Chapter 72

Chapter 72: Arrogance Sixteen

Jin Lingtai.

Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji walked side by side through the sea of golden star snow wave flowers.

Lan Xichen gently brushed past a plump, snow-white golden star snow wave flower, his movements so gentle that not a single drop of dew was disturbed. He said, "Wangji, is something on your mind? Why do you seem so troubled?" Although this troubled expression, to others, might not seem any different from Lan Wangji's usual demeanor.

Lan Wangji's brows were heavy, and he shook his head. After a long pause, he finally said in a low voice, "Brother, I... want to bring someone back to Cloud Recesses."

Lan Xichen was surprised. "Bring someone back to Cloud Recesses?"

Lan Wangji nodded, his expression still heavy with worry. After a moment, he added, "Bring them back... and hide them."

Lan Xichen's eyes widened in astonishment.

Since their mother's passing, his younger brother had become increasingly withdrawn. Apart from going out for night hunting, he spent most of his time secluded in his room, reading, meditating, writing, playing the qin, and cultivating. He rarely spoke to anyone, except for a few words with Lan Xichen. But for such words to come out of his mouth was a first.

Lan Xichen asked, "Hide them?"

Lan Wangji frowned slightly and added, "But he is unwilling."

At that moment, a commotion broke out ahead. Someone spat, "Is this a path you can walk on? Who told you to wander around here?"

A younger voice replied, "My apologies. I..."

Hearing this voice, Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji both looked up simultaneously. By the shadow wall stood two people. The one who had just scolded was Jin Zixun, followed by a few household servants and cultivators. The one being scolded was a young man in white robes. When the young man caught sight of Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji, his face instantly turned pale, and he could no longer speak. Just as Jin Zixun was about to continue his harsh words, Jin Guangyao appeared at the perfect moment to defuse the situation.

He said to the young man in white, "The paths on Jin Lingtai are intricate, so it's no wonder Su Gongzi took a wrong turn. Please, follow me."

Jin Zixun, seeing Jin Guangyao appear, snorted and walked past them. The young man in white, however, was stunned and asked, "You know me?"

Jin Guangyao smiled and said, "Of course I remember you. Why wouldn't I? Didn't we meet once before? Su Minshan, Su Gongzi (Su She), your swordsmanship is truly remarkable. During the last hunt at Hundred Phoenix Mountain, I kept thinking that it would be a shame not to have such a talented young man in our family. And now, here you are, which makes me very happy. Please, this way?"

There were countless sword cultivators like Su She who had joined the Jin family of Lanling. He had thought that no one would recognize him, but Jin Guangyao, having only met him briefly once, remembered him clearly and even praised him highly. Su She's expression softened, and he no longer glanced at the Lan brothers, following Jin Guangyao instead, as if afraid they might mock or point fingers at him.

Inside the Douyan Hall, Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji took their seats. It was inconvenient to continue their earlier conversation during the banquet, and Lan Wangji returned to his usual icy demeanor. The Gusu Lan Family was well-known for its aversion to alcohol, and thanks to Jin Guangyao's arrangements, there were no wine cups on the small tables before them, only tea cups and a few light dishes. No one came forward to offer them wine, and the atmosphere was quiet and peaceful. However, the peace did not last long. A man dressed in golden star snow wave robes suddenly approached, holding a wine cup in each hand, and loudly declared, "Lan-zongzhu, Hanguang Jun, I offer you both a toast!"

This man was none other than Jin Zixun, who had been going around offering toasts since earlier. Jin Guangyao, knowing that Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji disliked alcohol, quickly stepped forward and said, "Zixun, Lord Ze Wu and Hanguang Jun are from Cloud Recesses. The family rules carved on the stone tablets number three thousand, and drinking is prohibited. Asking them to drink wine is like..."

Jin Zixun, who had always looked down on Jin Guangyao, feeling ashamed to be of the same clan as someone of such lowly origins, interrupted directly, "Our Jin family and the Gusu Lan Family are close, like one family. If the two Lan brothers refuse to drink, it means they look down on me!"

Several of his followers nearby clapped and praised, "Such a bold and generous demeanor!"

"A true gentleman indeed!"

Jin Guangyao maintained his smile, though it was strained, and silently sighed, rubbing his temples. Lan Xichen stood up to politely decline, but Jin Zixun persisted, saying to Lan Xichen, "Don't say anything, Lan-zongzhu. Our two families are not like outsiders. Don't treat me like you would treat an outsider! Just say it—will you drink or not?"

