“Ye Wangxi isn’t a man at all.”

     “......”

     After a few moments of silence, the crowd burst into an uproar!

     All the guests in the hall turned pale, their gazes focused on Ye Wangxi, whose head was lowered with closed eyes.

     Not a man?!

     This tall and handsome young man is actually… a girl?!

     The statement was like a drop of water entering a wok, instantly causing a wave of heat to rise. Several people gasped before a whirl of words exploded like the splashing of boiling oil in the wok.

     “Ye Wangxi is a girl?”

     “Heavens… how could this be…”

     “No wonder Nangong Si didn’t blame her. He clearly knew about this! Then just now, Song Qiutong…”

     “She’s framing someone else for her own self-preservation!”

     “This is too sinister! If you didn’t do it, then you didn’t do it; why do you need to accuse others to clear your name?”

     “But I still can’t believe it. How could Ye Wangxi be a woman? I can’t tell at all…”

     Nangong Liu’s eyes flashed coldly. He stared at the black-clad man’s dark eyes and said, “Xiansheng, please don’t lie. You have no evidence—”

     “If you are not guilty, then release Nangong Si,” the black-clad man said. “Fortunately, although your son has a wild temper, he is still a righteous man; he isn’t cold and heartless like you.”

     “...”

     Seeing that Nangong Liu’s face was covered in a layer of sweat, his fists clenched, the black-clad man said coldly, “What? Go ahead and release him.”

     However, Nangong Liu only flicked his sleeve and said, “My unfilial son’s discipline will not be interrupted by an outsider like you.”

     Although he didn’t admit that what the black-clad man said was true, everyone knew it clearly as a mirror. Those who originally didn’t believe the black-clad man’s words couldn’t help but feel their hearts waver. They once again looked at Ye Wangxi’s handsome face, trying to find some indication of the truth.

     Someone from the crowd suddenly shouted, “Sect Leader Nangong, you are in the wrong!”

     Immediately, everyone turned their heads and saw Mei Hanxue. He was dressed in a fox fur coat, looking luxurious and graceful. He stood in the light, smiling as he said, “Although Miss Ye is a strong and valiant woman, she’s still a woman. As a man, Sect Leader should have mercy on her, and as an elder, he should be generous and kind. How can you bully a girl like this just so you don’t lose face for Rufeng Sect?”

     As he spoke, he slowly walked to the front of the hall and smiled, “I’m not ashamed to say I once met Miss Ye at the Peach Blossom Springs. At the time, I thought she was a very brave and fierce woman, different from the weak willow. I loved her in my heart, but I was stupid, and offended Miss Ye with my words, causing her to feel disgusted. We had an argument, and during our altercation, I couldn't help but think that Rufeng Sect truly produced an impressive number of outstanding cultivators, for even female cultivators to have such extraordinary skills. I even secretly applauded the Sect Leader. However, seeing how the Sect Leader is acting today… heh, I feel that the brilliant and learned Rufeng Sect doesn’t deserve such a proud beauty.”

     Nangong Liu’s expression was dark, but he still had a smile as he said, “Mei-gongzi, you and Ye Wangxi have only met once, it’s only natural that you would be mistaken. Since you are from Kunlun Taxue Palace, I will not press this matter, but do not let this happen again.” His words were no longer as calm and composed as they had been at the beginning.

     The black-clad man laughed softly and said, “Mei-gongzi’s flirtatious reputation is well-known across the cultivation world. If he can’t tell whether a person is a man or a woman, I’m afraid no other person in the world can.”

     Hearing this, Nangong Liu couldn’t help but burn with rage. He said stiffly, “Xiansheng had just accused Ye Wangxi of violating Song Qiutong, and now you’re saying Ye Wangxi is a woman. You are simply trying to tarnish the reputation of our Rufeng Sect by turning things around like this!”

     The black-clad man replied, “If I don’t make such a move, how can I make Nangong-gongzi see Miss Song’s true nature? If he marries the wrong person, he will be miserable for the rest of his life.”

