Merin returns to the inn, eating quickly with his fellow disciples while planning to leave Tang City at dawn, knowing the city does not welcome them.

Later, he retreats to his room, holding the Water Spirit Pearl in his hand, feeling its power and using it to deepen his comprehension of the ripple technique.

From the mansion where they are temporarily staying, Hei Yuncheng, the Water Sword Sect disciple who drew his match, steps out of his room, restless and unable to sleep.

He walks quietly through the dimly lit corridor, following the faint scent of jasmine, and finds himself in the garden to enjoy the cool night breeze.

Hei Yuncheng freezes, the night breeze fading as his ears catch a soft moan.

He turns toward the sound, eyes widening in shock at a scene he should never have witnessed—the youngest wife of the city lord entangled with the guard commander, hidden in the shadows of the garden.

A flush of tension runs through him, and instinctively he ducks behind a bush, heart hammering, unsure whether to retreat silently or risk being seen.

Hei Yuncheng freezes, then takes a careful step back, but his eyes widen as a sharp crack snaps underfoot.

Panic flares, and he turns to run, mouth opening to scream, when a sudden, searing pain strikes the back of his head.

Darkness swallows him as he collapses to the ground, unconscious, the night breeze brushing over the garden in eerie silence.

Tang Zhen bends slightly, his expression unreadable, as he and Ji Meilin step over Hei Yuncheng’s sprawled form.

Ji Meilin’s eyes flash with a mix of fear and anger, while Tang Zhen tilts his head, observing the fallen young disciple like a predator assessing its prey.

The garden’s night air hangs heavy, the only sound the faint rustle of leaves, as both of them pause above Hei Yuncheng, deciding what to do next.

Ji Meilin’s voice trembles as she asks, “What should we do with him?”

Tang Zhen’s eyes narrow, cold and merciless. “He’s seen us. We can’t let him live.”

Stone Qi surges from his hand, forming a jagged, needle-like throne aimed at Hei Yuncheng.

Just as Tang Zhen’s hand rises to strike, Ji Meilin’s outstretched hand stops him, her eyes wide with panic.

Ji Meilin’s voice shakes, “If we kill him here, the city lord will know… and what then?”

Tang Zhen’s gaze flickers, a storm of anger and hesitation crossing his face.

Hei Yuncheng lies unconscious, the faint sound of his laboured breathing barely reaching them.

Tang Zhen clenches his fist, the jagged Stone Qi throne trembling in the air, and finally grits out, “Then we make sure no one finds him. Alive or dead, he must disappear.”

Ji Meilin swallows hard, glancing around the shadowed garden, “And if someone sees us moving him?”

Tang Zhen steps closer to her, his voice low and sharp, “Then they won’t live to tell.”

The night wind ripples through the trees, carrying the weight of their threat, as Hei Yuncheng remains helpless beneath their looming presence.

Ji Meilin leads Tang Zhen through the dark corridors, her Poison Qi still faintly pulsing in Hei Yuncheng’s body, masking any trace of life.

Tang Zhen glances down at the seemingly lifeless disciple, unease flickering in his eyes, “You truly think this will work?”

Ji Meilin only smiles, the shadows hiding the sharp calculation behind her gaze, “Patience, Tang Zhen. You’ll see soon enough.”

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They reach Hei Yuncheng’s room, and Ji Meilin gently lays him on the bed, her fingers brushing over his pulse to confirm the poison’s effect.

Tang Zhen watches silently, curiosity mixed with distrust, as Ji Meilin steps back, her plan already unfolding in the darkness.

Outside, the night wind whispers through the mansion, carrying a promise that Hei Yuncheng’s fate is far from over.

The first rays of sunlight glint off the city walls as Merin and his fellow disciples step out of the inn, the streets still quiet and lined with lingering shadows.

They move with measured steps toward the city gate, their belongings secured, eyes scanning the morning bustle but minds focused on leaving Tang City behind.

Each of them exhales lightly, a mix of relief and lingering tension from the battles fought and the city’s cold welcome, the gates looming closer with every step.

Merin’s hand brushes against the water spirit pearl tucked in his robes, a quiet reminder of the victory earned and the strength he is yet to master.

By the time they reach the gate, the city begins to stir, merchants opening stalls, guards standing alert, but the group passes through with no interruption, the city’s attention too scattered to notice their departure.

Beyond the gate, the open road stretches ahead, and Merin’s thoughts already drift to the next stage of cultivation, the ripple technique, and the journey awaiting them outside the Tang State.

