...Feng Rugu, Lord Yunzhong of Fengling, had his engagement broken off.

Lady Wen, the third daughter of the Wenshi Sect, had already tried to hang herself from the rafters three times, clearly meaning it for real this time.

Madam Wen held her daughter who was barely clinging to life, her heart aching with glistening tears. Her earlier scolding and reprimands of her daughter's willfulness all turned into pleas to her husband: "Let's call off this engagement, call it off!"

Daoist Wen Runjin was a bit hesitant.

Madam Wen cried and pleaded: "Which is more important, our Shen'er's life or the marriage alliance with Fengling?"

Daoist Wen, having gotten his daughter late in life, couldn't bear to see his daughter perish in her prime over a marriage arrangement. He could only steel himself and nod in agreement.

Notifying Fengling was a must, but who to notify was a big problem.

As everyone knows, after the demonic path was completely wiped out 26 years ago, there were three major orthodox sects in the world, divided into two mountains and one river: Mount Fengling, Danyang Peak, and Yingtian River. The three sects stood together like towering trees embracing the sky.

Below them were the smaller sects that sprang up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.

Frankly speaking, the Wenshi Sect was just a bamboo shoot under the giant trees.

Moreover, the current three Lords of Fengling were each formidable in their own right.

Yan Jiangnan, ranked third among the three, had earned the title "Scholar of Jiangnan" despite being a woman. Her medical skills and expertise with poisons were both unparalleled. Holding a medicine scale, dressed in white robes, she was born with a gentle face but had an extremely fiery temper. At the slightest provocation, she would send the squirrels she raised to bite people.

In complete contrast to her was the sect leader ranked first among the three lords, Lord Duanrong, Chang Boning.

People all said this man had the temperament of a Buddha and should have cultivated the Buddhist path instead. His appearance was elegant like a bodhi tree, his heart pure like glowing crystal. He was a lord praised by all as having a Buddha's heart.

But based on what Wen Runjin had seen and heard, that was not the case at all.

As for that Feng Rugu... better not to mention him.

The last time Wen Runjin saw him was ten years ago, when his eldest son was rescued by him from the jaws of death.

Over a hundred elite disciples from various sects were also rescued by Feng Rugu. Though injured or weakened, they were all in decent spirits.

Everyone said that without Feng Rugu, they would have perished ten times over.

At that time, Feng Rugu was gravely injured and on the verge of death. When Chang Boning carried him out on his back, blood dripped from Feng Rugu's fingertips, soaking through the white robes Chang Boning had draped over him.

Few thought Feng Rugu would survive. Even spirit tablets had been prepared.

But his master, Lord Xiaoyao, Xu Xingzhi, renowned for loving his disciple like a son, exhausted every means and managed to bring Feng Rugu back from the brink.

The various sects could only smash the spirit tablets and replace them with longevity tablets, making offerings day and night.

If not for Feng Rugu, perhaps seventy to eighty percent of this generation's elite disciples would have been lost.

Wen Runjin had once brought generous gifts to the gates of Mount Fengling, wanting to repay the deep kindness, but was turned away.

After that, Feng Rugu set up a residence on Mount Fengling called "Still Water Runs Deep". He recuperated and cultivated in seclusion there for a full ten years without descending the mountain even half a step.

Now that his daughter had come of age, a graceful period awaiting marriage, Wen Runjin wanted to use this karmic connection to bring about a joyous union and deepen ties with Fengling...

Wen Runjin sighed repeatedly in his heart. Taking the betrothal letter that Fengling had sent just half a day ago, he personally ascended Mount Fengling.

Among the three lords, after much deliberation, it was most appropriate to first inform Chang Boning.

When he heard the news, Chang Boning was watering his flowers in the garden behind Green Bamboo Hall.

After understanding Daoist Wen's purpose in coming, he paused in his watering.

Chang Boning held the small watering pot and turned around, a hint of surprise in his words: "Why is that?"

