The man wore a dark yellow Daoist robe. After landing, he looked cautiously toward the inside of the Manjiang Hall.

Still in shock, Xie Shuci heard Chu Wenfeng say solemnly, “That’s Deng Fengming, a disciple of the Xiaoyao Sect.”

Staring at the man, Xie Shuci observed he wasn’t ugly and had features akin to the modern Western aesthetic, though they were a bit abstract.

Soon after, a clear bell sound came from inside. 

Xie Shuci looked up to see Xie An, dressed in white, holding a sword, walking out calmly and unhurriedly.

Xie An’s eyes were devoid of light. His head was slightly lowered, listening to the surroundings. 

He was slightly taller than others of his age, with well-defined muscles. The bright yellow lamp light and the pure moonlight fell on him, like two distinct streams of light, swirling around him, giving him an aura of sacred purity.

As Xie An approached slowly, Deng Fengming tensed his muscles all over, with blue veins popping up on the back of his hand holding the sword handle. His spiritual energy floated around him like mist, acting as a defense. He looked extremely nervous and ready to attack.

Seeing this, Chu Wenfeng asked in a deep voice, “Who exactly is Xie An?”

“A man,” Xie Shuci replied dismissively.

Chu Wenfeng, “…”

“Do you think I’m blind?”

He nervously stared at the two people confronting each other, afraid that Deng Fengming would rush up and strike Xie An with his sword.

“Misunderstanding! Big Brother, it’s all a misunderstanding!” Xie Shuci said as he stepped forward, placing himself between Xie An and Deng Fengming.

Perhaps hearing Xie Shuci’s voice, the hostility in Xie An’s eyes softened as he looked in his direction.

“Who are you?!” Seeing Xie Shuci come out, Deng Fengming gave Xie An a wary glance, as beads of sweat formed on his forehead. “Get out of the way!”

Many onlookers gathered at the door of the inn. Xie Shuci felt that as a disciple of the Xiaoyao Sect, Deng Fengming wouldn’t make a move against an ordinary person like him. Therefore, he mustered up the courage and said, “Hero, please put down your sword. Let’s talk peacefully.”

Upon seeing a seemingly ignorant man blocking Xie An, Deng Fengming’s entire being became tense. His eyes widened in alarm, not daring to make any sudden movements for fear of provoking Xie An and leading him to stab this man through the heart. 

“Are you courting death?” Deng Fengming hissed through clenched teeth.

Xie Shuci chuckled nervously, “Hero, it’s all a misunderstanding.”

At the same time, disciples from the Helian family came rushing out from the Manjiang hall. 

“Brother Deng, isn’t he a disciple of Xiaoyao sect? Why do you have your weapons drawn against him?” Helian Zhu strolled up to Deng Fengming with a bored-looking Helian Jue, the chief disciple of the Helian family, following behind. 

Though it was clear Helian Jue was the senior disciple, Helian Zhu appeared to hold the higher position.

“Who said he’s a disciple of the Xiaoyao sect? He is clearly…” Deng Fengming’s face turned red, but he didn’t finish his sentence.

The sect leader once instructed that for the sake of the sect’s reputation, they must kill Xiao Xun, even if it risks offending the Xiao family and Xiao Xun must not be allowed to fall into the hands of other immortal sects. Xiao Xun holds something vital to the main branch of the Xiaoyao sect in the floating tower realm. It’s equivalent to having control over the lifeline of the entire sect. It’s imperative to eliminate him before others get to him first.

This was why, even though they knew Xiao Xun’s whereabouts, the sect never disclosed it.

Fortunately, in the cultivation world, very few have seen Xiao Xun’s true face and lived to tell the tale. So they just need to take advantage of the moment Xiao Xun loses his way in cultivation, killing him to eliminate potential future threats.

“In short, this man is not a good person. The death of the disciples from the Hehuan sect is not Xiao Xun’s doing but might be related to him. I ask for your assistance in eliminating him here,” Deng Fengming said, bowing slightly to those present.

Hearing this, Xie Shuci glanced back at Xie An.

The latter stood quietly by Xie Shuci’s side, looking calm and ignorant of worldly matters. His eyes were hollow due to his blindness, and he appeared fragile with his lips turning pale. Half of his body was concealed behind Xie Shuci, and his eyebrows were slightly furrowed, revealing a hint of vulnerability.