Jin Guangyao's smiling lips were almost twitching, and his eyes were filled with apology as he glanced at Lan Xichen. He said gently, "Lan-zongzhu and the others still need to return by sword later. Drinking might affect their ability to control their swords..."

Jin Zixun dismissed this with a wave of his hand, "A couple of cups won't make them stumble. Even if I drank eight big bowls, I could still fly on my sword!"

The surrounding crowd cheered and applauded. Lan Wangji remained seated, his cold gaze fixed on the wine cup Jin Zixun had forcefully placed in front of him. Just as he seemed about to speak, a hand suddenly reached out and took the wine cup.

Lan Wangji was slightly startled, his furrowed brows suddenly relaxing as he looked up.

The first thing that caught his eye was a figure dressed in black, with a flute hanging at his waist, its tassel as red as blood. The newcomer stood with his hands behind his back, tilted his head back, and drank the wine in one go. He then showed the empty cup to Jin Zixun and said, "I'll drink for him. Are you satisfied now?"

His eyes were smiling, and his tone had a slight upward lilt. He stood tall and graceful, exuding elegance and charm.

Lan Xichen said, "Young Master Wei?"

Someone exclaimed in a low voice, "When did he arrive?!"

Wei Wuxian put down the wine cup, straightened his collar with one hand, and said, "A moment ago."

A moment ago? But just then, no one had announced or greeted him, and no one had noticed when he had quietly arrived in the Douyan Hall. Everyone couldn't help but feel a chill. Jin Guangyao quickly reacted, still full of enthusiasm, and said, "I wasn't aware of Young Master Wei's visit to Jin Lingtai; we failed to welcome you properly. Would you like a seat? Oh, and do you have an invitation?"

Wei Wuxian didn't bother with pleasantries and went straight to the point, "No, I don't have one." He nodded slightly to Jin Zixun and said, "Young Master Jin, may I have a word with you?"

Jin Zixun said, "Whatever you have to say, can wait until after our family banquet."

In fact, he had no intention of talking to Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian could see this and said, "How long do I have to wait?"

Jin Zixun said, "Three or four hours. Maybe five or six. Or perhaps even tomorrow."

Wei Wuxian said, "I'm afraid I can't wait that long."

Jin Zixun said arrogantly, "You'll have to wait, whether you like it or not."

Jin Guangyao said, "I wonder what urgent matter Young Master Wei has with Zixun? Is it pressing?"

Wei Wuxian said, "It's extremely urgent; there's no time to waste."

Jin Zixun turned to Lan Xichen, raised another cup, and said, "Family Head Lan, come on, you haven't finished your drink yet!"

Seeing him deliberately delay, a flash of black energy passed between Wei Wuxian's brows. He narrowed his eyes, the corner of his mouth hooked up, and said, "Alright, then I'll just say it outright. May I ask, Young Master Jin, do you know someone named Wen Ning?"

Jin Zixun said, "Wen Ning? I don't know."

Wei Wuxian said, "You must remember this person. Last month, during a night hunt in the Ganquan area, you chased an eight-winged bat king to the settlement, or rather the detention area, of the remnants of the Wen family of Qishan, and took away a group of Wen family disciples. The leader was him."

After the Sunshot Campaign, the Wen family of Qishan was destroyed, and the territories they had expanded into were divided among other families. The Ganquan area was assigned to the Jin family of Lanling. As for the remnants of the Wen family, they were all driven to a corner of Qishan, occupying less than a thousandth of their original territory, living there in a precarious state. Jin Zixun said, "I don't remember, I don't remember. I'm not so idle as to bother remembering the name of a Wen dog."

Wei Wuxian said, "Alright, I don't mind being more detailed. You couldn't catch the bat king, and happened to encounter a few Wen family disciples who came to check on the anomaly. You forced them to carry Zhaoyin Flags and act as bait for you. They didn't dare, and one came out to stutteringly argue with you. This person is the Wen Ning I mentioned. While you were dragging your feet, the bat king escaped. You beat up these Wen family cultivators and forcibly took them away. These people have since disappeared. Do I need to say more details? They haven't returned yet, and apart from asking you, I really don't know who else to ask."

