Wh-what? Bai Xingxian couldn’t understand: “Apologize? Senior, you saved Yin Sha from danger. Why should you apologize?”

And what did sewing its mouth shut as an apology even mean?

Bai Xingxian’s question only made things worse. Yin Changli looked at him with added displeasure: “Xiao Bai, when I asked you to tell me about my life, you never mentioned that I was so arrogant, so impolite, always belittling and mocking others with my first words.”

He had only thought his status was too high, always floating above others.

He hadn’t expected his mouth to be so offensive, occasionally spitting daggers at those below.

Bai Xingxian uttered an “Ah” and scratched the back of his head: “Was—was that so?”

“Was it or wasn’t it?” This time Yin Changli was asking Dao Chen in his consciousness sea.

According to Xiao Bai, Dao Chen had also been by his side for many years.

During those years, Xiao Bai was just about to take human form, hiding trembling in a ravine filled with magical formations to avoid the heavenly tribulation, while he happened to need a servant to pour tea and fetch water.

“That’s nothing,” Dao Chen laughed in the consciousness sea. “Senior Yin has already been extremely merciful to Xiang Heng’s father-daughter pair.”

I see. Yin Changli continued urging Bai Xingxian: “Quick, give it to me.”

“Uncle, don’t be so impulsive!” Bai Xingxian wouldn’t dare. He snatched the snake jar and ran away.

…

In the Law Enforcement Hall, Ye Qianzhi and Wu Mian were kneeling properly.

Ye Qianzhi kept his head lowered, while Wu Mian, after hearing the truth, was filled with shock.

“Senior Brother is from the upper realm…”

If these words hadn’t come from his most trusted Second Senior Brother, and if the master hadn’t nodded, he wouldn’t have believed it even if beaten to death.

“Wu Mian, where’s your brain? After all these years, how have you not grown any brains at all? Did it all go to your fists?” Xiang Heng was angered just by the sight of him. He kicked him in the chest, knocking him to the ground.

His ribs were nearly broken, but Wu Mian didn’t dare make a sound. He immediately climbed up and knelt again, skillfully slapping his face in regret: “I was wrong, Master! I’ll go kowtow to Little Junior Sister right away to apologize!”

Sometimes Xiang Heng wanted to kick him to death, but he was just such a brainless, stubborn fool—he’d known that since picking him up.

Back then, Yin Sha wasn’t the peaceful place it is now. It was a playground for demons and monsters, with corpses often strewn everywhere.

Xiang Heng had once accidentally saved Wu Mian when he was just a little carrot-head. Later, when he was wounded and hiding in a cave, this little carrot-head had guarded the entrance for dozens of days, using his sharp teeth and claws to drive away desert beasts trying to approach. He had even lost an ear without making a sound.

After Xiang Heng recovered, he naturally took him away.

Remembering this favor, even though Wu Mian’s beast nature exceeded his human nature and he was always causing trouble, Xiang Heng had continued to take responsibility for him.

“Master, you shouldn’t blame Wu Mian this time, it’s all my fault…” Ye Qianzhi prostrated himself, kowtowing.

While Xiang Heng was merely angry with Wu Mian, when he turned his gaze to Ye Qianzhi, he was completely disheartened.

Ye Qianzhi had been kidnapped by a heretical cult at the age of two or three, transformed from an experimental subject of evil cultivators into an evil cultivator himself, always controlled by poison insects.

Xiang Heng had removed the demonic insects from his body and kept them by his side.

First, because he pitied him—he had never truly chosen his own life.

Second, because Yin Sha had many unorthodox practitioners, and keeping an evil cultivator by his side could help avoid some traps and speed up the reorganization of Yin Sha.

Though there was an element of using him, Xiang Heng had never hidden this from him.

Ye Qianzhi had risked his life for him, and Xiang Heng had likewise given him whatever he asked for: “You said the world wouldn’t tolerate you, but I did. Is this how you repay me? Your way of doing good for me is by killing my daughter?”

