Why do I have so many masters?

Xue Qinshuang glanced at Wang Anfeng, smiled, and said nothing, nor did she turn to leave.

Wang Anfeng felt helpless, realizing that Xue Qinshuang's strength was far superior to his own. He fell silent then spoke no further, leaping into the air. With gentle taps of his toes on the green wall, he had already landed outside without making a sound.

On their way, they carefully avoided the patrol officers and pedestrians. As long as they didn't encounter a martial artist of the Middle Third Rank, using their light-footed movement techniques to achieve this was not difficult. They proceeded quietly towards the direction of the Fire Refining Sect.

Within this entire case, there still remained two issues.

First, when Wei Qi came to the restaurant searching for Chuan Lian, the cause of death for his men.

Had it not been for the gruesome death of that businessman, directly pointing to Chuan Lian, who was on good terms with Wang Anfeng, Wang Anfeng would certainly not have encountered Wei Qi again.

And with Wei Qi's obstinate and uncompromising nature,

upon receiving the information, he would never consider it further and would seek revenge at the first opportunity.@@novelbin@@

This led to Wang Anfeng and him confronting each other directly, which exposed the Thunder Vigor.

The next day, Wei Qi was found dead, and all clues pointed directly at Wang Anfeng.

Second,

the materials collected by the master from the Fire Refining Sect.

He had always protected Chuan Lian, yet he coincidentally began forging weapons on the day of the incident, leaving Wei Qi's side and thus giving the murderer a chance.

As for who else knew the Three Laughs Yin Luo Finger Technique from Pharmacist Valley, Wang Anfeng had once inquired Chuan Lian, who claimed he didn't know anyone else.

If it was not Chuan Lian hiding something related to this matter, then indeed he genuinely didn't know.

Wang Anfeng chose to believe him.

Regarding where the Fire Refining Sect master obtained his materials, this clue was relatively simple to obtain, just by asking the master directly. As a master of the Fire Refining Sect, yet failed in his duties and caught in the whirlwind of the Young Master's violent death, he was certainly eager to find the murderer.

With a serene expression, Wang Anfeng and Xue Qinshuang arrived at the Fire Refining Sect.

A ten-zhang tall Iron Spear Banner pointed straight into the sky.

Xue Qinshuang took her eyes off it, and said,

"Are you not worried that he might be the one who killed Wei Qi?"

Wang Anfeng, with a calm demeanor, replied, Experience more on My Virtual Library Empire

"Without having found the real murderer, not only could he be the suspect, even I could possibly be the one who killed Wei Qi. All I'm doing now is to prove my innocence."

Xue Qinshuang's brown eyes widened as she looked at Wang Anfeng, and said,

"And you still dare to come here?"

Wang Anfeng raised his gaze to the front wall, and calmly said,

"If he is the murderer, he dares not kill me now."

"I've already left a short note, informing the gamblers that right now everyone in Jianghu believes that he killed Wei Qi and framed me."

"If I vanish while visiting the Fire Refining Sect, the suspicions on him would never be cleared."

His voice paused slightly, and the young man seemed to slightly smile as he said,

"According to my master, this situation is like having mud in your trousers, unbearably stinking."

"Senior, what do you think?"

At that moment, a side door was forcefully pushed open by a vigorous force. An elder in gray, holding a heavy hammer, stood inside, gasping for air, glaring at Wang Anfeng. Eventually, he grit his teeth, moved aside, and hoarsely said,

"Come, in…"

Wang Anfeng gave a slight nod and responded,

"Junior is intruding."

After speaking, he stepped in unwaveringly without drawing his sword. The elder watched his retreating figure, recalling the humiliation a few days ago. A flash of murderous intent and madness crossed his eyes. At that moment, he felt a chill creeping up his spine, causing the hairs on his neck to stand and his body to stiffen slightly.

Footsteps echoed by his ear, approaching and then receding.

The 'young man' in a white robe crossed over.

His footsteps were light, and he seemed to be humming a tune, sprightly yet dignified.

Yet the elder felt his heart trembling lightly, sensing the sharp 'qi' aiming at his forehead, causing tears to seep from his eyes, unable to maintain his calm any longer, standing frozen on the spot like a statue.

