“When the incident occurred last night, my friend was not present.” Seeing that Huan Zong didn’t like to talk, Kong Hou took the initiative to speak. “So this matter has nothing to do with him.” She thought Lingbo would continue questioning, but unexpectedly, after hearing her explanation, the other party merely nodded and said nothing more.

This proud Lingbo Xianzi was being so reasonable right now? Kong Hou raised her eyebrows in surprise, reached out her chopsticks to pick up the last soup dumpling and put it in her bowl, then buried her head in eating. Originally she was already full, but seeing one bun remaining in the steamer basket, she couldn’t help feeling guilty, so she could only send it into her stomach to reunite with its other brothers and sisters.

Huan Zong quietly watched Kong Hou finish eating an entire basket of small buns, inexplicably feeling a sense of satisfaction, as if all those things had gone into his own stomach.

Seeing Huan Zong smiling at her, Kong Hou touched her face. “What’s wrong?”

In the other party’s pupils, Huan Zong saw his own smiling face. He restrained the smile on his face. “I wonder where you’re planning to go, miss. If you don’t mind, you could travel together with us.”

“This…” Kong Hou hesitated somewhat. This was her first time traveling alone, with the purpose of meeting different people and understanding customs and practices from all over the world. If she traveled with Huan Zong, would it still count as traveling alone?

“These past years, I’ve mostly stayed at home and rarely gone out. I don’t understand many things about the outside world. Rather than saying I’m going out to seek medicine, it’s more like going out to clear my mind.” Huan Zong’s expression was earnest. “If my words have made things difficult for you, miss, please pretend I never mentioned it.”

“It’s no trouble, no trouble at all.” Hearing that he rarely went out, Kong Hou’s mind was already filled with images of a frail young master staying alone in his room, unable to feel the wind or see the sun, eating medicine like meals, having almost no contact with the exciting outside world.

So pitiful, so tragic.

“I happen to be traveling as well and don’t have anything particular to do. Since you don’t mind, Young Master, then I’ll be imposing on you.” Kong Hou didn’t know what illness Huan Zong suffered from, but seeing his pale complexion, she could guess the illness was serious. Perhaps one day he would…

She rubbed her face, rubbing away the inauspicious thoughts in her mind, and immediately agreed. Actually, this Huan Zong was quite nice—good-looking and didn’t put on airs. Most importantly, he also liked Miaobi Ke. Along the way, she could discuss with Huan Zong the plots and characters in Miaobi Ke’s books. Thinking this way, she began to look forward to the upcoming journey.

“From now on, just call me Kong Hou. You don’t need to be so formal.” Kong Hou put her hand near her mouth and muttered quietly, “I just don’t know when we can leave. This Lingbo Xianzi from Zhaohan Sect seems to have a bad temper. Before the killer is found, she definitely won’t let us go.”

“According to cultivation world rules, wherever something happens, it should be handled by the local city lord’s manor or sect. Although Zhaohan Sect is the victim, they should still follow cultivation world rules.” The usually taciturn Lin Hu frowned. “Anyone present today who can prove their innocence—even Qiu City’s lord cannot force them to stay. This Lingbo Xianzi has broken the rules.”

“Sir, keep your voice down.” Kong Hou covered her face and gave Lin Hu meaningful looks. “Right now she’s angry. Don’t stoop to her level.” She also felt Lingbo had gone too far in this matter. When she came downstairs and saw someone injured, she took the risk of offending people to help that fellow Daoist lying on the ground up and even stuffed a Qi-nourishing pill into his hand. But regardless, Zhaohan Sect and Yunhua Sect had a decent relationship. She didn’t want to get into a conflict with Lingbo Xianzi just a few days into her travels. If word got back to the sect, how awkward would that be?

Lin Hu turned to look at Huan Zong. Seeing his expression was calm without any indication, he said, “Miss Kong Hou, please rest assured. When traveling, one must follow the rules. In this matter, Zhaohan Sect has acted improperly. There’s no need to worry about offending her.”

Kong Hou laughed dryly. This Lin Hu looked loyal, honest, and taciturn, but she hadn’t expected him to speak with such confidence. It seemed these two were also from a great sect.

Lin Hu’s voice wasn’t small. The tables adjacent to them heard him clearly, and with Lingbo’s cultivation level, she naturally could hear Lin Hu’s words too. Her expression became extremely unpleasant, but looking at the calm Huan Zong, she didn’t explode. From childhood, she had been doted on by people in her sect. Although she looked down on ordinary cultivators, Huan Zong’s identity was unclear, and the guard beside him had profound cultivation—he might even be a Nascent Soul ancestor. She didn’t dare offend them easily.