Jin Zixun said, "Wei Wuxian, what do you mean? Are you asking me for people? You're not thinking of standing up for Wen dogs, are you?"

Wei Wuxian smiled amiably and said, "Whether I want to stand up or chop heads—just hand them over!"

With the last sentence, the smile on his face suddenly disappeared, and his voice turned cold, clearly having lost patience. Many people in the Douyan Hall couldn't help but shiver. Jin Zixun also felt a chill on his scalp. However, his anger immediately surged, and he shouted, "Wei Wuxian, you're so arrogant! Did my Jin family of Lanling invite you today? How dare you stand here and be so presumptuous? Do you really think you're invincible and no one dares to provoke you? Do you want to turn the world upside down?"

Wei Wuxian smiled and said, "Are you comparing yourself to the heavens? Forgive me for being blunt, but that's a bit thick-skinned."

Although Jin Zixun had indeed long regarded the Jin family of Lanling as the new heavens, he also knew he had misspoken and his face turned slightly red. Just as he was about to retort loudly, Jin Guangshan, who was seated at the head of the table, spoke up.

He chuckled and said, "It's not a big deal, why should young people get so angry? But Young Master Wei, let me say something fair. It's really inappropriate for you to barge in during a private banquet hosted by my Jin family of Lanling."

To say that Jin Guangshan didn't mind the Hundred Phoenix Mountain hunting incident was impossible. This was also why he had been smiling and watching Jin Zixun confront Wei Wuxian without intervening, only speaking up when Jin Zixun was at a disadvantage. Wei Wuxian nodded and said, "Family Head Jin, I had no intention of disturbing the private banquet, my apologies. However, the people taken away by Young Master Jin are now missing, and their lives are at stake. A moment's delay might mean it's too late to save them. One of them once saved my life, and I cannot stand by and do nothing. I hope for your understanding, and I will make amends in the future."

Jin Guangshan said, "There's nothing that can't be put off for later. Come, sit down first, and we'll talk slowly."

Jin Guangyao had already quietly set up a new table. Wei Wuxian said, "Family Head Jin, you're too kind, but I won't sit. This matter can't be delayed any longer, please resolve it as soon as possible."

Jin Guangshan said, "There's no need to rush. To be honest, we also have some matters that haven't been settled yet, and they can't be delayed any longer. Since you're here now, why don't we take this opportunity to settle them all at once?"

Wei Wuxian raised an eyebrow and said, "Settle what?"

Jin Guangshan said, "Young Master Wei, we've mentioned this to you a few times before, you haven't forgotten, have you... During the Sunshot Campaign, you once used something."

Wei Wuxian said, "Oh, you've mentioned it before. The Yin Tiger Tally. What about it?"

Jin Guangshan said, "It is said that this Yin Tiger Tally was forged from the metallic core of a sword you obtained from the depths of the Tortoise of Slaughter cave. Back then, you used it once on the battlefield, and its terrifying power caused some of our allies to be harmed by its residual effects..."

Wei Wuxian interrupted, "Get to the point."

Jin Guangshan said, "This is the point. During that great battle, not only the Wen clan suffered losses, but our side also suffered quite a bit. I believe such a powerful artifact is difficult to control, and if it is kept by a single person, I fear..."

Before he could finish, Wei Wuxian suddenly laughed.

After laughing for a moment, he said, "Jin Guangshan, allow me to ask one more question. Do you think that just because the Wen clan is gone, the Jin clan should naturally take their place?"

The hall fell into complete silence.

Wei Wuxian continued, "Do you think everything should be handed over to you, and everyone should listen to you? Looking at the way the Jin clan conducts itself, I almost thought we were still in the reign of the Wen tyrant."

Hearing this, Jin Guangshan's square face flashed with anger and shame. After the Sunshot Campaign, the major families gradually began to voice their criticisms of Wei Wuxian's practice of ghost cultivation. By bringing up the Yin Tiger Tally here, Jin Guangshan's original intention was to threaten Wei Wuxian, reminding him that he still had a weakness, that others were watching him, and that he shouldn't be too arrogant or try to rise above their family. However, Wei Wuxian's words were so direct and scathing. Although Jin Guangshan had long harbored the ambition to replace the Wen clan's position, no one had ever dared to expose it so openly and mock it. A guest to his right shouted, "Wei Wuxian! Watch your words!"

