“Ah…”

      Many older people couldn’t stand this kind of relationship between master and disciple. They immediately covered their mouths with their sleeves as their brows furrowed.

     “This is improper!”

     The female cultivator held a teacup in her hand and lowered her head, then said, “I thought it was strange at the time and was stunned for a moment. But they were both famous zongshi. No matter what, I didn’t dare think of anything that goes against human decency. However, looking back now, the two of them indeed aren’t quite right.”

     She paused for a moment, then continued, “And the words you mentioned—the words Shi Mingjing said before he was taken away. At that time, his words were vague. I just felt awkward and didn’t think about it carefully. Now that I think about it, he probably meant that Mo Ran was once fond of him, but later had a change of heart and fell in love with Chu Wanning.”

     Everyone fell silent.

     Many details that were insignificant before now became clear one by one.

     Suddenly someone whispered, “You all went to Tianyin Pavilion when the prisoner was rescued, right? When Chu Wanning was comforting him, I thought I saw him kiss his forehead.”

     “Ah!” The details were even more repulsive, but even more intriguing. “Who kissed who?”

     The man scratched his head and explained, “Chu Wanning kissed Mo Ran.”

     “...”

     “Didn’t you see?”

     Everyone expressed that they didn’t see clearly, so that person spread out his hands and said, “Alright, just pretend I didn’t say anything. Maybe I was mistaken and saw it wrong.”

     However, in many cases, “just pretend I didn’t say anything” was just a sentence of nonsense, similar to “I have something to say but don’t know if I should say it.”

     Could the water that had been poured out be taken back? So, the disgusted feeling became more obvious. If a master and disciple were together, it would be somewhat better if the disciple took the initiative. But if the master took initiative, then this taboo would have an even more revolting impression, and it would seem like the master had ulterior motives and was malicious and disrespectful.

     Of course, these kinds of private discussions and speculations weren’t limited to this dilapidated temple. As the biggest suspects, Mo Ran and Chu Wanning became the talk of the town.

     As the saying went, good news never traveled far, but bad news traveled a thousand miles. The topic of “kind master and filial disciple” would make one drowsy, while the topic of “secret love affair between master and disciple” could make the eyes of everyone at the table focus on the mouth saying such words. Even if some people were suspicious or dissatisfied, it didn’t prevent the rumors from spreading.

     So there were all kinds of speculations at the time—that Mo Ran had climbed into bed to gain an advantage, that Xue Meng and Chu Wanning also had some sort of affair, and that Shi Mei and Chu Wanning weren’t clean either. Hence, the originally clean Beidou Immortal suddenly became a perverted old man who liked to molest handsome young men.

     “A concurrence of words can melt gold, and an accumulation of defamation can wear away bones.”

     “Look at his three disciples—all of them are good-looking. If he said he didn’t have such thoughts, would you believe him?”

     “When Mo Ran first joined the sect, didn’t Chu Wanning refuse to accept him? I have a friend at Sisheng Peak, and he told me that Mo Ran went to the Red Lotus Pavilion to spend the night, and then Chu Wanning accepted him—why? Is there any need to ask? It’s because they slept together, and Mo Ran is good in bed.”

     These details piqued people’s interest, and they discussed them with increasing delight.

     “Mo Ran had just barely come of age as a young adult, yet Chu Wanning really wanted to do it.”

     “I suddenly understand why the female cultivator who peeped at him while he was bathing was beaten half to death. She probably saw something she shouldn’t have seen.”

     There was a moment of ambiguous silence before a scoundrel smiled maliciously and said, “Hey, actually I’m a little curious. Tell me, when the two of them sleep together, who’s on top and who’s on the bottom?”

     “It must be Mo Ran on the bottom. You all know Chu Wanning’s temper. He’s so arrogant. He wouldn’t have found a disciple to screw him.”

     “Thinking about it this way, Mo Ran is really quite pitiful… Being forced to sleep with an older man with a fierce temper and difficult personality who isn’t even the best-looking must be disgusting.”

     “Sigh…”

     However, this wasn’t the height of the gossip. As time went by, the identities of several Zhenlong chess pieces were recognized. They were all disciples of Sisheng Peak.

