As soon as it was clear they were from Xuan Prefecture, the tense standoff eased slightly. But Shi Chun wasn’t buying it. He pointed at the thick-bearded man in a blue robe and said, "Hey, you can't just say things without proof. We've never met any of you before. Who can prove we're disciples of Wandering Mist Mountain? Anyone?" His gaze swept around, clearly challenging someone to step forward.
If anyone had proven it, they would have immediately taken hostages to proceed with their plan. The crowd exchanged confused looks, unclear about the situation. The men didn’t admit to being Wandering Mist Mountain disciples, making the bearded man in the blue robe the target of everyone’s focus.
The man was left speechless. He had spoken in good faith, so how did it turn into reckless gossip? Especially with Guan Wen glaring at him, his heart fluttered with anxiety. He realized he might have misjudged the situation.
"Friend, that's not right. You can't lie with your eyes wide open. We were present yesterday," someone rebuked.
"Yes, I was there too."
“So were we,” his companions quickly agreed.
With their support, the man's heart calmed, though he found the situation absurd, "Let’s not argue about which lineage you're from. The Royal Court has already decided. Just show us the nameplate on your bracelet."
That's right, revealing the nameplate would clarify everything. However, both Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang hesitated, unwilling to take this step. Seeing that no disciple of Wandering Mist Mountain recognized them, Wu Jinliang stomped on the person beneath him and said, "This has nothing to do with our sect. It's a matter of right and wrong. Were those two wrong to ambush us or not?"
Who cared whether it was right or wrong? Everyone was more concerned about whether they were truly from Xuan Prefecture's Wandering Mist Mountain. The person underfoot cried out again, "Truly, it was no ambush. We were merely the hidden sentries stationed here and happened to run into them."
Guan Wen’s tone turned unfriendly, "If you wish to reason, you need to find the right people to reason with. What's the matter? Is your identity too shameful, or is your sect a disgraceful one?"
That remark didn’t sit well with the "two disciples of Wandering Mist Mountain." Exchanging glances, Wu Jinliang acted as if goaded into action, rolled up his right sleeve, and revealed an empty wrist—no nameplate, not even a bracelet.
The crowd was taken aback, their eyes almost popping out. While doubting whether they were being led on, Wu Jinliang acted as though he had made a mistake. He then dramatically unsheathed his big knife from the ground and pulled back his left sleeve, revealing a bracelet with a small dangling nameplate.
He first showed his right hand, which was empty, to emphasize that only his left hand wore a bracelet. Seeing Wu Jinliang take the initiative, Shi Chun also rolled up his sleeve, pretending to show a nameplate, while actually hiding the real one. He hoped the color difference wouldn't be too visible due to the dim light.
With such a situation created, the Xuan Prefecture folks couldn’t get close enough to inspect thoroughly. Their boldness was clear—if they were going to act, they would act decisively.
Due to the distance and lighting, the crowd squinted to examine the plates, and soon, someone read the spinning words on the plates.
“Xuan Prefecture, Wandering Mist Mountain Two… Gao Qiang.”
“Xuan Prefecture, Wandering Mist Mountain One… Wang Sheng.”
Hearing this, the two didn’t intend to let the others stare for too long and lowered their sleeves cautiously eyeing the surroundings.
The bearded man in the blue robe, feeling vindicated, gestured widely to the crowd, as if saying, "See? I was right—they are from Wandering Mist Mountain, just like I said.”
But the crowd remained puzzled. If so, why conceal their identities?
Seeing them still in a daze, Wu Jinliang stomped on the person beneath him once more, speaking somewhat cryptically, "This matter has nothing to do with our sect; it’s purely personal."
It was clear: if there was an issue, address it with them directly.
Finally, the crowd understood. The reality dawned: they injured their fellow Xuan Prefecture cultivators. Given the importance of each section's competition, the implications could be significant. Neither wanted their sect implicated later, hence the hesitation to reveal their identity so easily.
Guan Wen, understanding the play, had the urge to roll his eyes. And those who had witnessed the duo's exaggerated display of strength yesterday certainly didn’t want to see the current scenario devolve into a physical confrontation. If it came to that, would they stand ground or flee?
The bearded man quickly spoke to Guan Wen, "Brother Guan, these two brothers from Wandering Mist Mountain are strong. Yesterday, when three men from Ying Prefecture fled our attack despite our superior numbers, it only took these two brothers a few moves to eliminate them.”
This was meant for Guan Wen and the crowd, reminding everyone to stay calm. Numbers didn’t guarantee safety; these two were powerful fighters.
