There's no wall in the world that doesn't leak some air.

And furthermore, with people like Tong Zhiwu infiltrating deep behind enemy lines, constantly sending first-hand messages.

Ji Jue was captured by Jian Yuan the night before, and before dawn broke, the encrypted message had already arrived at the outpost, handed personally to Ye Xian by Lv Yingyue.

Accompanied by a belly full of comforting words.

Unfortunately, they were utterly unnecessary.

"Oh, I know," Ye Xian said, his gaze fixed on the Melting Furnace, waving a hand without lifting his head. "Just put it over there."

Indifferent, unresponsive.

The color of aloofness couldn't be feigned, it was, if anything, a rare genuine sentiment... so much so that it took Lv Yingyue aback, making her wonder if Yu Hanguang's scolding had been undeserved.

"Aren't you worried at all?" she asked, perplexed.

"Worry and sadness would just give you a spectacle to witness, right?" Ye Xian replied impatiently with a glance back, causing Lv Yingyue's smile to become more helpless: "I'm not that kind of person."

"It's his own doing; he should bear the consequences. I'm a teacher, not a nanny."

Ye Xian's tone was cold: "Besides, if it were someone else, I might pay attention. But Jian Yuan? Forget it. No need for a rescue either."

"Are you sure?"

Lv Yingyue pressed, "Sneaking alone into Jian Yuan's workshop, you rescued Yanyue. It's not just Tide City and the Lou Family who owe you a favor, the Security Bureau does too. Now that he's been captured, who knows how he'll be tortured."

"Tortured?"

Ye Xian scoffed: "I think he's more likely enjoying himself. You've looked into my background, haven't you? Don't you know?"

Lv Yingyue shrugged slightly, with a look of 'why would I do that,' yet it seemed to say 'so you figured it out, you know me well.'

"So you came here to enjoy the joke, isn't that so?"

Ye Xian rubbed his temples, sighing wearily: "It's lucky I broke away early, else I'd have to respectfully call that old Jian Yuan 'uncle master.'"

Within the association, Ye Xian's name was notorious among the higher-ups, capable of silencing many a craftsman who had endured great injustice.

It could be said that her meteoric, cruel, and unyielding rise was unparalleled in the last seventy years.

Unfortunately, seventy years ago... there was a Jian Yuan.

He finished his apprenticeship at twenty-four, reached master status at thirty-one, and at forty-five, he founded his own school. Between the Empire and the Federation, across Thousand Islands, he carved out a renowned name; none could match the swords he forged, with many ranking as Heavenly Artisan. Such as the Night Darkness, an early creation that Wen Wen had snapped into two pieces.

And at fifty-six, overnight, he turned to Zhi Fu, and now, having risen to control You Sui, he had transformed from the association's darling to an out-and-out menace.

In principle, even if Embers and You Sui were like fire and water, on account of being from the same school, some mercy would be shown, not so cruelly.

Regretfully, even from the same lineage, there was no such sentiment.

Even if Ye Xian had broken away, that could not erase the blood feud.

Brothers in strife, fighting under the same roof - such things were not rare. As for harmony and love, those words are easy to say, but when it comes to it, not even blood relations like father and son can stop themselves from coming to blows.

Struggles of pride, differences in philosophy, hierarchies of skill.

Back in the day, Jian Yuan tried thrice to fight Ye Xian's teacher and was defeated each time, gaining no advantage at all; even on the last occasion, his life was spared...

If he'd been large-hearted enough, perhaps he would have seen the error of his ways, but they're all craftsmen - who among them could have such grace? Even if they did, would they allow a single defeat to sway their convictions?

Anyone who hesitated because of external factors could never reach this point.

"Let the others be; if he knows Ji Jue is my student, he'll certainly not miss this chance," Ye Xian shook his head: "He'd love to use this opportunity to slap my teacher's face a few times to prove his way is the righteous path."

In the past, you said I sought novelty for novelty's sake, bogged down in the old ways, but now I have disciples everywhere, while your most proud student has left your school, and even his student has joined my camp - who then truly holds the righteous way?

Besides, Ji Jue's talent alone would be something Jian Yuan would definitely not let slip by as it came to him on a silver platter.

As for whether Ji Jue can withstand the Erosion of Zhi Fu and the temptation of Jian Yuan...

What's that to me?!

After being tormented by various annoyances for so long, someone else can enjoy being Ji Jue's teacher for a change!

And does she not know how much trouble her own student is?

Some things are easy to kill, but to make him bow willingly? Even Ye Xian, the rightful teacher, had no such ability; if Jian Yuan thinks life is too good and wants to add troubles to his plate, I can only offer blessings and understanding.

And it would do Ji Jue, that damned fool, some good to suffer a bit more.

Otherwise, even if he didn't die this time, he'd ultimately waste his life away in someone else's hands.

"So you're just going to leave it be?" Lv Yingyue asked with suspicion.

"Can't I be busy with other things?"

Ye Xian looked up, expressionless, his gaze directed towards the Melting Furnace above, its countless Spiritual Circuits flickering like stars, each layer of blessing shimmering brightly. Within the radiant glow, his stern face also revealed a sharp brilliance:

"My matters, I'll handle myself.

As for my student, after I've settled things with my 'uncle master,' I'll naturally bring him back with me."