Ye Qianzhi remained prostrate: “This disciple is incompetent. I truly didn’t know how to overcome this mountain and could only resort to this desperate measure. Besides, I had decided to pay a life for a life…”

“You deserved to die! Could your life compensate for my daughter’s? Even if you think I’m abandoning you after using you, just get out! Get out of Yin Sha and never appear before me again!” Xiang Heng roared.

Wu Mian, who had been slapping his face, quickly said: “Master, Second Senior Brother was indeed wrong, but he…”

Xiang Heng pointed at him and shouted: “One more word from you and you’ll leave too!”

Wu Mian shuddered violently.

“Disciple can leave, but Master…” Ye Qianzhi raised his head, pleading, “You cannot keep Tianqing in Yin Sha anymore. She will continue to bring disaster to Yin Sha. Each day she stays, you and Yin Sha face tremendous risk.”

Xiang Heng said coldly: “She is the daughter I’ve carefully raised. As long as she doesn’t want to leave, no one can forcibly take her from my side, not even Jing Wen.”

Besides, what was Jing Wen thinking?

Who knew if he had some dirty thoughts, using Tianqing to remember someone?

Xiang Heng felt sick just thinking about it and had no intention of telling Tianqing.

“Sword Venerable Jing Wen?” Ye Qianzhi was slightly stunned. “If the Sword Venerable wants to take Tianqing away, that’s truly for the best. Master, Meng Xilou, and the others want Tianqing to eventually gain the attention of the masses. This is also the purpose of her coming down for tempering. By binding her to your side, keeping her in this desolate border region, you aren’t protecting her, but hindering her.”

These words hit the mark, leaving Xiang Heng momentarily stunned.

Yes, perhaps Tianqing didn’t need his protection after all.

Regarding the matter of Tianqing killing him after he turned demonic, he wasn’t heartbroken.

Because Xiang Heng had always been at risk of turning demonic. Before each seclusion to suppress the demonic poison, he would instruct Xiang Tianqing that if he showed signs of becoming demonic, she must not be soft-hearted and should kill him with her own hands.

Xiang Heng knew himself well. If such a day ever came, when he went mad, the only ones who could awaken a bit of his rationality and safely approach him would be his two beloved daughters.

“Master, please consider carefully…”

Seeing him seated in deep thought with furrowed brows, Ye Qianzhi continued persuading.

Xiang Heng remained silent for a long time. Then, from outside the door came Xiang Tianqing’s voice: “Father.”

Xiang Heng came back to himself: “Come in.”

Xiang Tianqing pushed open the door. Her once beautiful face was so pale it had not a trace of color, though her lips were cracked with blood, a shocking red.

Upon seeing Meng Xilou’s corpse, she had fainted.

After waking, she wanted to see her beloved Senior Brother again, only to learn that his body had already been sent to the royal capital, not even entering the City Lord’s mansion gates.

She was still surprised when she heard that the supposedly dead Second Senior Brother had returned alive, so she hurriedly rushed to the Law Enforcement Hall to investigate.

“Second Senior Brother, you’re still alive!” When Xiang Tianqing saw Ye Qianzhi, her lifeless almond eyes finally showed a gleam of light.

Ye Qianzhi raised his head to look at her once, his gaze cool, without a trace of emotion.

Xiang Tianqing was about to rush over, but her footsteps faltered, and she stood frozen.

Looking at Wu Mian beside him, “Third Senior Brother?”

Wu Mian raised his head to glance at her quickly, his eyes complex. His lips moved, but he swallowed whatever he was about to say and lowered his head again.

The heavy, oppressive atmosphere in the hall and her senior brothers’ abnormal attitudes toward her left Xiang Tianqing unable to speak.

Her fingers twisted until they turned white. She walked anxiously to Xiang Heng’s side, carefully pushing his arm with her hand, her voice trembling: “Father…”

Xiang Heng sighed slightly, raising his hand to stroke her long hair: “Are you feeling better?”

His gaze was still loving. Xiang Tianqing’s heart settled a bit: “Why did you send Senior Brother’s body away?”

Moreover, she couldn’t sense that her father was grieving over Senior Brother’s death.

