The fire spread rapidly. Initially, it was confined to a remote wing of the manor. However, it soon spread along the straw stacks and firewood, becoming an inferno. Hot oil deliberately poured down fueled the flames, which then leaped higher, licking the air as the scorching night wind howled. In an instant, the fire illuminated the sky, with smoke swirling, making half the firmament seem ablaze. Although it was twilight, the scene was as bright as daylight.
From a high vantage point, it looked as if a massive black beast was being consumed by the flames.
Hua Yan watched quietly. She never thought that one day she would personally set Tingjian Manor on fire—although she had long wanted to burn down the place that imprisoned Lu Chengsha.
Xie Yingxian had told her that on Lu Zhenxing’s birthday, Tingjian Manor would be at its most defenseless.
Many people from various sects would come to celebrate, mingling together, making it easy to blend in. Their manpower would be insufficient, the guards would inevitably slack off, and with so many people present, it would be less likely for anyone to dare cause trouble.
Sure enough, most of the people in Tingjian Manor were busy entertaining guests and preparing meals, making it impossible to control the fire in time. Hua Yan had stayed here for a while and knew which places were unguarded, so she specifically chose those spots to set ablaze.
Nearby disciples noticed the fire and rushed to check it, running around in search of water buckets to extinguish the flames. The place was filled with the sound of hurried footsteps and shocked curses.
Hua Yan had been inexplicably cursed many times before, but this was the first time she felt so calm while being scolded.
It was also the first time she felt so calm committing a wrongdoing.
A disciple from the demonic sect beside her couldn’t contain his excitement and said, “Holy Maiden, should we go down and teach them a lesson?”
When she mentioned her plan to burn Tingjian Manor on Lu Zhenxing’s birthday, the entire sect responded enthusiastically. They were even more excited than when they welcomed Xie Yingxian back to the sect. Everyone offered their suggestions, eager to set the place on fire immediately. Some shared their experiences on how to set the fire quickly and effectively, making Hua Yan blush with their fervor.
Thus, while Tingjian Manor was busily preparing for the birthday banquet, their Zhengyi Sect was just as busily preparing to burn it down. They had even studied routes and maps to ensure a clear path for the fire.
Now, the fire was becoming more uncontrollable, accompanied by billowing smoke.
Hua Yan said, “No need, keep burning.”
As she spoke, she gripped the torch tightly, involuntarily looking toward the direction of the banquet.
At the same time the fire started, an elder from Baiya Peak at the banquet shouted, “That demonic sect witch is indeed audacious enough to come here to rescue this traitor. The evidence is conclusive. What else do you have to say, Tingjian Manor?”
As he spoke, many disciples of Tingjian Manor left their seats to fight the fire.
Lu Zhenxing also stood up at this moment.
The elder from Baiya Peak pointed at Lu Chengsha and said, “Are you still trying to shield him at this point? Are you waiting for that demonic sect witch to rescue him before taking action?”
Xu Bujing, the head of Qingcheng Sect, leisurely said, “Elder Liu, what’s the rush? The demonic sect is attacking us; let’s deal with the external threat first and then handle the internal issues. With the fire so intense, it seems it’s not burning Baiya Peak, so you don’t feel the pain.”
Elder Liu retorted, “How do we know that the demonic sect witch isn’t using a diversion to rescue him? If this boy escapes Tingjian Manor and joins the demonic sect, it will be like releasing a tiger back into the wild!”
As soon as he finished speaking, a female voice rang out.
“I’m not here to rescue him; I’m just here to watch you righteous people make fools of yourselves.”
A girl in a red dress, vibrant like flames, had somehow arrived nearby. Behind her, the towering flames roared. She stood atop the three-story building of Tingjian Manor, her slender waist and light steps making her appear almost weightless. The layers of her dress fluttered in the wind, and she played with a torch in her hand.
The flickering firelight illuminated her already stunning face, enhancing her breathtaking beauty. Coupled with the flames behind her, she appeared almost otherworldly. Her eyes, bright as cut water, looked over with a nearly joyful and somewhat indifferent smile, creating an incredibly captivating scene.
Many young disciples craned their necks to look. Few had seen the legendary demonic witch who had captivated Lu Chengsha to such an extent. Most were seeing her for the first time and couldn’t contain their curiosity, their breath catching in their throats.
Older disciples quickly reminded the younger ones, “Do not look up! Do not be bewitched by that witch!”
However, more people noticed that Lu Chengsha, the central figure of this drama, also looked up, his hands still bound.
She walked along the roof ridge, her delicate ankles occasionally visible through the slits in her dress. A silver chain around her ankle jingled softly, swaying gently with her earrings, making her even more enchanting. The torch in her hand was tossed up and down, as if weighing the hearts she had bewitched.
A barely audible murmur rose from the crowd.
“No wonder Lu Chengsha couldn’t resist…”
“Who could withstand this…”
“If it were me…”
Hua Yan could feel everyone’s eyes on her. She had practiced many times, even had Xie Yingxian revise her lines, but she still felt a trace of nervousness.
She dared not look at Lu Chengsha, only smiling.