     “You bring up a valid point. If Ye Wangxi is a woman, how did the cinnabar on Song Qiutong’s wrist disappear?” Nangong Liu asked.

     “Ask her yourself, why are you asking me?” The black-clad man sneered, “Rufeng Sect has thousands of male disciples. If the Sect Leader is free, he can interrogate them one by one and surely find a satisfactory answer.”

     No one said a word, but the contempt and curiosity in their eyes could not be hidden. Nangong Liu only felt a prickling sensation in his back as he stood still for a while. Suddenly, he turned his head and shouted towards Ye Wangxi, “Come here!”

     “...”

     “Tell me yourself, did Miss Song wrongly accuse you?”

     Nangong Liu stared at Ye Wangxi’s face. He was betting that he still held the most important bargaining chip in his hand; he knew that Ye Wangxi had a deep affection for his son, and she definitely didn’t want the reputation of Rufeng Sect to be ruined, “You tell everyone who you really are!”

     Ye Wangxi had always been very obedient, the most obedient pawn on his chessboard since she was a child.

     He clearly remembered when Ye Wangxi was thirteen years old, and was ordered to the splendid main hall of Rufeng Sect. The doors of the palace were tightly shut, leaving the two of them alone. He had sat on the ice-cold throne, looking down at her. The thirteen year old girl wore a green coat; her hair was tied in a braid with a ribbon and she had small silver bracelets on her wrists.

     He had smiled at her and said, “Ye Wangxi, for you to come here today means that you already know.”

     Ye Wangxi knelt down and kowtowed, “Yes, Sect Leader.”

     “Your Yifu has already been seriously injured many times before and now his muscles and bones have been damaged. He is no longer fit to be the commander of the Shadow Guard. You are his adopted daughter, and also Si-er’s childhood friend. I cannot trust anybody else but you.”

     Ye Wangxi did not rise, and remained quietly kneeling on the ground, her slender neck exposed under her bun, just like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.

     Nangong Liu said, “Your talent is extraordinary and your future is immeasurable. I have the intention of making you commander of the Shadow Guard of Rufeng Sect, in charge of one of the seventy two cities. This way, you will not only be a relief for your Yifu, but you’ll also become Si-er’s right hand man. From now on, while you are the dark, he will be the light; together, you will share the glory of Rufeng Sect for a hundred years.”

     He paused. Ye Wangxi remained silent.

     “However, if you don’t want to, then so be it. Your Yifu can still hold out for a while as I look for a more suitable candidate. It seems this is too great of a sacrifice for you after all, and I know it in my heart, so there’s no need for you to force it.”

     After Nangong Liu finished speaking, he shifted his position on the high pedestal and waited patiently. This girl had no mother or father, no one to rely on. He was absolutely certain how she would respond. He waited for her to nod.

     Finally, Ye Wangxi straightened her back and looked at him quietly. For a moment, Nangong Liu felt a chill run down his spine. It was almost as if this girl had seen through his schemes and fake smiles. But in the next moment, Ye Wangxi said, “My life was given to me by my Yifu. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to repay his kindness.”

     Nangong Liu was quiet for a moment before he sighed, “In the end, I have wronged you.”

     Ye Wangxi said calmly and indifferently, “It is I who should be thanking the Sect Leader, who has been so kind.”

     Nangong Liu changed the topic, “However, in Rufeng Sect, men have always been superior to women. When it comes to women, they are always weak and powerless, full of kindness. In this world, only a man will be able to convince the masses, and only only a man will be fit to command a city. Ye Wangxi, you’re smart, you should know what to do.”

     Ye Wangxi was silent for a moment, and then, standing before Nangong Liu, she removed the silver bracelets from her wrists and the ribbon from her braid. Then, she took off her jacket, leaving only her pure white robe.

     After doing this, she let down her braided hair and tied her hair up in a high ponytail. The sunlight came in, shining on her small figure; her back was upright, her expression resolute. Although she was still young, she was as strong as a pine.

     “Not bad.” Nangong Liu said. Then, he reminded her, “You should dress up like this from now on. But don’t forget, there’s still the voice.”

