Chapter 162: The Great Turmoil

Outside Qingzhou City, the mountains and wilderness were silent. The group from the Mysterious Maiden Palace had set up camp here. Night fell like ink, and silence enveloped everything, broken only by the faint harmony of wind and insects.

In the camp, torches blazed fiercely, casting dappled shadows as they illuminated the scattered tents against the dark night. In the distance, the mountain forest loomed indistinctly.

Within the camp, the atmosphere remained oppressive. Everyone was very quiet, speaking only in hushed tones.

In the central tent, three coffins were laid out.

Qi Miaoxuan, holding a bundle of incense, circled the coffins, muttering incantations. She then placed three sticks of incense before each coffin. Afterwards, she took incense outside the tent and circled the perimeter, planting incense sticks and candles in all directions while muttering, "Passing through this land, lonely spirits, local deities, may your souls partake..."

This was a custom of the Qingzhou region. Elderly people, in particular, firmly believed in these practices. It was customary to greet the local spirits at any place where the bodies were temporarily halted during transport, ensuring the deceased could rest in peace. Whether it was true or not remained unproven, but it primarily served as a form of psychological comfort.

"Martial Aunt."

Mu Baifeng, the Grand Elder of the Mysterious Maiden Palace, emerged from the tent and cupped her hands. "Please go eat something, Martial Aunt. I've asked Qixia and the others to prepare a meal over there; it should be almost ready now."

Mu Baifeng was a disciple of Patriarch Yu Xu, Yan Xianmei. By seniority, she was naturally a junior to Qi Miaoxuan. Although she was aware of the past grievances between Qi Miaoxuan and Yan Xianmei, as a junior, she could only feign ignorance. Moreover, now that Yan Xianmei was deceased and Qi Miaoxuan was here to escort her remains home, the Mysterious Maiden Palace was obligated to treat her with the utmost respect.

Qi Miaoxuan took a small sachet from her medicine pouch and handed it to Mu Baifeng. "This is my specially prepared realgar powder. Later, have someone sprinkle a little around the camp; you don't need much, just a symbolic amount. This realgar powder is very potent; even a small amount will keep snakes and insects away."

"Thank you, Martial Aunt," Mu Baifeng said, accepting the realgar powder and cupping her hands in gratitude.

Qi Miaoxuan waved her hand. "As for other matters, I don't need to instruct you. You've been navigating the jianghu for decades, so you should possess basic vigilance. However, I still feel the need to remind you: after the battle at Soul Severing Cliff, the Mysterious Maiden Palace's reputation has plummeted, and you will face constant trouble. It's highly probable that some will try to take advantage of our misfortune. You must adjust your mindset and no longer approach the jianghu with your previous outlook."

Mu Baifeng nodded. "Thank you for the reminder, Martial Aunt."

Just then, Qi Miaoxuan's ears twitched slightly. She suddenly looked up towards the forest. "Someone's coming! Two... no... three riders!"

Mu Baifeng glanced at Qi Miaoxuan with some surprise. Qi Miaoxuan had actually detected the three riders approaching their camp before she did. However, upon reflection, she realized it was quite normal. She had subconsciously always regarded Qi Miaoxuan primarily as a divine physician, forgetting that in her youth, Qi Miaoxuan had made a name for herself in the jianghu through her martial arts prowess. At that time, the Nine Heroes of Qingzhou were all top-tier jianghu masters, and only after their dispersion did Qi Miaoxuan gradually become a renowned Medicine Saint.

As the sound of hooves grew clearer, the disciples of the Mysterious Maiden Palace also grew vigilant.

Qi Miaoxuan and Mu Baifeng hurried forward. Before they had taken more than a few steps, they heard a Mysterious Maiden Palace disciple shout, "Don't panic, everyone! It's Great Hero Gu and Heroine Gu from Yunzhou!"

Instantly, Qi Miaoxuan and Mu Baifeng exchanged glances, then hastened their steps. Within a few paces, they saw Gu Mo and Gu Chutong approaching, surrounded by a crowd of Mysterious Maiden Palace disciples. A burly man accompanied them.

"Iron Head! What are you doing here with Great Hero Gu?" Qi Miaoxuan recognized the burly man.