Only after the two had gone several meters away did he finally take a deep breath of relief, sweat beading on his forehead. Looking down at his right hand gripping the hammer, he saw visible frost, freezing his palm so the veins bulged and the skin turned pale.

Even though he possessed the Sixth Rank Inner Strength of the Fire Refining Sect, he couldn't melt it.

His face turned pale, and the murderous intent in his heart scattered instantly.

...........................…

"Has the pawn entered the game?"

An imposing man looked out at the moon, not turning around, dressed in a wide-sleeved robe decorated with dragons and phoenixes amidst clouds, wafting a persistent medicinal scent.

A hoarse voice replied,

"He's already gone."

Another man's voice said,

"They went to find the Fire Refining Sect, probably to meet He Yuanming and inquire about the materials."

The man nodded slightly, casually picked up a chess piece from beside him, and placed it on an adjacent unfinished game, remarking,

"Indeed a chivalrous one,"

"Now, all I need to do is watch this chess piece walk into its own demise..."

"To observe the game without comment, that is what a gentleman does."

"Be gone."

The two behind him acknowledged and turned to leave.

Only the final figure remained in the room.

Outside, moonlight fell on the ground, casting a ghostly white.

On the left, a man dressed in gray, habitually bearing a slight smile, affable and approachable, much like a regular market vendor, shook his head and exclaimed:

"The Sect Leader remains as formidable as ever."

"One situation leads to another, yet who could have anticipated that the guardian of the library, having broken out of the trap, would end up burrowing deeper into the deadlock."

The raspy voice of the woman fell silent then suddenly laughed sharply, her voice short and piercing, like that of a specter:

"Because he is a swordsman."

"In this world, there really are such fools, who seek their own death, and no one else can be blamed."

The man beside her, resembling a teahouse owner, clapped leisurely and remarked:

"There are always some, but they are all dead."

"Madam, take more care on that front, I shall take my leave first."

With a laugh, he leaped up, his aura soaring like a dragon, already a Seventh Rank Martial Artist in Jianghu, renowned in his own right.

The remaining person scoffed, muttering:

"Take care for what?"

"A fly can never break through a spider's web; crashing into it amounts only to a path of death, in any case, that guardian will surely get the message, no need for unnecessary moves."

The dark clouds covering the bright moon gathered and then dispersed. This man did not stride away but trembled and shuffled forward step by step.

The ghostly white moonlight illuminated his features.

It was an elderly man with a benevolent face, his hair thin and wispy, dressed in gray, his back hunched, trembling as he walked forward.

As if reminded of something, he patted his sleeve and smiled benevolently:

"Wang Anfeng's head can be exchanged for a fine tonic."

"My dear grandchild, no need to rush."

...........................

Within Fire Refining Sect.

The old man, wearing a grave expression, said:

"This matter, you need not come looking for me, I already knew that the person who sent these materials was problematic."

"I have already looked into it."

Wang Anfeng seemed not surprised and asked:

"May I ask, elder, what came of it?"

The old man glanced at him, his tone wooden:

"They are all dead..."

Wang Anfeng was slightly startled, his pupils dilating slightly, feeling the only lead that could have been followed was now abruptly cut off, his voice lifted slightly and he said:

"Dead?"

"How can it be?! No... Elder, how did that person die?"

Old man He Yuanming looked at him once again, his eyes slightly enigmatic, and said:

"Died from a unique poison of Pharmacist Valley."

.....................…

Under the moonlight.

The trembling old woman stood in the courtyard.

Her hands soaked in a medicinal liquid, when she lifted them, what were once chicken claw-like palms suddenly transformed smooth, pale, and elongated.

The old woman's smile was benevolent as she drew her hands close to her face and murmured:

"My dear grandchild."

"Did you miss grandma..."

"Yes, ah-haha, grandma missed you too..."

Under the eerie white moonlight, the old woman's hands, like orchids blooming late, chirped and sang in a low voice a traditional opera tune, trembling and discordant, her hands growing frightfully longer and paler.

PS: The last scene of the first part, today will be a massive update... not sure how much, giving it my all.

Initially thought to name it, 'The Beatdown from Jianghu'