What… what did these words mean?

The moment Qu Zhengfeng spoke these words, everyone present was truly stunned into silence. Even Kunwu’s own cultivators wore expressions of complete bewilderment, having no idea where these words came from.

But some had already begun to harbor suspicions.

The Xuanyuan Sword!

This sword was Kunwu’s famous blade, precisely the one wielded by Shen Jihan whom Qu Zhengfeng sought. While this desiccated corpse’s identity wasn’t immediately apparent, those cultivators who had encountered Shen Jihan in the past need only extend their spiritual consciousness to clearly recognize that this corpse was indeed Shen Jihan himself!

It was said that since the last battle in the Yin-Yang Realm, he had entered seclusion and never emerged. Yet now he was actually dead?

And judging by his appearance, he had been dead for quite some time.

But for such a formidable cultivator, the sect would maintain a life tablet. If he had died long ago, why did no one know this news?

Moreover…

What was thrust through his chest was his own Xuanyuan Sword!

What the Kunwu cultivators were thinking remained unknown, but cultivators from other sects had already developed countless doubts. Not to mention the implications in Qu Zhengfeng’s words just now made one unable to resist pondering what relationship this matter had with True Person Hengxu.

Could it be…

He really killed him?

Several of Kunwu’s true disciples, having just witnessed Yue He perish under Qu Zhengfeng’s sword, wished nothing more than to kill him. Now they absolutely refused to believe what Qu Zhengfeng was saying.

Zhao Zhuo coldly demanded: “His Majesty the Sword Emperor claims to seek justice, yet presents an unexplained corpse like this to slander our Master? Such vicious lies!”

Qu Zhengfeng glanced at him but paid no attention, only studying True Person Hengxu’s expression.

The discussions in the venue suddenly grew quieter for some unknown reason.

Xie Buchen had naturally returned with his fellow disciples. But he stood beside his senior brothers, having remained silent from the very beginning, simply watching with cold eyes.

When he heard Zhao Zhuo speak the word “slander,” his refined brows imperceptibly raised.

In his heart, there was little surprise.

To others, this was a puzzle they couldn’t see through no matter how they tried. But having stayed at Kunwu all these years, he had already guessed about seventy to eighty percent of it.

Talk of being in seclusion for over six hundred years – such words would only be believed without question when coming from True Person Hengxu’s mouth, especially when the one in seclusion had made no progress in cultivation.

Unless his cultivation had truly made not an inch of progress in those six hundred years.

But whether there was progress or not, it was truly worth pondering.

If this “Uncle Shen” had a resolute dao heart, his cultivation would have soared after six hundred years of seclusion. If his cultivation made no progress, he must have been trapped by inner demons. But why would inner demons appear for no good reason?

In the past, others might have instinctively believed True Person Hengxu, but now with this corpse already lying before everyone’s eyes, thinking back a bit revealed countless suspicious points.

Several mighty cultivators exchanged glances and all stepped forward to examine it.

After a moment, Immortal Xuanyue lifted the Xuanyuan Sword, saying: “This person is indeed Fellow Daoist Shen, and this sword is indeed the Xuanyuan Sword, but…”

Hesitant doubt appeared on her beautiful face.

She didn’t finish her words, but also looked toward True Person Hengxu.

Since Qu Zhengfeng had come for Shen Jihan, he naturally went straight to the rear mountain seclusion site upon arriving at Kunwu. After breaking the array formations and entering the cave dwelling, he indeed didn’t see Shen Jihan – only his corpse.

Thus all past conjectures aligned at this moment.

Now, throwing out this corpse was precisely to completely tear away Hengxu’s hypocritical mask!

He didn’t explain to others at all, only continued asking Hengxu: “True Person, your Kunwu claims Shen Jihan is in seclusion, yet how has he died? Moreover, there’s only one wound on his body, inflicted by your Kunwu’s supreme weapon the Xuanyuan Sword, yet the killer didn’t even take the sword after the murder. You should know that in his lifetime, whether in talent or prominence, he far surpassed you, True Person. Tell me, who exactly has the ability to silently kill him without even Kunwu – without even you, True Person – detecting it?”

