Some people who were preparing to leave slowed their steps when they saw this situation. With matters escalating like this, everyone was curious to know who the real killer was—someone audacious enough to commit murder right under the noses of powerful figures.
Looking at the gray-robed man bound by Lin Hu’s spell, they felt some doubt. In their impression, this man wasn’t talkative. After Lingbo Xianzi injured that troublemaking cultivator earlier, this man had been so frightened his face turned ashen. Could such a seemingly cowardly man really be the killer who had carved out the victim’s heart with his bare hands?
Could they have made a mistake?
Everyone had this suspicion in their hearts, but facing Kong Hou, they couldn’t voice such thoughts. Yunhua Sect’s reputation still had to be respected. Moreover, this Kong Hou Xianzi was beautiful, and her smile made people reluctant to speak harshly. The male cultivators present didn’t want to embarrass Kong Hou, while the female cultivators, adhering to the principle that less trouble was better, only watched the excitement without speaking.
“You… what do you mean by this?” The gray-robed man fell to the ground. Rather than anger or complaint, he looked at Kong Hou with panic and helplessness, waving his hands repeatedly and stammering, “Immortal, you’ve misunderstood. How would I dare do such evil to a maidservant of Zhaohan Sect?”
Cowardly, timid, ordinary-looking—no matter how you looked at him, he didn’t seem like a man capable of great deeds.
“This innocent and pitiful expression looks touching and moving when a beautiful woman does it, but you doing it can’t fool me.” Ignoring the doubtful gazes cast her way, Kong Hou stood and circled around the gray-robed man. “You disguised yourself very well. If I hadn’t been secretly observing you all along, I would have believed you were innocent.” After Huan Zong said this gray-robed man was most suspicious, Kong Hou had been observing him through various small actions. After careful observation, she discovered Huan Zong’s suspicions weren’t wrong—this gray-robed man was most likely the killer.
When the conflict between Lingbo and the cultivators present grew increasingly tense, this man’s eyes showed smugness and mockery. Even the hand holding his teacup trembled slightly. This killer was mocking everyone for being fools, feeling triumphant that he could deceive them all.
After Zhaohan Sect’s head disciple Chang De appeared, his expression became much more restrained. Seeing Chang De resolve the conflict between Zhaohan Sect and other sects with just a few words, this “honest” man revealed unwillingness and anger, though he disguised these emotions so well that almost no one could detect them.
But only almost—he couldn’t hide from Kong Hou, who had been observing him all along. After Chang De said cultivators cleared of suspicion could leave, Kong Hou paid attention to the gray-robed man’s expression as he crossed the inn’s threshold—it was self-satisfaction.
The self-satisfaction of doing bad deeds under others’ noses and leaving openly.
Kong Hou voiced all these observations. The gray-robed man said, “What gazes, what smugness? Why would the immortal wrongly accuse me?”
“Right, we have no grudge or enmity. Why would I wrongly accuse you?” Kong Hou countered. “So aside from you being the killer, there’s no other possibility.”
“Kong Hou Xianzi is a personal disciple of Yunhua Sect. She definitely wouldn’t wrongly accuse you.” A female cultivator said, “I also think this person is somewhat suspicious. From last night until now, he’s been shrinking in a corner without speaking. Who knows if it’s guilty conscience preventing him from speaking?”
The burly man beside her nodded. “Fellow Daoist speaks reasonably. This person lives in the outermost room of the lower quarters. If he went out in the middle of the night, no one could detect it.”
Everyone began discussing, each statement condemning the gray-robed man. If the killer wasn’t the gray-robed man, could it be them? Especially those who still couldn’t leave and couldn’t clear their suspicions reacted most strongly, wishing they could press the gray-robed man to the ground on the spot and beat him into confessing he was the killer.
“You’re sect disciples—do you bully us rogue cultivators like this?” With one sentence, the gray-robed man shifted the conflict to opposition between rogue cultivators and sects. He shouted, “Without proof or evidence, what right do you have to wrongly accuse me?”
“Wrongly accuse you?!” The hot-tempered Lingbo sneered coldly. “Even if we beat you to death today, so what?”
Hearing this, Kong Hou couldn’t help rubbing her forehead. This Lingbo fellow Daoist from Zhaohan Sect had too big a temper. If these words got out, wasn’t she afraid of attracting hatred toward Zhaohan Sect? However, this gray-robed cultivator really wasn’t a good person—putting on such a big hat with one sentence.
