Chapter 27: The Righteous Xiaoyu

Outside the grand hall, not long ago.

A large group of disciples from the Taiqing Immortal Sect had gathered, divided into two factions, engaged in a heated argument. One side was led by Xiaoyu, surrounded by several Taiqing Immortal Sect disciples, glaring angrily at the opposing group. Xiaoyu wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, her beautiful eyes burning with fury.

"Ma Shan, get over here! Why are you hiding behind Senior Brother?" she shouted.

"You dare bully Xiaoyu? Come here! I promise I won't kill you!"

The disciples on Xiaoyu's side angrily glared at Ma Shan, a man dressed in gray Taoist robes. Ma Shan, hiding behind Zhao Yuanjiao, protested, "Senior Brother, you must stand up for me! We were just trying to enter the hall to capture a spy, but Xiaoyu not only blocked us, she also attacked me. I accidentally injured her in self-defense!"

Zhao Yuanjiao nodded, his gaze cold as he looked at Xiaoyu. "Xiaoyu, I sent people to capture the Dark Sect spy. Why did you stop them?"

"He's lying! Since when did Junior Brother Nanfeng become a spy? Senior Brother, are your people now unable to tell right from wrong?" Xiaoyu retorted furiously.

"Xiaoyu, I don't have proof yet, but Tang Xiaoyi and Nanfeng's suspicious disappearance raises concern. Something's definitely going on," Zhao Yuanjiao said.

"If you don't have proof, how can you arrest them? I introduced Tang Xiaoyi to Nanfeng. Does that mean I'm a spy too? Why don't you just arrest me as well?" Xiaoyu shot back, unwilling to relent.

"Xiaoyu, stop being unreasonable!" Zhao Yuanjiao said sternly. "I just want to detain the suspects and interrogate them to prevent any potential threat."

"Nanfeng is Elder Ku's disciple! Did you even ask your master before doing this?" Xiaoyu sneered.

"I have my own methods. I don't need to explain them to you. If I'm wrong, I'll apologize to my master later," Zhao Yuanjiao replied dismissively.

"Hmph, I don't agree with you capturing him!" Xiaoyu, unafraid of Zhao Yuanjiao, stood her ground.

"Xiaoyu! This is nonsense!" Ma Shan suddenly jumped out again, mocking, "Senior Brother is Elder Ku's disciple. You're just an outsider, why are you interfering?"

"You…" Xiaoyu was at a loss for words, her anger rising. "I don't care! If you want to get to him, you'll have to beat me and step over my body."

"Xiaoyu, don't be afraid, we're with you!"

"That's right! Try touching Xiaoyu, I dare you!"

The disciples around Xiaoyu voiced their support, clearly showing that she had a strong following in the Taiqing Immortal Sect.

"Senior Brother, Xiaoyu's gone mad. I think she's suspicious too. If Nanfeng is in the hall right now and Elder Ku's meditation is interrupted, it'll be a disaster. Why not arrest her along with him?" Ma Shan suggested to Zhao Yuanjiao.

"Don't you dare!" Xiaoyu's supporters shouted in unison, protecting her.

Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, Zhao Yuanjiao's expression darkened.

At that moment, a calm voice suddenly came from behind Xiaoyu, "Are you looking for me, Senior Brothers?"

Everyone turned to see Xiao Nanfeng walking out of the hall, carrying a large bundle.

"Nanfeng! Where's Elder Ku? Didn't you ask him to come out?" Xiaoyu's eyes brightened at the sight of him, though her expression quickly became concerned.

"Master is still meditating and won't be out for a while. Senior Sister, I heard everything. Thank you for standing up for me and getting hurt because of it. Now, let me help you get even!" Xiao Nanfeng set down his bundle and stood beside Xiaoyu.

Xiao Nanfeng hadn't expected Xiaoyu to stand up to the Taiqing Immortal Sect disciples for him. She was truly righteous!

"Nanfeng, you actually dare to come out? Men, seize him!" Zhao Yuanjiao ordered.

"Yes!" Ma Shan and his group shouted and rushed forward.

"The Xuan Faction Token is here! Who dares act recklessly?" Xiao Nanfeng raised a token, his voice booming.

*Buzz!*

As the Xuan Faction Token was raised and infused with his true qi, it glowed faintly with rainbow-colored light.

Everyone froze in place, staring in shock at the token in Xiao Nanfeng's hand.

"The Xuan Faction Token? Did you steal Elder Ku's token?" Ma Shan exclaimed.

"Impossible! The token is protected by formations. No one can take it unless Elder Ku permits it," someone shouted.

"Nanfeng, how do you have the Xuan Faction Token?" Xiaoyu asked curiously.

