My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult

Chapter 183: Chapter 183: The Origins of Tan Yun in the Lv Sect

In Lin Garden.

An Jing felt a sudden shock in his heart upon hearing Lv Fang’s words.

Li Fuzhou is here?!

He really has some nerve, daring to come to this Lv Mansion.

Not to mention the rumor that he was a betrayer within the Lv Sect, but also he is currently the master of the Demon Sect, his hands stained with who knows how much blood of the Xuanyi Guard.

The moment Li Fuzhou set foot in Lv Mansion, the Heaven and Earth Net might have already received his information.

On the other hand, Zhou Xianming remained indifferent. Although the name was very familiar, there were simply too many people with the same name in the world, and he did not make any association.

He didn’t believe that the accountant from Jishi Hall was the vicious master of the Demon Sect.

After a long silence, Lv Guoyong asked, “Who did he bring with him?”

Lv Fang quickly bowed, his voice somewhat trembling, “A girl of about eighteen or nineteen. She looks… looks a lot like elder sister.”

Lv Guoyong maintained an expression as calm as water, “Where are they now?”

Lv Fang replied, “In the guest hall.”

Lv Guoyong did not say anything but got up and walked out of the garden.

Lv Fang bowed to An Jing and quickly followed Lv Guoyong.

Suddenly, only An Jing, Lv Jingchun, and Zhou Xianming were left in the entire courtyard.

Watching the two leave, Lv Jingchun sat down as if relieved and then strangely said, “This person from the Demon Sect really has guts to dare to come to my house.”

Zhou Xianming frowned deeply and said, “This Li Fuzhou was a student of my teacher before, so he must have had some important matter.”

About this senior brother, he also often heard from others how talented and extraordinary he was, acclaimed both in scholarship and martial arts throughout Jianghu.

As early as his twenties, Li Fuzhou obtained the title of third-degree scholar, unlike him who achieved significance only in his thirties.

An Jing glanced at Zhou Xianming and asked, “Do you know any experts from the Demon Sect?”

He suddenly remembered that when they were in Yu State City, the two were very close, and there was a time when Zhou Xianming would call Li Fuzhou out every night to visit the opera houses.

Zhou Xianming, slightly annoyed, said, “Zhou is innocent and has nothing to do with the Demon Sect.”

Upon hearing this, An Jing smiled and said, “Let’s also follow them and take a look.”

Zhou Xianming hesitated for a moment, “Isn’t that inappropriate?”

An Jing said indifferently, “Li Fuzhou is a ruthless and vicious master of the Demon Sect. What if he suddenly attacks Old Lv?”

Zhou Xianming upon hearing this also nodded and said nothing more.

Lv Jingchun was about to say that there were also experts within Lv Mansion, but he just opened his mouth and yet said nothing.

Actually, he was also curious in his heart about the people of the Demon Sect, whether they really were as fierce and ruthless as the rumors, looking formidable at a glance.

……

In the Lv Mansion, Guest Hall.

Tan Yun sat upright in her chair, her eyes constantly looking around.

Li Fuzhou, however, looked indifferent, sitting in his chair and drinking tea, making it unclear what he was actually thinking.

“Tat tat tat tat…”

Just then, footsteps sounded from outside the door.

Li Fuzhou put down his teacup and stood up, reverently greeting the hunched-back old man at the doorway, “Student Li Fuzhou, pays respects to Teacher.”

His movements were cautious and sincere, and the degree of his bow was perfectly judged.

Just like the topknot on his head, not a hair was out of place, combed very conscientiously.

Lv Guoyong looked at the student in front of him, whom he hadn’t seen for decades, and stretched out his dry palm to pat his shoulder, just as when they first met.

“No need for such formality.”

“Yes.”

Lv Guoyong’s old eyes then shifted to Tan Yun standing behind Li Fuzhou.

And Tan Yun also curiously looked at Lv Guoyong, the Grand Secretary to three emperors of the Great Yan Dynasty, this noble of the land under heaven, but why was he staring at her?

Lv Guoyong looked at the girl in front of him, his expression somewhat absent-minded, and after a long while, he said, “Your name is Tan Yun, right?”