“Fellow Daoist, your words are truly laughable. We rogue cultivators of Lingyou Realm are all free and unrestrained. How could we possibly do things like harming lives and carving out hearts?” Kong Hou countered. “You did something wrong yet drag all rogue cultivators down with you. What kind of reasoning is that?” This level of sowing discord really couldn’t be considered clever. This evil cultivator should go look at those imperial consorts in the palace—their skill at sowing discord was consummate, making it impossible to guard against.
“Kong Hou Xianzi speaks well.” A rogue cultivator present said, “We rogue cultivators have always emphasized freedom and following our hearts, and we also emphasize benevolence and virtue. You cannot represent us.” Rogue cultivators indeed weren’t as powerful as sect disciples, and their cultivation resources couldn’t compare to sect disciples either, but they also didn’t have to follow various sect rules like sect disciples did. Who didn’t like being praised? Kong Hou, as a personal disciple of one of the ten great sects, calling them rogue cultivators free and unrestrained—hearing this made the rogue cultivators feel cheerful. Naturally, they were unwilling to let a cowardly-looking cultivator with murder suspicions represent their rogue cultivator group.
Chang De looked at the smiling Kong Hou and secretly sighed. In terms of talent, Lingbo wasn’t much inferior to Kong Hou, but in terms of temperament and cultivation, Lingbo probably couldn’t compare to Kong Hou, who was over twenty years younger than her. The cultivation world never lacked cultivators with outstanding talent who fell due to their temperament. He didn’t want Lingbo to be one of them.
Seeing everyone accusing him, the gray-robed man kept stammering in defense. Just when everyone thought he had resigned himself to fate, suddenly his figure flashed. The malevolent and bloody aura on his body surged explosively as he approached Kong Hou at blinking speed, pointing straight at her chest.
He wanted to carve out her heart.
Chang De was greatly alarmed. If Kong Hou died before him, given Yunhua Sect’s protective nature, half this debt would be charged to him. But this seemingly cowardly gray-robed man moved too fast—so fast Chang De couldn’t intercept him in time.
This was no ordinary cultivator at all—he had at least Nascent Soul stage cultivation! Previously, he had deliberately sealed his cultivation to deceive them.
However, the gray-robed man had no chance to approach Kong Hou. He was blocked—blocked by the brocade-robed Huan Zong. No one saw clearly how Huan Zong moved. They only saw a flash of light, and when they looked again, Kong Hou was already protected behind Huan Zong, while the gray-robed man had been slapped to the ground by Lin Hu with one palm. Without even a chance for his Nascent Soul to escape his body, Lin Hu destroyed his cultivation.
“Kong Hou Xianzi, are you alright?” Chang De couldn’t spare attention for the gray-robed man lying on the ground coughing blood. He flashed to Kong Hou’s side, inquiring about her condition.
“I’m fine.” Kong Hou poked her head out from behind Huan Zong. “Thank you for your concern, Chang De fellow Daoist.”
“Good that you’re fine.” Chang De breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Kong Hou was unharmed, he didn’t need to worry about Yunhua Sect coming to cause trouble.
Huan Zong covered his mouth with a handkerchief and coughed violently. His pale cheeks instantly flushed with an unhealthy redness. If his other hand weren’t gripping the table, he could barely maintain a standing posture.
Kong Hou quickly helped him sit down. Without thinking, she placed her hand on Huan Zong’s pulse point and transmitted the spiritual energy from her body to him.
“Kong Hou, don’t waste your spiritual energy. This is an old ailment of mine.” Huan Zong stopped coughing, his voice somewhat hoarse. “I’ll be fine after resting a moment.” The flush on his face quickly receded, leaving only pallor, as if even the redness on his lips had faded along with it. His handsome face was pale to the point of transparency.
“Before I spoke up to stop this person, I had already placed defensive talismans on myself. The talismans were made by a Peak Master from the sect. If he dared touch me, he would suffer magical backlash. I wouldn’t be injured.” Kong Hou rummaged in her storage ring for a while, found a Qi-replenishing pill, and placed it in Huan Zong’s palm. “Don’t joke around with your body.”
When he was coughing violently just now, Kong Hou was really worried he wouldn’t catch his breath and would lose his life. Such a good-looking man who also liked Miaobi Ke’s books just like her, and most importantly, someone who could stand by friends in critical moments—she hoped such a person could live a bit longer.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think things through.” Huan Zong swallowed the pill Kong Hou gave him without even asking what it was.