With such an appearance, not to mention killing someone, even if a disciple of the Hehuan Sect wanted to refine him into a furnace, he would have no ability to resist.

“What nonsense are you spouting? Not only is Xie An blind, but he also has no cultivation at all. Are you suggesting that the Hehuan sect disciples would stand still, announce their positions, and just wait for him to strike?” Xie Shuci argued.

In Xie Shuci’s subconscious, he felt that even though Xie An had decent swordsmanship, it couldn’t change the fact that he was a blind person with no cultivation. Dealing with ordinary people might still be manageable, but once he encountered a cultivator with some level of power, Xie An would undoubtedly end up being the one on the receiving end of a beating.

Hearing this, Helian Zhu looked at Xie An with curiosity. He had always been proud, so naturally, he won’t bother paying attention to a completely powerless and blind waste. Turning his head, he said to Deng Fengming, “Senior Brother Deng, you might be underestimating the disciples of the Hehuan Sect. Although their cultivation methods are criticized by others, their strength is not to be underestimated.”

After listening to Deng Fengming’s words, all the monks present sneered.

Chu Wenfeng scoffed even more directly, “Is this how your Xiaoyao sect operates? Blaming everything on a blind man, then heading back with a clear conscience?”

He had witnessed Xie An’s swordsmanship and could only describe it as mediocre, far from being impressive. It might be enough to deal with small fry, but once he encountered someone with intelligence and cultivation, even the Xiaoyao Sword Art would be utterly inadequate.

He was simply puzzled about why Xie Shuci would be associated with this blind man.

However, Helian Jue, who had always been indifferent, seemed to become more serious after listening to Deng Fengming’s words.

Seeing so many people defending Xie An, Xie Shuci felt bolstered. “Brother, It’s all a misunderstanding. How could Xie An kill someone? As for the events related to the Xiaoyao sect, Xie An was coerced. Today, he even praised you, saying you’re a just person who would listen to his explanation.”

Deng Fengming burst into laughter, realizing that this man was in cahoots with Xiao Xun.

Deng Fengming ridiculed, “What did you call him? Xie An?”

“Yes, so what?” Xie Shuci responded confidently, “Since he left the Xiaoyao sect, what he’s called is none of your business, right?”

Deng Fengming, laughed angrily and stretched out a trembling finger, pointing at the two, “Do you even know what kind of being stands behind you? Yet, you defend him?”

His words made Xie Shuci a bit uneasy. He frowned and he frowned as he responded, “What kind of being? So what if I’m protecting him? Let me tell you, as long as I’m here…”

Feeling a bit guilty as he spoke, Xie Shuci impulsively dragged Chu Wenfeng over from the side, declaring, “As long as we’re here, you won’t lay a finger on Xie An!”

Chu Wenfeng straightened his clothes, which were disheveled from being dragged, and muttered under his breath, “Coward.” Yet, he didn’t move away from the duo.

Deng Fengming, unable to contain his anger, exclaimed, “Then don’t blame me for being rude!”

He activated his long sword, spiritual power overflowing. All the cultivators present watched with caution.

Standing silently behind Xie Shuci all this time, Xie An lifted his head.

The fog-like veil in his eyes vanished in an instant, revealing the clear reflection of the moonlight and surrounding scenes in his dark pupils.

Those eyes, clear and luminous like the stars in the night sky, emanated an endless malevolence as they fixed on Deng Fengming. 

His gaze was cold and wicked, with a clear warning; a hint that if Deng Fengming made a move, he’d be immediately torn apart.

Xie Shuci, clueless about what just transpired, noticed Deng Fengming’s face suddenly turn pale and his lips quivering, looking in his direction in disbelief.

Innocently blinking, Xie Shuci thought, ‘Do I look that terrifying?’

However, Chu Wenfeng noticed that Deng Fengming’s gaze had passed over both of them, settling on Xie An behind them. Turning to check, he found Xie An standing obediently by Xie Shuci’s side, seemingly normal.

Of all the cultivators present, only Deng Fengming understood what had happened.

His mind was blank. The sect leader miscalculated. Xiao Xun hadn’t succumbed to madness; he was pretending all along. He had killed the disciples of the Hehuan Sect, and not only did his cultivation not vanish, it had grown stronger! How could this be? It’s impossible!! He had been riddled with chaotic spiritual energy, wounded by an arrow… How could this have happened?