"My master bestowed it upon me. Seeing the token is as good as seeing the faction master himself. How dare you show disrespect? Is this rule false?" Xiao Nanfeng said sternly.

Without waiting for anyone to respond, Xiao Nanfeng gave another command. "All Xuan Faction disciples, arrest Ma Shan immediately. He is the true Dark Sect spy!"

Ma Shan's name had been one of those given up by Tang Xiaoyi. As a spy, Ma Shan had rushed to the hall, injuring Xiaoyu to silence her before she could expose him.

"You… You're slandering me!" Ma Shan's face turned pale.

The disciples were in disarray, looking to Zhao Yuanjiao for direction. Being Elder Ku's eldest disciple, Zhao Yuanjiao commanded considerable respect, and Nanfeng's status was still in question. Most of the disciples preferred to follow Zhao Yuanjiao.

Zhao Yuanjiao's face shifted between expressions before a resolute look flashed in his eyes. "Nanfeng, you're being ridiculous! Using the Xuan Faction Token to slander your fellow disciple! Men, seize him!"

At this moment, Xiao Nanfeng recognized Zhao Yuanjiao as the same fallen disciple he had bribed with four taels of gold a month ago. Had he disguised himself just to approach me?

Xiaoyu tugged at Xiao Nanfeng's sleeve and whispered, "Even if you have the Xuan Faction Token, don't go too far. Ma Shan may be despicable, but accusing him like this will only provoke Zhao Yuanjiao more."

Xiao Nanfeng was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one seemed to believe him!

"Uh… Is Zhao Yuanjiao really that powerful?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"He's the Senior Brother of the Xuan Faction and Elder Ku's eldest disciple," Xiaoyu whispered.

"Uh…" Xiao Nanfeng's brow twitched. *That's my senior brother?*

Realizing Zhao Yuanjiao's status, Xiao Nanfeng decided not to make any more enemies. He said, "There should be a poison pill in Ma Shan's mouth—a 'False Death Pill,' a standard tool for Dark Sect spies to feign death and escape if exposed. Check if he has it, and you'll know if I'm lying."

*Shing!*

All eyes turned to Ma Shan.

His face paled even further. How did Xiao Nanfeng know such a secret?

"Senior Brother, he's lying! You have to believe me!" Ma Shan shouted.

"Open your mouth!" Zhao Yuanjiao wasn't foolish. Xiao Nanfeng's accusation was specific and easy to verify.

"Senior Brother…" Ma Shan's eyes flickered with panic.

Zhao Yuanjiao immediately sensed Ma Shan's unease. Without hesitation, he grabbed Ma Shan's jaw.

"Clack, clack, clack!"

Ma Shan's mouth opened, his throat emitting painful sounds.

Zhao Yuanjiao reached into Ma Shan's mouth and quickly retrieved a small pill from between his teeth.

Ma Shan's face turned ashen.

Everyone was stunned. Could Ma Shan really be a Dark Sect spy?

"Ma Shan, what do you have to say for yourself?" Zhao Yuanjiao demanded.

"I… I…" Ma Shan's face twisted as he tried to come up with an excuse.

Zhao Yuanjiao's eyes suddenly turned cold. "Was it you who betrayed us a month ago, causing the deaths of those junior disciples?"

Ma Shan stammered, "Senior Brother, I'm not a Dark Sect spy! I'm naturally timid, and I keep the pill to fake my death and escape from enemies. I don't know how that kid found out…"

Before Ma Shan could finish, Xiao Nanfeng interrupted, "Oh, I forgot to mention, I know of seven other spies who will soon be joining you in custody."

"What did you say?" Ma Shan's face changed drastically.

Chen Hai and Tang Xiaoyi—what had they revealed? How much had they given up?

Raising the Xuan Faction Token again, Xiao Nanfeng ordered, "Xuan Faction disciples, listen to my command! Quickly capture these people, dead or alive! Their names are…"

Hearing the names Xiao Nanfeng listed, the disciples all turned to Zhao Yuanjiao.

Zhao Yuanjiao scrutinized Xiao Nanfeng for a moment before finally speaking, "Why are you all standing there? Go capture them!"

Now wasn't the time for pride. Even though he still doubted Xiao Nanfeng, Zhao Yuanjiao couldn't ignore the serious allegations.

"Yes!"

The disciples rushed off to make the arrests.

"Detain Ma Shan and hold him for questioning!" Zhao Yuanjiao commanded.

"Yes!" Several junior disciples immediately stepped forward to restrain Ma Shan.

"Senior Brother, I'm being framed!" Ma Shan tried to protest, but dared not resist.

"Whether you're being framed, I will find out." Zhao Yuanjiao responded coldly.