“Yes.”

Tan Yun hastily imitated Li Fuzhou’s actions and paid his respects to Lv Guoyong.

“Please, have a seat.”

Lv Guoyong nodded slightly and gradually made his way to the head of the table, where he slowly sat down.

Li Fuzhou, observing Lv Guoyong’s movements, remarked, “Teacher, you have aged.”

Time passed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, more than two decades had gone by.

Lv Guoyong looked at his student’s fully gray hair, feeling an inexplicable bitterness in his heart. He remembered the first time he met Li Fuzhou, who was but a youth, and now his hair was fully gray.

Lv Guoyong gazed at the student he once was most proud of, “Fuzhou.”

If it hadn’t been for him, Li Fuzhou might have had limitless possibilities.

Just like in the past, Li Fuzhou stood upright and said, “Your student is here.”

Lv Guoyong sighed softly, “Birth, aging, sickness, and death are just the common lot of humanity. A hundred years is but a handful of dust in the human world; I am not afraid of death.”

Li Fuzhou responded, “For some, becoming a handful of dust in the human world is extremely difficult, and they still have to be constantly trampled upon by others.”

Lv Guoyong, hearing this, couldn’t help but laugh, “After death, everyone is trampled underfoot. This is an unchanging truth. Can you change this truth?”

Li Fuzhou shook his head, “I cannot.”

How high must one’s cultivation be to change this truth!?

Li Fuzhou had been practicing martial arts for over twenty years, yet he was still unclear about it.

Lv Guoyong glanced at Tan Yun, who was looking down, and asked, “You haven’t been to Yujing City for twenty years, so what brings you here today?”

Li Fuzhou took a deep breath, his face serious as he said, “Firstly, to visit my teacher, and secondly, to demand a truth from Tang Taiyuan.”

Lv Guoyong looked at Li Fuzhou’s expression and remained silent.

The entire Guest Hall suddenly became quiet.

Tan Yun, listening to the cryptic discussion between the two, felt dizzy and couldn’t help but complain internally: This is so boring. When can we leave this place?

Meanwhile, Lv Guoyong looked at Tan Yun again and after a long silence finally spoke, “The truth of Tang Taiyuan is not something easily demanded.”

Who is Tang Taiyuan?

The Great Commander of the Xuanyi Guard, one of the Great Yan Emperor’s confidants, one of the top masters in all of Great Yan, even Qi Shu might not be his match.

As he once said, “In this world, in my hands, how many can survive?”

“To be shattered to pieces, I would not hesitate.”

Li Fuzhou, his expression utterly calm, said, “Besides, teacher, you once told me that the reason scholars read is for a truth, and if there is no truth, then what is the purpose of reading? I have practiced martial arts for twenty years, all for the sake of a truth today.”

Lv Guoyong looked at his most proud disciple before him and nodded slightly, “That’s good.”

Only two brief words.

Li Fuzhou glanced at the impatient Tan Yun and said, “I originally did not plan to bring her, but given the complicated situation in the world today and some chaos within the sect, I have become slack in disciplining this girl. She is a bit stubborn and very gluttonous.”

“I always feel that the teacher should meet this child.”

Upon hearing Li Fuzhou’s words, Tan Yun’s face turned red, and she quickly lowered her head, indignantly thinking to herself: Master actually speaks of me like this, after all I had thought of how to honor and care for him in his old age…

Lv Guoyong looked at Tan Yun and laughed, “Each person has their fate and law. I think it’s quite good, at least in her eyes, one can see a glimmer of light.”

“Father.”

Just then, three figures appeared at the door.

The person in the lead was Lv Fang, followed by Zhou Xianming and the black-robed An Jing.

“Huh?! Ghost Swordsman!”

Tan Yun rubbed her eyes, hardly believing she would meet the Ghost Swordsman here, and immediately felt an immense surge of excitement.

“Master Lv.”

An Jing stepped forward, glanced at Li Fuzhou, and said, “I didn’t expect we would meet again.”

Li Fuzhou was also filled with doubt: “How are you here?”

