soon as possible. Don't you think?"

Gogu sighed. He seemed to be sighing a lot today.

"Alright."

"Good."

Thus, the three major figures of the Divine Sect gathered in one place.

"Before we get into various matters, I should explain why I came here."

Xuliang told the two about what had happened an hour ago.

Xiaoyanshen, of course, and Gogu were also surprised. Attacking the Third Master? And in the Divine Sect's main hall?

"Actually, the target wasn't me but Dongfil."

Xuliang spoke seriously.

"I had a long conversation with Dongfil. And before that, I knew Dongfil well.

He's so principled that he wouldn't go around making enemies."

Xiaoyanshen nodded.

"I agree."

Though they didn't have a personal relationship, she knew Dongfil well as a high-ranking expert in the Law Enforcement Hall.

"Yet, the mysterious expert targeted Dongfil. If they had targeted me, I wouldn't have been so puzzled."

"Master, are you saying that the mysterious expert who targeted the Martial Guard actually had no grudge against him?"

"It's easier to talk with someone smart and perceptive. Yes, that's what I think."

"Why do you think so? I know Dongfil's character, but grudges can arise for any reason."

"If there was a grudge, they would have targeted me."

"Why?"

"Because I'm stronger than Dongfil."

"......"

"Dealing with me, who is stronger than Dongfil, first and then dealing with Dongfil would be more certain.

Isn't that right? Just in terms of speed, I'm much faster than Dongfil."

Xiaoyanshen nodded.

There's no need to assume that the mysterious expert was unaware of Xuliang's martial arts. Even without martial arts, Xuliang was an influential figure.

If they wanted to kill Dongfil, they should have dealt with Xuliang first.

"Therefore, I think it's more important to figure out what the mysterious expert is after rather than who they are."

"Did you find an answer?"

"Yes."

"What......?"

Xuliang called out to the door.

"Dongfil!"

A moment later, the door opened, and Madongfil entered.

He drew his sword from his side.

When Gogu and Xiaoyanshen saw the sword, their eyes widened in shock.

"The only reason the mysterious expert would target Dongfil is this."

The Mowang Sword.

One of the Five Great Martial Swords of the Divine Sect and one of the Ten Great Martial Swords of the Jianghu.

Xuliang's eyes deepened.

"And I don't think this situation is unrelated to catching the culprit."