     If one or two were just coincidences, then every time another clue pointed to Sisheng Peak, even the most innocent sect would inevitably become the target of public criticism, causing great panic.

     In the past few days, many people had come to Sisheng Peak to argue, but they had all been turned away.

     “Sect Leader Xue is not here. If you have anything to say, please wait a few days.”

     “Where did Xue Zhengyong go?”

     Seeing that the other party called the Sect Leader by name, the young disciple guarding the gate got angry. “Since the incident, our Sect Leader has been running around day and night, busy dealing with the chess pieces and doing everything himself. Wherever there is suffering, he is there. Go find it yourself!”

     Those who were looking for trouble sneered, “Busy dealing with the chess pieces? I think he is busy manipulating the chess pieces and colluding with the criminals Mo Ran and Chu Wanning.”

     “What nonsense are you spouting?!”

     “I’m spouting nonsense?” The man said, “Mo Ran practiced forbidden techniques, and Chu Wanning helped him escape from prison. Combined with Xue Zhengyong’s continued pleas for Mo Ran and the disciples of Sisheng Peak being turned into Zhenlong chess pieces everywhere these days, who would believe that there’s nothing going on behind the scenes in your sect?”

     Xue Zhengyong always sighed tiredly after listening to the reports about the agitators and said, “Those who are innocent will be proven innocent. In today’s world, you should be happy if you can do what you’re doing well. Just don’t pay attention to what they say, and let them do as they please.”

     On this day, another person came to the mountain gate, bringing several corpses and saying that they wanted to make Sisheng Peak pay with their lives.

     It was late at night when Xue Zhengyong came back, covered in blood and with several injuries. As he listened to Madam Wang tell him these things, he washed the mud off his face, took a deep breath, and didn’t say anything immediately.

     Madam Wang said, “We can’t go on like this. Do you think we should ask Tianyin Pavilion for help…?”

     “Ask Tianyin Pavilion for help?” Xue Zhengyong narrowed his eyes. There was a scratch on his cheek left behind by a zombie. “I think there’s something wrong with Tianyin Pavilion. That Mu Yanli is just like a clay Buddha, muddleheaded and simply shameful.”

     Madam Wang quickly covered his mouth. “Don’t speak nonsense.”

     “...”

     “I know your heart is uneasy.” Madam Wang sighed and caressed his face. “But what can we do? They are the descendants of the gods, a thousand-year-old sect established by the heavens. Even three hundred years ago, during the time of King Ping’s plague, no one dared to question them. What kind of strength do you have to shake it?”

     Xue Zhengyong’s eyes were filled with indignation, as if he wanted to say something but didn’t know how to say it. Finally, he threw the towel he had used to clean the wounds and went to the window alone. He stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the crescent moon outside.

     “What do you think is happening with Ran-er now?” After a long time, his voice was hoarse as he asked.

     Madam Wang walked to him, her long skirt trailing behind her. “Husband…”

     The moonlight shone on the man’s face. His usually cheerful face now lost its smile, and he looked so tired, even a little old.

     “Although he isn’t my brother’s biological son, and he even killed my nephew, for so many years…. Do you understand? For so many years, I have taken him in…”

     “I understand. You don’t have to say any more. I know it all.” Madam Wang’s eyes were also a little red. “It’s the same for me.”

     Xue Zhengyong buried his face in his palms, rubbing them together in agitation and pain. Suddenly, he bent over and started coughing violently.

     After he finally managed to stop the coughing, he moved his hand away, but saw a palm full of blood.

     Madam Wang was stunned and immediately felt her heart burn with worry. “How did you get so badly hurt? Lie down quickly and let me have a look.”

     “There’s nothing to look at.” Xue Zhengyong wiped the blood with a handkerchief. “It’s just some internal injuries. I’ll be fine in a few days.”

     “Don’t go run out again tomorrow. Look at the other sect leaders, who does everything themselves like you do?”

     Xue Zhengyong seemed to be trying to force a smile, but he was too tired, both in body and heart, and the smile fell halfway. “Ran-er and Yuheng are still missing, and the cultivation world has been in turmoil these days. A few days ago, even Wuchang Town at the foot of the mountain had a murder case, and nine people died. You want me to sit down at this time?”

