“Tiansha Pavilion?” Murong Qiufeng was startled and instinctively looked at Shangguan Ye.
Shangguan Ye, holding his cup of tea, paused slightly and turned to Xiao Yan, as if waiting for him to continue. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
“Exactly. Though the small sects were wiped out without leaving witnesses, some major sects were also targeted. The victims’ deaths bear striking similarities to the methods Tiansha Pavilion has used in the past. Most were poisoned before being killed—each with a different toxin. Many speculate that it’s the handiwork of Youxiang Duanhun, known for her deadly poisons. She experiments on people for her own twisted enjoyment.”
Shangguan Ye’s gaze narrowed slightly while still holding his tea cup.
Murong Qiufeng’s eyes glinted with sharp intensity, even more fierce than when Mufeng Tower had been sabotaged.
Yan Qiren observed their expressions, puzzled, sensing something but dismissing it as improbable.
Only Xiao Yan remained oblivious, continuing, “People used to suspect Tiansha Pavilion and Mufeng Tower were connected to the Sword Sect. Last time, the Snow Demon Supreme’s show of power intimidated everyone. But the current massacres resemble the Snow Demon Supreme’s style, so many suspect the Sword Sect again. Recently, rumors spread that the Snow Demon Supreme sent disciples to investigate. Such coincidences…” His voice trailed off, angry.
“Now, alliances have been called across the martial world, summoning all sects for discussion, even sending letters to the Sword Sect, demanding the Supreme and the Snow Demon Supreme explain themselves,” Xiao Yan continued, slamming the table in frustration. “These people are shameless. Probably all of it is their own setup, aimed squarely at the Sword Sect. Shouting ‘stop the thief’ while being the thief themselves, and still daring to demand explanations—who do they think they are? Do they have that right? No regard for their own lifespan, it seems.”
The tense, eerie atmosphere in the room unexpectedly lightened due to Xiao Yan’s outburst.
Murong Qiufeng sighed and shook his head. Then, turning to Yan Qiren and Shangguan Ye, he asked, “What do you think?”
Yan Qiren placed a restraining hand on the agitated Xiao Yan, remaining silent, and looked at Shangguan Ye. Unconsciously, their group always seemed to center on him, perhaps due to the overwhelming aura he radiated.
Shangguan Ye fiddled with his cup, spinning it in his hand, yet not a drop spilled. A cold, mocking smile played on his lips, and his eyes gleamed with a lethal sharpness. “Heh. Seems someone treats the martial world as a stage, everyone else as monkeys to be toyed with, just waiting to watch the chaos unfold.”
Murong Qiufeng, only half understanding, asked, “You think they’re framing the Tiansha Pavilion deliberately?”
Xiao Yan couldn’t grasp Shangguan Ye’s meaning and felt a chill run down his spine. That smile and gaze were terrifying, almost sinister. Hearing Murong Qiufeng’s words, he retorted, “Why assume Tiansha Pavilion is being framed? Maybe they’re the real culprits. Everything strange seems to start with them. If they hadn’t pursued the Third Grandmaster, he wouldn’t have trouble, and the Sword Sect wouldn’t be involved. The Tiansha Pavilion is ruthless. Even if they aren’t the masterminds, they must be accomplices.”
His voice was laced with hatred and a desire to destroy them.
Shangguan Ye raised an eyebrow, tilting his eyes toward Xiao Yan. A flash of killing intent cut through the air, as if thousands of invisible blades could strike at any moment. His lips curved in a cold, sinister arc, like a divine weapon ready to be unsheathed.
Xiao Yan shivered involuntarily, instinctively edging closer to Yan Qiren, pale and unable to meet Shangguan Ye’s gaze. He hadn’t expected such murderous aura from this man, the disciple of the Snow Demon Supreme.
Yan Qiren tensed immediately, muscles coiled, eyes fixed on Shangguan Ye with a mix of caution and resolute determination. He subtly moved closer to shield Xiao Yan, ready to react at a moment’s notice.
Murong Qiufeng could feel the room’s tension spike. He sighed and shook his head. Though slightly annoyed by Xiao Yan’s recklessness, he knew ignorance was no crime—they didn’t understand Tiansha Pavilion or its people. Before knowing Shangguan Ye, they, too, had thought the Pavilion was a merciless, cold-blooded place.
He gently placed his hand over Shangguan Ye’s on the table, speaking calmly, “I believe Tiansha Pavilion has nothing to do with this. They’ve certainly been framed.”
Shangguan Ye’s expression softened. He didn’t mind others’ words; he simply disliked being openly judged.
Xiao Yan frowned, about to speak, but Yan Qiren, noticing Shangguan Ye’s relaxed demeanor and Murong Qiufeng’s faint smile, restrained him. “Do you two have any leads?”
“How reliable is this information?” Murong Qiufeng asked thoughtfully.
Yan Qiren hesitated. “About half true. I could write to the Sword Sect for verification…”
“No need.” Shangguan Ye interrupted coldly, signaling Murong Qiufeng with his eyes.
Murong Qiufeng understood immediately. Thinking of someone who could verify matters more precisely, he called, “Asi, come in.”
A shadow in gray silently floated in through the open window, landing at the table. Asi bowed. “Master, your orders?”
“You heard what was said. Your report.”
“About seventy percent true. Recent reports confirm six small sects were wiped out, totaling 573 deaths. In major sects, no one was killed, though a few disciples of Yueyang Sect were injured, and a Beggar Clan branch was attacked, mostly sustaining serious but non-lethal wounds. Victims were poisoned before being struck by blades; the injured sustained sharp but non-fatal sword wounds, likely from instant-kill techniques. As for calls for the Supremes to explain, that’s entirely fabricated. The martial world alliance notice was issued merely to discuss recent events and the appearance of the Snow Demon Supreme—no other action has been taken. You two masters were included in the discussion; expect to receive the alliance notice shortly.”