At that moment, Helian Jue stepped forward, suggesting, “Perhaps there’s been some misunderstanding. The true culprit behind the death of the Hehuan Sect disciples is still in Luofang City. Any one of us could be the murderer.”

He then turned to Xie An and the others, adding, “If you all wish to prove your innocence, why not assist us in hunting down the culprit? Once the true villain is revealed, your names will naturally be cleared.”

“Senior Brother, who gave you the authority to decide on your own?”

Perhaps accustomed to not taking Helian Jue seriously, when he saw him making decisions without consulting him, Helian Zhu’s face darkened.

Witnessing such blatant disrespect towards Helian Jue, others present found Helian Zhu insufferably arrogant.

However, upon hearing this, Helian Jue immediately apologized with a grin, “Yes, yes, I just spoke on a whim. This isn’t my turn to make a decision. Little Zhu, tell us, what should we do?”

“Coward,” Chu Wenfeng whispered under his breath.

Even though Xie Shuci despised Helian Jue, he found Helian Zhu even more unbearable.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Helian Jue whispered to Helian Zhu, “Little Zhu, don’t forget our family head’s instructions. We must win over that alchemist.”

Hearing this, Helian Zhu’s eyebrows knitted in displeasure, glaring at Xie Shuci.

“Why are you glaring at me?” Xie Shuci said, somewhat shrinking back.

Gritting his teeth and seemingly holding a grudge against Xie Shuci for the prior embarrassment, but also remembering their family head’s instructions, Helian Zhu replied, “What Eldest Senior Brother said makes sense. In a day, the elders of the Hehuan Sect will arrive in Luofang City. By then, we ask everyone to join us in discussing the matter of the murderer.”

After speaking, he turned to a pale-faced Deng Fengming, “Brother Deng, what do you think?”

Hearing this, Deng Fengming glanced in Xie An’s direction.

Xiao Xun is the young master of the Xiao family in the Floating Tower realm. In contrast, he was just a disciple from the Xiaoyao sect’s side branch in the cultivation world. There was a world distance between the two. The reason they chased Xiao Xun before was that he had lost control and his cultivation was unstable, so they dared to pursue him. If Xiao Xun’s cultivation was intact, he wouldn’t stand a chance!

It was too late now to send a message to the sect leader. If he wanted to deal with Xiao Xun, he had only one option left, which required the Helian family’s assistance.

Thinking of this, Deng Fengming forced himself to steady his mind, sheathed his sword, and clasped his fists, saying, “I apologize for being too impatient. I’ll follow Brother Helian’s suggestion. Please help us investigate the real culprit together.”

Xie Shuci frowned. The trio seemed to have made a decision without consulting Xie An.

What’s going on? We haven’t even agreed yet.

He wasn’t interested in getting involved in anything related to Xiao Xun. What if Xiao Xun was the one who killed the Hehuan Sect disciples? Wouldn’t he be then just walking into danger?

But the words had already been spoken, and if he refused on behalf of Xie An now, it would seem like they had something to hide.

Clearing his throat, Xie Shuci turned to Xie An and asked, “Little Blind, do you want to go?”

Although Deng Fengming was conversing with Helian Zhu, his attention never wavered from Xie An.

This person was enigmatic and unpredictable, with a deep understanding of human nature. He never did anything unnecessary. Deng Fengming didn’t doubt that everything that happened before was orchestrated by him.

He had heard much about Xie An’s deeds. Ever since he began practicing the Path of Slaughter, countless cultivators had fallen at his hands. His reputation was so fearsome that even fellow practitioners of the Path of Slaughter shivered at the mention of his name. He was viewed as a remorseless god of death, devoid of any humanity.

Had he not witnessed it for himself, Deng Fengming would have found it hard to believe that such a genius, once heralded as the highly anticipated young master of the immortal sect who was accompanied by twelve startled feather birds at birth, had transformed into a demon whom everyone wanted dead.

That very demon now stood innocently to the right of Xie Shuci, looking harmless.

Upon hearing Xie Shuci’s words, Xie An glanced down with an indifferent smile, his lips barely moving.

Only Xie Shuci knew what he said.

“I’ll listen to you.”