How could the Ghost Swordsman appear in Lv Mansion? Could he have always been a man of the teacher?

An Jing smiled warmly, “I am good friends with Master Lv.”

Lv Guoyong stroked his beard and smiled, “Indeed, a friend I just made.”

Li Fuzhou’s heart was filled with doubt, and Tan Yun became incredibly excited.

Yet the most expressive face wasn’t either of them; it was Zhou Xianming, standing behind Lv Fang.

At this moment, as he looked at Li Fuzhou and Tan Yun, he seemed as if struck by a bolt from the blue, “You…you’re Mr. Li?” @@novelbin@@

The Li Fuzhou from Jishi Hall was actually Li Fuzhou; had Zhou Xianming not seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed it.

Li Fuzhou smiled and said, “Xianming, we meet again.”

Zhou Xianming’s mouth twitched for a while, revealing a smile uglier than crying before he looked towards Tan Yun, “This…who is this?”

Tan Yun blinked her eyes, “Mr. Zhou, don’t you remember me?”

She had intended to flaunt her fists, but then she remembered how she had given Zhou Xianming quite a bit of silver and had urged him to visit her master’s place for a performance—this was definitely not something to reveal.

Li Fuzhou smiled and said, “My disciple.”

Zhou Xianming swallowed, hardly believing his own eyes, and couldn’t help saying, “Then…is Doctor An also…?”

Since both Tan Yun and Li Fuzhou were from the Demon Sect, could Doctor An also be a master of the Demon Sect?

Li Fuzhou shook his head and said, “He is not; he’s just a regular doctor.”

Zhou Xianming said regretfully, “So you mean he really died?”

Li Fuzhou did not speak again, as more questions would inevitably lead to the involvement of the Sect Hierarch.

Tan Yun’s expression grew somewhat dim; whenever An Jing was mentioned, she would recall her days in Yu State City, perhaps the happiest time of her life.

Lv Guoyong looked at Tan Yun and said, “Fuzhou, since that’s the case, you should stay here for now.”

Li Fuzhou’s face showed hesitation.

Staying at the Lv Mansion could indeed bring trouble to Lv Guoyong.

Whether for him or for Tan Yun.

Seeing Li Fuzhou remaining silent, Tan Yun hurriedly bowed to Lv Guoyong, saying, “Old sir, then we shall impose without hesitation.”

“Good.”

Lv Guoyong, seeing Tan Yun behave like that, couldn’t help but burst into laughter, “Lv Fang, go prepare the dinner now; tonight, I want to drink a few cups.”

Lv Fang promptly responded, “Yes, father.”

It had been a long time since he had seen Lv Guoyong smile like that.

Lv Guoyong then supported himself on his chair to rise, “I’ll go rest a while, we’ll talk more later tonight.”

As he said this, he shakily walked towards the outside of the hall.

Li Fuzhou and others didn’t come forward to help, just watched Lv Guoyong leave.

Lv Fang also carried a slight smile, “Fuzhou, then I’ll get busy; we’ll drink more tonight.”

“Good,”

Li Fuzhou smiled in response.

Lv Fang nodded, took a long look at Tan Yun, and then left straight away.

Once both Lv Fang and Lv Guoyong had left, Lv Jingchun suddenly became more lively and exclaimed in surprise, “And to think, this little girl does bear some resemblance to the portrait of my aunt.”

Tan Yun creased her brows and demanded, “Who are you, you little chubby boy? You can eat messy, but you can’t talk nonsense.”

Lv Jingchun hurriedly said, “Really, I’m not making this up!”

Seeing that Tan Yun seemed about to probe further, Li Fuzhou said in a low voice, “Tan Yun.”

Hearing Li Fuzhou’s words, Tan Yun stuck out her tongue and fell silent.

To the side, An Jing was deep in thought, wondering if Tan Yun also had ties to the Lv Sect.

Seeing the expressions of Lv Guoyong and Lv Fang, it seemed quite possible, yet no one seemed to be spelling it out. Could there be some concealed complications?

“Xianming, let’s talk over here.”

