Two people had just stepped within the town’s limits when someone dressed in the Wanbao Trading Company attendant’s attire hurried over and called out to Xie Liufeng: “Senior Chu, Elder Chen is causing a commotion. Our guild leader heard that you’ve returned and sent me to invite you over to take a look.”

Elder Chen was the elder sent from the Lingxiang Sect this time. He had been detained since the incident a couple of days ago, but everyone had been busy handling matters related to the secret realm and hadn’t paid much attention to him.

Xie Liufeng pondered for a moment, then nodded: “Got it, I’ll go right away.”

Chu Xinghui looked up, puzzled, and said to him: “Chu?”

Xie Liufeng’s expression was natural: “When traveling, isn’t it reasonable to use a false name?”

Chu Xinghui recalled how he had once used a fake name in front of Qin Yuwen and nodded in agreement.

Suddenly, he reached out and caught a stone thrown at him from the side. Following the direction it came from, he saw Cheng Yu and Ming Xiao standing not far off, furtively waving at him.

Chu Xinghui didn’t quite understand why the two were being sneaky in broad daylight, so to protect his own reputation, he cautiously pretended not to recognize them.

Xie Liufeng also noticed the two from afar, reached out to pat Chu Xinghui’s head, and smiled as he said: “Go talk to them first, and when I get back, we’ll go home together. How about that?”

Chu Xinghui hesitated for a moment, still a bit annoyed by those two, but obediently nodded.

After Xie Liufeng left, Cheng Yu and Ming Xiao, who had been lurking nearby, finally dared to approach.

Seeing Chu Xinghui, Ming Xiao immediately complained: “Why did you take so long to come out? Too slow.”

Chu Xinghui explained: “Something came up inside, it took some time.”

Ming Xiao snorted and hesitantly asked: “By the way, inside that wooden building, did you encounter anything you couldn’t handle?”

Chu Xinghui finally caught his meaning: “You’re concerned about me?”

Ming Xiao jumped up immediately and firmly denied: “Who cares about you? I’m just curious, that’s all!”

Cheng Yu mockingly laughed at him: “Yeah right, wonder who’s always snooping for news every now and then.”

Ming Xiao was unhappy with Cheng Yu’s sabotage and immediately stomped on him twice.

“I’m fine,” Chu Xinghui looked at both of them seriously and said: “Anyway, thank you.”

Ming Xiao awkwardly waved his hand, refusing the thanks: “No need to thank us. We didn’t do anything anyway, it was your brother who handled it all.”

Cheng Yu remembered the real reason for seeking him out and pulled out his storage pouch: “Everything we got from the secret realm has been sorted out. Let’s divide the loot.”

Chu Xinghui nodded and began counting their gains with him.

Ming Xiao watched them for a while, then couldn’t help but start organizing his own things too.

When they were almost done, Cheng Yu curiously asked: “Hey, by the way, what cultivation level is your brother exactly?”

Chu Xinghui honestly said: “Don’t know.”

Speaking of which, Cheng Yu suddenly recalled some overlooked doubts: “Wait, you told me before you came from the Mortal Realm. How do you have a brother with such high cultivation?”

He immediately speculated wildly about his companion’s background: “Could it be… you were originally born in the cultivation world but were unfortunately lost in the Mortal Realm, and only after starting cultivation and returning to the cultivation world did you find your family?”

Chu Xinghui was silent for a moment.

In a sense, Cheng Yu’s guess was pretty close to reality.

Though it was unrelated to the initial question.

He sighed and decided to clarify: “That’s easy to explain.”

The two thought they were about to hear some strange and complicated story, so they listened attentively.

Chu Xinghui continued honestly: “…Because he’s not my brother.”

Ming Xiao: “…”

Chu Xinghui gave a simple explanation: “He just likes to make up lies to fool people sometimes.”

Cheng Yu: “…”

*

Inside the temporary Wanbao Trading Company base.

Elder Chen stood in front of the hall, demanding justice righteously: “You detained us without reason for several days. Isn’t it time to give the Lingxiang Sect an explanation?”

Shang Ling lifted the teacup beside him, calmly sipped some tea, and smiled with feigned kindness: “Elder Chen, you must be joking. The accident in the secret realm is obvious to all. Everyone has been busy handling follow-up matters for days, with few leaving the site. How can you say it’s targeting only the Lingxiang Sect?”

Xie Liufeng walked in from outside and casually added fuel to the fire: “Moreover, the Lingxiang Sect is undeniably connected to this incident. Our invitation to Elder Chen to be our guest here is also for the sake of the Lingxiang Sect’s reputation.”

Elder Chen looked toward Xie Liufeng’s voice and saw an unfamiliar face. He snorted with disdain: “Who are you? When did matters between sects become the business of a nobody like you?”

Xie Liufeng laughed: “Elder Chen’s words seem biased. This secret realm incident concerns the safety of all involved. Even if I am a nameless and faceless rogue cultivator, surely I have the right to speak?”

He took out several array stones engraved with the Lingxiang Sect’s emblem: “I brought some things along. Elder Chen, care to take a look?”

Elder Chen glanced briefly and looked away: “Just a few array stones. Though Lingxiang Sect isn’t specialized in arrays, it sells many stones yearly. How can you be sure this matter was caused by someone from our sect?”

Xie Liufeng casually sat down: “Though the guild leader invited you to stay these days, you’re not one to close your eyes and ears. Don’t you know where these stones — or the entire array connecting the secret realm — were found?”

Elder Chen remained stubborn: “Even if that place was once Lingxiang Sect’s base, it isn’t forbidden ground, open to everyone. That doesn’t prove it was done by Lingxiang Sect members. I was cultivating that night, and I guarantee I didn’t hear any disciples leaving for no reason!”

Xie Liufeng nodded, acknowledging: “You can guarantee yourself, but can you guarantee others from Lingxiang Sect who came here?”

Hearing this, Elder Chen hesitated.

He knew his sect best. The Lingxiang Sect was rife with factions, each with its own agenda. The cultivators who came this time weren’t from a single peak. He could guarantee his own reputation but had no reason to vouch for others.

After considering for a moment, he sneered and changed his stance: “Fine, even if Lingxiang Sect is responsible for this incident, you still can’t—”

“Good!” Xie Liufeng interrupted with a smile: “That’s exactly what we wanted to hear. Since Elder Chen admits Lingxiang Sect’s responsibility in this matter, everyone here can request a full investigation report, right?”

Elder Chen was speechless: “You…”

Xie Liufeng pondered briefly: “If there’s going to be an investigation, it shouldn’t be too far from the scene, right? I recall Lingxiang Sect sent seventeen people? Guild leader, please provide them with food and lodging.”

Shang Ling was quick to agree: “With Elder Chen’s strong sense of responsibility, I certainly can’t just stand by.”

Xie Liufeng clapped his hands: “Alright, since this is settled for now, Elder Chen, please begin quickly. We should head back to rest.”

Everyone slowly dispersed.

Elder Chen’s efforts backfired, instead of freeing himself, he ended up giving others a reason to detain all Lingxiang Sect members here. His face darkened as if dripping water.

Wiping sweat off his face, his eyes flickered with deep thought.

This Cultivator Chu’s way of doing things reminded him of someone.

But that person hadn’t appeared publicly for centuries, and many had assumed he was dead. How could he suddenly get involved in a small secret realm incident?

*

Chu Xinghui was still explaining his relationship with Xie Liufeng to his companions when he suddenly heard a familiar voice from behind: “Let me hear it—who’s talking trash about me behind my back now?”

He turned around and sure enough saw Xie Liufeng smiling at him.

Xie Liufeng had come out with Shang Ling, who curiously glanced several times at this apprentice Xie Liufeng kept mentioning.

Chu Xinghui looked at Xie Liufeng and honestly expressed his thoughts: “Telling the truth can’t be called talking trash.”

Xie Liufeng: “…”

Hard to say he was wrong.

Shang Ling laughed heartily seeing Xie Liufeng at a loss.

The more he looked at Chu Xinghui, the more he thought the kid was outstanding so he teased him: “Xie always out of tune, no future with him. How about this—you become my disciple? My family is big and spacious.”

“Thanks, but no thanks,” Chu Xinghui declined and seriously explained: “I’m his in life and ghost in death.”

He vaguely remembered the phrase might not be quite right, but it didn’t matter as long as it conveyed the meaning.

Shang Ling was a bit stunned, looking between Chu Xinghui and Xie Liufeng, with an expression that said: “You teach him the martial arts and sword moves, but why also teach him all the nonsense speech?”

Such a promising kid—how did he get tainted by Xie Liufeng?

Xie Liufeng glanced at Chu Xinghui, shrugged, and couldn’t help laughing: “Not my fault, he learned it all by himself.”

Chu Xinghui blushed and secretly pinched Xie Liufeng’s back.

Xie Liufeng took his hand, turned back, and said goodbye to his friend: “Alright, we’re going home first. If there’s progress with the Lingxiang Sect matter, just contact me by spirit communication talisman.”

Chu Xinghui also said goodbye to Cheng Yu.

As they walked back, they just happened to pass Qin Yuwen senior siblings, who were waiting for Elder Chen.

The two parties brushed past each other.

Qin Yuwen looked back and followed Chu Xinghui’s retreating figure with his eyes.

Mu Lingxuan noticed him daydreaming and shook his arm: “Senior brother, what are you looking at?”

Qin Yuwen explained: “That peron just now… is the rogue cultivator I invited last time.”

Mu Lingxuan frowned: “Senior brother, why do you always care about that rogue cultivator?”

Qin Yuwen smiled: “Lingxuan, don’t you think that rogue looks somewhat like you and your brother?”

Mu Lingxuan frowned, her eyes flashing with disgust: “There are so many people who look alike. If senior brother likes our appearances, just look at us. Why focus on a lowly rogue cultivator?”

With no one else around, Mu Zeqing didn’t correct his sister’s words but, being more mature, quickly made a connection: “Senior brother means… the child our parents lost back then?”

Qin Yuwen nodded and gently explained: “It’s just speculation. That’s why I’ve been trying to test him recently.”

Mu Zeqing frowned.

He had no real feelings for the lost elder brother. Whether selfish or cold-hearted, his affections naturally leaned toward his sister and senior brother who grew up with him.

Even in a large sect, resources were limited.

If a useless person was brought back to be raised, that would be one thing, but judging from this guy’s performance, he didn’t look like someone willing to be useless.

If that person really was their biological elder brother and returned to the Lingxiang Sect to gain the favor of their parents and elders… there wouldn’t be much resources left for the siblings and senior brother.

No matter what, their family didn’t need a third child.

Mu Zeqing pondered for a moment, casually stroking his weapon.

Qin Yuwen glanced at him, smiling faintly, seemingly oblivious to his complicated thoughts.

He spoke gently, as if truly pleased about this matter: “If he really is the child our master and mistress lost, we certainly can’t let him drift outside. We should find a way to bring him back to the Lingxiang Sect to recognize his ancestry.”

He looked meaningfully toward the direction where Xie Liufeng and Chu Xinghui were leaving: “I’ve already written to report this to master and mistress. I believe they’ll come to a conclusion soon.”

 

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