Qu Duanyun's breath stopped for a moment. If he could, he would have pushed the signal flare summoning Taiheng Sect back in.

He had shot himself in the foot this time—no wonder Shi Jingzhi first let everyone in Yueshui Bureau know about the Suspended Tree affair. While the common people knew nothing, the sect leaders were all experts. This bad move had transformed into a deadly trap, completely disrupting his plans.

Master Qi was one thing, but now it concerned the "weak masses"... When Taiheng arrived, they would surely stand on Shi Zhongyu's side.

If the Suspended Tree affair was exposed to the martial arts world, the Immortal Gathering's actions being restricted would be the lesser evil—the greater harm would last for a hundred years. Martial artists valued loyalty more than ordinary people, and were closer to the common folk than government officials. If news spread that "the short lifespan of the elderly was caused by the Suspended Tree", who knows what chaos would ensue.

One move off, and the game is lost.

How could it be another misstep!

The wandering refugees, the soft fish demon eyes, were all just smokescreens to mislead himself. Originally Qu Duanyun couldn't figure out what Shi Jingzhi was after, but now it was obvious—

Those two bastards were being intimate in broad daylight!

The last time they met the Immortal, the two from Ku Mountain Sect weren't like this. So all their previous discord was just an act?

Yin Ci must have used his constitution to play some tricks, using love and desire to lure Shi Jingzhi to his side. It wasn't impossible for a Desire Child to be deceived by sweet talk and pillow talk.

A perfectly good founding general, now for the sake of revenge, had thrown away even his integrity and face!

As if on cue, Shi Jingzhi was embracing Yin Ci like vines wrapping around a tree, his face full of tenderness, showing no trace of ferocity or madness. Even Master Juehui had to chant a few Buddhist sutras, deliberately averting his gaze.

"Capture them all!" Qu Duanyun commanded the soldiers behind him, gritting his teeth as he gave the order.

Those left were mostly Immortal Gathering members, well aware of the stakes. Instantly, the glow of magical artifacts flashed across the wilderness, surrounding that lone group of people on the desolate plain.

He had to quickly reverse the situation. Qu Duanyun's forehead broke out in a thin layer of sweat. Even a wild punch could defeat an old master, let alone the fact that most of the newcomers were righteous cultivators who couldn't use brutal force. It should be so, it should be so... but how many "should be so"s had shattered before him one by one.

His heart and lungs felt as if they were filled with lead, the panic refusing to dissipate, the ominous premonition growing heavier and heavier.

"Attack, no need to leave anyone alive!"

As soon as Qu Duanyun's words fell, countless glowing artifacts poured towards those few people. The Desire Child and the Disastrous Root aside, the rest would surely be torn to pieces. Qu Duanyun held his breath, his eyes fixed straight on their silhouettes—

Amidst the dazzling light, a clear sound was heard, and that colorful radiance was instantly deflected by an invisible shield.

This is bad.

On the wilderness, dust flew everywhere. Horse hooves kicked up clouds of dust, long swords glinting with cold light. The imperial soldiers in fine armor with long spears may have been able to suppress small sects and ragtag groups, but they were no match for the powerful Taiheng Sect—that protective spell was incredibly strong, perfectly timed to nullify the Immortal Gathering's frenzied bombardment.

The Taiheng crowd arrived earlier than expected.

Qu Duanyun looked up to see the leader dressed in light combat attire. Before the person arrived, an air of righteousness and gentleness preceded them, like a giant rock in the midst of a hurricane.

On that person's back was a heavy stone sword—it was the Alliance Leader of the martial arts world, Yan Qing.

In a daze, their positions were reversed. Now Yan Qing sat atop a fine horse, looking down at him. That person's brows were slightly furrowed, their gaze surprisingly tinged with a hint of pity.

Qu Duanyun nearly choked—Shi Jingzhi was one thing, Yin Zizhu another, but even this mongrel born of a demon dared to look down on him with pity?

His aura instantly filled with killing intent.

"Amitabha." As if sensing the change in atmosphere, before Yan Qing could speak, Master Juehui stepped forward first. The old man cleared his throat, his voice like a great bell. "This old monk bears witness that everything previously stated by Ku Mountain Sect is true. Qu Duanyun's collusion with the Immortal Gathering and betrayal of his master are indeed facts!"

The Yueshui Bureau nodded, tremblingly agreeing.