By the time they reach the gate and step beyond its threshold, a shout pierces the morning air, halting them in their tracks.

They turn to see the city lord’s daughter, Tang Qing, mounted on a horse, flanked by a squad of guards, coming to a stop directly before them.

Yu Lei narrows his eyes and asks sharply, “What do you want?”

Yu Qishan sneers, “Are you here to take revenge for yesterday’s defeat?”

Wang Zishan frowns, “Aren’t many citizens of this city our sect disciples? Their families would report any attack to the sect.”

Tang Qing snorts, her eyes icy, “You wronged us, and now you lecture us?”

Yu Lei steps forward, voice low and tense, “What did we do wrong? Defeating you is wrong now?”

Tang Qing points at Yu Han, her tone sharp, “He poisoned Brother Hei Yuncheng. He is dead because of him.”

Merin’s eyes widen as they snap to Yu Han.

Yu Han’s face tightens, “I did no such thing.”

The scene shifts to the grand hall of the city lord’s mansion, its pillars carved with dragons and phoenixes, the air heavy with tension.

The city lord sits on his raised dais, flanked by advisors and guests, his expression unreadable.

Yu Lei, Merin, and the rest of the Lanshan Sect disciples stand below, facing the assembly, their bodies tense, hands unconsciously brushing the hilts of their swords.

Five Water Sword Sect disciples line up on the opposite side, their eyes cold, calculating every movement.

Tang Qing sits near the front, riding the sharp edge of her anger, while Tang Zhen, the guard commander, stands rigidly beside her, his presence like a shadow over the hall.

The murmurs of the audience ripple through the hall, whispers of accusation and curiosity, waiting to see who will speak first.

The city lord leans forward, voice calm but carrying authority, “Explain yourselves. Why is my city caught in the shadow of death and accusation?”

All eyes turn to Yu Han, the tension thick enough to taste.

Merin clenches his fists, feeling the weight of every gaze on him, knowing the wrong word, the wrong move, could ignite the hall into chaos.

The hall trembles with tension, Water Shadow Sect disciples pointing at Yu Han, their voices cutting through the room. “Hei Yuncheng is dead! Yu Han poisoned him during their battle—there’s no doubt!”

Yu Lei steps forward, chest rising with indignation. “We would never harm someone from another sect without reason! You are twisting this to cover your own crimes!”

Wang Zhen adds, voice firm, “Show us the corpse! Only by seeing it can the truth be known!”

Merin’s gaze is steady as he interjects, “We demand to see Hei Yuncheng’s body. Without proof, these accusations are baseless.”

Tang Zhen frowns, his voice clipped. “I’ve already examined him. He died from poison. There is nothing more to reveal.”

Yu Lei narrows his eyes, voice low but dangerous. “That’s exactly why you won’t show it. Someone is hiding the truth, and it isn’t us.”

A heavy, tense silence blankets the hall. The Water Shadow Sect members glare, the city lord’s guards shift uneasily, and every eye in the room feels the weight of the unspoken question: who is truly responsible for Hei Yuncheng’s death?

Merin’s gaze sweeps across the room, noting the subtle tension—he senses the trap beneath the accusations and prepares to uncover it.

The city lord finally nods. “You may see the body. Judge for yourselves.”

They are led into a dim chamber where Hei Yuncheng lies motionless. The Water Shadow Sect disciples glare, still brimming with accusations.

Merin kneels beside the body, eyes narrowing. He traces the back of Hei Yuncheng’s head and feels a fresh, hard bump. Then his gaze falls on the dark wounds along Hei Yuncheng’s body—wounds that resonate faintly with energy.

“Ordinary poison didn’t kill him,” Merin says sharply. He floods Hei Yuncheng’s body with his jade Qi. Dark green waves ripple outward from the wounds, pulsing visibly. “See this? This is Qi poison, not ordinary venom. The energy is embedded in the battle wounds. And the blow to the back of his head—this is what killed him.”

Yu Lei steps closer, astonished. “So it was a combination… your Qi reveals the truth. He was struck from behind, and the poison in the wounds finished him?”

Merin stands, eyes cold. “Exactly. None of us did this. Someone framed the Lanshan Sect.”

A tense silence falls over the room as the Water Shadow Sect members shift uneasily, their certainty shaken by the visible Qi waves pulsing from Hei Yuncheng’s body.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep