"Now that the Alliance Hierarch’s corpse has not yet turned cold, what we must do is find the murderer who killed the Alliance Hierarch."

"Hmph, am I impatient? Ridiculous, do you not want to be Sect Master yourselves? Stop pretending to be gentlemen here."

"..."

The ten War Gods argued incessantly.

Alliance Leader Zuo looked at the bickering ten War Gods, frowning.

He spoke coldly.

"Here’s the deal: whoever can find the murderer who killed the Alliance Hierarch will become the Acting Alliance Leader."

Upon hearing these words, the ten War Gods quieted down.

Lin Xihai, however, walked towards the bed, staring coldly at the dagger.

This dagger was the same one Qin Batian used to peel fruits.

Lin Xihai reached out, trying to grab the dagger stuck in the forehead.

After examining the dagger for a long time, his expression turned icy as he spoke.

"I know who the murderer is!"

Upon hearing this, everyone looked shocked.

The crowd looked at Lin Xihai with curious expressions.

"Hmph, there are experts on patrol near Looking Spring Tower around the clock, and there are Divine Beasts guarding it. It’s utterly impossible to quietly enter Looking Spring Tower right now."

"Exactly, there are no traces of anyone else entering here. Lin Xihai, how do you know who the murderer is?"

"..."

The crowd erupted into another round of argument.

Alliance Leader Zuo looked at Lin Xihai and asked.

"Lin the War God, who do you think the murderer is, and what’s the evidence?"

Zhao Daoran was also very curious.

After all, he had thought for a long time but couldn’t figure out who the murderer was.

Lin Xihai smiled slightly, pointing to the top of the bed, where there was a cabinet for clothes.

"Everyone should recognize this dagger. It’s the Alliance Hierarch’s dagger, which he carried with him. Before resting, the dagger wouldn’t be on him; instead, it would be stored inside the clothing cabinet."

"It’s said that ’lust is a blade upon one’s head.’ This dagger inadvertently slipped from the clothes in the cabinet while the Alliance Hierarch was asleep, coincidentally stabbing him in the forehead."

"Therefore, the murderer is none other than Qin Batian himself."

Lin Batian concluded.

Hearing this, the ten War Gods fell silent. After some discussion, they agreed with Lin Xihai’s explanation.

Alliance Leader Zuo was startled upon hearing this; it was indeed a possibility.

Lin Xihai was quite intelligent, so let him be the Acting Alliance Leader.

"Lin Xihai, since you’ve found the murderer, you shall be the Acting Alliance Leader. I reckon the other ten War Gods will have no objections."

"Alliance Leader Lin, from now on, you will handle the affairs within the Blackwater Alliance."

Alliance Leader Zuo spoke with a resigned expression.

Lin Xihai beamed upon hearing this.

"The Alliance Hierarch is dead. This matter needs to be announced to the world, inviting all Sect Masters and Palace Masters to pay their respects."

...

Soon, the news of Qin Tianba’s death by a dagger spread throughout the Blackwater Secret Realm.

This caused widespread discussion in the Blackwater Secret Realm.

Heaven God Temple.

Wang Ye sat on a black dragon chair, flipping through an ancient cultivation technique book.

Dongfang Qing entered excitedly with a letter.

"Sect Master, Qin Tianba is dead."

Dongfang Qing spoke while handing the letter to Wang Ye.

Wang Ye put down the book, took the envelope, and showed a surprised expression.

"How did Qin Tianba suddenly die?"

After reading the letter, Wang Ye understood the reason for Qin Tianba’s death.

He placed the letter on the table and fell into deep thought. After a while, he spoke.

"Dongfang Qing, what do you think about Qin Tianba’s death? Is he pretending to be dead or really dead?"

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Qing’s expression also became serious.

Rumor has it that Qin Tianba was cunning. Last time, he sent a wedding invitation. Not only did Tianyong Mountain not attend, but the Sect Master also expressed interest in contesting the position of Alliance Hierarch.

And now, a funeral invitation was sent.

Could it be that Qin Batian is faking his death to lure the Sect Master and then assassinate him?

After recalling the contents of the letter, Dongfang Qing spoke.

"Qin Tianba is the leader of the Blackwater Alliance. A successful person must be mindful of details; he wouldn’t possibly leave the dagger in the wardrobe."

Dongfang Qing speculated.

Wang Ye, however, was unconvinced.

"In certain situations, people might overlook details, such as after drinking, during exciting events, or in moments of passion..."

"So, Qin Tianba is indeed dead. To show respect for the previous Alliance Hierarch, Tianyong Mountain should send representatives to pay their respects."

Dongfang Qing said.

These days, Wang Ye has been busy cultivating the Nine Yang Divine Needle.

He didn’t have time to pay respects.

"Who do you think is suitable to go pay respects?"

"Chen Changsheng is very suitable. He understands propriety and knows how to handle matters."

Carefree Peak.

As the cold dissipates, the spring breeze rises.

Chen Changsheng sat under an ancient pine at the summit, looking desolate.

He held a bottle of wine in his hand, with a fan placed beside him. Since parting with the female cultivator, he had fallen into a state of despondency.

His handsome ruddy face carried a hint of helplessness.

"At Carefree Peak, one can learn any cultivation method as long as they continuously practice diligently. Any big matter, as long as I, Chen Changsheng, attempt it, it’ll succeed;

But women are strange creatures. Even if you invest energy and time, and remain determined, it’s still hard to win a woman’s heart."

After finishing, Chen Changsheng raised his cup to drink with the spring breeze.

"Chen Changsheng, are you going to remain despondent like this?"

A gentle voice sounded.

Carefree Master, dressed in white, exuded an aura of ease, frowned at his despondent disciple.

Who would have thought that the once-promising youth would fall to such a state?

Once, Chen Changsheng’s hair was bright purple, appearing carefree, as if he had everything under control.

Alas, Carefree Master sighed.

Seeing Carefree Master, Chen Changsheng quickly set the wine aside, becoming respectful.

"Greetings, Master!"

Looking at Carefree Master’s increasing gray hairs, Chen Changsheng felt deep shame for disappointing his master during this period.

Understanding Chen Changsheng’s situation well, Carefree Master spoke.

"Meetings and departures between people are fate; fate can’t be obtained through wisdom or persistence."

"Your fate with her has come to an end, don’t dwell on it."

Carefree Master comforted him kindly, his eyes filled with concern and compassion.

Upon hearing this, Chen Changsheng emerged from the post-breakup sorrow, stood up, and gathered himself.

"Master, what business brings you to your disciple?"

"Hmm, the Sect Master wants to see you. I’m not sure about the specifics. It’s likely related to the death of Qin Tianba from the Blackwater Alliance."

Carefree Master explained.

Shocked, Chen Changsheng wondered how Qin Tianba could have died?

Returning to his dwelling, he washed up and tidied his appearance. Looking at himself in the mirror—clad in white robes, youthful and handsome—his eyes had grown sadder.

His cheeks were constantly shadowed by sorrow.

"I must pull myself together."

Chen Changsheng murmured to his reflection.