     Ye Wangxi lowered her lashes. She had already noticed from the moment she came in that a golden pair of shears had been set up in front of her seat. She picked up the shears and fiercely slid them down her throat.

     Blood dripped.

     “The old melody vanishes, never to be changed.”

     She slowly said the eight word incantation before closing her eyes and tossing the shears down on the floor.

     The shears were stained with blood, and Nangong Liu stared at the bloodstains on the shears for a moment, then said, “Good, good. From now on, you will be the successor to the commander of Hidden City. You will be Ye-gongzi of Rufeng Sect. And even if there’s a problem with Si-er, I’ll ask him to—”

     Ye Wangxi opened her mouth, but her voice was suddenly that of a young man’s, “I beg the Sect Leader, from now on, do not let my Yifu be troubled alone. I am willing to share his burden.”

     Thus, Nangong Liu knew Ye Wangxi all too well.

     Ten years had passed, and she had learned the manners of a man without letting any hints of the truth slip. Ever since she was young, she had taken a secret medicine every day, and endured the pain alone, so that she would grow into a masculine physique.

     In Nangong Liu’s eyes, she was a dog raised by Rufeng Sect. In order to repay the favor of raising her, she would never betray him.

     Ten years ago, she cut her throat and bled, forever changing her voice. Today, she wouldn’t disappoint him either.

     He was betting that Ye Wangxi would help him.

     As long as Ye Wangxi could say, “I am not a woman,” what else could they even do?

     The black-clad mad obviously thought the same. He took two steps forward and stood in front of Ye Wangxi, raising his hand to block her way, “Nangong Liu, Miss Ye has already exhausted her heart and blood for Rufeng Sect, devoting her life to you. Now that you can’t argue, do you intend for her to use the rest of her life as a sacrifice?”

     Nangong Liu was just about to open his mouth to argue again when suddenly, in the distant night sky, a red light rose in the sky and exploded—someone caught a spirit deer. But in the face of this scandal, no one cared who got second place; everyone’s gazes were still locked tightly on the center of the hall. The tables and chairs had fallen to the ground, the center table was broken in half, and the mysterious black-clad man stood between Nangong Liu and Ye Wangxi. Tonight, the groom was trapped in the discipline barrier by his father, while the bride knelt on the ground, her face streaked with tears.

     This really was too unexpected. From accusing people of adultery, to a husband and wife turning against each other, to hidden identities, and now the Sect Leader of Rufeng Sect denying it.

     This scandal would probably be the talk of the teahouses and pubs for at least three to five years. Who would care about those three poor spirit deer?

     Therefore, no one noticed when a dark red crack formed above the dense forest. The sound of fireworks suddenly echoed one after another in the sky, and the crows in the forest flew away, fleeing to the depths of the night.

     Twenty fireworks exploded at almost the same time, illuminating the night like a sea of blood. It was only then that the people in Shile Hall felt that something was amiss, and rushed to the fence to take a look.

     “What’s going on?”

     “Why are all the fireworks going off at the same time?”

     “Look! In the sky! What is that?!”

     “...The sky is splitting!”

     “It’s a Heavenly Rift!”

     Instantly, a dead silence fell over the hall, followed by shrieks and screams, “It’s a Heavenly Rift! How could there be a Heavenly Rift in the upper cultivation world?!”

     “Above the hunting grounds!”

     “Shixiong! My shixiong is still out there!”

     “Shijie!”

     The crowd was like a group of fish swimming in a pond, tightly packed together in one area; panic and shock was the bait thrown into the pond, causing a wave of activity. At this point, they couldn’t care less about the secret scandal, and there was chaos in the hall.

     Nangong Liu, probably in order to save face, shouted with a sound amplification technique, “Everyone, don’t be alarmed, it’s only a crack in the sky. You are all at Rufeng Sect, I definitely will not allow any harm to the guests!” As he spoke, he waved his hand, summoning his sword.

     He made a show of stepping onto the dazzling blue hilt and brandishing his sword before hovering in the night breeze, “Guards of the five branches of Rufeng Sect, follow me to the hunting grounds to investigate. The rest of the elders and disciples, guard the poetry and music platform, and ensure the safety of the guests!”