Li Fuzhou was pulling Zhou Xianming with him out of the guest hall towards the door and did not forget to call out to the motionless Tan Yun, “Tan Yun, come here too.”

Although Tan Yun was somewhat reluctant, she quickly followed.

“Wait!”

An Jing, seeing this, couldn’t help but say.

Li Fuzhou looked at An Jing and asked, “What is it? Is there something else?”

What a crafty old fox!

An Jing took a deep breath and smiled, “Sect Master Li, do you remember what you said last time?”

Li Fuzhou shook his head and said, “What did I say? I have said too much throughout my life; I remember some but have forgotten others.”

An Jing’s expression remained unchanged as he said, “Last time you mentioned that if I was willing to join the Demon Sect, you could tell me……”

When Li Fuzhou heard this, he said in surprise, “Really? Did I say that?”

Tan Yun quickly added, “Master, you did say it. Have you forgotten? It was outside Yuan City.”

Li Fuzhou glanced at Tan Yun and said indifferently, “You remember quite clearly, don’t you?”

Tan Yun shrank his neck and stopped speaking.

Li Fuzhou turned to An Jing with a forced smile, “Perhaps I did say it, but I have forgotten.”

This Ghost Swordsman was indeed strange; last time he had been vehement and indignant when invited to join the Demon Sect, yet now he seemed eager to do so.

This man must be watched!

An Jing knew Li Fuzhou was difficult to deal with and sighed, “Sect Master Li, let’s speak frankly. In Jianghu, I have already offended the Zhenyi Sect, and there’s no way out for me in Great Yan anymore.”

Li Fuzhou did not believe the words of the Ghost Swordsman before him and thought to himself, “You want to join my Demon Sect? It’s not impossible, but the Demon Sect is not just for anyone.”

“Oh?”

An Jing raised his eyebrows.

Li Fuzhou smiled and said, “As long as you can defeat Lin Yiyang and show me your strength and determination, I am willing to vouch for you.”

Defeat Lin Yiyang!?

An Jing’s frown deepened; this crafty old man was actually challenging him to fight Lin Yiyang.

Seeing this, Li Fuzhou walked away without changing his expression but laughed coldly in his heart.

If the Ghost Swordsman gave up at this point, it would be normal. But if he really went to challenge Lin Yiyang, that would be very suspicious.

Vouch for the Ghost Swordsman?

The Sect Hierarch’s order was to capture him alive.

…….

The weather was fine, and the air was clear.

North Gate of Yujing City.

At this moment, the area outside the North Gate was surrounded by soldiers, with a man in brocade standing in the center.

This man was Zhao Chongyin.

Behind Zhao Chongyin stood Xi Yuanjun, the deputy commander of the Xuanyi Guard, dressed in a large fur coat.

Bai Jing whispered beside him, “Yan Gang passed by Mengjiabao and killed the Soul Stealing Sword again. It is said he has issued a challenge to the sword immortals of Great Yan, including Lin Yiyang and the Ghost Swordsman.”

Zhao Chongyin said nothing and continued to look into the distance.

Xi Yuanjun’s face showed a trace of seriousness, “The Soul Stealing Sword is dead then?”

He knew the Soul Stealing Sword, a swordsman with old credentials and very high cultivation.

It was rare for Houjin to have a thirty-three-year-old Fifth Realm swordsman.

Bai Jing continued, “Yan Gang’s swordsmanship is Fast Sword. It’s said that his first strike broke the Soul Stealing Sword’s sword body, and the second strike pierced straight through his throat.”

A hint of cold light flashed in Xi Yuanjun’s eyes, “A fierce sword indeed; he never spares his opponents in duels. It seems he came not to compete but to kill.”

Along the way, Yan Gang had already killed dozens of renowned swordsmen of Great Yan, causing even some well-known swordsmen to panic and flee southward.

Only a few Fifth Realm swordsmen swam against the current, looking to challenge Yan Gang, but their chances too appeared to be slim.

“Here he comes.”

Zhao Chongyin’s eyes suddenly sharpened.

The sound of hooves thundered closer, and soon dust clouds rose as dozens of robust horses galloped from afar.

The men on the horses wore leather and carried bows and long knives.

