"Wang Xuantian... was forced to retreat?"

Li Family siblings exchanged glances, both feeling an immense shock in their hearts. They were not people from the Qingyun Three Counties, but guards arranged by the Tao Family to ensure Tao Xingzheng’s safety.

Both were in the late-Sixth Grade, nearing their first Blood Exchange, and practiced a complementary top-grade Sixth Grade cultivation technique. Joining forces, they could easily exert a power exceeding one Blood Exchange, even approaching two Blood Exchanges.

When a Martial Artist of the Five Extremes Realm completes the Five Viscera Tempering, constructing the Five Elements bridge to achieve a circulation within their organs, it triggers a qualitative change from the quantitative, leading to a full-body Blood Exchange. Even a two-Blood Exchange martial artist would hardly be considered weak even outside the Qingyun region, in the three counties.

Precisely for this reason, the Li Family siblings naturally saw Wang Xuantian’s extraordinariness tonight. They believed that, aside from the yet-to-arrive Judge of the Demon Slayer Bureau and the people from Qingzhou Prefecture, the only individuals capable of defeating Wang Xuantian within the Qingyun Three Counties were themselves, if they teamed up.

But after tonight, this thought wavered in their hearts.

Li Feiyu, even before advancing to the Sixth Grade, displayed terrifying strength far surpassing his realm. Although he fell into a disadvantage against Wang Xuantian, he wasn’t injured, instead taking Wang Xuantian’s attack unharmed.

It’s worth noting that Wang Yu, who previously took a hit from Wang Xuantian, had already turned into a corpse.

Tonight, when Su Mu ordered Wang Xuantian to withdraw, it inevitably stirred up a storm in the siblings’ hearts.

"This Li Feiyu... should be under twenty-five years old. Even outside the Ancient Qingzhou, in the major commandery cities, his potential is remarkable. If he came from a large clan, he would surely receive resource privileges. Despite being a Half-Step Sixth Grade, he possesses such battle prowess, truly extraordinary... We must report this to the County Magistrate as soon as possible, as Li Feiyu is a variable."

Once again, the Li Family siblings exchanged glances. Though they were still confident in suppressing Li Feiyu, tonight instilled a greater caution. To kill this man, a certain price would have to be paid.

After a silent exchange, Lin Shuang picked up the unconscious Li Qiu, while Lin Lie stepped forward, cupping his fist slightly in congratulation.

"Li’s strength is extraordinary, able to force the Black Mountain Celestial King to retreat. It’s thanks to Li’s assistance tonight that Lord Li remains unharmed, merely falling unconscious."

Upon hearing this, Su Mu glanced calmly at the Li Family siblings. It was evident they harbored ill intentions tonight, leaving him to handle Wang Xuantian alone.

If Su Mu hadn’t completed the Fifth Refining Force and condensed Gang Force during this time, he would likely have been struck dead by Wang Xuantian tonight, like Wang Yu.

There had been some minor disputes with Lin Shuang previously, and Su Mu wondered whether tonight’s attempt was the siblings’ own idea for revenge or Tao Xingzheng’s instruction.

Deep within Su Mu’s eyes, a chill flashed. Unfoundedly, he tended to lean toward the latter, brewing aversion in his heart, yet his face revealed nothing.

"You both are too kind. Tonight, we all followed Lord County Magistrate’s orders to guard Lord Li Qiu. This place is no longer safe. We should wake up Lord Li and return to Qingyun City quickly."

"Li’s words are quite right."

With those words, Su Mu turned and left. The Li Family siblings watched his departing silhouette, with a tinge of strange color in Lin Shuang’s expression.

"Liu Family..."

Su Mu thought, planning to gather some information about the Liu Family. In his mind, two figures emerged.

"I can seek out Li Zhihe first, then inquire from Shangguan Ke."

Su Mu naturally trusted Li Zhihe more, but he wasn’t sure how much Li Zhihe knew. He planned to also seek out Shangguan Ke, whom he had met before, and who had shown him goodwill as a newcomer with the Golden Order.

With a clear plan, Su Mu had a clear objective. As for gathering troops, it was better left to the Li Family siblings, who were Tao Xingzheng’s guards, making it easier for them to handle such matters.

As he reached the front courtyard of Shuangbai Academy, Su Mu’s corner of the eye suddenly noticed a scattered scroll on the ground.

Hmm?

Su Mu turned his head, his pupils narrowing. Instantly, he took a step forward, unleashing his power to capture the scroll into his hand.

His nose twitched.

Judging by the ink fragrance wafting from the scroll, this painting was likely less than ten years old. As he unfolded it, it revealed a serene and majestic lotus pond.

Although the main subject was a pool of vivid, lifelike lotus blossoms, the detailed carved railings and distant red walls and glazed tiles displayed the heritage of the family it belonged to.

After scanning the scroll, Su Mu’s gaze lowered to the inscription in the corner: Thirteenth Year of Tianwu, Lin Qingzhu.

"Thirteenth Year of Tianwu."

The former emperor of Great Yan’s era name was Cheng Jun, with Tianwu being the current emperor’s reign title. The present is the Thirteenth Year of Tianwu, making the Tenth Year just three years ago.

"Lin... Qingzhu."

Su Mu recognized it as the handwriting of Little Doctor. The pharmacist’s surname was Lin, naturally making Little Doctor also a Lin. The name ’Qingzhu’ was understandable, too, since the pharmacist loved bamboo, and the Yunhe Clinic was within a tranquil bamboo grove.

Based on the timeline, the Tenth Year of Tianwu was one year before Su Mu first arrived at Shuangbai Town. Staring at the lotus pool, he recalled the pharmacist’s words on his deathbed.

"The winter before we met, Xiaoyue expressed a desire to attend the Shuangbai Poetry Gathering. I remember clearly that year, Xiaoyue was a double champion in calligraphy and painting..."

And memories from even earlier surfaced too, when Su Mu took up the Ghost-Hand Scholar bounty and came to Shuangbai Town.

"Interestingly, the champions of the previous poetry and painting competitions weren’t academy students. The double champion in calligraphy and painting was reportedly a woman. I wonder if that extraordinary woman will come again this year..."