“…”

The hands hanging within True Person Hengxu’s sleeves had already clenched into fists.

He showed no sign of retreat or guilt, only raised his eyes to calmly gaze at Qu Zhengfeng, though his eyes seemed to be contemplating something.

But the nearby Kunwu elders couldn’t bear it any longer. Unable to tolerate Qu Zhengfeng’s insinuating “slander,” they flushed red with anger and loudly rebuked: “Are you suspecting the True Person killed Junior Brother Shen? What a ridiculous joke! During the Yin-Yang Realm battle years ago, Kunwu, Yashan, and the Buddhist sects cooperated fully, yet our Kunwu encountered an ambush from Extreme Domain ghost cultivators halfway to the Underworld! The battle plan for that engagement wasn’t even known to the Buddhist sects – they only knew we were to rendezvous at the Underworld, and only Yashan knew our route of advance. How could we have encountered an ambush? We haven’t even suspected your Yashan of treachery, yet sent Junior Brother Shen to inform you first. Who would have thought Yashan would speak so rudely and even quarrel with Junior Brother Shen? Now Junior Brother Shen has died miserably, yet his corpse emerges from your possession – clearly you, Qu Zhengfeng, harbor ill intentions, yet still dare to frame our Kunwu’s leader!”

“Frame?”

How could Hengxu need anyone to frame him?

Hearing the other party’s words that turned black into white, and every sentence mentioning Yashan, Qu Zhengfeng felt no anger. Instead, he laughed.

Seeing him laugh, the other party thought he completely disregarded them, grew truly furious, and was about to strike.

But the moment that palm was raised, a stream of azure light had already shot over from the side!

“Bang!”

With a heavy sound, this elder was actually struck by the azure light and sent heavily to the ground, spitting out blood!

Everyone was immediately horrified.

But all could clearly see this attack didn’t come from the opposite side, but from the hands of Fudao Shanren who had been standing nearby for some time!

The emerald light on his verdant nine-section bamboo staff had not yet faded, emanating a dangerous aura.

Fudao Shanren’s face showed no expression, his dirty Daoist robes fluttering in the cloud sea’s mist.

This Kunwu elder was truly shocked, fearful, and utterly confused: “What does Elder Fudao mean by this? Are you protecting this villain?!”

“Is it your turn to speak?”

Fudao Shanren’s voice showed no particular anger, even carrying an unprecedented indifference. He merely glanced at the elder once before withdrawing his gaze.

True Person Hengxu looked toward him.

He also calmly returned the gaze, only saying: “How muddled I’ve become in my old age, not knowing Kunwu held such views of our Yashan. Good, very good indeed.”

In the battle at the Underworld years ago, a thousand Yashan cultivators had perished.

The Buddhist sects, due to upheaval in the Esoteric School, couldn’t arrive in time. Kunwu claimed to have encountered attacks en route, and only after annihilating their opponents did they hurry over. But by then, few living remained at Yashan.

When Shen Jihan came to deliver the message, he had fought fiercely with Yashan, and to this day there had been no resolution.

They had originally thought that no matter what, Kunwu should feel guilty toward Yashan. They never imagined that when they encountered the ambush, the first ones they suspected were Yashan!

If not for today’s revelation, they truly wouldn’t have known!

Only then did this Kunwu elder realize he had misspoken, but words once spoken were difficult to retract. Moreover, with Fudao Shanren’s rebuke preceding, how dare he say anything more?

On the contrary, Qu Zhengfeng applauded and laughed.

Under True Person Hengxu’s gaze, he remained utterly composed, only saying: “Finally answers a question that has puzzled me for years! The True Person is indeed Kunwu’s most intelligent person of that era. Such scheming truly commands one’s unwilling admiration!”

