This happened before Suzhen returned—some events that occurred in the martial world.

The martial world and the imperial court seemed to be two eternally different realms. While the court experienced countless upheavals and changes, the martial world remained steadfast and unmoved.

However, three years ago, several mysterious murder cases occurred in the martial world. All the victims were prominent figures in the martial arts community, and their deaths were extremely gruesome. Some said it was the work of foreign demonic cults, while others claimed the court wanted to control the martial world. Various theories spread like wildfire.

The major sects were disturbed and restless, convening several conferences to discuss capturing the culprit. However, they gained nothing from their efforts.

Subsequently, an organization called the Capture Gate emerged from nowhere, specializing in challenging dojos. They challenged several famous sects consecutively, leading people to suspect that the murders were their doing. But they also openly and brazenly challenged the major figures of the martial world, making their motives truly incomprehensible.

But regardless, challenging dojos was the fastest path to fame in the martial world.

Later, the Capture Gate solved the murder cases, revealing that a certain prestigious orthodox sect was behind them, with the goal of gradually controlling the martial arts world.

The Capture Gate had used the dojo challenges as a cover for their investigation, and their reputation soared overnight.

The martial world was always chaotic. Afterward, this mysterious organization began handling various unsolved murder cases in the martial world, and they also took on cases that civilian authorities couldn’t solve.

Soon, they earned a reputation in the martial world.

Some people in the martial world feared them, some were wary of them, and naturally, some respected them.

They had always maintained a low profile in their actions, until the Divine Sword Sect—ranked among the top ten in the martial world—received their challenge letter.

People were exceptionally curious about this dojo challenge. After all, no recent murders had occurred, and initially, they had needed to build their reputation and facilitate entry into various sects for investigation. But what was the purpose this time?

Neither side released any information, making this instantly become a grand event in the martial world.

What made this event even more noteworthy was that the challenger was reportedly the leader of the Capture Gate. This leader had never fought before, but all his subordinates were formidable. All previous sect challenges had been handled by his followers. The Divine Sword Sect was a major sect among major sects, and their old sect master’s sword had never failed. In the martial world, fewer than five people could match him as an opponent.

Thus, this day’s duel attracted more than ten times the usual number of martial world figures.

In the arena stood one figure in white and one in black. The man in black clothes was a middle-aged man, while the one in white had extraordinarily handsome features—truly a graceful young gentleman. However, his eyes were as cold as iron, seemingly devoid of any warmth. This not only didn’t diminish the young man’s charm but made the young ladies from various sects stare wide-eyed, their hearts racing with various thoughts.

“Please enlighten me.”

The middle-aged man was Xue Zhao, the sect master of the Divine Sword Sect. Without wasting words, he directly drew his sword.

This match had some hidden agenda. It was perfect to use this newcomer of unknown origins but rising fame to establish his reputation once more.

The Divine Sword Sect had at least a hundred disciples under its banner, who stood waving flags and cheering loudly in support. In contrast, the Capture Gate had only three men and two women, and they didn’t seem to be talkative people either. Only one young woman among them spoke softly: “Master, be careful.”

The white-clothed young man nodded slightly and drew his long sword.

The sword’s edge was sharp and gleaming, though clearly not a famous blade.

The two exchanged forty to fifty moves. Xue Zhao was secretly alarmed. He had witnessed the young members of the Capture Gate challenging other dojos and was confident he could defeat them. He had also heard that their leader was a young man and had assumed this sect master was only slightly more skilled than his subordinates. He hadn’t expected this leader to be more than a full level above them.

Earlier, he had used seventy percent of his power to test his opponent and couldn’t gain any advantage. Now, using nearly his full internal energy, he discovered his opponent could still counter him. The young man seemed unfathomably deep, showing the bearing of growing stronger when facing stronger opponents.

If he lost this match, his prestige would be completely destroyed. After a moment’s contemplation, during the intense battle, he shouted loudly: “Our sword techniques are evenly matched. Continuing this battle won’t be interesting. Let’s compete in palm techniques instead.”

“Very well.” The other party responded indifferently, sheathing his sword. “You are the senior, please go first.”

“Good. I respect you as a true man for the Capture Gate’s usual conduct, so I’ll only use seventy percent of my power,” Xue Zhao said as he suddenly thrust his palm forward.

This palm strike used his full power, and hidden in his palm was a golden needle.

The needle was poisoned. This poison took effect slowly but would absolutely render a person unable to defend themselves. It was colorless and odorless—except for the victim, no one else could detect it from the skin.

The young man’s lips curved slightly as he met the attack with his own palm. However, his gaze suddenly paused, falling on someone in the opposite direction.

There was a person who, seemingly tense about the battle, had walked out from the crowd.

Their eyes met, and the other person suddenly turned and walked deeper into the crowd.

“Bang!” The young man suddenly withdrew his palm and was struck by Xue Zhao’s palm on his body. His figure swayed, and he coughed up a mouthful of fresh blood. But his momentum remained strong, without any reduction, as he chased after that person.

“It’s her.”

Someone from the Capture Gate gasped. Everyone saw a flash before their eyes as the young man, like an eagle catching a chick, had already intercepted the fleeing person from the crowd, lifting them up at the waist. With several leaps, he disappeared from people’s sight.

