Early in the morning, Ye Fei stepped out of his tent, feeling refreshed and full of energy. The previous day, he had taught Shui Ying and Chen Yourong the Xuan Yin Art, and the night had been spent in a passionate encounter with his two mothers and the voluptuous aunt in the hot springs.
Not only had his martial prowess improved, but his spirits were also soaring. Ye Fei discovered sothing new about himself—the more he engaged in such activities, the more energized he felt. Any lingering worries about not being able to keep up with his won once they all mastered the Xuan Yin Art were completely swept away.
After gathering with the won, the group made their way to the center of the valley. The once-quiet valley was now alive with noise and activity. A platform had been erected in the middle, surrounded by over a thousand martial artists.
Ye Fei wondered where the organizing sects had managed to get so many chairs and where they had been hiding before, as even he hadn't noticed them. Of course, he hadn't been actively looking for them.
As the group of stunning beauties approached, particularly the two breathtakingly beautiful won who seed almost otherworldly, the martial artists couldn't help but stare in awe. Ye Fei, surrounded by these won, beca the object of envy and jealousy for every man present. However, since everyone here was under the banner of righteousness, no untoward incidents occurred.
While many noticed Ye Fei and his entourage, Ye Fei also spotted several familiar faces. Tang Xin, dressed in red, glared at him from beside a refined middle-aged man, while Tang Yu, standing next to her, gave him a gentle, shy smile. In a corner, a group of people Ye Fei vaguely recognized lowered their heads upon seeing him, with a few even offering flattering smiles.
Most surprising was the sight of the priest sitting prominently in the center, alongside a thin monk. Nun Mieyin, the priest's backer, sat beside him, both appearing as detached, otherworldly figures.
"Aunt Shui Rou, why isn't Nun Mieyin sitting in the center? Isn't Cihang Jingzhai the leader of the righteous sects?" Ye Fei asked, leaning closer to Shui Rou and inhaling her unique blend of mature and maidenly fragrance.
Noticing his subtle action, Shui Rou's cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn't seem upset. She explained casually, "That's just their claim. The true leaders of the righteous sects are Shaolin and Wudang. However, their true masters are deeply spiritual and don't involve themselves in martial affairs. The ones managing the sects are usually junior disciples. For example, Priest Chongdong is only a third-rate martial artist in Wudang."
"I see," Ye Fei nodded, smiling. "So, Cihang Jingzhai isn't a place of cultivation."
"That's not true," Miao Chan interjected. "There are deeply spiritual, reclusive masters in Cihang Jingzhai as well." Earlier, Liu Yiru and the others had sohow convinced Miao Chan to stay with Ye Fei, but she still held affection for her sect and felt compelled to defend it.
"I know," Ye Fei whispered to Miao Chan with a grin. "If my little Miao Chan had continued her cultivation there, she would've beco a great master. But I ruined that, didn't I?"
Miao Chan's face turned bright red, and she quickly hid behind Shui Rou. After yesterday's "communication" with Liu Yiru and the others, she had learned a lot, including the fact that Ye Fei's so-called "poison cure" was a lie. However, she didn't resent him for it. Instead, she felt a hint of gratitude. If not for his persistence, she would never have experienced the bliss that surpassed her Buddhist practices.
Seeing Miao Chan finally exhibit the shyness befitting her age, Ye Fei was pleased. After yesterday's "battle," he had genuinely grown fond of her and hoped she could experience the joys of a normal young girl.
As they talked, Ye Fei and his group arrived at a corner reserved for mbers of the Martial Alliance, even more, secluded than the spots for those who had appeared at the Yue Lai Inn.
None of them minded, as they weren't here to show off. Ye Fei had initially co to test his skills against true masters, but now his focus was on helping Gu Shishi find her family's killer.
Also in the corner were the Cui family representative and Kong Yue. Kong Yue nodded and smiled at Chen Yourong, confirming what she had said—their marriage was in na only, and their relationship was rely friendly.
The Cui family representative, Cui Yingying, however, snorted coldly, her face full of disdain. It was unclear who she thought she was, daring to look down on even the mbers of Shui Yue Palace.
Ye Fei ignored such petty individuals and casually took a seat, asking Gu Shishi, "Which one is Mr. Kongfang?"
Gu Shishi, standing behind Ye Fei, shook her head gently. "I haven't seen him yet. He might not have arrived. Master, do you think he's the one who killed my family?"
Ye Fei nodded. "Yes. While I'm not 100% certain, I'm about 90% sure."
"Even if he's a suspect, 90% seems too high," Liu Yiru, sitting beside Ye Fei, said. "After all, his reputation in the martial world is impeccable."
Ye Fei smiled. "Exactly. Because his reputation is too perfect, I'm even more suspicious. No one is without flaws, yet Mr. Kongfang appears flawless. That kind of façade is hard not to question."
Before Liu Yiru could respond, a commotion erupted in the valley. People were greeting a man who had just arrived.
Ye Fei turned to see a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties, dressed in a modest gray Zhongshan suit, nodding and smiling warmly at everyone. His deanor was scholarly, more like a Confucian scholar than a martial artist, and his friendly smile made him instantly likable.
"That must be Mr. Kongfang," Ye Fei thought, glancing at Gu Shishi. Sure enough, her eyes were filled with complex emotions.
Zhuge Kongfang and Gu Shishi's father had been close friends, so she knew him well. When she fled her ho six months ago, she had initially planned to seek his help. However, fearing the killers were too powerful and not wanting to involve her uncle, she decided against it.
Despite her gentle appearance, Gu Shishi had a spine of steel and didn't want to owe anyone favors. Later, when she turned to Ye Fei, it was because she had no other choice, and she felt their arrangent was a fair exchange, not a debt.
Now, seeing her uncle again, Gu Shishi hesitated. While she didn't want to believe Ye Fei's analysis, her heart leaned toward the boy who had started their relationship as a transaction but had since treated her with great kindness. Subconsciously, she began to see the man who had watched her grow up in a different light.
Though Gu Shishi had no intention of greeting Zhuge Kongfang, he noticed her as he was greeting others. His eyes lit up with joy, and he quickly approached, exclaiming, "Shishi! You're alive! This is wonderful!"
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