Only the leader was a man in a black long coat, looking elegant and graceful.

The newcomer was Zongzheng Yuan.

As they approached just about a mile away from the city gate, Zongzheng Yuan leaped down from his horse.

Seeing this, although some were reluctant, they dismounted their horses, except for a burly old man in leather who remained indifferent.

Zhao Chongyin and Zongzheng Yuan exchanged glances and then both smiled.

Zongzheng Yuan clasped his fists and said, “The personage before me must be His Highness the Crown Prince of Great Yan. I am deeply ashamed that Your Highness has come so far to greet us.”

Clasping his fists and bowing, this was indeed the etiquette of Great Yan, and whether in gestures, attire, or demeanor, Zongzheng Yuan gave no inkling of being a man from Houjin.

“Leader Yuan has traveled thousands of miles to come here; what is this modest reception in comparison?”

Zhao Chongyin looked past Zongzheng Yuan, and immediately noticed the elderly man still on horseback, smiling as he said, “This must be the Dharma King Mu Jin of the Great Snow Mountain, right?”

The elderly man opened his eyes but did not dismount. Instead, he placed his left hand on his chest and bowed slightly, saying, “Your Highness, I offer my respects.”

His eyes were calm yet sharp, sweeping over them and sending shivers down their spines.

Such a formidable master!

Xi Yuanjun couldn’t help but think to himself.

Dharma King Mu Jin, the grandmaster who had rescued Qi Shu at the borders of Great Yan and whose cultivation was at least in the Second Qi Realm, indeed stood among the top warriors of Houjin, probably here specifically to protect Zongzheng Yuan.

Zongzheng Yuan, standing beside him, explained with a smile, “In Houjin, this is the highest form of etiquette.”

Zhao Chongyin waved his hand and said, “Leader Yuan need not explain; I, too, have studied the etiquette of Houjin extensively.”

Dharma King Mu Jin ranks only below the Holy Master within the Great Snow Mountain hierarchy. In Houjin, where strength is paramount, hardly anyone dismounts their horse except the high-ranking Zongzheng Huachun.

Zongzheng Yuan’s eyes flashed briefly upon hearing this.

Zhao Chongyin continued, “I have prepared a banquet for you, so tonight you can rest well.”

Zongzheng Yuan casually asked, “I wonder if it will be possible to meet the Great Yan Emperor tomorrow? Leader Zongzheng Yuan has important matters to convey to the Great Yan Emperor during this mission.”

Immediately, the skilled warriors of Houjin pricked up their ears to listen.

Zhao Chongyin replied, unperturbed, “Leader Yuan is here to enjoy the journey, there’s no need to rush this meeting, and touring our magnificent Yujing City first would not be too late.”

Zongzheng Yuan smiled and said no more.

Zhao Chongyin glanced at Yan Gang behind Zongzheng Yuan and smiled, “This must be Houjin’s genius swordsman, right? Truly an extraordinary hero.”

Zhao Chongyin had encountered many swordsmen, including the Ghost Swordsman, Lin Yiyang, Zhong Binru, Cui Daoxian, and Lou Xiangzhen, sword immortals among them, and except for the Ghost Swordsman whose age was unknown, the youngest was Lin Yiyang, who was also forty-six.

None of them possessed the sharpness this swordsman before their eyes did.

Merely standing there, he made one feel the outflow of sharpener and a dominating aura.

Yan Gang’s body twitched as he responded indifferently, “Thank you for the compliments, Your Highness.”

His expression carried a touch of lethargy and casualness, as if Zhao Chongyin’s words were merely stating the fact.

Seeing this, Xi Yuanjun involuntarily frowned.

Zongzheng Yuan shook his head and said, “Your Highness praises too highly. Yan Gang here is considered a genius swordsman in Houjin, but among the Great Yan martial world, he might not really be ranked at the top. Let’s enter the city first.”

Upon hearing Zongzheng Yuan’s remark, Yan Gang’s eyebrows tightened, and pride surged within him.

To him, these great sword immortals were no big deal; had he been born a decade earlier, would there still be a contest for the title of the world’s first swordsman?