The current cultivation world, under the joint governance of various major sects, was no longer like thousands of years ago when people would fight or kill at will. But fundamentally, it still emphasized respect for the strong. So Lingbo looked down on the cultivators at this inn but couldn’t directly turn against Kong Hou, nor did she dare cause trouble with Huan Zong.

The scene became somewhat awkward for a moment. Seeing Lingbo endure without erupting, the other cultivators present gained confidence. The Longhu Sect Core Formation cultivator who had forcefully suppressed his dissatisfaction earlier spoke up. “This fellow Daoist speaks reasonably. That your maidservant died innocently is something we deeply regret, and we understand your feelings, Immortal. However, I have urgent matters. Please understand my difficulties, Immortal.”

“That’s right. A whole night has passed—the killer probably already sneaked away. Your sect’s maidservants won’t even let the city lord manor’s guards near the deceased’s body. How can this case be investigated?” A cultivator hiding among the crowd spoke sarcastically. “Who knows if these maidservants had internal strife, killed someone, and then blamed it on us?”

“Nonsense.” Lingbo slapped the table. “The killer struck on the night of the full moon and carved out the victim’s heart. I suspect this was done by an evil cultivator. Am I wrong?” Her phoenix eyes swept around, her gaze becoming sharp. “That’s why I can’t help but suspect the killer is hiding among everyone, deliberately sowing discord to take the opportunity to clear themselves of suspicion.”

Kong Hou agreed with Lingbo’s reasoning. The killer might indeed be hiding among everyone, even deliberately provoking conflicts between various sects. However, Lingbo’s attitude was too forceful and had already aroused the disgust of most cultivators present. Speaking these words now probably wouldn’t work anymore.

Sure enough, despite what Lingbo said, the cultivators still showed displeasure on their faces. Some turned their gazes to Kong Hou, hoping she, as a fellow great sect disciple, would speak up. Or rather, they hoped Kong Hou would clash with Lingbo Xianzi to bolster their momentum.

However, to their disappointment, Kong Hou didn’t stand up to speak. When Lingbo Xianzi spoke with Kong Hou, she was also extremely restrained, leaving their small desire to watch the excitement with nowhere to settle.

Without a great sect person to take the lead, though others grumbled a few words, they didn’t dare make too much fuss. The atmosphere in the hall became stiff.

Kong Hou’s gaze swept back and forth over everyone. Because the atmosphere in the hall was too serious and unsuitable for whispering, and Huan Zong’s body was too weak to use sound transmission techniques, she could only take out a piece of paper, pull out a simple charcoal pencil, write a sentence on it, and push it in front of Huan Zong.

[Who do you think is most suspicious?]

Looking at the note before him, then at the young woman’s face full of curiosity, Huan Zong smiled, reached out to take the charcoal pencil from Kong Hou’s hand, and wrote a few strokes on the paper.

[Do you have a suspect?]

Kong Hou nodded and wrote on the paper the person she suspected.

[That Foundation Establishment cultivator who deliberately stirred up trouble just now.]

After reading it, Huan Zong smiled and shook his head.

[The gray-robed man in the corner.]

Kong Hou casually glanced back. If Huan Zong hadn’t mentioned it, she wouldn’t have noticed this person at all. Because this person was simply too ordinary—ordinary appearance, ordinary cultivation level, even ordinary clothing. If he sat there without speaking, it was hard for anyone to notice him. If she had to use one word to describe him, it would be: honest.

The kind of honest person who could be bullied without getting angry or causing trouble.

Sometimes the person who seems least likely is actually most likely. Kong Hou suddenly understood, thinking Huan Zong was really too smart, just like the protagonists in Miaobi Ke’s works.

[I think your suspicion is very reasonable.]

Seeing Kong Hou’s expression change repeatedly before finally showing sudden understanding, Huan Zong somewhat doubted what exactly she had been thinking in her head to display such vivid and rich expressions.

Lin Hu silently watched Kong Hou and Huan Zong pass a piece of paper back and forth, his feelings somewhat complicated. Did they think their actions were subtle? Passing notes under everyone’s noses—were they afraid others wouldn’t know they were talking in secret?

Kong Hou and Huan Zong’s actions had long fallen into Lingbo’s eyes. Her expression changed repeatedly, feeling somewhat blocked in her chest. She suddenly understood a bit why people in her sect had such indescribable expressions when mentioning Yunhua Sect.

Just as the atmosphere grew increasingly awkward, three people entered from outside—the Du family father and son who managed Qiu City, plus a dignified young man with a steady demeanor. Lingbo Xianzi, who had been sitting properly at the table, quickly stood up when she saw the young man. “Senior Martial Brother from the Sect Master’s line, how did you come here?”

The young man walked before her, his expression somewhat displeased. “Nonsense!” He turned and clasped his fists toward everyone. “Fellow Daoists, I am Chang De, a disciple of Zhaohan Sect. My junior martial sister is immature and has caused everyone trouble.”

