Xiao Man's injuries had not yet healed when the two disguised themselves and headed towards the East Yue Forest. Along the way, they encountered cultivators holding Xiao Man's portrait. Anyone they met, regardless of gender, was stopped and compared meticulously. If they found a lone female cultivator with low cultivation, they would not only taunt her but also lay hands on her. If the victim dared to resist, they would invoke the name of the Heavenly Sword Sect. Those bullied female cultivators could only swallow their humiliation.
"Utterly lawless. I never imagined the Heavenly Sword Sect could be so brazen."
"Originally, I thought the Lawless Land was the most terrifying place. Now, it seems like a paradise." Xiao Man scoffed, "Outsiders say the people in the Lawless Land are barbaric and lowly, but I find everyone within the Lawless Land to be quite endearing."
Nangong Yu immediately laughed, "Perhaps in the entire Cang Xuan Continent, you're the only one who finds the people of the Lawless Land endearing."
"In my eyes, they are indeed very endearing," Xiao Man emphasized, "At least, they tell you what they're thinking. When they encounter injustice, they will fight back. If they think I've done something wrong, they'll point it out. These people outside, they flatter you to your face, but who knows what they're calling you behind your back."
"You've learned to be wicked, you've learned to curse!"
"Wicked? I've always known how to curse!" Xiao Man snorted, "The first time I saw you on the battlefield, I cursed your father for being a bastard, not caring for his child, to send such a young one into battle."
"Speaking of which, I've cursed your father too," Nangong Yu said with mock seriousness, "I heard that you became a stepmother to someone when you were still in your teens. I cursed your father as a turtle and bastard, not caring for his own daughter and willing to do anything for power."
"You've wronged my father in this matter. My father adamantly refused to let me enter the palace, but I insisted," Xiao Man said softly. "At that time, I felt sorry for the child, being alone and without support, and I wanted to help him, so I chose to enter the palace."
"You misjudged."
"I am human, not a god," Xiao Man rolled her eyes at Nangong Yu, "Even gods doze off sometimes, let alone humans."
"Didn't I also misjudge?" Nangong Yu said wistfully, completely unaware that Wen Mohan was playing dumb and smart. Otherwise, how could he have lost a step to him!
"Misjudging is normal, but if you keep misjudging, it's not good," Xiao Man stopped, her gaze falling on the city gate ahead. They had to pass through Ice Soul City to reach the East Yue Forest, and Ice Soul City was not an easy place to pass through.
"We've reached Ice Soul City. Should we pass through directly, or stay for a night?"
"Pass through directly," Xiao Man said coldly, "The longer we stay, the more dangerous it is."
"If we pass through directly, I'm afraid it might arouse the suspicion of the people in the city."
"Many people enter Ice Soul City daily, and some pass through. As long as we keep a low profile and don't attract attention, it should be fine." Xiao Man and Nangong Yu, disguised as father and son, entered Ice Soul City. Upon entering, they did not delay and headed straight for the opposite city gate. They wanted to spend as little time as possible in the territory of the aristocratic families, as the spies of the Heavenly Sword Sect were spread throughout the land, and there were bound to be spies from the Heavenly Sword Sect in the families' domains.
"Big Brother, the Heavenly Sword Sect has sent a Fei Meng token, requesting our assistance in apprehending Xiao Man. Should we assist?" Shui Qing looked at Shui Lü.
"They want to kill someone and seize their treasure, and they want us to be accomplices. These shameless people are truly invincible in this world."
"Big Brother, the Heavenly Sword Sect is powerful..."
"So what if the Heavenly Sword Sect is powerful? Who doesn't know about the sordid affairs within their sect now?" Shui Lü sneered, "I possessed my son's body just to continue controlling the Heavenly Sword Sect. Now, the young masters of the Heavenly Sword Sect are probably restless, as no one knows who Yue Tianxia will possess next!"
"That's their internal affair, it has nothing to do with us."
"Yes, it's their internal affair, it has nothing to do with us. Why should we get involved?" Shui Lü looked at Shui Qing meaningfully, "We don't get involved in other people's family matters."
Shui Qing lowered his gaze, "Big Brother, the Heavenly Sword Sect..."
"The Heavenly Sword Sect is powerful, but they are far from our Ice Soul City. How can they know how Ice Soul City operates?" Shui Lü stood up and walked out, "I'm going for a stroll."
"Big Brother..."
"Any more questions?" Shui Lü stopped and turned back to look at Shui Qing, asking softly.
Shui Qing swallowed hard and shook his head like a rattle drum. Shui Lü was full of poison, and even Nascent Soul cultivators in the family dared not touch him. Moreover, as his cultivation increased, his poison became even more potent.
Only then did Shui Lü turn and walk out, disappearing through the main entrance.
"Second Young Master, Eldest Young Master's temperament is likely to cause trouble. If the Shui family..."
"Enough," Shui Qing took a deep breath, "If you're not convinced, go and tell him. Let's see who has the sharper tongue, you or his poison."
Upon hearing this, the man immediately fell silent. Shui Lü's poison mastery was unparalleled, otherwise, he wouldn't have become the young master of the Shui family in such a short period. Su Dan Novel Network.
"But the Heavenly Sword Sect has issued an order. If we don't comply..."
"Who said we won't comply? Haven't we seen the person yet?" Shui Qing snorted, "Besides, our Shui family has never relied on any sect. Why should we obey the orders of the Heavenly Sword Sect?"
"Second Young Master, do you still remember the Jin family?"
"The Jin family has a new ruler. The eldest young master Jin, who was expelled from the Jin family, has returned and become the family head. Is there a problem with that?"
"The Jin family originally relied on the Heavenly Sword Sect. However, the new Jin family head openly assisted Xiao Man against the Heavenly Sword Sect at the Heavenly Sword Sect's young sect master's birthday banquet. Now, the Jin family is being suppressed by the Heavenly Sword Sect and their days are extremely difficult," the elder looked at the second young master, "I'm afraid they won't last much longer before their clan is wiped out. Second Young Master, you wouldn't want our Shui family to go down this same path, would you?"
"What you mean is, if we don't submit to the Heavenly Sword Sect, we will be annihilated by them?" Shui Qing asked softly, "Our Shui family is not a small, insignificant clan. There is more than just the Heavenly Sword Sect in this world. If they want to annihilate aristocratic families, they will have to see if the other sects agree."
"Second Young Master, the Heavenly Sword Sect..."
"If the Heavenly Sword Sect continues to act against the natural order, they will eventually lose all popular support and meet a tragic end," Shui Qing turned, "There are some household affairs to attend to in the manor, I'll go take care of them first."
"On this matter, please think twice, Second Young Master."
"My elder brother has become like this for my sake, and I already owe him a great deal," Shui Qing said softly, "Furthermore, my elder brother's cultivation is now high, and his talent far surpasses mine. Let alone the young master, even if he were to be the family head, I would have no complaints. I will wholeheartedly support my elder brother."
The elders listened and sighed. The world was in turmoil, and if the Shui family made a wrong move, they might become the next Qin family!