Dharma King Mu Jin then opened his eyes to glance at Zongzheng Yuan, his look bereft of any sentiment.

Zhao Chongyin extended his hand and said, “Please!”

……

Under the ink-like moonlight, in Yujing City, at the Lv Mansion.

Along the corridor, the lamps glowed dimly, illuminating the area.

At this moment, the main hall was lively with guests clinking their cups in constant revelry.

Having finished his meal, Lv Jingchun found an excuse and staggered out, shaking his head.

He was reluctant to stay with Lv Guoyong and Lv Fang, feeling the atmosphere suffocating, and as if the sect leaders and grandmasters looked down on him through tinted glasses, treating him as if he were just a worthless layabout.

The moon does not lose its luster when waning; a broken sword should not forsake its standard.

He too was a man of great ambitions and ideals, not someone who merely relied on the legacy of his forefathers.

“Why can Zhou Xianming marry Princess An Le and not I?”

Indignant, Lv Jingchun pulled out an invite from his robe, his eyes gleaming, “Later, let my sister-in-law introduce me to a few heroines from the martial world; it doesn’t matter if their martial skills are great, as long as they are beautiful.”

The invitation bore a prominent ‘Qi’ character.

Of course, his grand ambition was simple: to marry a beautiful woman.

“Hey, tubby!”

Just then, a crisp voice called out from behind Lv Jingchun.

Jing Chun was startled and turned his head back, slightly relieved as he said, “Tan Yun, what are you doing?”

The person who came was indeed Tan Yun.

Tan Yun asked sternly, “You said this afternoon that the portrait of your aunt resembles me somewhat, is that true or false?”

She was rather naive, but she wasn’t a fool.

During the day, the expressions of Lv Guoyong and Lv Fang had seemed strange to her.

Jing Chun raised an eyebrow and said, “It does resemble you a bit, do you want to see it?”

Tan Yun nodded and said, “Yes, take me to see.”

“Don’t even dream about it.”

Jing Chun sneered, “That’s in my grandfather’s study, he doesn’t allow anyone to enter privately. If he finds out I sneaked you in, he would break both of my legs.”

In the Lv family, the person Jing Chun feared the most was naturally his grandfather, Lv Guoyong.

Sneaking Tan Yun into Lv Guoyong’s room—if Lv Guoyong found out, would there be a good outcome?

Tan Yun snorted coldly, showing her clenched fist and threatened, “If you don’t take me there, do you believe I’ll break your third leg?”

If Jing Chun had never seen Tan Yun before, he might have been fooled by her identity as a Demon Sect expert, but recalling how she had wolfed down food at the banquet earlier and now seeing the threatening posture she held in front of him, he couldn’t help but laugh.

I might just be a blockhead, but you are nothing but a glutton.

“Watch the punch!”

“Bang!”

Seeing Jing Chun’s mocking smile, Tan Yun immediately threw a punch at him.

Jing Chun had learned martial arts and studied various subjects since he was a child, dabbling in everything and excelling in none. However, other than his own father and grandfather, no one else dared to hit him.

“Ouch… you… you actually hit me!”

Jing Chun covered his nose, looking at Tan Yun with a face full of shock.

This crazy woman, she actually dared to hit him.

He was the grandson of the Grand Secretary, Lv Guoyong, and the only son of the Minister of Personnel, Lv Fang.

Who didn’t hold their nose in the air when they saw him?

“I did hit you, now hurry up and take me there.”

Tan Yun looked at her clenched fist, feeling a sense of triumph in her heart.

Since she was young, the education she had received was that fists solved all problems; if fists couldn’t solve it, then the fists weren’t hard enough.

“Just you wait, I’m going to tell my dad right now.”

Jing Chun ignored Tan Yun and headed straight towards the Dining Hall.

“You want to leave?”

Tan Yun grabbed Jing Chun’s clothes and lifted the chubby fellow up.

Jing Chun cried out frantically, “Let… let go of me, if you don’t, I’ll scream, I’m telling you, the Lv Mansion has many Hidden Guards.”

“Bang!” “Bang!”