     After he finished speaking, as if to escape the black-clad man’s interrogation, he led his five close guards and hastily rushed towards the Xiaoyue Hunting Grounds, not even wanting to clean up the mess of the wedding banquet.

     “Everything was fine. How could this happen all of a sudden?!”

     “Yeah, the upper cultivation world has never had a Heavenly Rift before. What… what’s going on here?”

     On the jade beaded platform, everyone was anxious. The cultivators of the upper cultivation world were so used to living a pampered and comfortable life that they felt more afraid of the sudden invasion of the ghost world than responsible for resolving the situation. It would be fine if they only had to kill a single great demon, or if only ordinary ghosts came out of the crack in the sky. But if it was the same as Butterfly Town five years ago, then the crack would be to the infinite hells…

     They shuddered at the thought that even a great zongshi like Chu Wanning had died in that brutal battle.

     They couldn’t help but feel terrified as they huddled around the platform and gazed at the scarlet crack in the sky.

     Chu Wanning stood up and said to Xue Zhengyong, “Sect Leader, the color of this rift is wrong. After it splits, it’ll most likely be in the higher levels of hell. I’m worried about Xue Meng and the others, so I’ll go take a look.”

     After he finished speaking, his snow-white figure swept up from the ground as he leapt onto the eaves of the blue tile roof under the astonished eyes of the crowd, quickly disappearing into the distance.

     “Yuheng!” Xue Zhengyong tried to call out to him, but Chu Wanning had already long disappeared into the darkness of the night.

     He cursed internally and wanted to jump down as well, but his shoulder was caught by someone. When he turned around, he came face to face with a bronze mask baring its teeth. The black-clad man patted his shoulder and said in a low voice, “Uncle, you stay here and watch over auntie. Rest assured, I’ll stay by Shizun’s side, don’t worry.”

     Xue Zhengyong was shocked, “Ran—”

     The black-clad man lifted his hand and placed it on his lips, then subtly shook his head.

     “...” Xue Zhengyong never thought that the black-clad man would actually be Mo Ran.

     Mo Ran didn’t wait for him to ask any further questions. He supported himself with one hand and leapt into the darkness like a falcon, his cloak billowing like flowing ink, and disappeared behind the same vaulted roof as Chu Wanning.

     “Shizun!” Mo Ran ran halfway across the roof using qinggong, but was too slow, so he summoned his sword instead. Riding his sword, he quickly caught up to Chu Wanning. He raised his hand and lifted the ferocious bronze mask, pushing it to the side of his forehead and revealing a handsome face, “Wait for me.”

     Chu Wanning’s eyes widened, “It was you?”

     “Come on, I’ll bring Shizun over on the sword. I’ll explain on the way.”

     Chu Wanning took his outstretched hand and was swept off his feet, landing steadily on the blade. He wanted to let go of Mo Ran, but his broad hand only tightened its hold. Mo Ran was standing behind him, and as soon as he spoke, the young man’s scorching hot breath brushed against the back of his ear, making the cold night air feel hotter and hotter.

     Mo Ran said, “This sword’s momentum is too strong, and it’s flying too fast. Shizun, hold on tight.”

     As they rode Mo Ran’s sword, Chu Wanning asked, “Everything that happened in the hall just now… you were the one who planned it all out?”

     “Yes, I’ve wandered the a lot these past few years and heard quite a lot about Song Qiutong,” Mo Ran said. “Although she doesn’t have the guts to do anything evil like killing people and slaughtering cities, she is a person who will always strike when others are down. If she were to marry Nangong Si and become the wife of Rufeng Sect’s young master, I’m afraid that the sect would probably be even worse off than it is right now.”

     However, Chu Wanning replied, “Rufeng Sect cannot be any worse than it is now.” He finished his sentence with a frown and glanced at Mo Ran’s inky black cloak again with a hidden suspicion, “...Speaking of which, how did you know Ye Wangxi was a girl?”