Inside the Tang Clan compound, Second Master Tang’s funeral was in progress. Visitors who came to pay their respects placed their gifts and performed the ceremonial rites before being directed to rest in the adjacent main hall. Several Tang Clan disciples stood guard outside.

“Their guard duty seems less about protecting us and more about preventing people inside from leaving,” a beautiful young woman sitting in the corner whispered.

Beside her sat a middle-aged man who carried himself like a scholar. When he suddenly stood up, all the Tang disciples at the door turned their attention to him.

“It appears you’re right,” the scholar remarked calmly as he walked toward the entrance, with the young woman quickly following.

“That’s the Chancellor of Xixing Academy and his wife,” one Tang disciple whispered. The disciple in front immediately put on a smile and bowed: “Greetings, Chancellor Chen. May I ask where you’re headed?”

Chen Xing frowned slightly. “Since when do I need to report my movements to you?”

The disciple shook his head. “The Tang compound is filled with mechanisms and formations. It would be dangerous for guests to wander alone. Please allow us to escort you wherever you need to go.”

“Nature calls – we’ve been drinking tea for half an hour now,” the beautiful young woman said softly as she reached her husband’s side.

The disciple immediately lowered his head. “Then allow me to guide the Chancellor and Madam.”

The young woman covered her mouth and laughed. “How interesting.” She raised an eyebrow at the disciple, whose face immediately flushed red before he turned and quickly walked ahead. The couple exchanged glances before following.

After leading them out the door and around a corner, the disciple suddenly felt a sharp sting on his neck. Though painful, it passed quickly. He slapped at it and opened his palm to look: “A spider?”

“Yes, a Wenhuozhu spider. One bite will put you into a sweet slumber. Don’t worry, I won’t kill you.” The young woman patted the disciple’s shoulder lightly. As he turned around, he fell backward, but the scholar stepped forward to catch him and gently lowered him to the ground.

“Forget him – straight to Lianyue Pavilion!” The young woman’s expression suddenly turned serious.

“Agreed.” The scholar turned immediately, and both displayed exceptional lightness skills as they headed toward the southwest section of the Tang compound.

Outside Lianyue Pavilion, there were twice as many Tang disciples on guard as usual. The leaders were Tang Tianlu and Tang Fulu. Tang Fulu yawned: “After today, we finally won’t have to guard this place every day. We’ve served for so many years, yet here we are standing guard – how frustrating.”

The scholar and young woman had reached a spot near Lianyue Pavilion. “Those two have considerable martial arts skills,” the woman whispered.

“Tang Fulu and Tang Tianlu – they’re even older than Tang Linghuang and command some respect within the Tang Clan,” the scholar said gravely. “We need to find a way to draw them away.”

“Leave that to me.” A leisurely voice sounded behind them. They turned to see Mu Qingyang, the Head of the Mu Family, standing there.

“How did you sneak in?” the young woman asked.

“As Head of the Mu Family, I have my ways.” Mu Qingyang waved his finger slightly, and a white figure suddenly flew past Lianyue Pavilion.

Tang Fulu jerked his head up. “Who goes there!”

“Your puppet techniques have improved considerably,” the scholar remarked.

“Naturally, I’ve made some progress.” Mu Qingyang then thrust his peach wood sword toward the pavilion’s nameplate.

“How dare you!” Tang Tianlu shouted angrily, leaping up to grab the wooden sword.

“Such boldness.” Mu Qingyang sneered, then crooked his finger. The entire peach wood sword burst into flames, causing Tang Tianlu to release it with a yelp. After landing, he watched as the sword traced an arc of fire before rapidly retreating.

“You dare provoke me?” Tang Tianlu bounded after it.

“I’ll take my leave – this area is in your hands now.” Mu Qingyang leaped forward, caught his sword, and fled eastward.

“Suiying Spiders!” The young woman pressed her hand to the ground, and a swarm of spiders crawled out from her sleeve toward Lianyue Pavilion. Moments later, the pavilion’s nameplate loosened slightly before suddenly falling, crashing toward the guards below.

“What’s happening!” Tang Fulu cried out, reaching up with a palm strike to catch the nameplate. Meanwhile, the Tang disciples behind him began collapsing one after another.

“Retreat!” The scholar had already flashed in front of Tang Fulu, striking his chest with a finger. Tang Fulu cried out in pain as he was sent flying, with the nameplate crashing down on top of him.

“Let’s go.” The young woman hurried past the scholar and into Lianyue Pavilion. The scholar glanced back to ensure they hadn’t been discovered before following.

Upon entering, they immediately sensed something was wrong. “Why is it so cold in here?” the young woman asked gravely.

The scholar considered for a moment. “Is this the effect of the Ice Moon Silkworm that his disciple spoke of back then?”

“Tang Lianyue!” the young woman called out.

“He’s here.” The scholar bounded around the pavilion in a few leaps and found Tang Lian, completely frozen in ice.

The young woman rushed over and covered her mouth at the sight. “How could this happen?”

“Don’t worry. From what I overheard that day, Tang Lianyue isn’t dead,” the scholar reassured her.

“But this…” The young woman turned in a circle. “How can we save him?”

“You two!” A voice as cold as the atmosphere came from the window. They turned to see Tang Lingkui, the Master of the Zhankui Chamber, watching them. “Does Xixing Academy take such interest in Tang Clan’s internal affairs?”

The scholar drew his sword. “Master Tang, we meet again.”

Tang Lingkui paused, then laughed coldly. “No wonder – it’s Master Su. Your disguise techniques are truly remarkable.”

“How can we save him?” The young woman waved her hand slightly, and a group of black spiders formed a circle around Tang Lingkui’s feet.

Tang Lingkui raised an eyebrow. “The Spider Woman – your reputation precedes you.”