Sure enough, the atmosphere suddenly shifted. Qu Duanyun's gaze finally moved away from Yan Qing, filled with gloom.

The Taiheng members who came were all elites, but even they couldn't help but be in an uproar. Some were shocked and skeptical, some cursed. More expressed disbelief, their expressions still tinged with hesitation. Qu Duanyun looked at these people one by one, as if wanting to remember them all.

Yan Qing ignored him, simply swung his stone sword and declared loudly: "With witnesses present, according to jianghu rules, we shall first take this person back to Taiheng!"

"Demon-eyed scoundrels, monkeys donning human clothes."

Qu Duanyun's voice trembled slightly, he had no idea how to stop it. He unconsciously gripped his sword hilt, his mouth dry, his right hand ice-cold.

Without instructions, the soldiers did not rashly act. They gathered around Qu Duanyun, the former encirclers now becoming the encircled, the scene extremely ridiculous.

"You have all merely been deceived by Ku Mountain Sect, using others' knives to kill."

These people weren't present earlier, so they could still be fooled. This was the moment when a hundred years of great undertaking was about to be accomplished, he must regain control.

"I already obtained the position of Taiheng Sect Leader, and my relationship with Master Qi is like father and son. How could I kill him without reason?"

They were just a bunch of fools who couldn't see the forest for the trees. How could they ruin their great cause time and time again? How could he, Qu Duanyun, be such an incompetent person?

There must still be a turning point in this matter, there must be.

Sure enough, Master Qu's gentlemanly demeanor was too well-crafted, and with the sentiments of past days, Taiheng's internal ranks were once again in turmoil. Not a few people showed approval, vaguely intending to approach Qu Duanyun.

This man who just wanted to silence everyone now put on the air of an upright gentleman. Shi Zhongyu couldn't help but be furious. Just as she was about to open her mouth to refute, she saw Yan Qing ride forward, blocking her way: "Sect Leader Qu, when you return to Taiheng, there will be plenty of time to talk."

His tone was calm, his manner gentle, speaking as mildly as a spring breeze, without the slightest hint of suppression. The tragic atmosphere Qu Duanyun had finally managed to create scattered to the ground, and the Taiheng disciples also calmed down, continuing to form ranks to surround people.

"I didn't expect that before dealing with the Red Hook Sect, Taiheng would be the first to rebel. These are anti-bandit troops personally dispatched by the current emperor. Do you want to offend the imperial court over the jianghu's private matters?"

The flames of dispute that had been burning nicely were again casually extinguished by Yan Qing. Qu Duanyun's punch hit cotton, and he still needed to keep up the act, so he could only swallow his frustration and continue.

"People from all the major sects are here, there's no need to only drag Taiheng down. Why don't we each take a step back—after capturing the rebel Shi Jingzhi, I'll submit to your disposal!"

This sentence was almost roared out, carrying a hint of sincerity.

"The Immortal Gathering slung mud first, then came in person. If Sect Leader Shi falls into your hands, how could anything good come of it?" Hua Jingchun's laugh was sharp. "Taking a step back is good, taking a step back is good. Why not let the upright and honorable Taiheng take charge of Sect Leader Shi, while you all follow me to deal with Xilong? Unlike this fabricated matter, that's real merit—"

Even the usually good-tempered Master Juehui wasn't buying it, immediately sincerely speaking with sarcasm: "Everything has its priority. Imperial family grudges can't compare to the lives of common people. Sect Leader Shi is but eight chi tall, he can't harm many people. Benefactor Qu, it's best to first clarify the matter of that demon tree."

Deeply mired in the quagmire indeed, unable to take a single step.

Since silencing them was impossible, might as well kill as many as he could.

Qu Duanyun laughed loudly, stepping forward twice, his expression somewhat distorted: "Very well, I'll clarify right now!"

Everyone only saw the Guanwu sword radiating brilliant light, its aura filled with resentment and anger surging towards them. There was no sign of this man intending to surrender. Taking advantage of everyone's relaxed state, Qu Duanyun's body whirled, his aura suddenly exploding. He seemed to have deliberately chosen his position earlier, and now his sword wind went straight for Shi Zhongyu. The latter had no time to dodge and could only forcefully meet it with her sword.

As their auras clashed, Shi Zhongyu was pushed back over ten steps by the force, her heels tearing up a large patch of grass.