“Why are you apologizing to me? What’s wrong with you being concerned about me?” Kong Hou widened her eyes, thinking Huan Zong was a bit foolish. Fortunately, she had already agreed to travel with him, otherwise he would definitely be deceived by others.
“What I meant was you should prioritize your own body.” Kong Hou sighed. “The outside world is very dangerous. You need to be more careful. Didn’t Miaobi Ke’s books write about it? Beautiful women might be deadly seductresses. Seemingly innocent and adorable children might be heart-eating evil creatures. You need to be more alert.”
Huan Zong looked at Kong Hou before him with her “I really can’t do anything about you” expression and curved his lips. “Mm.”
“Don’t just ‘mm.’ Remember it in your heart.” Seeing Huan Zong lower his head with his long eyelashes trembling, Kong Hou couldn’t bring herself to speak harshly. She sighed and turned to Chang De standing beside them. “Fellow Daoist, since the matter has been cleared up, I’ll leave the killer for you to handle.”
“Thank you, Kong Hou Xianzi. Thank you, Young Master.” Chang De wasn’t clear about Huan Zong’s identity, but since he could move faster than a Nascent Soul cultivator, his cultivation was clearly not low. However, his body didn’t seem too good, and the aura on him was very weak. He wondered if his primordial spirit was damaged.
“You’re welcome.” Huan Zong’s expression was somewhat distant, as if he didn’t like talking much with outsiders. “Evil and heretical paths—everyone has the right to eliminate them.”
“May I know Young Master’s distinguished name? If you don’t mind, I would like to invite you and Kong Hou Xianzi for some tea and refreshments.” Chang De didn’t mind Huan Zong’s indifferent attitude. He intended to befriend both of them and displayed a very amiable demeanor.
Huan Zong didn’t directly refuse or agree but instead cast an inquiring gaze toward Kong Hou.
Kong Hou didn’t want to embarrass Chang De, but she was worried about Huan Zong’s body and still politely declined. However, she didn’t use Huan Zong’s health as the reason, only saying she hadn’t rested well last night and lacked energy today, worried about disrupting Chang De and Lingbo’s spirits.
“In that case, please rest tonight, Immortal and Young Master. Tomorrow I will host a banquet at the Zhaixing Tower and invite you both and all fellow Daoists for a few cups of light wine. Please honor us with your presence.” Chang De knew Lingbo acted impulsively and had offended many people. He wanted to use this banquet to dispel everyone’s dissatisfaction.
Aside from those who truly couldn’t stay, everyone present happily agreed. Normally, they didn’t even have opportunities to speak with Zhaohan Sect disciples. Being able to attend a banquet hosted by Chang De this time—they could boast about it for hundreds of years after returning.
Great sect head disciples really were different—not only high cultivation and extraordinary bearing, but their words and actions made people feel comfortable.
Seeing Chang De had spoken to this extent, Kong Hou couldn’t refuse anymore and could only agree.
“Then tomorrow I shall await everyone at Zhaixing Tower.” After Chang De handled everything, he took both Lingbo and the gray-robed cultivator away. He was afraid that leaving Lingbo behind would cause another pile of problems.
After the Zhaohan Sect people left, Du Jing hesitantly approached Kong Hou with a fawning smile. “Martial Grand-Aunt, this junior was ignorant and offended you greatly before. Please don’t take it to heart. Just treat me like a dog with bad eyesight. I absolutely won’t do such things again in the future.”
“You want to be a dog? I don’t want a dog for a grandson.” Kong Hou pointed to the side. “Sit down and talk.”
“Thank you, Martial Grand-Aunt.” Du Jing obsequiously sat down, not forgetting to flash an ingratiating smile at Huan Zong.
Huan Zong lowered his head and poured himself a cup of tea, not wanting to interrupt this “grandparent-grandchild” conversation.
“Did you guess something might happen last night?” Kong Hou got straight to the point. “Last night, you and your father assembled the guards so quickly—you were prepared in advance, weren’t you?”
“Martial Grand-Aunt, I’m just a good-for-nothing playboy who can’t and doesn’t want to amount to anything. How could I guess these things?” Du Jing scratched his face with a smile, like a restless monkey. “I just got ideas from seeing a beauty and kicked an iron plate.”
“Really?” Kong Hou raised an eyebrow.