Iron Head quickly ran to Qi Miaoxuan. "Martial Aunt Qi, I'm so relieved you're alright. I specifically went to ask Great Hero Gu to save you."

"Save me?" Qi Miaoxuan paused, slightly startled. Then she noticed Iron Head's hand. "What happened to your hand?" she exclaimed.

"It's a long story!"

Iron Head immediately began recounting his ordeal. After recounting the events, he said, "Martial Aunt, Lu Canyang isn't dead. I'm certain that was him. He's back for revenge, and his next target is definitely you. Martial Aunt, you must believe me."

Upon hearing Iron Head's words, Qi Miaoxuan's expression turned grim as she slowly said, "I believe you. I had already sensed that someone was orchestrating events behind the scenes regarding both the Soul Severing Cliff duel and the emergence of the Gouchen Demonic Blade, especially the latter.

"The decisive battle at Soul Severing Cliff, one could argue, was simply Patriarch Yu Xu's failed scheme being exposed by Ye Jinglan. However, the emergence of the Gouchen Demonic Blade is absolutely abnormal. The Golden Blade Sect, the Long Eyebrow Sword Sect, and the Chen Family were successively annihilated. This doesn't make sense. If White Shadow was behind it, and his goal was the Gouchen Demonic Blade, he should have acted stealthily. Why would he annihilate entire families, drawing the Mysterious Maiden Palace's investigation and causing trouble for himself?

"Then, at Righteousness Villa, the person behind it never revealed themselves, even after the Gouchen Demonic Blade fell into Great Hero Gu's hands. Finally, the Gouchen Demonic Blade suddenly became widely known in the Qingzhou jianghu. These series of events seem to have a single objective: to escalate the revelation of the Gouchen Demonic Blade."

Iron Head asked, puzzled, "What was the purpose?"

Qi Miaoxuan replied, "If Lu Canyang is manipulating these events, then I know exactly what he's plotting."

Qi Miaoxuan pondered for a moment. "Under normal circumstances, if Ye Jinglan and Chu Tianqing were merely having a decisive battle, Master Dingchan and Patriarch Yu Xu would not have personally come to Soul Severing Cliff. Well, Patriarch Yu Xu might have, but Master Dingchan would absolutely not; he has no interest in such matters."

Iron Head suddenly understood. "So, the deliberate escalation of the Gouchen Demonic Blade's appearance was precisely to lure both Patriarch Yu Xu and Master Dingchan to Soul Severing Cliff? Which means the transformation of Soul Severing Cliff into a five-grandmaster duel was also part of Lu Canyang's manipulation? His goal was revenge, to cause the deaths of Master Dingchan and Patriarch Yu Xu? To use others as his weapon?"

Qi Miaoxuan murmured, "It seems so."

"What do we do now?" Iron Head asked. "Lu Canyang will definitely come after you, Martial Aunt."

Qi Miaoxuan looked at Gu Mo. "I'm afraid Great Hero Gu has also been implicated."

Gu Chutong asked, puzzled, "What does this have to do with my brother?"

Iron Head also looked bewildered.

Gu Mo's pupils, however, subtly contracted. "Senior Qi, are you referring to the Gouchen Demonic Blade?" he asked.

Qi Miaoxuan nodded. "Precisely. Given Lu Canyang's character, he would never willingly hand over the Gouchen Demonic Blade. He went mad in his obsession to forge it decades ago, and after hiding for so long, it's impossible that his return is merely for simple revenge... Hmm? Speaking of which, the Divine Weapon Villa's situation might not be any better than mine. Now that everyone in the jianghu knows the Gouchen Demonic Blade is at Divine Weapon Villa, Lu Canyang naturally knows too."

Gu Chutong exclaimed, "Then is Divine Weapon Villa in grave danger now as well?"

Gu Mo said gravely, "It's not just Divine Weapon Villa; I, too, am likely in great danger."

As soon as Gu Mo spoke these words, everyone present immediately grasped the implication. Although Gu Mo had no prior grievances with Lu Canyang, his current circumstances naturally placed him in opposition to Lu Canyang. Firstly, Lu Canyang undoubtedly desired the Gouchen Demonic Blade, which currently belonged to Gu Mo. Secondly, Lu Canyang wanted to kill Qi Miaoxuan, while Gu Mo needed to enlist Qi Miaoxuan to treat his eyes.