"Bastard!" She glared fiercely, "Have you completely abandoned the face of righteousness?"

Qu Duanyun didn't answer, aiming a barrage of attacks at her like a fierce storm. Yan Qing and Master Juehui moved to intervene simultaneously, but were each blocked by the soldiers' artifacts, unable to advance for the moment. The Taiheng crowd, struggling between "rebels" and "avenging the murdered sect leader" for an instant, also gritted their teeth and joined the fight.

The group of soldiers opposite were not as skilled in martial arts as Taiheng, but each was a hardened killer who had seen blood. With Qu Duanyun at his wit's end, these people seemed like mad dogs that had smelled blood, each strike more vicious than the last. The two groups became entangled, showing signs of being evenly matched.

But dogs can never beat wolves in the end.

Taking advantage of the soldiers being tied up with Taiheng, Yin Ci's eyes didn't even blink as he flicked his Hanging Shadow Sword, immediately intercepting Qu Duanyun's move. Shi Jingzhi also completely disregarded any jianghu code of ethics, swinging his flag pole towards Qu Duanyun's back. Both were ruthless characters, coordinating intimately, their moves showing no restraint at all.

Qu Duanyun forcibly withdrew his attack, his energy instantly surging through his internal organs, causing him to vomit a large mouthful of fresh blood. He wanted to advance, but Yin Ci had sealed off his front so tightly he couldn't touch anyone. He wanted to retreat, but Shi Jingzhi was blocking his rear, that person not concealing his killing intent at all, each strike more vicious than the last.

Even with the power of a True Immortal protecting his body, Qu Duanyun was no match for these two demon-like people. Seeing that Shi Jingzhi had no intention of showing mercy, that scourge tilted his head, his flag pole igniting with golden fire, stabbing towards Qu Duanyun's heart again—

Master Juehui's gaze froze, Protector Hua's movements paused. The battlefield seemed to solidify, just waiting for that moment when blood would spray everywhere.

"Sect Leader Shi."

At this critical moment, Yan Qing calmly spoke up.

"You still bear the crime of being a rebel, it's best not to act. Taiheng's affairs, let Taiheng resolve. Please leave this person to Senior Shi and me."

With this interruption, Qu Duanyun immediately got a chance to breathe. He leapt back, instantly escaping from Shi Jingzhi's grasp. Shi Jingzhi's features scrunched up, clearly very unwilling. Only when Yin Ci put his hand on him did he reluctantly withdraw his flag, looking like a piece of fatty meat had been snatched from his mouth.

"What do you mean Taiheng's affairs for Taiheng to resolve, you're most likely going to spare his life..."

"If he is to die, he must first apologize before Qi Xundao's grave before dying." Yan Qing jumped off his horse, nimbly cutting off Shi Jingzhi. "If we let him die carrying such resentment, wouldn't he go disturb Master Qi in his rest?"

Qu Duanyun spat out a blood-tinged glob of saliva, his face showing only disdain and hatred. He pinched his sleeve, standing in front of the remaining defeated troops, his expression dark and unclear.

Outsmarted in strategy, defeated in combat. All along the way, his judgments had been led by the nose by the other side. The Taiheng he had grown up in for over ten years now stood before him, about to arrest him like a criminal.

A utterly humiliating defeat, but...

"Very well, very well."

Half dejection, half madness showed on Qu Duanyun's face, like a dying beast. His eyes were slightly red-rimmed, his tone tinged with the taste of blood.

"Even if the Desire Child was bewitched by the Disastrous Root... losing to a Desire Child must be Heaven's decree. This is the turning of fate, we mortals truly cannot resist."

"I alone cannot save the lives of these people. Master, please lend your disciple a helping hand."

A Word Cloth fell from his sleeve, faint traces of magical energy still lingering.

A long sigh drifted on the wind, and at the spot where the talisman landed, a man's figure gradually appeared. Just like twenty-four years ago, in the maple leaf forest of Gathering Valley.

"Knowing when to admit defeat and surrender is also a good thing."

Jiang Youyue smiled faintly.

Around the National Teacher's body, a pair of giant hands slowly materialized, folding at his sides like bat wings. In an instant, heaven and earth lost their light, an overwhelming presence descending. Everyone froze in place, unable to move an inch.

"To do things, one must do them thoroughly. This is what General Yin taught us. It's just been a farce, time to clean up."