Zhao Yuanjiao had regained his composure. Although he hadn't confirmed Ma Shan's true identity, he was now more vigilant. As for Xiao Nanfeng, he still regarded him with suspicion, unable to fully trust him.

"What you just said is one-sided. I will enter the hall and get to the bottom of this." Zhao Yuanjiao shot a cold glance at Xiao Nanfeng.

"Master is in a critical moment; no one is allowed to disturb him!" Xiao Nanfeng stood firmly in front of the door.

"Step aside! Are you trying to hide something by stopping me?" Zhao Yuanjiao confronted him sharply.

"I guard this hall with the authority of the Xuan Faction, and no one is permitted to enter until Master emerges! Whoever dares to force their way in is defying orders!" Xiao Nanfeng raised the Xuan Faction token high, blocking the entrance.

"What if I insist on entering?" Zhao Yuanjiao suddenly released an overwhelming aura.

Xiao Nanfeng felt the wave of pressure crash down on him like a tsunami, cold sweat dripping from his forehead. Just what level of power did this "senior brother" of his possess?

Xiaoyu stepped in front of Xiao Nanfeng, shielding him from part of the pressure. She said, "Senior Brother, since Nanfeng holds the Xuan Faction token, what harm is there in waiting a little longer?"

"Xiaoyu, step aside! Or don't blame me for being harsh!" Zhao Yuanjiao's voice turned icy.

Just as the situation reached a boiling point, the doors of the hall suddenly swung open, and an elderly man in gray robes slowly walked out. Who else could it be but Elder Ku?

"Master? You've emerged from seclusion?" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed in joy.

"Unfortunately, it escaped again!" Elder Ku frowned deeply and sighed.

Xiao Nanfeng's face changed—had that skeleton escaped again?

"Master, who escaped?" Zhao Yuanjiao asked curiously.

Elder Ku shook his head, his face still filled with regret, offering no explanation.

"What were you all arguing about just now?" Elder Ku asked calmly.

"Master, this person's background is unclear. I suspect he's a spy from the Dark Sect!" Zhao Yuanjiao immediately pointed at Xiao Nanfeng.

"Disciple has already exposed Ma Shan and others, yet he still doesn't believe me!" Xiao Nanfeng smiled bitterly.

Zhao Yuanjiao's tone remained resolute: "I suspect this is the Dark Sect's plan. They knew I was going to arrest Nanfeng, so they sacrificed a few lesser spies to protect him. Nanfeng has gained your trust, Master, so they'd rather lose some insignificant agents to ensure his safety."

Xiao Nanfeng looked at Zhao Yuanjiao strangely. Why don't you write a novel yourself? So convoluted.

"Master, when he first joined, he deceived the screening disciples, claiming he used connections to board the ship. But I've already investigated—no one helped him. The only possibility is that another spy was assisting him in secret. His identity hasn't been registered to this day, and perhaps even his name is fake," Zhao Yuanjiao continued.

"Hmm?" Elder Ku furrowed his brow slightly.

"I spent twenty taels of gold to buy my boarding token from someone else. How is that not using connections? As for my identity registration, my parents disappeared ten years ago, and the servants claimed they were dead. All of my family's property was taken by the servants, and I barely escaped with my life. I have no relatives or home left, so how could I register? I can't be expected to share my tragic past with everyone I meet. I don't like to use my hardships to gain sympathy. As for my name, 'Nanfeng' was given to me by my father. I swear on my life that I have never changed it," Xiao Nanfeng said firmly.

Xiao Nanfeng continued, "Members of Huang Faction, like Ye Dafu, can vouch for me. But Senior Brother, if you doubt me, why not just ask me directly? Why the need for all this scheming? You even wore tattered robes and pretended to be down on your luck just to trick me out of my gold?"

Zhao Yuanjiao's face stiffened. "When did I ever pretend to be poor? When did I trick you out of gold? You forced that gold on me! For four taels of gold, you think I'd bother to cheat?"

"Senior Brother, did you really cheat Nanfeng out of four taels of gold? You'd stoop that low?" Xiaoyu shot him a disdainful glance.

Zhao Yuanjiao: "…"

Can we stop fixating on those four taels of gold?

"Master, I swear everything I've said is true. Please investigate!" Xiao Nanfeng respectfully bowed to Elder Ku.

"Master, there's definitely something wrong with this person. I feel like he's deceiving us!" Zhao Yuanjiao insisted.

"Enough!" Elder Ku said in a stern voice.

Instantly, everyone fell silent.

"I believe Nanfeng is telling the truth. I also believe he is not a spy from the Dark Sect," Elder Ku declared decisively.

"Master!" Zhao Yuanjiao looked anxious.

"Thank you, Master, for clearing my name!" Xiao Nanfeng bowed to Elder Ku.