"You..." The man pointed a trembling finger at Mo Liyue, looking furious. Finally, under the persuasion of his companion, he flicked his sleeve and sat down, turning his back to everyone.
Mo Liyue's eyes turned cold, but she felt a deep disdain in her heart.
This person was at the same cultivation level as her. If they were to fight, it was uncertain who would win. As for verbal sparring, she certainly wouldn't lose.
"Xuan Xing, it's been many years since we last met!" The old man sitting at the head of the table, sipping tea, spoke slowly as he watched the farce.
Just as Mo Liyue was wondering what the man was talking about, Xing Yuan gently nodded, her tone calm, "Strictly speaking, it's been about eight years."
Mo Liyue had never seen Xing Yuan so composed. She couldn't even find a familiar trace on Xing Yuan's face, as if the person who had been by her side day and night was a completely different individual from the one before her.
Xing Yuan nervously grasped Mo Liyue's hand in a comforting gesture. Mo Liyue was suddenly brought back to reality. She lowered her gaze slightly, remaining silent.
"It's been so long! You've changed a lot. I thought you wouldn't come," Xuan Xu looked at Xing Yuan with eyes full of nostalgia.
Xing Yuan's gaze was also somewhat complex, but she quickly regained her composure and said frankly, "I didn't originally plan to come, but my sister wanted to join in the fun, so of course, I had to accompany her!"
"Sister?" Xuan Xu was puzzled, but he had always been confident in his sharp eyes. The age of this demon sect saintess was clearly younger than Xuan Xing, so how could she be her sister?
Xing Yuan held Mo Liyue's hand, clearly indicating to everyone that this was her sister, the one who had given her a sense of belonging for the first time, and for whom she was willing to change all her decisions.
"Never mind. Since you're here, why not watch together!" Xuan Xu shook his head, not paying much attention to the strange behavior of the young people.
Times were always changing. Although he was an old man, he still had a mind that kept pace with the times.
Sensing that Mo Liyue wasn't very angry, Xing Yuan returned to her usual demeanor and asked, "What are your plans?"
Xing Yuan was not familiar with these people, so she always maintained a very serious attitude in front of them, appearing extremely composed, like a martial arts master.
Xuan Xu's expression was calm as he summarized, "We've discussed it. What the imperial court wants are merely resources and secret manuals. They fear we threaten their position, hence their idea of eradicating us.
This is simple. Each sect can take a step back and hand over some things they need. Although we are not afraid of those people, some things are passed down from our ancestors. If they can be preserved, there's no need to hand them over.
Moreover, we are all accustomed to our current lives. We've seen the constant power struggles among some people in the martial world. The court acting this way might even be a good thing for us."
"You think this will work?" Xing Yuan's eyes held undisguised sarcasm. "Human greed is endless."
"Perhaps they will agree today, but the newcomers might also break their promises."
"That's also unavoidable. What, Xuan Xing, do you have any good ideas?"
Xuan Xu smiled at Xing Yuan, who, despite not having taught her much, was extremely talented, and couldn't help but sigh,
"Are you truly not going to rejoin my tutelage and learn from me? Your talent is unparalleled in my life. If you are willing, I will wholeheartedly ensure you surpass me in the art of Qimen Bagua."
Xing Yuan gently shook her head and refused, "No need. However, I do have a thought on this. Why don't you listen? Giving a man a fish is not as good as teaching him to fish. If we give them things willingly, how will they believe us? It's best to let them get it themselves."
"You mean..."
Xuan Xu was almost out of touch with the times and didn't react immediately. However, the man beside him's eyes lit up upon hearing Xing Yuan's words.
Brilliant! If it were like this, no matter how much they snatched, they would believe those things were their martial arts treasures.
As long as they later showed corresponding behavior, the other party wouldn't suspect them, and then they could downplay the existence of their martial world.
"What are you talking about?" Xuan Xu asked, stroking his snow-white beard, confused.
Zhen Yu whispered a few words into his master Xuan Xu Daoist's ear. Xuan Xu Daoist instantly understood the meaning, but his eyes became exceptionally complex.
Although any cat, black or white, is a good cat if it catches mice, as one gets older, one values certain things more. This method might be extremely effective, but if it were exposed, his reputation in his later years would be ruined!
"What do you all think?" Since he couldn't make up his mind, Xuan Xu looked at the others.
Some of them showed clear interest, while others had troubled expressions, clearly sharing Xuan Xu's concerns.
After they exchanged glances, a representative figure stepped forward and said solemnly, "Elder Xuan, you decide. Whatever your decision, we will follow you to the death."
Xuan Xu sighed, not entirely surprised by this outcome. This martial world was no longer the martial world he once loved. It was precisely because of these people who only pushed their responsibilities onto others that they had reached this day, being pressured by the imperial court they once disdained.
"Xuan Xing, come into the house with me!" Xuan Xu said, then turned and entered his small wooden house.
Mo Liyue instinctively grabbed Xing Yuan. Although she had been acting normally, it was only because Xing Yuan was by her side, comforting her unease. But if Xing Yuan left, she truly didn't know what to do!
Xing Yuan turned and saw those eyes filled with worry. Thinking of her sister's hidden attributes in this life, Xing Yuan silently curved her lips and asked, lowering her gaze, "Sister, do you want to come in with me?"
Although Xing Yuan was curious about her sister's hidden attributes, she didn't want to hurt her. After all... no matter what, she would be the one to suffer in the end.
Mo Liyue looked at Xing Yuan's frank invitation to go in together and felt a little embarrassed. Although she didn't particularly like Xuan Xu, the martial arts master, he was a martial arts master after all!
How could she be impolite in front of a martial arts master?
"You go in!" Mo Liyue felt a sense of security from Xing Yuan, so she pretended to be magnanimous.
"Sister, you really don't want to come with me?" Xing Yuan floated again, deliberately teasing her sister.
"No," Mo Liyue glared at Xing Yuan, her eyes full of warning.
"Come back soon, and you'd better explain to me what's going on!" Mo Liyue's eyes held a cold glint, and her grinding teeth could be heard by Xing Yuan.