Xiang Heng avoided answering, hesitating repeatedly before transmitting: “Xiao Qing, Sword Venerable Jing Wen told me he wants to take you as his disciple and bring you to the royal capital.”

Xiang Tianqing was stunned for a moment, her beautiful eyes widening: “Wasn’t the Sword Venerable going to take my sister as his disciple? Why did he suddenly change to me?”

Xiang Heng: “He wants both of you. He values Little Kui’s sword cultivation talent, while you…”

The Sword Venerable had instructed him not to tell the truth, but Xiang Heng hadn’t agreed. He told her every detail of her soap-opera-like background.

Xiang Tianqing grew increasingly astonished as she listened.

Xiang Heng said: “It’s too complicated, and since I’m just a body snatcher, he can’t teach you as a grand-disciple. If you go to the royal capital and enter the Sword Academy, you’ll be his disciple. At the same time, you’ll still be the eldest daughter of Yin Sha City, so you needn’t worry that he has any ulterior motives.”

Through this interaction, he was certain that Jing Wen still had some sense of dignity.

Only then did Xiang Tianqing understand why Jing Wen had come to demand an explanation—it was because of the disaster her absurd birth parents had brought upon her father. She was immediately filled with self-reproach: “Daughter won’t go anywhere. Daughter wants to stay in Yin Sha…”

Though they were communicating by mind transmission, Ye Qianzhi saw her shaking her head and immediately said, “Little Junior Sister, you must go. Staying here harms Master and Yin Sha. Each day you remain brings great risk to Master and Yin Sha.”

“Second Senior Brother, what are you saying?” Xiang Tianqing didn’t understand, staring at him blankly.

“Please, spare us.” Despite Xiang Heng’s warning gaze, Ye Qianzhi uttered these words heavily.

Xiang Tianqing truly didn’t understand what had happened. Just as she was about to ask again, she suddenly remembered what Xiang Haikui had transmitted when she was falsely accused of killing Ye Qianzhi.

Xiang Haikui had said she was a fairy from the upper realm who had descended to undergo tribulation, and that Meng Xilou was her brother from the upper realm…

Heavens!

Xiang Tianqing’s breath stalled, and she nearly fainted again.

So, they had all believed Xiang Haikui’s absurd explanation?

So, Senior Brother’s death left them unmoved?!

Xiang Tianqing felt as if she had fallen into an ice pit. She stood stunned for a long while, her pale face suddenly flushed with a rush of blood.

She bit her silver teeth, saying nothing as she turned and walked out of the Law Enforcement Hall.

…

Xiang Haikui had slept for an hour or two in her room. She turned over, but pressed on a wound, the pain giving her a start and instantly waking her.

When holding her breath, she hadn’t felt tired.

After resting, the pain had caught up with her.

Even turning slightly made her break out in a cold sweat. She decided to get up and went to the courtyard, practicing a set of sword moves under the moon to accelerate her blood circulation.

Just as she was preparing to return to her room, her divine sense caught Xiang Tianqing walking quickly toward her, her red lips tightly pressed, her eyes somewhat swollen.

Xiang Haikui stood in the corridor, waiting for her to approach.

When they were just two zhang apart, Xiang Tianqing suddenly drew her sword and swung out a blade of sword energy toward Xiang Haikui, without technique but with ferocious momentum.

Tian Kuang seemed not to consider her a threat and gave no warning.

Xiang Haikui’s quick reflexes allowed her to spin sideways, not only avoiding the sword but also turning to her side and firmly grasping her sword-wielding wrist.

The sword energy sliced across the corridor pillar, cutting a deep mark.

All the building materials chosen for Yin Sha City were extraordinary, but the cacti and similar plants in the courtyard suffered, uprooted by the sword energy.

Xiang Tianqing couldn’t break free from her grip despite using her spiritual power. In her anger, she raised her other free hand high, intending to slap her, but that wrist was also caught.

Their four arms were twisted together.

Xiang Haikui could see her high bosom heaving with anger: “Sister, calm down.”

“Did you kill Senior Brother? Did you?!” Xiang Tianqing looked at her as if she were a savage beast, with deep fear buried beneath her outward fury.