Chang De? Zhaohan Sect’s head disciple Chang De?

Everyone was greatly shocked. How could they accept such courtesy from Chang De? They hastily returned the gesture, saying it was no problem. The current head disciple was the future sect master—who could afford to offend him? Moreover, Chang De spoke politely and was extremely courteous to them. Even if they had grievances, seeing Chang De’s attitude now, they all dissipated.

Lingbo was also somewhat afraid of this senior martial brother. Although she was somewhat unhappy at being reprimanded by him in front of everyone, she didn’t dare show it on her face and obediently stood to the side without daring to say another word.

“This must be the esteemed disciple of Peak Master Wangtong, Kong Hou Xianzi. Because of our sect’s small matter, we’ve delayed your journey, Immortal. Please forgive us.” Chang De walked before Kong Hou to apologize. “If you need anything, Immortal, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Fellow Daoist need not be so polite. That your sect’s maidservant died without cause and Lingbo Xianzi is upset is only natural.” Kong Hou stood and returned the courtesy. “Fellow Daoist need not take this matter to heart.”

Chang De had handsome features and a well-proportioned build. He could be called a favored son of heaven in the entire cultivation world. When such a person apologized sincerely, it was easy to make people feel favorable. Kong Hou thought that only such a person was worthy of being a head disciple.

Chang De had heard Kong Hou’s name long ago and knew she was a cultivation prodigy. But he hadn’t expected her to be such a charming young woman with eyes that seemed to talk and a smile like blooming flowers—very endearing. After learning what his junior martial sister had done and that there was also a personal disciple of Yunhua Sect at the inn, Chang De had worried his junior martial sister would offend them and damage relations between the two sects.

Now seeing Kong Hou, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, she wasn’t an unreasonable person. Accustomed to his five spiritual roots genius junior martial sister’s proud temperament, Chang De’s requirements for five spiritual roots geniuses’ personalities had already dropped to rock bottom.

When entering, Chang De had already noticed Huan Zong. He looked like a frail young master without cultivation, but the brocade robe on his body was Yuxiao Sect’s most expensive defensive robe, and the guard beside him was a Nascent Soul ancestor. Such a man was impossible for anyone to ignore, including him. Although unclear about the other party’s identity, Chang De still seriously apologized to him.

The other party seemed to have a quiet personality and stopped speaking after exchanging a few courtesies. Chang De didn’t insist. After apologizing to everyone again, he said, “I dare not delay everyone’s time. Those who have proven their innocence can leave at any time.”

“Senior Martial Brother…” Hearing this, Lingbo was somewhat unhappy. She had expended so much effort to keep people here—how could senior martial brother just let them go?

Chang De ignored her and didn’t change his decision. Lingbo stamped her foot in anger, sat down at the table, and stopped talking.

Seeing that Chang De wasn’t speaking falsely, those in a hurry quickly stood up to take their leave, afraid they might change their minds again and not let them go. The people in the hall quickly decreased by half. Even those not originally in a hurry began thinking of leaving.

“Wait a moment.” Kong Hou, who had been sitting at the table sipping tea, sent her flying sword out like lightning, pointing at the gray-robed man preparing to leave at the door. “Others can go, but you cannot.”

Du Jing, who had been standing in the corner not daring to speak, quickly ordered the guards when he saw Kong Hou speak up. “Stop him, stop him.”

Seeing the guards block his path, the gray-robed man showed difficulty and grievance on his plain face. He turned somewhat timidly to look at Kong Hou. “What does the immortal mean by this?”

“Innocent people can leave, but you—the killer—naturally cannot.” Kong Hou stood up. The flying sword she controlled emanated a piercing cold energy, and several strands of hair by the gray-robed man’s temples snapped.

Lin Hu looked at Kong Hou in astonishment. His young master said this person was the killer, and she just believed it? What if they were wrong? Wasn’t she afraid of embarrassment? He didn’t know whether to say she was simple-minded or too trusting of people.

Hearing Kong Hou say this, Chang De’s expression changed immediately. The sharp sword in his hand unsheathed, blocking the gray-robed man’s path. The gray-robed man’s figure moved, wanting to escape while everyone hadn’t reacted yet. But as soon as this thought arose, his entire body uncontrollably flew backward.

Lin Hu said without turning his head, “Why is fellow Daoist so eager to leave? Better to explain things clearly sooner.”

Everyone looked at Lin Hu, their eyes filled with undisguisable shock. When the gray-robed man prepared to flee, the pressure aura he leaked showed at least late Core Formation stage cultivation. Yet this guard didn’t even blink and with a wave of his hand threw him back. What profound cultivation was this?

To have such a person as a guard—what exactly was the identity of this handsome, frail man?