Wei Wuxian said, "Am I wrong? Forcing living people to act as bait, and suppressing them at the slightest disobedience—how is that any different from the Wen clan?"

Another guest stood up and said, "Of course, there is a difference. The Wen scum committed countless atrocities, and their downfall was well-deserved. We are merely giving them a taste of their own medicine, making them suffer the consequences of their evil deeds. What is there to criticize?"

Wei Wuxian said, "If someone bites you, you should make them pay. Wen Ning's lineage has never been involved in any bloodshed. Are you suggesting that you want to apply collective punishment now?"

Someone said, "Young Master Wei, just because you say they haven't been involved in bloodshed doesn't mean it's true. That's just your one-sided claim. Where is the evidence?"

Wei Wuxian said, "You accuse them of massacres, but isn't that just your biased opinion? Shouldn't you be the one to provide evidence first? Why are you asking me for it?"

The man shook his head repeatedly, his expression saying, "This person is unreasonable." Another person sneered, "Back when the Wen clan slaughtered our people, they were a thousand times more cruel! They didn't show us any mercy, so why should we show them any?"

Wei Wuxian laughed, "Oh, so because the Wen clan committed countless atrocities, all those with the surname Wen deserve to die? That's not right, is it? Many of the traitorous clans who surrendered from Qishan are now thriving. Aren't there a few family heads here who were originally affiliated with the Wen clan?"

The family heads who were recognized by him immediately changed their expressions. Wei Wuxian continued, "Since anyone with the surname Wen can be targeted indiscriminately, regardless of guilt or innocence, does that mean I can just kill them all now?"

Before he finished speaking, he pressed his hand to Chenqing at his waist. In an instant, the entire banquet hall was plunged into memories of the dark, blood-soaked battlefield. In that moment, people all around stood up abruptly. Lan Wangji said in a deep voice, "Wei Ying!"

Jin Guangyao, who was closest to Wei Wuxian, remained calm and said gently, "Young Master Wei, please don't act rashly. Everything can be discussed."

Jin Guangshan also stood up, a mix of shock, anger, fear, and hatred on his face, "Wei Wuxian! The Jiang... Family Head Jiang isn't here, and you dare to act so recklessly!"

Wei Wuxian said sharply, "Do you think if he were here, I wouldn't act recklessly? If I want to kill someone, who can stop me, and who would dare to stop me?!"

Lan Wangji said word by word, "Wei Ying, put down Chenqing."

Wei Wuxian glanced at him and saw his own nearly ferocious reflection in those pale, glass-like eyes. He suddenly turned his head and shouted, "Jin Zixun!"

Jin Guangshan hurriedly said, "Zixun!"

Wei Wuxian said, "Enough talk. I'm sure everyone knows that my patience is limited. Where are they? After wasting so much time with you, I'll only give you three counts. Three!"

Jin Zixun initially wanted to grit his teeth and hold his ground, but after glancing at Jin Guangshan's expression, he felt a chill in his heart. Wei Wuxian continued, "Two!"

Jin Zixuan shouted, "...Enough! Enough! They're just a few Wen remnants. If you want to use them, take them! I don't want to deal with you today! Go find them yourself at Qiongqi Path!"

Wei Wuxian sneered, "You could have said that earlier."

He came like the wind and left like the wind. As soon as his figure disappeared, the dark clouds in many people's hearts finally dissipated. In the banquet hall, those who had been unable to sit still gradually sat back down, with most of them breaking out in a cold sweat. Jin Guangshan stood dumbfounded in his seat for a while, then suddenly erupted in anger, kicking over the small table in front of him. The golden cups and silver plates rolled down the steps. Seeing his loss of composure, Jin Guangyao tried to smooth things over, saying, "Father..."

Before he could finish, Jin Guangshan had already stormed off with a flick of his sleeve. Jin Zixun also deeply felt that he had lost face by backing down in front of everyone, and he was filled with both anger and resentment. He was about to leave as well when Jin Guangyao quickly said, "Zixun..."

Jin Zixun, in a fit of anger, without thinking, threw the cup of wine he hadn't delivered, hitting Jin Guangyao squarely on the chest. The snow-white robe, with the blooming golden stars and snow waves at the chest, was instantly stained with a splash of wine, looking quite disheveled. However, the scene was too chaotic, and this highly improper and rude act went largely unnoticed, except for Lan Xichen who called out, "Third Brother!"

Jin Guangyao quickly responded, "It's nothing, nothing, Second Brother, please sit down."

Lan Xichen, not in a position to comment on Jin Zixun's behavior, simply handed him a snow-white handkerchief and said, "You should go change your clothes."

Jin Guangyao took the handkerchief, wiping himself while smiling bitterly, "I can't leave now."

He was the only one left to handle the mess, making it impossible for him to leave. As he tried to calm the room, he said with a headache, "Ah, Young Master Wei is really too impulsive. How could he speak like that in front of so many families?"

Lan Wangji coldly remarked, "Was he wrong?"

Jin Guangyao paused almost imperceptibly, then laughed, "Haha. Right. He was correct. But precisely because he was correct, it shouldn't have been said so openly."

Lan Xichen, deep in thought, said, "This Young Master Wei has truly changed in temperament."

Hearing this, a flicker of pain passed through Lan Wangji's light-colored eyes beneath his furrowed brows.

After descending from Jin Lingtai, Wei Wuxian twisted and turned through the streets of Lanling, entering a small alley, and said, "Found it. Let's move."

Wen Qing, who had been anxiously waiting in the alley, immediately rushed out upon hearing this. She was physically weak, dizzy, and unsteady on her feet. Wei Wuxian supported her with one hand and suggested, "Do you want me to find you a place to rest? I can go alone; I will definitely bring Wen Ning back."

Wen Qing quickly grabbed him, "No! No! I must go, I must go!"

After Wen Ning went missing, she had run almost non-stop from Qishan to Yunmeng, not sleeping for days. Upon meeting Wei Wuxian, she had frantically urged and begged him, now with pale lips and straight eyes, almost unrecognizable. Seeing her on the brink of collapse and without time to properly feed her, Wei Wuxian bought a few steamed buns from a street vendor for her to eat. Wen Qing, knowing she was at her limit and needed to eat, with disheveled hair, red eyes, and fiercely biting into the bun, reminded Wei Wuxian of the time he and Jiang Cheng were fleeing on the road. He reassured her again, "It's okay. I will definitely bring Wen Ning out."

Wen Qing, eating and sobbing, said, "I knew I shouldn't have left... but I had no choice, they forcibly transferred me to another city, and when I returned, Wen Ning and the whole family were gone! I knew leaving him alone was not okay!"

Wei Wuxian said, "He's okay."

Wen Qing broke down, "He's not okay! A-Ning has always been timid and fearful since childhood, afraid of trouble, not even daring to recruit people with a bit of temper, only those who are as meek as him! He doesn't know what to do without me!"

When Wei Wuxian bid farewell to her with Jiang Cheng on his back, Wen Qing had said, "No matter the outcome of this battle, from now on, you and we owe each other nothing. We're even." Her proud expression was still vivid. However, last night she had clutched Wei Wuxian's hand desperately, almost kneeling before him, pleading, "Wei Wuxian, Wei Wuxian, Young Master Wei, please help me. I really can't find anyone else to help, you must help me save A-Ning! I have no other way but to come to you!"

Her former pride had completely vanished.

Qiongqi Path is an ancient road in a valley. Legend has it that this path was where Wen Mao, the ancestor of the Wen family of Qishan, made his name in a battle. Hundreds of years ago, he fought a fierce battle with an ancient beast here for eighty-one days and finally killed it. This ancient beast was Qiongqi, a mythical creature that punishes the good and rewards the evil, loves to eat the upright and loyal, and gifts the wicked. Of course, whether this legend is true or exaggerated by the descendants of the Wen family to deify their ancestor is unverifiable.

After hundreds of years, this valley has transformed from a perilous thoroughfare into a site for singing praises and sightseeing. After the Sunshot Campaign, the major families divided the former territories of the Wen family of Qishan, and Qiongqi Path was also taken over by the Jin family of Lanling. Originally, the high cliffs flanking the mountain path were carved with the illustrious deeds of the great sage Wen Mao. After the Jin family of Lanling took over, naturally, they couldn't let these glorious pasts of the Wen family remain, and they were in the process of reconstruction. Reconstruction involved completely chiseling away the high mountain murals on both sides, erasing them entirely, and carving new totems. Of course, in the end, a new name that highlights the bravery of the Jin family of Lanling must be given.