This time, Tan Yun didn’t speak, but punched him fiercely again.

“You…”

“If you dare to yell, I’ll punch you until you stop.”

Tan Yun brandished her fists.

“No no no… I’ll take you there,” Jing Chun said, his face mournful at the sight of that fist.

Upon hearing this, Tan Yun put down Jing Chun, “Then let’s go.”

Jing Chun, tears streaming down his face, secretly vowed to vehemently complain about her later, and that old man Li Fuzhou would be dragged down with her.

“Move it!”

Tan Yun kicked Jing Chun on his buttocks.

Jing Chun howled, “I know, no more hitting, no more hitting.”

Shortly after the two disappeared, a figure emerged from the distance.

This person was the steward of the Lv Mansion.

At that moment, he watched the two figures leave and couldn’t help but mutter to himself, “So alike, she is the spitting image of the young lady, but their temperaments are worlds apart, truly interesting…”

Jing Chun found it very strange, always feeling that the Lv Mansion was not as it usually was.

Tan Yun said somewhat impatiently, “Are we there yet?”

“We’re here, we’re here, right there.”

Jing Chun quickly pointed ahead, fearing a beat too slow would earn him another beating.

Tan Yun peered at the quaint house ahead, surrounded by loquat trees, appearing exceptionally desolate under the night sky.

Jing Chun plopped down on the ground and then said, “You go inside, I wouldn’t dare to even if you killed me.”

“Coward, I’ll go in myself then,” she snapped.

Tan Yun huffed, pushed the door open, and entered.

“Tan Yun, you’re doomed!”

Seeing Tan Yun walk in, Jing Chun scrambled away into the distance, muttering under his breath, “Dare to hit me, dare to hit me, how dare you hit me! I’m going to tell my dad, tell my grandfather! Just you wait and see.”

Before long, Jing Chun had disappeared within Lv Guoyong’s courtyard.

Tan Yun pushed the door to the study open.

What met her eyes was a pair of couplets, their bold and vigorous strokes visible under the faint moonlight.

“To toil to recognize all the world’s characters, to aspire to read all the books in the human world.”

In the center of the room was a large Huali marble desk, covered with assorted famous scrolls and numerous precious inkstones, amidst a forest of brushes in various holders.

To the east, there was a large imperial porcelain vase, full of crystal ball-like white chrysanthemums.

Hanging on the center of the west wall was a finely painted ink landscape, with a pair of couplets on either side, clearly the work of a master, and the bed had green embroidered silk canopies with insects and flowers hanging above it.

The entire study exuded a simplicity and clarity, brimming with a dashing and elegant scholarly air.

Tan Yun picked up a tinderbox and lit the candle on the table.

“It’s that portrait.”

Guided by the flickering candlelight, she saw the portrait on the wall directly facing the desk.

“Mother….”

Tan Yun couldn’t help but look over, and her heart suddenly shivered.

It was the portrait of a beautiful woman, not a national beauty, but still exceptionally gorgeous, especially the slight upturn at the corners of her lips.

In an instant, myriad memories surged in her heart.

Some fell from the sky, some were lost in the human world.

Beneath the cold winds and snow, she remembered the intricate sugar figures, the insatiable buns, and even the worn-out quilt and the chipped porcelain bowl.

Her nose tingled, and tears streamed down her face.

……

Moonlight like water, casting over the earth.

At the dining hall banquet.

Lv Guoyong sat at the head of the table, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

At the other end sat Li Fuzhou, Lv Fang, An Jing, and Zhou Xianming.

An Jing, observing the expressions and conversations between Li Fuzhou and Lv Guoyong, quietly speculated, seeming to dismiss the rumors as untrue.

There were rumors that Li Fuzhou had defected from the Lv Sect to join the Demon Sect and that Lv Guoyong, furious, had ordered the Xuanyi Guard to pursue and kill Li Fuzhou.

But the teacher-student conversation appeared entirely normal now, mostly recounting old times or discussing trivial matters, hardly indicative of any grievance.

There might be hidden details unknown to outsiders.

Li Fuzhou raised his glass and said, “Teacher-brother must have known I’ve come to the capital, and I guess he also knew I would come to Lv Mansion.”