Lv Yingyue fell silent.

Such seriousness... It had been many years since she had seen it from her old friend.

"It's Embers after all," she murmured softly.

At that moment, she suddenly realized that perhaps it wasn't just Jian Yuan who harbored inner fury. Perhaps, Ye Xian also wanted to take this opportunity to show his own teacher a thing or two.

However, it's a pity for Ji Jue. He's probably about to become a tool in the power struggle between the two "Embers."

Since he became a disciple, he has been left to his own devices in the wild, never enjoying any of the benefits of the sect. In the end, all the debts and responsibilities of the sect have piled up on his head.

He could only sigh from the heart, "Being your student is really the height of bad luck."

To this, Ye Xian simply retracted his gaze indifferently,

"Mutual feelings."

.

.

At this moment, the debate in the outpost meeting room also came to a close.

The meeting ended, and the participants scattered.

"Hm? Yingyue, where is she?"

The white-haired woman looked at the empty seat: "She didn't come today?"

"She's probably tired of the arguing."

Tong Ting smiled faintly: "It's just the same old issues over and over. Director Lv is a magnanimous person by nature and naturally does not like to quibble with others, so she let me do the talking for her.

It's that kid A'shan, though, who really gave me, his uncle, a chance to shine. Those in Ship City, who usually talk with such arrogance, have no words to say today. Even Madam Lou spoke to me with unusual calmness."

Madam Lou glanced at him, "Although A'shan has contributed to our cause, isn't it more about Master Ye's prominent disciple? Besides, you lazy bones, you never show your face unless it's a dire emergency; do you really care if this old woman speaks kindly or not?"

"A great elder once taught me from a young age that stepping back opens a wide vista, and to strive for the forefront isn't always beautiful. If it's not a dire emergency, who wouldn't want to stay at home and live a quiet life?"

Tong Ting sighed deeply with distress, "The current situation is no longer about the gain or loss of one family or one land. Hai Province and the Federation have been dragged into it; it could turn into another struggle between good and evil. As this public face substitute, I feel like there's a sword hanging over my head, being nothing more than a yes-man. On the other hand, women like Madam Lou, with their bold heroism, often put me to shame."

"If my family had a strong, young helmsman, I wouldn't need to show my face and do things forcefully to appear powerful and awe-inspiring. Compared to the Tong family, it makes me look strong on the outside but weak on the inside.

Enough with the flattery."

Madam Lou sighed slightly, asking solemnly, "I just arrived today and I'm unclear about the situation. You're representing Mr. Tong here, you must give me a straight answer, right?"

"The matter has come to this; there's not much left to say," said Tong Ting, relaying the old man's words at home: "The distinction between good and evil must not be confused; we will have to fight it out.

Doesn't the elder of the Lou Family share the same sentiment?"

Hearing this, Madam Lou's expression remained calm, not showing any perturbation.

Rather, she seemed to let out a sigh of relief.

It's just a fight, after all. How big of a deal can it be? At worst, people die, perhaps just more on our side than usual.

It's as if no family has ever experienced death.

The conflict between the Chosen Ones is so cruel. When a family's estate is large, casualties are inevitable.

But now that Hai Province is involved and all the families are backed into a corner, sending out their elites, the fear is not in fighting, but in not fighting. If this stand-off drags on, how can life go on?

Besides, who casually sets a bomb at their doorstep for fun? Who knows when Lu Changsheng will have a bout of insanity and decide to play with a detonator?

If there was any hesitation in dealing with Spring City before, Lu Changsheng's actions have now completely unified everyone's consensus.

Fight, we must!

And we must fight against the Evil Cult with all we've got!

Even if the Federation is incompetent to some extent, they can't let Lu Changsheng slap them in the face with a base.

But the key is...

"How is Elder Tao's condition?"

Tong Ting fell silent for a moment, then let out a light sigh: "He is as spirited and lucid as ever. When I saw him yesterday, he even seemed more talkative."

Madam Lou didn't respond.

The two looked at each other and simultaneously let out a sigh.

It had taken great effort for Elder Tao to take up the position of governor of Hai Province Town. It was rare to find someone who, instead of exploiting the land, actually sought to solve problems for Hai Province; it was like a festive celebration.

Everyone hoped that Elder Tao would last a long time, ideally living to be hundreds of years old.

Regrettably, it now seemed that he did not have much time left.

After having suffered a heavy blow and the Erosion of all of Spring City, Elder Tao had already been unconscious for many years. When he awakened, unless absolutely necessary, he remained confused and dull at other times.

His lucidity was like a flickering lamp, his humanity like dwindling oil—Elder Tao was a fire without a source.

A trace of remaining light could last a long time, but the more intensely the lamp burned, the brighter it shone, the shorter the time it had left.

At the same time, it also drew closer to Tian Yuan...

—The weaker, the stronger!

"Prepare yourself, Madam Lou. Elder Tao is not one to succumb to the oppression of demons," Tong Ting slowly rose to his feet, saying at last: "After such prolonged testing, it's likely to happen in the next couple of days."

The footsteps gradually faded.

Madam Lou sighed silently; after a while, her gaze fell.

For some reason, she suddenly remembered a meeting with Elder Tao from a few years ago.

The last words the old man had said to her...

—For the sake of the world, why spare this life?!

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