Intelligent people with some knowledge of the inside story needed no hints – they had already vaguely understood the key points.

But some still didn’t understand.

Like Zhang Yuandai.

He was now completely bewildered, feeling like everyone’s words were riddles. Extremely impatient, he said: “What is everyone saying? One moment this, one moment that – can’t you speak clearly? This Fellow Daoist Shen Jihan’s death is certainly regrettable, but dead is dead – what’s the big deal? To claim out of nowhere that the True Person killed him… True Person, True Person, won’t you say something?”

Halfway through speaking, he remembered True Person Hengxu and hurriedly turned to ask.

But True Person Hengxu remained silent.

Only on that already withered face appeared an ashen gloom, emanating a deathly stillness approaching the end.

Who in the past hadn’t seen his immortal bearing and Daoist demeanor?

His current appearance was truly alarming.

But seeing this, Qu Zhengfeng felt immense satisfaction, only laughing back to Zhang Yuandai: “How would the True Person dare answer you? After all, killing fellow sect members – even in the not-so-clean Kunwu – counts as a grave crime! If he admitted it, how could he continue sitting in this position as Kunwu’s leader and continue enjoying the righteous path’s reverence?”

All around fell into silence.

No one dared act, no one dared speak.

Only Qu Zhengfeng, in that supremely mocking tone, revealed the events of the past piece by piece!

“Let me guess.”

“Eleven cycles ago, your Kunwu was proceeding to the Underworld as agreed, but was ambushed halfway. Your Kunwu’s route was known only to Yashan. Naturally you suspected Yashan, and perhaps someone said something at this time. This wouldn’t be surprising – after all, such suspicions from your Kunwu weren’t greatly wrong.”

“But you specifically sent Shen Jihan to deliver the message.”

“Who doesn’t know this Uncle Shen had a proud temperament, was conceited about his exceptional talent, enjoyed his master’s favor, and wielded Kunwu’s supreme Xuanyuan Sword? He never had any tolerance for others.”

“While True Person Hengxu, though not yet the leader then, was mature and steady, thoughtful and thorough.”

“In circumstances where both sides found trust difficult and even suspected each other, by normal reasoning, you should have sent someone who was close to Yashan cultivators and more stable. Yet the one sent was Shen Jihan…”

“Did no one in your Kunwu raise objections at the time?”

By this point, several Kunwu elders were looking at True Person Hengxu with shock and uncertainty.

Without words, these gazes already explained much.

All cultivators above the cloud sea felt chills in their hearts and tingling scalps, only secretly observing True Person Hengxu’s expression.

True Person Hengxu finally laughed: “So you actually suspect that I deliberately sent Junior Brother Shen to deliver the message, letting him ambush you?”

“Certainly not. The True Person is deeply scheming and calculating – how would you use such a foolish method?”

Qu Zhengfeng sneered coldly, killing intent filling his eyes.

“You understood this junior brother’s nature all too well – conceited and arrogant. With Kunwu suspecting Yashan, Shen Jihan naturally harbored some hostility toward Yashan. Though not obvious, given his temperament, if he disagreed with someone, conflict would inevitably erupt! You didn’t need to incite him at all – merely having him appear before Yashan cultivators was enough to make him err! Moreover, with your Kunwu’s late reinforcement, Yashan would certainly harbor resentment. With both sides in negotiation, how could there be kind words?!”

The mighty cultivators had also encountered this Shen Jihan of Kunwu in the past. Thinking carefully, he was indeed as Qu Zhengfeng described – somewhat arrogant in temperament, though mostly harmless.

Only…

If truly placed in those circumstances…

Everyone exchanged glances but said nothing.

Qu Zhengfeng’s mocking expression had now turned completely cold.

Past hatred emerged entirely, turning his eyes into a terrifying dark red!

Staring at Hengxu like this, like a fierce beast ready to devour at any moment!

“All Nineteen Continents know the Xuanyuan Sword is Kunwu’s supreme treasure, yet this blade was not passed to you by Daoist Qingxu, but to your junior brother Shen Jihan!”

“His talent exceeded yours, and he was more favored by your master.”

“The position of Kunwu’s leader remained undecided.”

“But after the Yin-Yang Realm battle, Daoist Qingxu died from severe injuries, and Shen Jihan also made grave errors when delivering messages to Yashan, entering seclusion to escape Yashan’s questioning! Your position as Kunwu’s leader, Hengxu, became well-deserved, irreplaceable and unquestionable by anyone!”

“From beginning to end, it was all personal ambition!”

“You engineered Shen Jihan’s error, eliminating your junior brother’s threat to your position, while securely sitting in Kunwu’s leadership, becoming the righteous path’s unquestionable leader. You also used this to weaken Yashan’s strength, making your Kunwu the undisputed first power in the Central Domain during these eleven cycles!”

“Truly renowned with a beautiful reputation – who doesn’t admire you!”

These sharp words echoed above the cloud sea, stirring everyone’s emotions. But reaching this point, they revealed an indescribable desolation!

Fudao Shanren, listening, had closed his eyes.

The hand gripping the nine-section bamboo staff trembled lightly.

And as Qu Zhengfeng spoke, he laughed bitterly. Those questioning voices seemed to come from the very heavens, striking terror into hearts!

“But True Person—”

“What wrong did Yashan commit? What wrong did those thousand fallen cultivators commit?!”

“For your personal gain, you schemed endlessly, yet you never anticipated that the Buddhist sects would also encounter troubles then. Both reinforcements arrived too late, actually allowing Yashan to be surrounded by Extreme Domain ghost cultivators, with over a thousand cultivators dying miserably at the Underworld’s edge!”

“Six hundred sixty years!”

“Every time Yashan hosts a small gathering and you pass by on the rope bridge, seeing those thousand cultivators’ desolate graves on the riverbank, don’t you feel guilty in your heart? Shouldn’t you atone with death?!”

The four words “atone with death” were spoken with sinister cruelty.

Absolutely no jest!

Today Qu Zhengfeng slaughtered Kunwu, killing half of Kunwu’s cultivators, including many elites who had just returned from the battlefield. He clearly wouldn’t easily let this matter rest!

From when he demanded Shen Jihan appear for confrontation, everything that followed was planned.

True Person Hengxu’s Daoist robes still bore undried blood as he asked: “You’ve held these words in your heart for a long time, haven’t you? Four hundred years stuck at Nascent Soul with no cultivation progress because of unresolved hatred. Though you’ve defected today, you’ve come to seek justice for Yashan. In the end, despite all my calculations, I failed to account for you, allowing you, this demon, to attack Kunwu and commit this unforgivable crime of endless killing!”

“What fine words – ‘unforgivable crime of endless killing’!”

Hearing this, Qu Zhengfeng burst into laughter. Beyond the grief and fury in his heart, he felt no surprise at all. If True Person Hengxu would easily admit guilt and feel remorse, he never would have committed such schemes and plots years ago!

But how could the burning hatred in his heart be calmed?!

“From the True Person’s tone, it seems I, Qu Zhengfeng, am deeply sinful and deserve death? But today, before this bright righteous path of the world and all these watching eyes, do you, Hengxu, dare deny all your past evil deeds?!”

True Person Hengxu’s gaze had grown extremely cold. His emotions had never shown obvious fluctuation from beginning to end, and his voice was utterly indifferent: “Junior Brother Shen’s matter is Kunwu’s internal affair – no need for outsiders to interfere. That we encountered ambush halfway and failed to reinforce Yashan in time is also fact, not false in the slightest. World affairs are unpredictable – no one could foresee the Buddhist Esoteric School’s upheaval disrupting plans. My Kunwu absolutely had no treacherous plot to take advantage and harm Yashan cultivators! Since taking charge of Kunwu, I, Hengxu, have walked the righteous path directly. I’ve never done anything to betray this world’s righteous path or Kunwu. I am without shame before heaven and earth!”