Just based on appearance, Chang Boning was like a banished immortal white deer.

Unless attending important occasions like the Eastern Emperor's sacrificial rites or the Heavenly Rankings competition, he rarely wore a crown. He would either simply tie his long hair to the side with a hair band, or leave it loose, selecting a single braid to twist into a bun that rested obediently on his right shoulder.

Because his eyes were sensitive to light since birth, Chang Boning often had a layer of transparent eye veil hanging in front of his eyes.

When he spoke, a gust of wind blew by, making the eye veil flutter in the wind.

Wen Runjin couldn't help but choke up.

Lord Duanrong was exceptionally refined. Even when speaking, his voice was not loud, but gentle and soft. Unable to see his eyes clearly under the veil, Wen Runjin didn't dare to easily guess his thoughts.

Chang Boning tilted his head slightly.

He just wanted to ask the reason, not expecting Daoist Wen to clam up like this.

Feeling a bit of a headache, he simply put down the watering pot: "Why?"

Wen Runjin hastily admitted fault first: "It's my young daughter Shen'er being domineering and unreasonable."

These words carried a hint of sincerity.

Wen Runjin indeed felt that Wen Shen'er was too ignorant of the bigger picture.

Some days ago, news suddenly came from Fengling that Lord Yunzhong of Fengling, Feng Rugu, wanted to seek a cultivation partner.

Putting aside his status of earning the title of "Lord" at a young age, and putting aside the immense debt of gratitude the various sects owed him, who didn't know of Feng Rugu's talent and cultivation? Any man or woman from the sects who dual cultivated with him would greatly benefit in their own cultivation.

Although publicly seeking a cultivation partner sounded quite unimaginable, since it was Feng Rugu doing it, there was nothing to be surprised about.

Each family sent messengers with portraits of their age-appropriate daughters, praising them to the high heavens.

Feng Rugu accepted the portraits. After much selection, he chose Wen Shen'er.

The two's birth charts were compatible and the elders of both families approved. Thus, naturally, the joyous event was set to proceed.

Who would have thought that with everything ready, a problem would arise on Wen Shen'er's end.

Wen Shen'er was only eighteen and born a great beauty. Proud and arrogant, how could she tolerate the insult of her parents taking her portrait for others to judge without her permission?

She angrily went to Fengling's "Still Water Runs Deep" to demand an explanation from Feng Rugu.

In the end, she waited a full two hours, smashed a tea set, and even barged into the bedroom with her sword drawn.

Seeing Feng Rugu sleeping soundly in the inner chamber, Wen Shen'er felt she had been greatly slighted. Pointing at Feng Rugu, she berated him, then went back and hanged herself for the first time, vowing to die before marrying him.

After hearing the whole story, Chang Boning said: "Then it was my junior brother who was inappropriate. How could he neglect Lady Wen like this."

Wen Runjin said with regret: "It's us who have spoiled our daughter beyond reason."

"Forget it." Chang Boning took the returned betrothal letter. His demeanor was cultured and refined, not appearing angry. "Since Lady Wen is unwilling, we have no reason to force the matter."

Seeing that Chang Boning was not enraged, Wen Runjin let out a sigh of relief, but his mind started to scheme about another matter.

The two families were now discussing matters behind closed doors. Wen Runjin was of course happy to take the responsibility upon himself.

But this engagement had been set for some time and was known to many in the sects. Once it became public...

If he said his family insisted on breaking off the engagement, he would inevitably be ridiculed; if he told the truth, his daughter Yun Ying was still unmarried, and it would be hard to avoid a reputation of being difficult to get along with...

After much thought, Wen Runjin came up with an idea that he couldn't tell anyone.

-- No matter how many people he had saved, Feng Rugu was still the same Feng Rugu.

Arrogant, reckless, domineering, rude, lazy, and careless.

He had always had a bad reputation, and this one more thing wouldn't make much difference.

In any case, it was impossible to break off the engagement without offending Fengling. Spreading some rumors related to Feng Rugu shouldn't be a big deal...

After meeting Chang Boning, Wen Runjin also went to "Still Water Runs Deep" to visit Feng Rugu.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he left the main hall of the Green Bamboo Hall, he ran into Feng Rugu.

He was leaning on a rattan lounge chair, holding a slender bamboo smoking pipe in his left hand, with a peach blossom umbrella placed on his right side, occupying the center of the main road leading to the Green Bamboo Hall, swaying and lounging, looking quite leisurely.

Hearing the movement behind him, he turned half his face back.

Feng Rugu's left eye was a beautiful shade, as if carefully painted with ink and wash. When half-open, it reminded people of the seductive ghosts and fox spirits often seen in abandoned temples in strange tales. However, his right eye was hidden under a monocle, indistinct under the glare of the sun, which was truly a pity.

Feng Rugu exhaled a mouthful of bamboo fragrant smoke.

The hazy smoke made the faint little mole on the right side of his nose look less clear.

He nodded to Wen Runjin without even getting up: "Father-in-law. Paying my respects to you here."

Wen Runjin got goosebumps from being called "father-in-law" by him. He hurriedly stepped forward to apologize and explained his intention.

Feng Rugu should have been a little surprised, because he let the bamboo smoking pipe in his hand burn for a few seconds before putting the jade mouthpiece in his mouth: "Is that so."

Wen Runjin was about to say something more, but Feng Rugu turned his head away: "Daoist Wen, farewell."

...He changed his address like the wind.

With the farewell given, Wen Runjin had no face to stay any longer. He nodded to Lord Yunzhong and was about to brush past Feng Rugu when his Daoist robe was grabbed from behind.

Feng Rugu turned sideways and said, "One more thing. Daoist Wen, how do you plan to publicly announce the reason for breaking off the engagement?"

Wen Runjin's heart skipped a beat.

Seeing his silence, Feng Rugu nodded: "I understand."

Wen Runjin was startled and immediately explained: "Lord Yunzhong..."

"Your beloved daughter smashed a set of my jade tea set last time she came." Feng Rugu actually changed the subject, "I was very fond of that tea set. My disciple Luojiu spent a hundred gold to purchase it. Daoist Wen, what do you think about that?"

Wen Runjin's face turned red and then white.

Lord Yunzhong of Fengling stopping someone on the street, asking his former father-in-law to compensate for his tea set, was truly a decline in family discipline, not befitting a Daoist.

It was Chang Boning, who came out of the Green Bamboo Hall with a small kettle, who relieved him from the predicament.

Wen Runjin, who agreed to pay, was finally able to take his leave, somewhat embarrassed.

"Daoist Wen, be careful on the road." Chang Boning bade farewell gently behind him, "Recently, both Buddhist and Daoist sects have had fellow Daoists die suddenly for no reason. Please be cautious."

Wen Runjin stumbled, feeling that Chang Boning was hinting at something. A chill ran down his spine and he left like a gust of wind.

With disciples seeing off the guest, Chang Boning naturally had no intention of taking care of him: "Rugu, are you alright?"

Feng Rugu did not answer directly: "Fortunately, Junior Sister went down the mountain to investigate the reason for fellow Daoists' deaths and was not in the mountain, otherwise there would be trouble."

Chang Boning nodded in agreement.

"The betrothal letter was returned?"

Chang Boning: "I have burned it."

Feng Rugu laughed: "So quick?"

Chang Boning: "Reading it would only upset Junior Brother."

Feng Rugu looked in the direction where Wen Runjin's figure disappeared and said, "What upsets me is not in the present, but in the future."

Chang Boning was quite puzzled.

Lying down, Feng Rugu could see Chang Boning's clear eyes under his eye veil.

Feng Rugu took a puff of smoke and said with a smile, "Senior Brother, I wish for you to remain innocent all your life."