“What’s happening?” Master Juelin of Shaolin Temple, who was presiding over this duel, couldn’t help but furrow his brow.

At this moment, someone shouted: “Could this be another case of catching a criminal suspect?”

“But that young lady looked delicate and weak, not like one!”

Indeed, the person who had been carried away was a young woman with charming and lovely features.

The disciples of the Divine Sword Sect, under the meaningful glances of their sect master’s wife and senior brother, shouted loudly: “Then how should this match’s outcome be determined?”

“I think Master suffered no damage, while the Capture Gate’s leader coughed up blood. Clearly, the winner has been decided.”

“Exactly.”

Other sects also had supporters, and the scene became chaotic for a moment. The few members of the Capture Gate didn’t argue much, only waiting in place, seemingly waiting for the white-clothed young man to return before making a decision. Only the young woman who had earlier warned the young man to be careful was nowhere to be seen.

“Put me down!”

It was the transition between spring and summer, and the back mountain of the Divine Sword Sect was a beautiful place at this time. Mountain flowers bloomed gracefully, swaying in the wind. Of course, the white-clothed man had no interest in the scenery—he was simply looking for a quiet place to talk. The woman shouted loudly, struggling vigorously with extremely intense movements.

Reaching a mountain stream, the young man finally put her down. There was no one around—only scattered petals and fallen leaves, clear flowing water, and occasionally the small waterfall flowing down from the mountain would splash water droplets onto them both.

“You’ve finally appeared,” the young man said, looking at her indifferently.

His temperament had long been tempered into coldness, but the rare emotion revealed in his eyes showed his excitement at this moment.

“So what?” The woman lowered her eyes, her tone cold.

“I’ve been looking for you for almost five years, Lian Xin,” the young man said.

“Have you found Xiao Zhou?” Lian Xin didn’t answer but asked in return, her gaze still cast low.

“I established the Capture Gate for two reasons: first, to inherit Zhen’er’s aspirations and handle matters that the authorities can’t reach or investigate; second, to find you two.” The young man smiled self-mockingly. “Your brother is incredibly capable. Since you want to hide, he has ways to conceal you. Xiao Zhou was originally an expert at counter-pursuit and counter-surveillance. If you can’t find her, how much more difficult would it be for me?”

“If not for today’s battle with this old man, and your concern causing you to show yourself, you wouldn’t have appeared at all.”

Lian Xin said softly: “Since you’ve seen me, don’t waste time on me anymore. Focus on finding Xiao Zhou and living a good life with her.”

“Can’t I live a good life with you?”

The young man suddenly laughed coldly, his voice carrying a hoarse quality.

“Then tell me that your wanting to be with me isn’t out of sympathy and responsibility!” The woman suddenly raised her head, her face flushed red.

“I don’t know myself what kind of feelings these are, but I want to be with you.”

After a long moment, when tears couldn’t help but well up in her eyes, she heard him say this.

She was stunned, her heart filled with both joy and sorrow.

But after thinking it over, she still felt it wasn’t right. She broke free from his embrace. This time, he didn’t pursue her. Her heart was both relieved and painfully sour. Suddenly, she heard a muffled groan behind her. Her heart jumped in alarm, and she couldn’t help but turn around, only to see him collapsed on the ground, his lips stained a dark red color.

“Wuqing!” She was greatly alarmed and hurriedly returned to his side, struggling to support him in her arms.

“What’s wrong with you?” Her hands were trembling. “I knew that man was formidable…”

“His hidden weapons are formidable.”

Wuqing smiled weakly.

“You wanted to leave, didn’t you? Why aren’t you leaving now? I can’t chase after you right now.”

Lian Xin was terrified. “How serious is your injury? I’ll help you over there, let’s go demand the antidote from him!”

“It’s serious. But do you think he’ll give me the antidote? That would be equivalent to publicly admitting his despicable actions.”

“Then what do we do? No, even if he doesn’t admit it, we have to go. Leng Xue and the others are there—we’ll force that old scoundrel to hand over the antidote.” Lian Xin’s face showed a fierce expression.

After all, she had once been a princess of a nation—a princess with the power of life and death.

“So are you leaving or not?”

Lian Xin didn’t know what to do for a moment. In his condition, she was extremely worried… His hands gripped her arms, the heat from his palms penetrating through her clothes. His eyes were deep and mysterious, not without affection.

She steeled her heart and tried to pull away. His gaze darkened, and his arms tightened. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, but he remained motionless, refusing to let go.

Lian Xin lost her balance and fell into his embrace. This time, she couldn’t bring herself to be heartless anymore.

“I won’t leave. I won’t leave for now. Don’t be like this,” she said with a bitter smile.

He held her in his arms. “Come with me to a place.”

“Since the Capture Gate’s leader doesn’t appear, this old monk declares that the winner of this match is Sect Master Xue—”

A short time later, in the front courtyard, Master Juelin slowly began to speak. This match was indeed strange, but what martial world people most needed was often results.

Xue Zhao smiled faintly.

“Master, wait—”

Two people emerged from the crowd one after the other, with Wuqing walking in front.

Naturally, it was also he who spoke.