Such a large project naturally requires a lot of labor. And there is no more suitable labor force than the war prisoners of the Wen family, who became homeless after the Sunshot Campaign.

When the two arrived at Qiongqi Path, it was already night, with fine cold rain drifting in the dark sky. Wen Qing, following closely behind Wei Wuxian, was shivering as if cold from the inside out, and Wei Wuxian had to support her from time to time. In front of the valley, there was a row of temporary sheds for the prisoners to rest at night. Wei Wuxian, leading Wen Qing, saw from a distance a hunched figure, draped in rain, slowly moving with a large flag. As they got closer, the flag bearer turned out to be a trembling old woman, with a bewildered young child tied to her back with cloth strips, seriously biting his fingers. The old woman, struggling under the weight of the tall flag, would walk a few steps before resting, setting the flag down. Seeing this, Wen Qing, with red eyes, called out, "Grandma! It's me!"

The old woman, probably with poor eyesight and hearing, didn't see or hear clearly who was approaching, only knowing that someone was calling out, quickly picked up the flag again, full of fear, as if afraid of being discovered and scolded. Wen Qing rushed forward, grabbed the flag, and said, "What is this? What are you doing!"

The large flag was painted with a huge sun emblem of the Wen family of Qishan, now crossed out with a blood-red X, and the flag was torn and tattered. Since the end of the Sunshot Campaign, countless people have been labeled as "remnants of the Wen dogs," and the methods to torment them are countless, all under the guise of "self-reflection." Wei Wuxian knew that it must be because the old woman was too old to do hard labor like others, so the overseers came up with this method to torment her, making her carry the tattered flag of the Wen family back and forth for self-humiliation.

The old woman first shrank in fear, then, barely recognizing the person, opened her mouth wide. Wen Qing said, "Grandma, where is A-Ning? Where are Fourth Uncle and the others? Where is A-Ning?!" The old woman looked at Wei Wuxian behind her, not daring to speak, only looking towards the valley. Wen Qing, not caring about anything else, ran off.

The wide valley was lined with torches on both sides, the flames flickering slightly in the fine rain, still burning brightly, illuminating the hundreds of figures trudging along the mountain path under heavy burdens.

These prisoners were all pale, with unsteady and dragging steps. They were not allowed to use spiritual power or external aids, not only because the Jin family of Lanling was wary of them, but also to add a punitive element. A dozen overseers, holding black umbrellas, rode through the rain, shouting. Wen Qing rushed into the rain, her gaze frantically scanning every tired, dust-covered face. An overseer noticed her and raised his hand to shout, "Where are you from? Who let you wander around here!"

Wen Qing urgently said, "I'm looking for someone, I'm looking for someone!"

The overseer rode closer, drawing something from his waist, waving it, "I don't care if you're looking for someone or someone is looking for you, go! If you don't leave..."

At that moment, he saw a young man in black following the young woman, approaching, as if his tongue was tied, his voice abruptly stopped.

The young man had a handsome face, but his eyes were cold and piercing, causing him to shiver involuntarily. Soon, he realized the young man wasn't staring at him but at the branding iron in his hand.

The branding irons in the hands of these overseers were identical to those once used by the servants of the Wen family of Qishan, except that the shape of the branding plate at the top had been changed from a sun pattern to a peony pattern.

Wei Wuxian noticed this, and a cold glint flickered in his eyes. Many of the overseers recognized his face and quietly reined in their horses, whispering to each other. No one dared to stop Wen Qing anymore as she searched and called out, "A-Ning! A-Ning!"

Her cries were piercing, yet no one responded. She scoured the entire valley but found no sign of her brother. If Wen Ning had been there, he would have rushed out on his own. The overseers quietly dismounted, all of them staring at Wei Wuxian, seemingly unsure whether to approach him. Wen Qing rushed over and asked, "Where are the Wen family cultivators who were brought here recently?"

The overseers exchanged glances. After a moment of hesitation, an overseer with a notably kind demeanor said amiably, "All the prisoners here are Wen family cultivators. New ones are brought in every day."

Wen Qing said, "It's my brother! He was brought here by Jin Zixun! He's about this tall, doesn't talk much, and when he does, he stutters..."

The overseer said, "Hey, miss, look, there are so many people here. How could we remember who stutters and who doesn't?"

Wen Qing stomped her foot in frustration, "I know he must be here!"