Li Fuzhou’s teacher-brother, who was the Imperial Censor Grandmaster Zhao Tianyi.

Lv Guoyong said indifferently, “Let him know if he knows, it’s just a few more impeachments against me.”

With Lv Guoyong’s vast influence, a few petitions weren’t enough to topple him.

Li Fuzhou’s expression darkened as he said, “What I fear is that he knows Tan Yun is here as well.”

Li Fuzhou finished his drink in one gulp, and Lv Guoyong also raised his glass to sip.

The Lv Sect, with its vast influence in the royal court, looked splendid and had long since become a thorn in the side of others, and the Human Emperor also harbored dissatisfaction towards it.

From ancient times, powerful ministers in their later years never escaped a certain fate.

And what about Lv Guoyong, the Grand Secretary through three dynasties?

Didn’t Zhao Tianyi still end up as the Human Emperor’s eunuchful scribe?

Suddenly, Lv Guoyong looked up at the beautiful moonlight and sighed, “Fuzhou.”

Li Fuzhou poured a cup of wine, looking at Lv Guoyong without speaking.

“These years have been hard on you.”

Lv Guoyong suddenly said and then drank the wine in his cup in one gulp.

Li Fuzhou seriously replied, “Teacher, that determination to do what one knows shouldn’t be done, how many times can one experience that in life?”

Lv Fang also looked at Li Fuzhou, and couldn’t help but sigh deeply in his heart.

“Well said.”

Lv Guoyong shook his head, turned to Zhou Xianming, and said, “You are still young and have a promising path ahead, remember not to choose the wrong path, especially you, Xianming.”

Li Fuzhou also looked at Zhou Xianming. As the Sect Master of the Demon Sect, he naturally knew some information.

The Royal Family intended to recruit Zhou Xianming as a Prince Consort.

For Zhou Xianming, this was indeed a great fortune.

Once he became the Prince Consort, he could not only leverage the power of the Lv Sect but also operate without their constraint, and most importantly, gain the support of the Royal Family, stepping into a high position in the royal court in one move.

Zhou Xianming spoke in a deep voice, “I have my own judgment, Teacher.”

“It’s good that you have your judgment. It’s important to do what you truly believe is right.”

Lv Guoyong nodded and then turned his eyes to the always silent An Jing, smiled, and said, “Young friend, come, let’s have a drink.”

“Please, Elder Lv!”

An Jing also raised his glass.

Li Fuzhou felt puzzled, wondering why his always aloof teacher would show such warmth and seemingly intent on befriending this Ghost Swordsman. Could it be that the Ghost Swordsman harbored some secret?

The Sect Hierarch also said to capture this man alive. Maybe the Ghost Swordsman had some secret?

“Grandfather! Grandfather!”

Just at that moment, a crying shout erupted.

Lv Jingchun hastily ran in, fell in front of Lv Guoyong, and burst into tears.

“What happened?”

Lv Fang furrowed his brows and shouted, “What intolerable nonsense is this?”

Lv Jingchun raised his head, wiped his tears, and said, “Father, I was beaten.”

It was evident that Lv Jingchun had a bruised nose and a swollen face, looking very much the worse for wear.

Lv Fang was also quite surprised, “Who did it?”

Lv Jingchun pointed at Li Fuzhou, growled, “It was Tan Yun, Li Fuzhou’s apprentice Tan Yun, she’s the one who beat me. Grandfather, Father, you must stand up for me, it hurts so much.”

“Smack!”

Before Lv Jingchun could finish, a slap fiercely came down.

Lv Jingchun was completely stunned, looking at Lv Fang in disbelief, “Father, it was Tan Yun who beat me, why are you hitting me?”

“Hit him, hit him hard!”

Lv Guoyong’s expression darkened as he spoke.

“Understood.”

Hearing Lv Guoyong’s words, Lv Fang grabbed Lv Jingchun and headed towards the outside.

“Father, what are you doing?”

“Father? I am your son Jingchun!”

“Father! It hurts so much.”

….

Soon, cries and howls of pain echoed from outside.