Elder Liu shouted angrily, “How dare you come here, witch! Was it you who spread those rumors these days…”
Hua Yan replied, “Yes, it was me who spread the news. But wasn’t I telling the truth? Bai Yujiang was indeed drained by Yin Xiangsi. It’s not a lie. If you don’t believe me, call Bai Yujiang here, and we’ll confront him face-to-face.”
Rumors had been rampant, but this was the first time someone had the audacity to openly address them and speak so convincingly.
Elder Liu couldn’t hold back any longer, gripping his staff tightly and charging at her, “Witch, prepare to die!”
Before he could get close, a young man with blond hair and gray clothes intercepted him with a sword, keeping him at bay. Xiusi, with an expressionless face, started fighting without a word; after all, his job was only to fight.
Hua Yan continued, “If you’re so angry, why don’t you go after Yin Xiangsi instead of taking it out on me?”
While fighting, Elder Liu shouted, “Isn’t this the doing of your demonic sect!”
Hua Yan said, “There are many people here. Let me clarify once more: Yin Xiangsi is the head of Wan Gu Sect. Wan Gu Sect has long been unrelated to our Zhengyi Sect. If you have grudges, take them up with her directly. Don’t drag us into it. Just like what Tingjian Manor did, does it mean you should retaliate against Baiya Peak?”
Seeing Elder Liu being fought off, another elder from Baiya Peak rushed forward.
Hua Yan gripped her silk fan tightly, ready to release dozens of silver poison needles. “I’m just here to watch the show. No need to be so nervous.”
“But you’re the one who started the fire!”
“Yes, not only did I start the fire, but I also poisoned you,” Hua Yan said calmly. “It’s only natural for a demonic sect witch to commit arson and murder. If any disciples feel a lack of energy, check your wrists for a black line. I poisoned the tea. It won’t take effect immediately, and I’ll give you the antidote later. But if you kill me, who knows what will happen. Let me at least finish watching this show.”
Disciples quickly checked their wrists, and many indeed found a black line.
A senior disciple shouted, “Witch! How dare you! Quickly, contact Cixin Valley!”
Cixin Valley had been severely weakened by the matter with Nianyi and had not yet recovered. They had only sent a few young disciples, clearly insufficient to detoxify everyone.
Hua Yan said, “Even if people from Cixin Valley arrive, you’ll likely be poisoned by then. I never intended to kill you all. Stay calm.”
“What show do you want to watch?”
Finally, someone asked the crucial question.
Hua Yan took a deep breath, trying to remain calm as she smiled and said, “I want to see you kill Lu Chengsha.”
This statement caused another wave of shock.
“Aren’t you here to save him?”
“Isn’t he colluding with your demonic sect?”
Hua Yan immediately smiled and said, “Who told you that? I’m here to see how you righteous people deal with him. Why would I collude with someone who has killed so many of our Zhengyi Sect members? And the idea that he would join our sect is laughable. Would you accept someone who has slaughtered your people without mercy?”
Her words left many people stunned.
“He and our Zhengyi Sect are mortal enemies. Why would I take a liking to him? I’m merely using him. The renowned killer, Lu Chengsha, now betrays the righteous path to save me and even fights his own grandfather with swords drawn. Isn’t this a good show?” Hua Yan laughed more wantonly and enchantingly, then sighed deeply, a sigh that seemed to press on everyone’s heart. “Unfortunately, he isn’t obedient enough. I asked him to kill you righteous people, but he refused, insisting he’s part of Tingjian Manor and wouldn’t betray the righteous path. How boring. All my efforts on him were wasted. If he dies now, so be it. When will you act?”
This speech left everyone on edge.
So that was the truth!
This witch was indeed extremely vicious!
Elder Liu, fighting furiously, shouted, “Nonsense! You are clearly trying to exonerate him! Yujiang personally heard that you and he were long…”
Hua Yan said, “It was just a charade. Bai Yujiang should know that much. No wonder he was so easily deceived by Yin Xiangsi. A little seduction and he couldn’t resist. He’s not as good as Lu Chengsha. Or is he still regretting that Yin Xiangsi didn’t play along with him? That’s not my fault.”
Elder Liu was so angry he nearly spat blood.
Hua Yan stared at him, not daring to look at Lu Chengsha. Her fingers tightly gripped the handle of her silk fan, her heartbeat pounding like a drum, waves of fear surging through her. She was terrified to the point of wanting to confess that it was all a lie, but she forced herself to continue.
“…If Lu Chengsha had really been willing to help me kill righteous people, I might have kept him. But he was too stubborn, which infuriated me. He wouldn’t help me kill in Migu Town and instead forced me to help him save people, nearly getting me killed by Yin Xiangsi. Later, he almost got me surrounded by righteous sects. I have a grudge against him, so how could I be here to save him?”
“Now that he’s about to die, it eliminates a threat for our Zhengyi Sect. At least we knew each other. I’m here to see him off.”
If Lu Chengsha wanted to be part of Tingjian Manor, she would fulfill his righteousness and resolve.
Even if they could never walk a clear path together in this lifetime.