The overseer, who was round and chubby, smiled apologetically, "Miss, don't worry. Sometimes people from other clans come here to claim cultivators. Maybe he was taken away in the past few days? Sometimes during roll call, we find that some have escaped..."

Wen Qing said, "He wouldn't run away! Grandma and the others are here. My brother wouldn't run away alone."

The overseer said, "Why not continue your search? Everyone is accounted for here."

Suddenly, Wei Wuxian spoke, "Everyone is here?"

As soon as he spoke, the faces of the overseers stiffened. The overseer turned to him and said, "Yes."

Wei Wuxian said, "Alright. I'll assume that all the living are here. Then, what about the others?"

Wen Qing's body swayed.

The "others" in contrast to the "living" could only mean the "dead."

The overseer quickly said, "You can't say that. Although everyone here is a Wen family cultivator, no one dares to cause any deaths..."

Wei Wuxian seemed not to hear him and took out the flute from his waist. Several prisoners who had been struggling to move nearby suddenly screamed, threw down their burdens, and fled. In the valley, a large empty space quickly formed around him.

In truth, these prisoners didn't recognize Wei Wuxian's face, because any Wen family cultivator who had encountered him on the battlefield during the Sunshot Campaign had only one outcome—complete annihilation. Therefore, most of the Wen family cultivators who recognized his face had already become corpses, controlled and driven by him, becoming his subordinates. But this black wooden flute with its bright red tassel, and the black-clad young man who wielded it, had long become their nightmare. Voices of alarm rose from all around, "The Ghost Flute, Chenqing!"

Wei Wuxian brought Chenqing to his lips. The sharp, piercing sound of the flute first shot through the night sky like an arrow, cutting through the rain, and then the echoes reverberated throughout the valley. After just one note, Wei Wuxian lowered Chenqing, standing with his hands at his sides, a cold smirk playing on his lips as the rain drenched his black hair and robes.

Soon, someone said, "What was that sound?"

From outside the crowd came screams, and people scrambled to open a gap in the circle. In the space they cleared, standing crookedly in the drizzling rain, were a dozen or so ragged figures, tall and short, male and female, some emitting a foul stench of decay. At the front stood Wen Ning, his eyes still open.

His face was as pale as wax, his pupils dilated, and the blood at the corner of his mouth had dried to a dark brown. Although his chest showed no movement, it was clear that half of his ribs had been crushed. Anyone who saw him would not think he was still alive, but Wen Qing, unwilling to give up, tremblingly reached for his pulse.

After holding on for a long time, she finally let out a wail.

These past few days, she had been terrified and frantic, running almost madly, but she had still arrived too late, not even able to see her brother one last time.

Wen Qing cried as she felt Wen Ning's ribs, as if trying to piece them back together, deluding herself into thinking there might still be a chance. Her once gentle face was contorted with grief, rendered ugly and unrecognizable. But when someone is truly heartbroken, it's impossible to cry beautifully.

Faced with her only brother's lifeless body, her pride crumbled completely.

Wen Qing, overwhelmed by the shock, finally fainted. Wei Wuxian stood behind her, silently catching her and letting her lean against his chest. He closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again and said, "Who killed him?"

His tone was neutral, not betraying anger but rather a deep contemplation. The lead overseer, sensing a glimmer of hope, stubbornly said, "Wei gongzi, you shouldn't say such things. No one here dares to kill anyone. He died from an accident while working, falling from the cliff."

Wei Wuxian said, "No one dares to kill? Really?"

Several foremen swore in unison, "It's absolutely true!"

"No lies at all!"

Wei Wuxian gave a faint smile and said, "Oh. I understand."

Then, he continued leisurely, "Because they’re Wen dogs, and Wen dogs aren’t people. So killing them doesn’t count as killing people, is that what you mean, right?"

The foreman had been thinking exactly that, and when Wei Wuxian suddenly exposed his thoughts, his face turned pale. Wei Wuxian added, "Or do you really think I wouldn’t know how a person died?"

The foremen were speechless, finally beginning to realize that things were going terribly wrong, and they subtly started to back away. Wei Wuxian maintained his smile and said, "You’d better come clean right now about who killed them, and step forward yourselves. Otherwise, I’ll have no choice but to kill everyone, just to make sure no one escapes."

