Chapter 56: Does the chrysanthemum still hurt?

The game system certainly doesn't play by conventional rules.

Wei Yi had merely learned the "Eagle Shape Ghost Shadow Eighteen Moves," a body technique, and immediately found himself assigned a corresponding storyline quest.

Although the rewards of the quest were tempting, it was evident that completing it would not be a simple task.

The first requirement was to master the full version of the "Eagle Shape Ghost Shadow Eighteen Moves," which meant he would first have to obtain the other half of the manual. However, Wei Yi had no idea who possessed it at the moment, let alone how to retrieve it. Let alone mastering the technique.

As for investigating the cause of the death of Eagle King Liu Zong, that was an even more troubling matter.

He had no leads at all and had no idea where to begin the investigation.

Furthermore, the situation involved the death of a top-tier powerhouse, which could never be straightforward. Wei Yi feared that he might easily fall into a dangerous trap.

The only stroke of luck was the fact that the quest had a long time limit—an entire year—which would give Wei Yi ample time to raise his cultivation and strength by several tiers.

Therefore, he decisively set the quest aside for the time being.

...

The next morning, Wei Yi and Li Hanlun returned to the Outer Sect Annex.

With so many people coming and going every day, no one paid them any special attention.

As for the Black Tiger Society, though Zhao Yuanji might have been trying to investigate their identities, the society's efficiency wasn't fast enough, let alone tracing them down.

Meanwhile, Pei Qinghe rushed out from his residence, visibly delighted upon seeing them.

"Wei Yi, you're finally back! Where have you been?" Pei Qinghe asked, his face filled with joy.

"Where have I been?" Wei Yi thought to himself, Went to a black market and made a small fortune.

Of course, he didn't plan on sharing the details with Pei Qinghe. Instead, he asked, "Why the rush? Something's up?"

Pei Qinghe, used to being carefree, hadn't thought much of it. He didn't even notice Wei Yi was changing the subject. Without hesitation, he answered, "I was just about to go find you."

"Looking for me? Not missing me, are you?" Wei Yi teased with a smile.

"Pah, pah, pah! What are you talking about?" Pei Qinghe chuckled helplessly. "It's Xiao Ling'er."

"What happened to her?"

Upon hearing Pei Qinghe mention Zhu Ling'er, Wei Yi's expression stiffened, and his brow furrowed.

"One of the Inner Sect disciples came looking for her. It didn't seem like anything major at first—we know her family has some standing in the sect, so we didn't think much of it," Pei Qinghe explained.

"However, unexpectedly, they started arguing while talking."

"It seemed the Inner Sect disciple wanted to take her somewhere, but she didn't want to go. So, a dispute broke out. We tried to mediate for a while, but it didn't work, so I came to find you for help."

Pei Qinghe gave a quick summary of the situation.

"Inner Sect disciple?"

"Do you know what they were arguing about?" Wei Yi asked, rubbing his temple.

Pei Qinghe shook his head, then shrugged.

"Anyway, that guy's attitude wasn't great. He had quite a temper and looked down on others. When Zhou Heng tried to persuade him, he even pointed at him and asked what right he had to speak, the arrogance was something else, tsk tsk…"

"Heh, typical Inner Sect disciple," Wei Yi said with a wry smile. "You'll see when you meet him."

Pei Qinghe made a face as they entered the courtyard.

Indeed, they saw Zhu Ling'er arguing with a young man. Zhu Ling'er's face was flushed with anger, while the young man wore a calm, disdainful expression.

Zhou Heng and the others stood by, anxious but unable to intervene. After all, the status gap between Outer Sect and Inner Sect disciples was vast.

To put it bluntly, if a conflict arose between an Outer Sect disciple and an Inner Sect disciple, as long as no one died, the sect wouldn't investigate the Inner Sect disciple's actions. Even if someone did die by accident, the Inner Sect disciple would generally face only light punishment, never a death sentence.

Of course, this was assuming the Inner Sect disciple was stronger than the Outer Sect disciple. If the Outer Sect disciple was stronger...

Well, then they had no right to make a fuss. They could just leave!

"Wei Shidi, you're back!" Zhou Heng and the others exclaimed with joy upon seeing Wei Yi.

If they were still considered fresh recruits, then Wei Yi's name had already gained considerable fame in the Outer Sect. His reputation rivaled that of many senior disciples, which naturally made him someone they respected.

That was why Pei Qinghe had gone to find him for help.

"Wei Ge…" Zhu Ling'er turned to Wei Yi, her lips pouting as if she were about to cry.

"What's going on?" Wei Yi asked, walking up to her.

"I don't want to attend that gathering he's insisting on, but he won't let me refuse…" Zhu Ling'er's eyes were red as she spoke.

"You're my fiancée. If you don't go with me, then who will? Besides, having you associate with Inner Sect disciples is an opportunity for you!" The Inner Sect disciple interjected, cutting her off before she could finish.

The entire courtyard was immediately filled with astonishment.

Until now, they hadn't realized that this young man was Zhu Ling'er's fiancé. And, to their surprise, Zhu Ling'er... was already engaged?

Wei Yi furrowed his brow upon hearing this.

Zhu Ling'er quickly shook her head. "No, no, I didn't agree to it! He's just making things up, it's not like that…"

"Such matters are decided by our parents, not by your consent. My father has already sent someone to your family to ask for your hand, and the news just came back recently, hmph…" The young man scoffed, then turned to Wei Yi with a scowl. "And you, who are you?"

Both of them turned to face each other.

Their gazes locked.

And both froze.

They actually... knew each other.

"Wei Yi!"

"Yu Wenbei!"

The two exclaimed in unison, eyes wide with disbelief.

It was no surprise. They hadn't expected to meet here, in such a situation.

The young man claiming to be Zhu Ling'er's fiancé was none other than Yu Wenbei, the person with whom Wei Yi had a complicated past.

"Heh," Wei Yi chuckled, his gaze shifting. "What's so funny?"

"Why are you laughing?!" Yu Wenbei's face darkened. Seeing Wei Yi's face, his anger surged uncontrollably.

"Oh, nothing. Just wanted to ask—does your rear still hurt?" Wei Yi's words struck the room like a lightning bolt.

The courtyard fell into stunned silence.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on the two of them.

Even Zhu Ling'er, who was usually so innocent, was wide-eyed with shock.

"You... you..." Yu Wenbei's face turned crimson with rage. His eyes fixed on Wei Yi as if recalling their past encounter, his teeth gritted in anger. His expression was one of hatred, as if he wished to devour Wei Yi whole.