     “...” Madam Wang opened her beautiful eyes and looked at him silently.

     Xue Zhengyong patted her on the head and said, “You know me. It’s impossible.”

     Madam Wang bit her lip and said, “Then you should at least rest for a day. Your internal injuries have already caused you to vomit blood, so don’t be careless. Have you forgotten how your elder brother passed?”

     The last trace of a smile froze on Xue Zhengyong’s face.

     He saw Madam Wang’s eyelashes drooping, and a faint gleam of water beneath the soft curtain of eyelashes. He couldn’t help but feel sad. “You, you don’t cry… I’m blessed with a good life… Well, okay, then I will stay in the sect tomorrow and not go anywhere. I will rest for a day, then go about again. Is that okay?”

     Madam Wang choked with sobs. “I can’t take care of you, nor can I control you. You can go wherever you want.”

     “How can I?” Xue Zhengyong said with a wry smile, “Okay, don’t worry. Look at me, I’ve been through all kinds of storms in the past few decades. It’s okay, trust me. Everything will be fine.”

     The next day, Xue Zhengyong didn’t go out, but he didn’t stay idle either. He was sorting out his meridians and combing the Library Pavilion for ideas.

     “Sect Leader, the young master has prepared some medicine for you. You must drink it while it’s hot.”

     Xue Zhengyong said, “Leave it there.”

     He was thinking about something important and didn’t have the heart to get up and leave, so he was busy until the afternoon. Later, he only remembered to slowly drink the cold medicine when he was suffering from the internal injuries in his abdomen and ribs.

     Walking out of the library, Xue Zhengyong asked the disciple standing by the door, “Where are the Madam and Xue Meng?”

     “The young master has just returned from the foot of the mountain, and Madam is burning incense at the ancestral shrine for blessings. Should I call them over?”

     Xue Zhengyong originally wanted to talk to them and rest for a while. But just as he was about to speak, he felt dizzy. After all, he was older and no longer a young man in his twenties who could recover from his injuries after a good sleep.

      He had to admit he was old.

     “Forget it. Don’t disturb them.” Xue Zhengyong endured the pain and forced a smile. “I’ll go to the meditation room to meditate for a while. If there’s anything, come find me there.”

     “Yes, Sect Leader.”

     Xue Zhengyong raised his hand and patted the disciple’s shoulder. Perhaps because of the sudden changes that had taken place in the past few days, his whole state of mind was somewhat bleak, and when he looked at the young disciple in front of him, he couldn’t help but sigh in his heart, thinking that he was at the prime of his youth.

     As for him, it would be great if he could do something more for the sake of these youth’s best years.

     “Go on. I’ll have to trouble you to take care of the books I flipped through…”

     Before he even finished speaking, someone suddenly came rushing in and knelt down when he saw Xue Zhengyong. With a look of impending disaster on his face, he reported, “Sect Leader! There’s trouble!”

     This shouting made Xue Zhengyong’s abdomen and ribs hurt even more. Ah, he really should’ve asked Tanlang Elder to take a look at him first.

     His face turned pale, but he still endured the pain and asked, “You’re in such a hurry. What’s wrong?”

     The disciple was distraught. “All the sects of the upper cultivation world have come to Loyalty Hall, even including Guyue’ye, the greatest sect under the heavens.”

     Xue Zhengyong’s heart skipped a beat, and he had vaguely guessed the reason, but still said, “...What are they doing here?”

     “There have been too many complaints and doubts about Sisheng Peak recently. They said that they can no longer sit idly by and want to ask Sect Leader for an explanation.” The more the disciple spoke, the more frightened he became, almost shedding tears. “Sect Leader, looking at their stance, I’m afraid they want to force us to disband the sect.”

     “...” Xue Zhengyong’s face turned pale. He gritted his teeth and pressed a few acupuncture points on his abdomen and ribs, enduring the discomfort. “This isn’t right. This is going too far.”

     He turned around and said to the guard of the library, “Don’t tell the Madam about this matter yet, so she won’t worry too much.”

     “Yes.”

     After giving the order, Xue Zhengyong helped the young disciple kneeling on the ground up and said with a solemn expression, “Follow me to the front hall.”