"We will never hand anyone over," an Immortal Master said firmly. "If you have evidence, then go to the authorities."

Upon hearing this, a flicker of anger flashed in Jiang Yifei's eyes. He waved his hand, signaling the knights behind him to advance. "Since you refuse to hand them over, we'll search for ourselves!" As he finished speaking, his figure transformed into a streak of white light and rushed into the mountain gate.

The Jiang family's knights also joined the fray, clashing with the cultivators of Smoke and Mist Cave Heaven. Mana surged, Sword Qi swept through the air, plunging the mountain gate into chaos. In this melee, the Jiang family's overwhelming strength was fully displayed.

Their knights were unparalleled experts, each strike carrying unparalleled force, unstoppable. Though Smoke and Mist Cave Heaven had a great number of cultivators, they were completely outmatched before the Jiang family's knights. Soon, many cultivators were struck down, groaning in pain.

The rain fell harder, as if the heavens and earth were roaring and howling in anger over this conflict. Yet even the tumult could not overshadow the mighty reputation and imposing aura of the Jiang family's knights, who stood out with mesmerizing brilliance amid the bloodshed and pandemonium.

"Hmph! Smoke and Mist Cave Heaven, how audacious you are!" Jiang Yifei said coldly. "Do you think sheer numbers allow you to act recklessly? Let me tell you—regardless of who it is, anyone who dares harm the Jiang family will pay the price!" He swung his arm decisively. "Encircle Smoke and Mist Cave Heaven! Don't let anyone escape!"

Following his command, the Jiang family's knights sprang into action, surrounding the entire Smoke and Mist Cave Heaven in an impenetrable blockade!

At this moment, the sect was fully under the Jiang family's control. All the cultivators had been driven into corners, trembling, not daring to resist. They could only watch helplessly as the Jiang family's knights brandished their power and trampled upon their former pride and glory without restraint!

Faced with such a sudden upheaval, Smoke and Mist Cave Heaven appeared utterly fragile and defeated, while the Jiang family demonstrated their dominance and tyranny as an ancient powerhouse to the fullest!

"Speak! Who is responsible for murdering our Jiang family clan member's relative?" Jiang Yifei walked up to an Immortal Master and questioned coldly. "If you don't tell the truth, don't blame me for being merciless!"

The Immortal Master trembled, unable to speak, merely staring at Jiang Yifei's icy and piercing gaze as if it could see through his very soul.

At that moment, a hoarse voice suddenly echoed from within the depths of the sect: "Who dares cause trouble in my Smoke and Mist Cave Heaven?" As the voice fell, a figure slowly emerged from inside.

It was an elder, his beard and hair both white, yet his eyes were keen and energetic. He wore an azure robe and held a staff, his steps faltering as he approached Jiang Yifei.

"Who are you?" Jiang Yifei frowned, asking. "What right do you have to speak to me?"

"I am an elder of Smoke and Mist Cave Heaven," the elder said slowly. "May I ask your esteemed name? Why do you come here to create such havoc?" Though his tone was calm, his words carried a weighty authority and presence.

Jiang Yifei was momentarily surprised by the elder, who seemed unassuming but wielded an undeniable dignity. Yet even so, he showed no signs of retreat. "I am of the ancient Jiang family! I came today to demand justice!" He succinctly recounted what had occurred earlier, then stared coldly at the elder. "Now you owe us an explanation!"

After hearing this, the elder paused briefly before speaking slowly: "I see... This matter is indeed our fault." He took a deep breath. "However, please believe us—we did not murder your clan member."

"Oh? Are you implying we are slandering you?" Jiang Yifei asked coldly. "If you didn't kill our clan member, then why was your sect's relic found at the crime scene? And why does it bear traces of your mana?"

The elder let out a bitter laugh. "The truth behind this is complicated... Please give us some time to investigate thoroughly."