Everyone felt their scalps tingle and their spines chill. The foreman stammered, "The Yunmeng Jiang family and the Jin family of Lanling are currently on good terms, you can’t..."

Hearing this, Wei Wuxian glanced at him, surprised, "You’re quite brave. Are you threatening me?"

The foreman hurriedly said, "No, no, I wouldn’t dare."

Wei Wuxian said, "Congrats, you’ve officially run out of my patience. Since you refuse to speak, then let him answer for himself."

As if waiting for this moment, Wen Ning’s rigid body suddenly stirred and lifted its head. The two foremen closest to him didn’t even have time to scream before they were each grabbed by the throat by an iron-like hand.

Wen Ning expressionlessly lifted the two short-statured foremen high into the air, and the circle of empty space around them grew larger and larger. The foreman pleaded, "Wei gongzi! Wei gongzi! Have mercy! If you act impulsively, the consequences will be irreversible!"

The rain grew heavier, and the water streamed down Wei Wuxian’s cheeks.

He suddenly turned around, placed his hand on Wen Ning’s shoulder, and shouted, "Wen Qionglin!"

In response, Wen Ning let out a long, deafening roar that made everyone in the valley’s ears ache.

Wei Wuxian said word by word, "Whoever made you like this, you make them suffer the same fate. I give you this right, settle the score cleanly!"

Hearing this, Wen Ning immediately slammed the two foremen he was holding together, and their heads exploded like watermelons with a loud "bang," splattering red and white everywhere.

The scene was a bloodbath, and screams echoed throughout the valley, horses neighed, and prisoners fled in chaos. Wei Wuxian picked up Wen Qing horizontally and walked through the panicked crowd as if nothing had happened, leading a horse. Just as he was about to turn around, a thin prisoner called out, "...Mr. Wei!"

Wei Wuxian turned back and said, "What?"

The prisoner’s voice trembled slightly as he pointed in a direction, "There... there’s a house at the end of the valley, where they... lock people up and beat them, and those who die are dragged out and buried. The people you’re looking for might still be there..."

Wei Wuxian said, "Thank you."

Following the direction the man pointed, he indeed found a hut that looked like it had been temporarily built. With one arm holding Wen Qing, he kicked the door open. Inside the hut, a dozen people sat in the corner, all bruised and bloodied, startled by his rough entry. A few of them, seeing Wen Qing in Wei Wuxian’s arms, rushed over despite their injuries, shouting, "Miss Qing!"

One of them angrily said, "You... who are you, what have you done to our leader?"

Wei Wuxian said, "Nothing. Which of you are cultivators under Wen Ning? Enough talk, all of you, out now!"

They looked at each other, but Wei Wuxian had already left with Wen Qing, and they had no choice but to struggle to their feet and support each other as they followed. As soon as they stepped out of the hut, before they could even comprehend the chaos in the valley, Wei Wuxian said, "Find horses, quickly!"

A middle-aged man said, "No, our young master Wen Ning..."

At that moment, a head flew past him, and everyone turned to see Wen Ning throwing a headless corpse, its limbs still twitching, to the ground, and then reaching into its chest with his bare hands. Wei Wuxian shouted, "Enough!"

Wen Ning let out a low growl, seemingly unsatisfied, but Wei Wuxian whistled and said, "Get up!" Wen Ning had no choice but to stand. Wei Wuxian said, "What are you waiting for, get on the horses! Do you expect me to find swords for flying for you?"

One of them remembered there were elderly people present and quickly brought the old woman and the young child, helping them onto a horse. Wei Wuxian himself mounted a horse with the still unconscious Wen Qing in his arms. In the chaos, the group of dozens only managed to find a dozen horses, with two or three people per horse, making it quite crowded. The old woman couldn’t ride alone and had to hold the child, who was almost slipping off. Wei Wuxian reached out and said, "Give him to me."

The old woman shook her head repeatedly, and the child clung tightly to his grandmother’s neck, almost slipping off, but both had fear in their eyes that they couldn’t hide. Wei Wuxian reached out and grabbed the child, tucking him under his arm. The old woman was terrified and cried, "A Yuan! A Yuan!"

The child named A Yuan, though very young, already knew fear but didn’t cry, just bit his fingers and secretly glanced at Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian shouted, "Let’s go!" He spurred the horse and led the way. The dozen horses followed closely behind, galloping away into the rainy night.