“Re-really.” Du Jing’s confidence was somewhat lacking. “Without proof or evidence for this kind of thing, who can determine what’s true or false?” If this matter got out, it would cause panic throughout Qiu City. But if he pretended nothing had happened, he worried there really was an evil cultivator causing chaos, leading to more deaths. So yesterday, he had arranged people at many inns. The only inn without his arrangement was this one.
At the time, he thought since this inn had Zhaohan Sect people, no matter how bold an evil cultivator was, they wouldn’t dare act here. Who knew their audacity was exactly that great, specifically targeting Zhaohan Sect people? This was something he hadn’t anticipated.
If he’d known things would develop this way, he should have stayed yesterday. Perhaps that maidservant wouldn’t have died.
Kong Hou understood the unspoken meaning in his words and nodded without speaking. So the outside world was this complex. Human lives didn’t seem very valuable either—dying just like that, without even time for last words.
Seeing her expression wasn’t good, Du Jing thought she was still holding a grudge about yesterday’s incident. Not daring to remain there as an eyesore, he found an excuse and scrambled away. Before leaving, he diligently helped Kong Hou and Huan Zong order lunch and dinner.
“Huan Zong, do you want to return to your room to rest for a while?” Seeing Huan Zong’s pale complexion hadn’t improved, Kong Hou was somewhat worried about his physical condition.
“Don’t worry, I’m fine.” Huan Zong set down his cup and smiled slightly at Kong Hou. “Since you asked Lin Hu and me to call you by name, you should also call us directly by name. Always calling ‘Young Master, Young Master’ makes things seem distant.”
“Actually, I also found it awkward to say.” Kong Hou touched the teapot and beckoned to the staff. “Bring a pot of hot tea.” She took away the cup Huan Zong had set down. “People with poor health shouldn’t drink cold tea.”
Huan Zong smiled and let Kong Hou replace it with a cup of steaming hot tea.
“Kong Hou Xianzi, thank you for catching the killer and clearing our names.” Several cultivators walked over to thank Kong Hou. They were among those who had been up during the night and couldn’t clear their suspicions. Because they didn’t dare offend Zhaohan Sect, they had endured in silence. If Kong Hou hadn’t discovered something wrong with the gray-robed man, they didn’t know how they would prove their innocence.
“Actually, this friend of mine reminded me, and only then did I realize something was wrong with that person.” Kong Hou pointed at Huan Zong. “So you should thank him, not me.”
People came to thank Kong Hou half out of genuine gratitude, half hoping to become familiar faces before her. Now hearing her say this, they turned to thank Huan Zong instead.
“You’re welcome.” Huan Zong’s expression was indifferent. After exchanging a few words, everyone couldn’t continue the conversation and had to disperse. If they kept talking, they would all fall into an awkward atmosphere.
After these people left, Kong Hou quietly asked, “Huan Zong, how did you see something was wrong with that person?”
Huan Zong reached for his teacup, covering the corner of his mouth. “I just noticed his emotions were somewhat off, as if he was watching everyone’s show.” No matter how well disguised his expression was, the bloody aura on his body couldn’t be completely concealed. Moreover, why would someone seal their cultivation for no reason?
“Also, Miaobi Ke’s books have such plots—the person who seems least likely is actually the worst.” Huan Zong took a sip of tea. “Fortunately I didn’t guess wrong, otherwise I would have brought you trouble.”
“Miaobi Ke’s books wrote about this?” Kong Hou was surprised. “Which one?”
“The volume where the protagonist stays at Fox Mountain in the Immortal Cultivation Records.”
“Ah, that volume.” Kong Hou’s mood instantly became dejected. Cupping her face, she said, “Originally I also bought that volume, but I didn’t have a chance to read it. The day I bought the books and was returning, halfway there I encountered a martial uncle from another sect. He discovered I was reading storybooks and confiscated them.”
Just after saying this, she heard Huan Zong cough again. She quickly stood and patted his back. “After attending the banquet Chang De is hosting tomorrow, let’s go to the Moon Water Sect. Getting the medicine sooner will also benefit your health.”
“No rush.” Huan Zong used a handkerchief to wipe the corner of his mouth, his voice somewhat hoarse. “This time I came out mainly to relax. If we hurry to the Moon Water Sect, that would defeat the purpose. My body is already like this. Even taking medicine only replenishes vital energy—the symptoms can’t be alleviated much.”
“How can it be like this?” Kong Hou frowned tightly. “Is there no method of treatment?”