Above the cloud sea, another stir arose.

Clearly Qu Zhengfeng’s earlier words didn’t seem false, yet True Person Hengxu’s various actions over the years had been witnessed by all. Apart from his unprovoked attack on that mayfly great demon Fu Chaosheng in Bafang City, there was indeed nothing reproachable.

Moreover, that great demon was indeed demonic evil, and had some connection to that deity…

People truly didn’t know what the truth actually was.

But when Fudao Shanren heard these words, he finally looked toward Hengxu, his eyes full of bewilderment.

Qu Zhengfeng seemed to have heard some ridiculous joke.

He could hardly believe that at this point, Hengxu could still speak such nonsense: “You, Hengxu, only dare claim you’re without shame toward Kunwu! Walking the righteous path, without shame in your heart! How shameless to say such things – you’ve truly forgotten how many unconscionable deeds you’ve committed! Since you dare speak thus, then I might as well invite the True Person and the True Person’s proud disciple to recognize something together!”

“Clap!”

A small wooden plaque was actually thrown down, landing before everyone!

It looked exactly like a crude tombstone.

And what was written on that tombstone was clearly—

Tomb of My Wife, Jian Chou of the Xie Clan!

“Xie Clan Jian Chou?”

“Jian Chou?”

“Is this Yashan’s Jian Chou?”

“Xie Clan???”

“Why does this handwriting seem somewhat familiar?”

“This…”

“It can’t be?!!”

…

If all previous matters were still unclear, with everyone having suspicions but not daring to make definitive judgments, then the wooden plaque Qu Zhengfeng threw out at this moment instantly ignited all discussion.

After all, who didn’t know those two words “Jian Chou”?

Moreover, Qu Zhengfeng had specifically mentioned “the True Person’s proud disciple” – among the thirteen true disciples, only one bore the surname Xie!

True Person Hengxu’s eyelids immediately twitched, pupils contracting sharply!

Even the usually inconspicuous Xie Buchen, seeing that tombstone weathered by years and the characters written upon it, couldn’t help but be momentarily stunned.

He had never imagined there would be a day when he would see this tombstone again…

“What, no one recognizes it?”

The fierce aura in Qu Zhengfeng’s eyes gradually condensed as he recalled his own feelings when leaving the Extreme Domain during battle to search human islands, finding that mountain grave and seeing this tombstone half-buried in earth – what irony!

“No matter, no matter…”

As he spoke, he flicked his sleeves.

From within his broad gold-woven sleeves, a wisp of deep black smoke emerged, quickly forming into human shape.

It was actually an elegant young master.

Dressed in fine clothes, still holding a folding fan, though protected by Qu Zhengfeng’s power, he still detested the bright sunlight of the Nineteen Continents and hastily opened his fan to shield his head.

He was about to complain when he looked up and spotted Xie Buchen in the crowd.

But this time, he didn’t dare speak rashly, having nearly been silenced last time!

Others didn’t recognize this ghost cultivator, but several mighty cultivators had already seen him in the City of Unjust Death. They clearly remembered the words True Person Hengxu had interrupted that day, and recalling how Xie Buchen and Jian Chou had personally admitted to having some past relationship. Seeing him again now truly shocked them, while also realizing: so the one who secretly rescued this ghost cultivator was actually Qu Zhengfeng!

But Qu Zhengfeng had no intention of explaining to anyone, only saying: “Over eighty years have passed – time has been long. It seems the True Person has forgotten even teaching mortals to kill their wives to prove the dao, such unconscionable deeds! Chen Tingyan, today all cultivators who claim to follow the righteous path in this world are present here. Come, help this master and disciple pair remember clearly!”