"I suppose that was enough."

Fang Shuwen was silent.

This was likely a realm he could never attain.

Xu Zeyuan had foreseen every possibility. He knew his family might be wiped out, and he knew his daughter’s life would be in danger.

But he still did what he felt was the right thing.

He lived up to his own code of chivalry.

That was something Fang Shuwen could not do.

If he had been in Xu Zeyuan’s shoes, he might have revealed the truth about the Asura Iron and handed it over, leaving it for those Jianghu people to fight over.

Or he might have sought out the Asura Palace himself to cultivate the Asura Three Dao and become an Asura.

But he would never have taken such a colossal risk to hide it, only to meet such a fate.

At this thought, he looked at Xu Wenwan, his mind also turning to Xu Shuxin.

He suddenly sighed.

"The Xu Family is a house of chivalry." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Xu Wenwan bowed deeply.

"You flatter me, Young Master Fang."

Fang Shuwen returned the gesture.

"It was a heartfelt sentiment."

The walk was not long. Soon, they were inside Yuqing Pavilion, where they were met by Zhai Xing and Lan Yue.

Upon seeing Fang Shuwen and then Xu Wenwan, Lan Yue’s eyes widened in realization.

"So that’s how it is. Wenwan, you’ve been with the Sect Leader this whole time?"

Xu Wenwan nodded.

"The Sect Leader commanded it. I had no choice but to remain hidden. I hope my two Senior Sisters can forgive me."

"If it was the Sect Leader’s command, then of course there’s nothing more to be said... But where is the Sect Leader now?"

Zhai Xing asked hurriedly.

Hearing this, Fang Shuwen looked toward the roof of the building ahead.

There, he saw Yu Yaoguang standing on the rooftop, hands clasped behind her back. She had changed into a perfectly tailored black dress.

A cold wind blew beneath a high, pale moon. Yu Yaoguang’s perfect profile was bathed in the moonlight, and from head to toe, she exuded the air of a supreme master.

Then, her voice drifted down.

"I am here."

’Speechless. Climbing all the way up there just to show off. That’s so her,’ Fang Shuwen thought.

’My lofty image of her as a great master had shattered back at the Cold Ice Pond.’

’The moment I see her, I just remember that scene of her emerging from the water... How could I possibly be impressed by this?’

Her appearance, however, invigorated the other disciples of Yuqing Pavilion.

Led by Zhai Xing and Lan Yue, everyone dropped to one knee.

"Greetings, Sect Leader!!"

Yu Yaoguang leaped down, furtively shooting Fang Shuwen a raised eyebrow.

After landing, she clasped one hand behind her back and gestured with the other.

"Rise.

"I am already aware of all that has transpired these past few days.

"This is no place to talk. Let us convene in the main hall."

With that, her form blurred, and in the blink of an eye, she was gone.

Fang Shuwen was rather impressed by her skill in the Lightweight Technique. While not quite as traceless as Miao Feichan’s, it was still extraordinary.

’If I tried to chase her, I probably wouldn’t be able to catch up in terms of pure speed.’

’But if it were a battle of attrition, I could chase her until her Inner Strength gave out... though at that rate, it might take a month, right?’

’As expected of a Sect Leader. It seems I still lack a top-tier Lightweight Technique.’

While Fang Shuwen was lost in thought, Zhai Xing, Lan Yue, and the others had already risen and were heading for the main hall.

Seeing Fang Shuwen still standing there, Lan Yue reached out and tugged his arm.

"This way, Young Hero Fang."

"...I’m going too?"

Fang Shuwen was taken aback.

"Of course."

Lan Yue said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world,

"This is the perfect chance for everyone to learn how much you’ve helped us, Young Hero Fang. We need to thank you properly."

Fang Shuwen paused. ’I have a feeling Yu Yaoguang has... already thanked me.’

But he still nodded.

"In that case, let me go back and change my clothes."

Lan Yue blinked, wondering how seeing the Sect Leader for a moment had resulted in him needing a change of clothes.

She didn’t press the matter, however, simply nodding and saying they would wait for him in the main hall.

Fang Shuwen was quick. He returned to his room, changed into a spare set of clothes, and by the time he arrived at the main hall on the front mountain, nearly everyone was already seated.

At the head of the seats on the left sat Zuo Qingshuang.

There was no sign of Miao Feichan, however.

Seeing that Fang Shuwen had arrived, Zuo Qingshuang stood up and offered him the seat of honor on the left.

Fang Shuwen repeatedly protested that he was unworthy, but he couldn’t refuse Zuo Qingshuang’s insistence, especially with Zhai Xing and Lan Yue backing her up. He reluctantly sat down.

Zhou Qingmei shuffled her feet quietly, moving to stand behind Fang Shuwen.

Fang Shuwen glanced back at her, and the two exchanged a smile.

Seated high on the Sect Leader’s throne, Yu Yaoguang’s almond-shaped eyes swept over the hall. Her gaze caught the small interaction, and a knowing, ambiguous smile flickered in their depths.

Seeing that nearly everyone was present, Zhai Xing cupped her fist and began to speak.

"Sect Leader, right now..."

Even though Yu Yaoguang had said she was fully aware of the situation, Zhai Xing still gave a brief summary.

This included the news Fang Shuwen had brought back that day.

Yu Yaoguang’s expression was indifferent as she nodded lightly.

"I must thank Senior Sisters Zhai Xing and Lan Yue for their support these past few days.

"The Hundred Ghosts Hall is wildly ambitious, and now this Dragon Emperor Hall has appeared from nowhere, daring to eye us like a predator.

"Do they truly believe Yuqing Pavilion is defenseless?!

"If it’s a fight they want, then Yuqing Pavilion has no reason to be afraid.

"Relay my orders! From this day forward, all disciples of Yuqing Pavilion are to be ready for battle. If our enemies do not come to us, we will go to them. And if they dare to come, they will not leave this place alive!!"

The disciples knelt once more, their voices ringing out in a unified cry:

"As the Sect Leader commands!!"

’Her speech was pretty thin on substance,’ Fang Shuwen mused. ’The core message was just ’fight’.’

But as the Sect Leader of Yuqing Pavilion, Yu Yaoguang commanded a level of prestige within the sect that was second to none.

Her words may have been simple, but they were more than enough to send the disciples’ morale soaring.

Yu Yaoguang waved for them to rise, her gaze then falling upon Fang Shuwen.