Huan Zong looked down at the teacup in his hand. The steam from the tea rose into his eyes. He blinked and said lightly, “Leave it to fate.”
Seeing him like this, Kong Hou bit her lip, not knowing what to say. At lunch, Huan Zong as usual only ate a few bites. Kong Hou stuffed a bottle of Qi-replenishing pills into his hand and sent him back to his room to rest.
After meditating on the bed for a while, letting spiritual energy circulate through her body for two complete cycles, Kong Hou heard a knock on the door. Opening it, standing outside was Lin Hu, holding a thread-bound book in his hand.
“Kong Hou, my young master asked me to give this to you.” When Lin Hu didn’t speak, he was like an emotionless stone. When he opened his mouth to speak, he was like rigid wood.
Kong Hou accepted the storybook. Looking at the cover, it was actually the Fox Mountain volume from the Immortal Cultivation Records. She immediately said happily, “Please thank Huan Zong for gifting the book. From the complete Immortal Cultivation Records set, I was only missing this volume.” She carefully placed the book in her storage ring. Ever since that time when Peak Master Song He discovered books stuffed in her sleeve, she never put books in her sleeves anymore. “How is Huan Zong’s body? Is there anything seriously wrong?”
Lin Hu expressionlessly shook his head. “Young Master’s body has old ailments. Nothing is seriously wrong. Young Master also said when you go for dinner later, call him and he’ll go with you.”
“Alright.” Kong Hou nodded repeatedly. For this generous friend who gifted books, Kong Hou was full of favorable feelings. Never mind asking him to eat together—even if he asked her to bring him food, she wouldn’t have the slightest objection.
Lin Hu returned to Huan Zong’s room. Seeing his young master still meditating, he quietly sat to the side, not wanting to disturb him. Who knew that as soon as he sat down cross-legged, Huan Zong opened his eyes. “Did you deliver the book?”
Lin Hu nodded. Seeing Huan Zong still staring at him, he could only add a sentence: “Kong Hou was very pleased with the book Young Master gave her.”
“Mm.” Huan Zong closed his eyes. His entire person was like a jade-carved doll—perfectly exquisite yet without a trace of vitality.
An hour later, Kong Hou knocked on Huan Zong’s door. Lin Hu answered. Seeing Huan Zong meditating, Kong Hou made a gesture that she would leave first and not disturb Huan Zong. Lin Hu woodenly nodded.
“Is that Kong Hou?” Huan Zong opened his eyes at this moment, stood up, and walked before Kong Hou. “Is it time for dinner?”
Kong Hou nodded. “Did I disturb you?”
“No.” Huan Zong said casually, “I was just thinking about when you would come, and you came.”
“That’s good then.” Kong Hou smiled. “Many cultivators above Foundation Establishment stage, even when not in seclusion, don’t have the habit of eating meals.” Today she discovered many cultivators didn’t like eating food. Compared to these people, their Yunhua Sect was much more particular about food. Fortunately, although Huan Zong ate little at each meal, he would still eat a few bites, so she didn’t have to eat alone with several people at nearby tables secretly observing him.
“Being able to enjoy delicious food is also a cultivation experience. There’s nothing wrong with that.” Following behind Kong Hou, Huan Zong watched the young woman’s vibrant back. His indifferent face seemed to be infected with a trace of vitality.
“You’re right. Eating is also cultivation.” Kong Hou jumped down the last step, and the hairpin at her temple swayed along with her.
Huan Zong watched her somewhat childish action and couldn’t help smiling.
“By the way, I still don’t know if you’re a sect disciple or rogue cultivator?” Kong Hou turned to look at Huan Zong, her eyes filled with simple curiosity and nothing else.
Huan Zong was slightly stunned. “I am… a disciple of Liuguang Sect. But because my health isn’t too good, I don’t often interact with outsiders.”
“Liuguang Sect?” Kong Hou’s eyes widened. She moved closer to Huan Zong and said quietly, “You’re really a Liuguang Sect disciple?”
Seeing the curiosity and excitement in her eyes, Huan Zong lowered his eyelids slightly. “Mm.”
“Then let me ask you a tiny question. You absolutely must not tell anyone.” Kong Hou’s voice became even lower. “That Zhongxi Zhenren in your sect—is he really nine feet tall with eyes like lightning?”
“Hmm?”
In this instant, Huan Zong’s expression was somewhat bewildered.