"Besides, I haven't heard of anyone from the Xue Family causing trouble outside. Even a child knows not to implicate family members in wrongdoing, yet you all seem more monster than human."

"Moreover..."

"This Miss Xue bears no Blood Evil Qi, her three souls and seven spirits are intact, her forehead full and smooth, her soul energy calm and free. It's unlikely she's ever harmed a person, perhaps not even a chicken, and she likely steps cautiously to avoid harming snakes, insects, or mice."

"Do you claim she was capable of causing your family's destruction ten years ago?"

A smile appeared.

Yet the smile carried a hint of killing intent. Wu Daoxu was not one to kill indiscriminately, even after becoming a ghost cultivator, he only targeted the guilty, never harming the innocent.

A martial artist can discern truth from falsehood with a glance at a person's three souls and seven spirits. Those who do evil often have tainted souls, surrounded by rogue souls, and their foreheads are flawed.

The more straightforward one's actions, the more complete and flawless their souls, with no trace of Blood Evil Qi on them. Unlike these bandits, whose vicinity is filled with angry rogue souls; it's obvious who's lying.

Without a word, the man turned and ran!

His heart raced, and curses filled his mouth. Clearly this person looked foreign, not local, so why was he so knowledgable about the affairs of Qingshui County?

This was simply walking into trouble.

Do you remember why he came to Qingshui County with his younger martial siblings back then?

It was because of the Xue Family massacre case.

The Xue Family's only heir and the family head were brutally killed, with traces of cultivators' activities. Many suspected Jiang Feng, but to avoid offending either side, they sought external help, leading to this incident.

On the way in, he escorted Yan Yurou and showed favor to Lady Yan throughout the journey. He had already gathered information about the Xue family and the current state of Qingshui County before setting out, and learned much from the Yan Family guards, making it impossible to deceive him with such nonsense.

"Trying to run?"

He let out a cold laugh.

He detested oppressors and, without even glancing at the fleeing person, raised his palm, channeled energy, and swung in the air. Whether intentional or not, he waited until the man left his sight to strike.

He intended to prevent this young lady from witnessing a gruesome scene.

"Cold Frost Demon Breaking!"

He shouted softly, but soon his expression turned pained. He coughed harshly, covering his mouth with his left hand!

"Cough cough, cough cough cough..."

His hands were covered in black clotted blood.

"Immortal Master, are... are you alright?"

The timid voice of a girl brought Wu Daoxu back to his senses. The man instinctively wanted to cover his half-dissolved face, a reality he felt strongly self-conscious about, though he never spoke of it, having cultivated himself to such a state.

But he recalled halfway through turning that his half-dissolved face had long been devoured by a Gu worm. Although dark red, it was somewhat normal in shape, looking frightening yet far better than before.

"Just sustained some injuries before, it's not a problem."

"Thank... Thank you, Immortal Master, for the rescue."

Without a second thought, she knelt on the ground to express her gratitude, but Wu Daoxu merely lifted a hand to prevent her from bowing. Yet Miss Xue seemed eager to speak, lips moving without sound, anxiety in her eyes, but seeing the Immortal Master recently cough blood, she was unsure how to voice her thoughts.

Wu Daoxu, however, merely chuckled lightly, casually rubbed away the blood from his hands, letting the rain wash it clean.

"Rest assured."

"Though I dare not claim my life entirely honorable, I have not failed my master's expectations these thirty years. Being a cultivator means doing what one must; this bandit exuded Blood Evil Qi, with at least a dozen lives on his hands, and I cannot spare such men."

"Though connected with your Xue family... we also bear the consequences of the Xue's unforgivable sins, never expecting this karmic bond to resume three years later."

"You wish for me to rescue someone, don't you?"

His voice was weak.

Even as a cultivator, capable of such vast divine skills, he remained of flesh and blood. For days he followed Jiang Feng closely, suffering severe injuries after battling Jiang Feng and Cen Yueyue. His divine soul was damaged, an arm severed, vital energy nearly depleted.

Recovery would take years, but dealing with these martial artists posed little challenge.

Miss Xue merely nodded slightly, biting her lip.

"Please, Immortal Master, I beg of you to help."

"Hmm."

He nodded soundlessly.

Just as he was about to leave, as if remembering something, the man turned, shaking a hand to retrieve an oiled paper umbrella from the Qiankun Bag. Judging from its color and design, it seemed meant for a girl.

He found it while collecting his junior martial sister's belongings, something he safeguarded carefully. This Qiankun Bag was once taken by a few junior martial brothers, retrieved only with great effort.

He opened the oiled paper umbrella with one hand, shielding the girl's head, gesturing for her to take it. Miss Xue hesitated, but gathered courage to reach out.

"Wait a moment, I will return soon."

His voice was hoarse.

Though the man's slender back and single arm vanished into the rain, to the girl he looked extraordinarily tall, a security she had never felt before.

His figure disappeared within a few steps, heading swiftly to the battlefield still engaged in conflict, an oddly touching sight, particularly because...

"Let me ask, this youngster was near Qingshui County a few months ago, wandering nearby without entering the city, without harming anyone, correct?"

"Indeed, even the Yan family passed by without incident. He would occasionally linger briefly, and recently, with many bandits causing chaos at the border, he has taken action more than once, thrice or four times at least, proactively helping whenever encountered."

An Xuan's signature smoky voice had a peculiar tone, but her words allowed Jiang Feng to relax.

He let out a sigh of relief.

"That's good, let's not linger, let's return to the city. If he wishes to enter in the future, don't stop him. Even though he's an evil cultivator, as long as he doesn't use ordinary people as Blood Food, and protects them instead, we shouldn't hinder him, just keep a watchful eye."

"Understood."

Earlier during the skirmish, Jiang Feng had signaled An Xuan in the city using a Token assigned to Purple Cloud Palace disciples. His was of the highest rank, able to perceive a hundred-mile radius with minimal exertion.

An Xuan cautiously stood aside, glancing at Jiang Feng, then at Cen Yueyue in distinct Southern Border attire, vividly showcasing classic Southern Border nobility style.

She dared not speak.

She could feel the terrifying aura of this woman, someone she had no hope of confronting. Yet Miss Cen seemed oblivious, merely patting Jiang Feng on the shoulder with force.

"No wonder you showed consideration everywhere and wouldn't let me kill him. I didn't expect him to have some redeeming qualities. Did you sense this all along?"

"Yes, three years ago I mentioned after our encounter that if circumstances had been different, I'd enjoy drinking with someone like him. Unfortunately, things turned out this way, and my ties to Fan Yin Sect's downfall are undeniable. I can only hope, once his Heart Demon is eradicated, he finds his proper path. As for seeking revenge on me..."

He spread his hands.

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