Most people felt a chill at the thought—were these two really that strong? A glance at the captives under their feet gave a hint. Wu Jinliang’s sword marked his prowess, and certainly, not everyone was worthy.
Facing the experts, everyone's impulse to act rashly dissipated. Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang, ever assessing the situation, wouldn’t allow things to settle. Wu Jinliang flourished his sword, pointing furiously at the bearded man, "So that's why we had to fight out of nowhere! Damn, those three attacked us because of your misdoings. Why did you hide it back then?"
Shi Chun coldly added, "You snatched something and let us clean up. And you call us Xuan’s own people? Isn’t that a bit shady?"
The remarks embarrassed the group from yesterday. Some stared at their feet, while others touched their noses awkwardly. They hadn’t thought they’d encounter these two again and figured saying nothing would smooth things over.
Those surrounding them inferred their guilt and the complexity of their story. Guan Wen, interpreting it all, spoke fairly, “Alright. Seeing as we're all from Xuan Prefecture, let's not dwell on it. Release the captives and we won’t pursue it further—just a misunderstanding.”
Shi Chun looked around warily, "With so many of you watching us, can we trust your word?"
Guan Wen inclined slightly, “As a disciple of the Primordial Origin Sect, my words hold weight. Do you think I’d break a promise?”
"Fine." Shi Chun agreed, releasing his captive. Wu Jinliang did the same. The two men scrambled back to their compatriots, grateful to have escaped harm.
Sizing Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang up, Guan Wen asked, “Are you also searching for Insect Essence Crystals?”
Shi Chun replied simply, “We're not interested in that. We’re looking for someone.”
Guan Wen asked, “Who?”
Shi Chun replied, “An enemy.”
Guan Wen pressed further, “What sort of enmity?”
Shi Chun answered solemnly, “My junior and junior sister perished.”
Explaining why only the two of them remained.
Wu Jinliang dramatically sobbed, “Oh, my poor junior sister! My blossoming junior sister—killed and defiled by vile scoundrels. This hatred is irreconcilable!”
The crowd, moved by their story, also worried—could it have been one of theirs?
This couldn’t be ruled out since no rules applied. In darkness, who knew what deeds the heartless might commit?
Guan Wen shared their concern, probing, “Do you know who your culprit is?”
Shi Chun was ready to bluff, but Wu Jinliang jumped in, “Disciples of Sheng Prefecture’s Stone Cloud Mountain, by the name of ‘Bai Zhuchuan’!”
His words were filled with venom—insult a big man and he’d malign you.
Shi Chun was speechless. Obviously, Wu Jinliang was serious about getting payback for insults over his size. But he had spoken, leaving Shi Chun little room to object, so he fell silent.
Relieved that it wasn’t someone from Xuan Prefecture, Guan Wen spoke loudly, “The Western Extremes are vast. Searching aimlessly, how long will it take you? Join us. We have over seven thousand people. Our chances of finding this Bai person are higher. If you contribute to Xuan Prefecture’s success, your vengeance will be ours too. I'll spread word of Bai’s atrocities among our comrades. Should we encounter him, he will be pursued without mercy!”
Guan Wen admired the two Wandering Mist Mountain disciples. Not only were they skilled, but they handled this encirclement without flinching. Having such talents would only benefit them in claiming victory.
Moreover, plans had been made for him to personally lead a team to the "Western Extreme Moon Sea." Having skilled fighters was beneficial.
Oh, such an opportunity! Wu Jinliang’s eyes lit up. Seeing Guan Wen struggle with Bai’s name, he eagerly corrected, “The villain’s name is Bai Zhuchuan—‘Bai’ as in white, ‘Zhu’ as in art, ‘Chuan’ as in river. Bai Zhuchuan, from Sheng Prefecture’s Stone Cloud Mountain Sect.”
Shi Chun again found himself speechless—Wu Jinliang truly wanted Bai dead!
Guan Wen nodded calmly, “Bai Zhuchuan, from Sheng Prefecture’s Stone Cloud Mountain. I’ll remember. His vile acts have brought shame upon our Xuan Prefecture too, and none will forget.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Wu Jinliang nudged Shi Chun, “Senior brother, he makes sense. This place is vast. How long will it take us to find him alone? We've searched for so long with no success. We can’t let him escape back to Sheng Prefecture, or we’ll have neither evidence nor chance for vengeance.”
Shi Chun was unexpectedly surprised; the negotiation was easier than imagined, sparing him much trouble. Yet, he maintained a grave demeanor, weighed in thought, before addressing Guan Wen seriously, “Alright, we’ll join you!”
(End of Chapter)