Xiang Haikui didn’t know what her father had told her and wasn’t sure whether to admit it or not.

With her arms immobilized, Xiang Tianqing tried using her feet, but was again easily restrained by Xiang Haikui.

“You’re terrifying!”

Xiang Tianqing accused through tears, “I know you’re dissatisfied with me, thinking that I, an adopted daughter, stole everything from you, the biological daughter. You could have secretly harmed me, but how could you make up such lies…”

“I didn’t make it up; it’s the truth,” Xiang Haikui held her firmly. “And whether you believe it or not, I have no dissatisfaction with you.”

After learning her father had soul-traveled to another world and gained another daughter, she felt a bit uncomfortable.

But looking at it from another perspective, having a daughter accompany her father in a foreign world was a good thing, and she’d come to terms with it.

“Besides, I don’t have time to compete with you. I’m already overwhelmed trying to survive your disgusting family’s clutches!”

Xiang Haikui’s attitude was equally firm. Damn it, she had been completely ignorant, yet she hadn’t done anything wrong. Why should she be blamed and be the target of her anger?

Xiang Haikui released her grip and, before she could react, pushed her shoulders, sending her back several steps.

Xiang Tianqing steadied herself with her sword and prepared to attack again.

Xiang Haikui didn’t draw her sword, but with one palm deflected her sword energy, shouting: “Stop this nonsense, or I’ll draw my sword!”

“What are you two doing?” Xiang Heng, hearing the commotion, rushed from the Law Enforcement Hall, stopping her and standing between his two daughters.

“Father, do you also believe the lies she fabricated?” Xiang Tianqing looked at him.

Xiang Heng was slightly stunned by the question.

Xiang Haikui: “When I was falsely accused earlier, I told her about Meng Xilou being her brother.”

Xiang Heng remained silent.

Xiang Tianqing’s heart gradually sank.

The courtyard had been sealed off. Ye Qianzhi, who had followed, urged: “Tianqing, these aren’t lies fabricated by Little Junior Sister. It’s true. My physical body was destroyed by that demonic cultivator, who was Meng Xilou’s confidant…”

“Nonsense!” Xiang Tianqing challenged, “If it’s true, why didn’t Senior Brother directly capture her when the demonic cultivator framed Xiang Haikui? Why did he allow Xiang Haikui to duel with the demonic cultivator?”

Ye Qianzhi said nothing.

Xiang Haikui defended herself: “That’s because there was a conflict in their plan. Meng Xilou was more interested in the ‘expert’ behind me, while Huai Mie only wanted you to quickly kill your father to prove your Dao and make a name for yourself!”

“Did any of what you claim happen?” Xiang Tianqing glared at her, trembling with anger, losing even the strength to hold her sword.

Had Xiang Haikui been abused to death? Had her father gone mad? Had she killed her father to prove her Dao for all the world to know?

Had any of this happened?

No!

The reality before her eyes was that Xiang Haikui had become a towering figure in the hearts of Yin Sha’s citizens in a short time.

The challenge issued by Sword Venerable Jing Wen had effortlessly made her name known throughout the world.

And what about herself?

The Senior Brother who loved her was dead.

Second and Third Senior Brothers had turned against her, and even her father was hesitating about sending her to the royal capital!

…

While she was reasoning in her heart, Xiang Haikui had directly pushed open the door and returned to her room.

Xiang Tianqing had too deep a prejudice against her; explanations were futile. She was just wasting her time. Let her father and the others deal with the headache.

Xiang Haikui locked her door and activated a sound barrier—out of sight, out of mind.

She wanted to continue sleeping, but her agitated mood made it impossible to close her eyes. She took out the jade slip from her ring, closed her eyes, and sent her divine sense into it.

The jade slip seemed locked, continuously rejecting her.

Not knowing how to open it, she kept knocking with her divine sense.

After about ninety knocks, it suddenly felt like she had crashed into a ball of cotton, soft and light, enveloping her.

The surroundings shifted with light and shadow. She knew her consciousness had entered the jade slip.