Qi Miaoxuan's expression was grim. "If I were Lu Canyang, I would definitely keep a close watch on Great Hero Gu. After all, whether it's seizing the Gouchen Demonic Blade or killing me, the biggest obstacle lies with Great Hero Gu. And now that Great Hero Gu is outside the city, for Lu Canyang, this is the perfect opportunity to seize the Gouchen Demonic Blade."

Gu Mo considered this. "Senior Qi, for safety's sake, perhaps you should return to the city with me now!"

"Indeed," Gu Chutong urged. "Senior Qi, if this truly is Lu Canyang, your current situation is extremely precarious. Returning to Qingzhou City is the safest option. Not only will my brother be there, but more importantly, the Six Gates are also within the city. Even if Lu Canyang intends to strike, it won't be easy!"

Iron Head also quickly added, "Martial Aunt Qi, Great Hero Gu and Heroine Gu are right. I know you wish to escort Master Dingchan and Patriarch Yu Xu home for their funerals, but the situation is different now!"

Mu Baifeng, standing nearby, added, "Martial Aunt, I also believe you should return to Qingzhou City with Great Hero Gu."

Qi Miaoxuan rolled her eyes. "What are you all thinking? Did I say I wouldn't go back? Don't assume that just because I'm old, my mind isn't working properly! While fulfilling the bonds of sworn brotherhood by escorting the deceased is important, is it more important than my own old life? What are you people thinking? I've even feigned death to escape before. You can't possibly think I'm someone who values formalities over life, can you? What are you thinking? I'm old, not senile!"

Iron Head: "..."Gu Chutong: "..."

Immediately, Qi Miaoxuan followed Gu Mo and the others, quickly returning to Qingzhou City. On the way back, she even stuck close to Gu Mo, pushing Iron Head to the side. She also took out numerous miraculous elixirs from her medicine chest and distributed them among Gu Mo and the others. These were all emergency healing pills and potent elixirs for restoring internal energy.

It was evident that Qi Miaoxuan was genuinely afraid of death.

However, the journey was uneventful. The group, carrying torches, soon arrived outside Qingzhou City. The State of Qian had no curfew system, and city gates remained open at night.

Just as they reached the city gates, they encountered a contingent from the Six Gates emerging, led by Zhuo Qingfeng.

Zhuo Qingfeng walked directly towards them. "Brother Gu, I've been waiting here for you for quite a while."

Gu Mo asked, puzzled, "You've been specifically waiting for me here? Is something urgent?"

Zhuo Qingfeng nodded. "Yes, something urgent." Zhuo Qingfeng took a deep breath. "Chu Tianqing and Ye Jinglan have been abducted!"

The entire group was stunned. They all looked at Zhuo Qingfeng with suspicion, wondering if he was playing a strange joke. After all, what he had just said sounded utterly bizarre. Ye Jinglan, Qingzhou's top master and the newly appointed tenth on the State of Qian's Heavenly Ranking, along with Qingzhou's second master, had been *abducted*. He specifically used the word "abducted." Everyone present wanted to tell Zhuo Qingfeng to listen to himself.

"That's precisely the strange part," Zhuo Qingfeng explained. "Both the Heavenly Blade Sect and Nine Rivers Alliance members reported that the mysterious individual used only a single move to render Chu Tianqing and Ye Jinglan utterly defenseless. The two attacks occurred less than half an hour apart, clearly the work of the same person!"

Gu Mo asked, bewildered, "That can't be right. Chu Tianqing and Ye Jinglan cultivate the true essence of martial arts. Even if severely injured, their blade intent and spear intent shouldn't leave them completely powerless to resist."

"That's precisely the strange part," Zhuo Qingfeng explained. "Both the Heavenly Blade Sect and Nine Rivers Alliance members reported that the mysterious individual used only a single move to render Chu Tianqing and Ye Jinglan utterly defenseless. The two attacks occurred less than half an hour apart, clearly the work of the same person!"