"Time? You've already delayed for far too long!" Jiang Yifei snorted. "If you don't hand over the killer and provide a valid explanation soon, don't blame us for showing no mercy!"

After a brief silence, the elder finally spoke. "Very well... Since you insist on demanding an answer, I shall take you to a place." He turned and headed toward the depths of the sect. "Follow me."

Jiang Yifei and his companions exchanged glances before following after him. They were eager to see what the elder had in store.

The group made their way through courtyard after courtyard, corridor after corridor, until they arrived at a secluded courtyard. There stood an ancient stone tablet, inscribed with runes and patterns that shimmered eerily in the night, as if whispering some secret.

"Pitter-patter—" The fine rain fell like silk, gently sprinkling on the ancient stone steps of Smoke and Mist Cave Heaven. Each droplet seemed to carry the sorrow and vicissitudes of millennia.

Jiang Yifei stood before the steps, his gaze sharp, fixed on the grand hall behind the stone tablet. His knights, like statues, stood silently and resolutely, their armor gleaming coldly in the rain.

"Creak—" The grand hall's doors slowly opened, and from within emerged an elder exuding an aura of wisdom and authority. It was none other than the Sect Leader of Smoke and Mist Cave Heaven. His face bore an apologetic expression, yet his stance remained resolute and determined.

"Mr. Jiang, my apologies for not welcoming you sooner. Please forgive us," the Sect Leader said with a bow, his voice lingering in the rain-soaked air.

Jiang Yifei smirked coldly. "Sect Leader is too polite. We are here only to demand justice."

"Justice resides in the hearts of men. Rest assured, I will provide you with a satisfactory explanation," the Sect Leader said solemnly, his gaze unwavering.

The two exchanged a long glance, and the atmosphere grew tense.

"Two years ago, a murder occurred within Smoke and Mist Cave Heaven. The victim was a Jiang family disciple," the Sect Leader began slowly, his voice tinged with sorrow. "He was killed by someone covertly. We have been investigating the matter in secret."

"Oh? Then has the Sect Leader uncovered any leads?" Jiang Yifei raised an eyebrow and pressed further.

The Sect Leader took a deep breath and said, "The culprit is a traitor from our sect. Harboring resentment from an old grievance, he used treachery to poison and kill the disciple."

"If that's the case, how does the Sect Leader plan to deal with this traitor?" Jiang Yifei's gaze locked onto the Sect Leader, as though probing his soul.

Frost flashed in the Sect Leader's eyes as he declared, "He has been imprisoned in the rear mountain. Once this matter is concluded, I will publicly execute him to bring solace to the deceased's spirit."

This answer brought a trace of satisfaction to Jiang Yifei's expression. He nodded, saying, "That is acceptable. I hope the Sect Leader keeps his word."

With that, he turned and headed down the mountain, his knights following closely behind. In the rain-soaked Smoke and Mist Cave Heaven, peace seemed to return at last.

Not long after they departed, a figure stealthily slipped out from behind the grand hall. Cloaked in black and wearing a menacing mask, it was the traitor mentioned by the Sect Leader.

"Hmph! Thinking of executing me? Not so easily!" the traitor sneered coldly, his figure disappearing into the rain.

Meanwhile, in Qing Feng Town, inside a local inn, Jiang Yifei and his group had reunited with Old Jiang and Tingting. They sat around the fireplace, joy radiating from their faces after their long-awaited reunion.

"Mr. Jiang, we are truly grateful to you!" Old Jiang said excitedly. "If not for your help, we would have fallen victim to that traitor's schemes long ago."

Jiang Yifei smiled faintly. "Old Jiang, no need to thank us. Encountering such a matter, we naturally couldn't stand idly by."

Then he turned to invite Gu Sheng. "Brother Gu, your skills are exceptional. Would you be interested in joining the Jiang family?"

Gu Sheng, however, declined politely. "Thank you for your kind offer, Mr. Jiang, but I've grown accustomed to wandering freely. I dislike constraints."

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