Hui Jingxian led the person to a seat but did not introduce them to the crowd.
He had no way to introduce them.
He didn't know the identities of this brother and sister. He couldn't possibly say to everyone: "Everyone, allow me to introduce the two troublemakers who killed the楼主 of Wan Ku Lou!"
Would that be appropriate?
Clearly not.
However, although Hui Jingxian didn't introduce them, Wen Ren Feng and others who had witnessed the entire incident that day unconsciously shifted their positions, trying to hide in a corner out of sight.
When asked, they shook their heads and said nothing.
At such close proximity, could they not hear what was being said?
The horses were led away by the servants of Ju De Zhuang. Nan Shiying and Xiao Man sat aside, drinking tea. Before long, the auspicious time arrived, and a servant carrying a golden basin walked into the courtyard.
Hui Jingxian followed into the courtyard and cupped his hands towards the distinguished guests. "I am Hui Jingxian. Benefiting from the legacy of my ancestors, I have assumed the position of Zhuangzhu of Ju De Zhuang. However, my talents are limited, and I am truly not suited for martial arts. Whether there is one more person like me or one less in the jianghu makes little difference. Fortunately, my son has some talent. He is now over thirty years old and capable of being entrusted with important tasks. Therefore, I have decided to wash my hands in a golden basin and no longer concern myself with matters of the jianghu, retreating to the inner chambers to enjoy my grandchildren."
After speaking, Hui Jingxian paused for a breath and continued, "Although I inherited Ju De Zhuang, I was fortunate enough to receive guidance from Master Cang Lan of the Dian Cang Sect and learned a few moves. However, I was slow-witted and ultimately could not become a disciple of Master Cang Lan. Now that I am preparing to wash my hands in the golden basin and retire from the jianghu, I have decided to have all of you bear witness."
As Hui Jingxian finished speaking, he raised his sword fingers and channeled internal energy to his fingertips, then suddenly pointed at his dantian. The force of this single finger almost crippled two-tenths of his cultivation.
He took a step back, his face pale. Hui Jingxian's son attempted to support him, but Hui Jingxian waved him off.
The crowd's expressions changed drastically at Hui Jingxian's actions. What did Zhuangzhu Hui mean by this? After so much preamble, he was actually going to cripple his own cultivation? Did this mean he wanted to sever ties with the Dian Cang Sect completely?
Hui Jingxian ignored the crowd's speculation and said, "I am dull-witted, and I fear that in the future, I might lose control and teach the martial arts belonging to the Dian Cang Sect to the younger generation. Therefore, I have crippled two-tenths of my cultivation today as an oath. If, in the future, any move from the Dian Cang Sect is passed down from within Ju De Zhuang, I will take my own life to atone.
If I violate this, may it be like this sword!"
Hui Jingxian flipped his right hand, and a long sword fell from his sleeve. He then bent it with both hands. With a crisp crack, the sword broke in half.
He casually threw the two broken pieces of the sword, which embedded themselves perfectly into the bluestone slabs covering the ground.
The crowd was astonished.
The two broken sword pieces had almost sunk into the bluestone slabs. With such power, even among the top-tier experts, he would rank among the best.
Hui Jingxian had not made a move in many years. The last time he acted two years ago, he had barely entered the ranks of first-rate experts. Now, after only two years, he was subtly probing the peak realm, yet he still claimed to be dull-witted and untalented?
Was he showing off to them?
Nan Shiying sat calmly. Unlike the shock of the crowd, she appeared unruffled from beginning to end. Ultimately, she simply didn't think much of Hui Jingxian.
She looked around, as if searching for something.
Xiao Man leaned close to her ear and asked, "Brother, what are you looking for?"
Nan Shiying did not reply. She picked up a hazelnut, pinched it, and cracked it open, throwing the kernel into her mouth.
Just as she was about to stand up, a wild and charming laughter echoed from outside the courtyard. The person was not yet seen, but their voice was heard first.
Nan Shiying settled back down steadily, tilting her head to look in the direction of the sound.
A figure clad in purple descended from the sky, landing on the courtyard wall.
Nan Shiying leaned back at her leisure, finding a comfortable posture before carefully observing the suddenly appearing woman.
Was this Mei Sha?
Her beauty wasn't breathtaking, but her eyes held a unique charm. It was a seductive allure that drew one in, a wantonness that captured the soul, a temptation from a demon of hell.
She represented humanity's truest, most naked desire – lust!
Nan Shiying watched the suddenly flushed faces and rapidly quickening breaths of the crowd, a cold smile playing on her lips, a mixture of mockery and melancholy.
Xiao Man covered Nan Shiying's eyes. "Dirty!"
Nan Shiying's vision went black. Hearing Xiao Man's words, she couldn't help but chuckle. She raised her hand, removed Xiao Man's hand, and pressed her head firmly, saying with a smile, "Some people may look dirty, but they are actually very clean; some people may look clean, but their insides are foul and stinky."
"Who among us is truly cleaner than the other?"
Mei Sha turned her head, looking at the brother and sister seated serenely. The sharpness and malevolence in her eyes transformed into a spring of water upon hearing her words. If she hadn't had business to attend to, she would have liked to have an 'in-depth' discussion with this young gentleman.
It had been a long time since she had encountered someone so interesting.
Xiao Man pouted. Seeing Mei Sha staring at her young lady, she darted in front of Nan Shiying, glaring at Mei Sha.
What an annoying little girl.
For the sake of the young gentleman, she would grant her a swift end later.
Hui Jingxian's gaze deepened. He felt that the visitor was not here with good intentions. He cupped his hands towards Mei Sha and asked loudly, "Is this lady here to attend my golden basin hand-washing feast? If so, please come down and speak!"
"Zhuangzhu Hui!"
She covered her mouth and laughed, her voice like a hook. Though she simply called out Hui Jingxian's name, it sent a ripple of longing through the crowd.
"Gulp~"
Nan Shiying heard the sounds of continuous swallowing of saliva from all around.
"I am Mei Sha. I am here on behalf of our Sect Leader to offer congratulations, and incidentally, to escort you and your family to the Yellow Springs!"
As she reached the end, killing intent surged. Mei Sha leaped from mid-air, her long whip creating a piercing cold wind. The whip's shadow, like a snake, coiled towards Hui Jingxian's neck.
Hui Jingxian would not simply wait to die. As soon as he heard the name Mei Sha, he knew that the day's events could not end peacefully. The Gui Sha Sect had always been at odds with the Dian Cang Sect. However, the Dian Cang Sect was the leader of the righteous path in the jianghu. Although the Gui Sha Sect was a formidable force of the demonic path, the two sects had always been evenly matched, with neither able to overcome the other.
Hui Jingxian's decision to wash his hands in a golden basin and cripple two-tenths of his cultivation today was intended to sever ties with the Dian Cang Sect. As long as Ju De Zhuang had no further connection with the Dian Cang Sect, the Gui Sha Sect would naturally not trouble him over their grievances. However, Hui Jingxian never expected that even after reaching this point, the Gui Sha Sect would still not let him go.
Although Ju De Zhuang was not as prosperous as before, it was still an old family that had stood in the jianghu for many years. The Gui Sha Sect sending only one Mei Sha to kill his entire family? Did they not think too highly of themselves?
This was simply too much of an insult.