After an adaptation period, the scene before her nearly made her die on the spot!

A full moon overhead, a vast ocean below, glistening with ripples in the moonlight.

She and Yin Changli stood face to face, so close that if she raised her head, her lips might graze his chin.

Xiang Haikui quickly stepped back: “Senior?”

Yin Changli wore a light gray robe, standing motionless with closed eyes. A breeze from somewhere gently lifted his long hair.

“Senior?”

After calling him twice more without response, she boldly approached and circled him several times.

What was happening?

Perhaps she needed to press some “button” to connect with him and bring him to life?

Xiang Haikui thought for a moment, then extended her finger toward him.

Originally aiming for his chest, she changed course at the last moment and poked toward his nose tip.

Touch and retreat—she jumped back like a frog.

Unexpectedly, she had accidentally hit the right “mechanism.”

Yin Changli slowly opened his eyes, his previously wax-figure-like face gradually becoming animated: “Very good. Your arrival here means Yin Sha’s crisis is half over.”

He paused.

Xiang Haikui was surprised: “Senior, is this also your divided body?”

Yin Changli smiled: “This isn’t a divided body. Even the strongest person can only create one divided body at a time. This is merely a consciousness I sealed in the jade slip. After activation, it will dissipate in one hour, so we must be brief.”

Time was so pressing. Xiang Haikui hurriedly said, “Senior, now outside…”

Yin Changli shook his head: “Don’t tell me what’s happening outside. I don’t want to know. I fear I would be unable to resist guiding you, which would reveal traces of my presence to my nemesis. Just handle things on your own. I only need to entrust you with a few small matters…”

“Please speak, Senior.” Xiang Haikui responded, but doubts lingered in her heart. The boss was responding accurately, but his gaze seemed slightly off.

Xiang Haikui shifted her feet slightly to the left, and his pupils didn’t follow the movement.

Indeed, this wasn’t a consciousness at all, just a pre-recorded image.

He probably feared she would disrespect his image. Even with just a shadow left, he had to maintain his noble image.

Xiang Haikui raised an eyebrow. She had been clever this time. There was no choice—working under the boss, one had to stay vigilant at all times.

Yin Changli continued: “First, during my period of severe injury and memory loss, you need to protect me well, not letting anyone bully me.”

He paused, then laughed coldly. “I know you have many grievances against me. If you take advantage of this time to bully me, hmph…”

What’s wrong with bullying you? Xiang Haikui was holding back a bellyful of anger. She strode over and swung her fist toward his shadow.

She wasn’t brave enough to hit his real body, but what was there to fear with a recording?

Unexpectedly, her wrist was suddenly grabbed—a solid, slightly cool sensation. Xiang Haikui was shocked, her eyes widening.

Yin Changli slowly lowered his head, his previously dead-fish eyes becoming lively, tinged with mockery, looking straight into her eyes: “It seems you truly would bully me.”

Xiang Haikui cursed herself for being caught off guard and trapped again: “Senior, aren’t you getting too bored?”

Yin Changli burst into laughter: “I already said I was a living consciousness. Why did you make your assumptions?”

Her wrist was still in his grip. His laughter made him shake, and she shook with him. Xiang Haikui looked at the sky speechlessly—no anger, no emotion, she was used to it.

Yin Changli’s eyebrows curved in mirth: “You wanted to hit me because I described you, right? Haven’t you now verified that my words were true?”

His voice was like a demonic spell in her ears. Xiang Haikui was utterly helpless: “Senior, please stop laughing. Didn’t you say you only exist for one hour? Speak quickly.”

Yin Changli: “It doesn’t matter. What I need to say only takes a quarter hour. The rest of the time, I can spend laughing at you. You, little one, are my recent source of joy.”

Help! Xiang Haikui screamed inwardly. Who could control this insufferable man?

Seeing her expression, Yin Changli found it hard to stop laughing.

But in the next moment, his laughter suddenly ceased, as if someone had covered his mouth.

Strange. He tried again but only made a “hiss” sound.

He bewilderedly brushed his thumb across his lips.

What was happening? Why couldn’t he speak properly anymore?