He couldn’t fall into disgrace here, and he certainly couldn’t die here. He had to return and be the famous young hero of the righteous path.
Hua Yan bit her lip, thinking.
The demonic sect witch spoke with such conviction that the crowd began to perceive an alternate truth. It seemed he indeed had feelings for her, but he never committed evil deeds on her behalf. Instead, he had strived to uphold his righteousness and principles.
Seeing the cold, murderous aura around Lu Chengsha and his icy, frosty eyes now seemed even more convincing.
“Then why did you set Tingjian Manor on fire?”
Hua Yan smiled lightly, “Because I was angry! After all the time and effort I put into him, he refused to do anything for me. He wouldn’t even betray Tingjian Manor and insisted on returning to seek death. Shouldn’t I be angry? I was so furious I couldn’t sleep, and I needed to see him dead with my own eyes to rest peacefully.”
Xie Yingxian had told her that the more she insisted on this point, the less likely it was that he would die, as the righteous sect wouldn’t want to fulfill her wishes.
She could explain to him later, but she couldn’t say it now because if he had no reaction, the play would fall apart.
But she still didn’t dare to look at him, fearing she would see disappointment or sadness in his eyes.
She had already made her words sound so false; he should understand at least a little.
Unexpectedly, before she finished speaking, Lu Zhenxing, who had been silent, suddenly raised his sword against her. Xiusi was still entangled with two elders from Baiya Peak, and this time, there was no Lu Chengsha to block the sword for her.
Hua Yan dropped the torch and instinctively grasped the sword at her waist, but the next moment, Lu Zhenxing had already charged at her from the center of the banquet.
She felt that same terrifying sense of danger, even stronger than before. As soon as their swords clashed, her wrist went numb. Lu Zhenxing’s sword, named “Wuqian,” was as heavy and large as Lu Chengsha’s, delivering tremendous force with each swing.
Hua Yan recalled that Lu Zhusheng had said Lu Zhenxing was injured, but he showed no signs of injury now!
She couldn’t afford any distractions, raising her sword to defend herself, but still being pushed back by his relentless assault. Just then, a gray shadow flashed by, and a long sleeve whisked her away from Lu Zhenxing’s sword in an instant.
A light voice said, “It’s not very fitting for the grand master of Tingjian Manor to bully the younger generation.”
Hua Yan was set down gently by the long sleeve and blurted out, “Sect Master, why are you here!”
Xie Yingxian replied, “I was worried something might happen to you all, so I came by to check.”
This exchange caused an immediate uproar among the crowd.
“It’s the Demonic Sect Master!”
“I saw him at the execution in Dangshan, that fake one, looking just as demonic as this!”
“What is he doing here? Is he really planning to fight us?”
Hearing this, Xie Yingxian’s long, narrow eyes curved slightly as he smiled cheerfully, “No need to be so tense. I’m just here to watch the show. Ah, too bad Ling Tianxiao isn’t here. I wanted to greet him.”
However, as soon as Lu Zhenxing recognized his identity, he seemed to completely forget about Hua Yan. Wuqian Sword shot straight towards Xie Yingxian, his face even more murderous.
Xie Yingxian dodged skillfully, calling out, “Hey, hey, hey, who can lend me a sword? I forgot to bring mine.”
Beside him, Xiusi pulled a short sword from his sleeve and tossed it over.
Xie Yingxian caught it and barely managed to defend himself. “This is too short!” he complained. Bending low, he used his lightness skill to dash into the crowd at the banquet. The disciples, fearing he would start a massacre, quickly scattered. Lu Zhenxing pursued him closely, Wuqian Sword inches away. Xie Yingxian tossed aside the short sword and grabbed two swords from the waists of nearby disciples, wielding a blade in each hand.
By now, the banquet was in complete chaos, with screams and the sound of collapsing tables and chairs filling the air.
Many people wanted to capture the Demonic Sect Master. Xie Yingxian moved through the crowd like a slippery fish. With so many people around, Lu Zhenxing didn’t dare to use his sword wildly for fear of injuring innocent disciples.
In the Baiya Peak seats, someone finally couldn’t hold back and shouted, “Enough! Stop the act!”
The shout stunned everyone.
“What act?”
“What do you mean?”
Xie Yingxian had already slipped outside, disappearing without a trace. Before he vanished, he even left behind the two swords.
When Lu Zhenxing chased after Xie Yingxian, Hua Yan jumped down from the roof, looking for a place to hide. She had played her part; now she just needed to find an opportunity to explain things to Lu Chengsha. As she landed and looked for a spot, she heard someone from Baiya Peak inside the banquet hall shout, “Old Master Lu, do you dare to tell us who Lu Chengsha’s biological father is?”
She froze in her tracks.
Lu Zhenxing didn’t respond.
The person from Baiya Peak continued, “If you don’t dare say it, then let me do it for you.”
“Back then, your daughter Lu Huaixian was willing to break off her engagement with the former Peak Master and elope with someone. Wasn’t it with the former Demonic Sect Master, Xie Changyun?”
These words, spoken with gritted teeth, truly shocked everyone into silence.
What was he saying?