With that said, he leaned back on the bamboo pillow, gazing into the sky with focused eyes.

Chang Boning asked, "Why do you have the leisure to come out of 'Still Water Runs Deep' today?"

Feng Rugu: "It will rain today."

Chang Boning: "Hm?"

Feng Rugu pointed to the umbrella leaning on his right side: "Senior Brother's Green Bamboo Hall is the best place to watch rainbows."

Chang Boning looked at this junior brother who was biting a bamboo smoking pipe, waiting for the rainbow with boredom, and felt warmth in his heart: "If you want to wait, why not come inside the palace to wait?"

Feng Rugu bit the mouthpiece and reached out a hand to him.

Chang Boning laughed, bent down to pull him up, but Feng Rugu snatched his eye veil instead and jumped away.

Chang Boning's eyes were dazzled by the light. When he squinted to look for his trace, that person had already nimbly jumped onto the steps, hooking his eye veil with his fingertips, laughing in the wind.

Chang Boning couldn't help but laugh with him.

Feng Rugu's calculation was accurate to the smallest detail. Just now the sun was shining brightly, but in less than the time to burn two incense sticks, the sky had turned overcast, and torrential rain poured down like noodles, hitting the ground in restless bouncing lines.

Chang Boning, living up to his name of "graceful appearance", sat cross-legged no matter where he was.

But Feng Rugu did not.

He lay beside the meditation couch where Chang Boning sat, hugging a small lotus-patterned hand warmer that belonged to Chang Boning, sleeping sweetly in the sound of rain.

He always slept like the dead. Unless he woke up on his own, ordinary noises could not disturb him in the slightest.

His habit of sleeping wherever he went was truly incorrigible.

But there was no need to change it.

Chang Boning raised his hand and gently stroked his hair. From his sleeve adorned with cloud and scroll patterns, he took out that betrothal letter, stared at the gold-painted "Feng Rugu" for a while, and then pressed the bright red letter under many Daoist books.

Even though he was engaged and then had the engagement broken off, Chang Boning did not know why Feng Rugu suddenly proposed to find a Daoist partner three months ago, nor why he hastily chose Wen Shen'er, whom he had never met, as his wife a month ago.

This heavy rain lasted from afternoon to evening.

But before the rain had passed, a disciple of Fengling in plain clothes and a blue belt rushed into the palace with an umbrella: "Lord Duanrong! Is my master here--"

Chang Boning made a soft "shush" sound, glanced at Feng Rugu who was still sleeping comfortably and sweetly, and asked in a low voice, "What's the matter?"

With his example, the young man with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes also unconsciously lowered his tone: "Reporting to Lord Duanrong, the Wen family has come up the mountain again!"

"Coming to return my tea set?" Feng Rugu raised his head, and who knew when he had woken up.

"No... Master, Lord Duanrong..." The young man was so anxious that his face turned deathly pale and he was sweating on his forehead, "It's the third young lady of the Wen family, Master's fiancée, something happened to her..."

Wen Shen'er was dead.

When it was discovered that she had disappeared, the female attendants did not report it to Madam Wen, assuming she was in a bad mood and had gone out to clear her head.

She was found just as a heavy rain was about to fall and the sky had turned gloomy.

Wen Shen'er had her throat slit with a sharp weapon like a Tang sword. Her head was completely severed and hung on the tallest tree in Wenshi Mountain. Blood dripped down from the cut, her black hair, stained with blood, danced and fluttered noisily in the wind.

The method of killing by slitting the throat with a Tang sword was extremely similar to the recent series of murder cases, which had affected both Buddhist and Daoist disciples, with a total of fifteen people already dead. Even the outer disciples of Fengling had been harmed, which was why Yan Jiangnan had come down the mountain to investigate.

However, after learning of this shocking and appalling news, Feng Rugu asked a very strange question: "...Why only the head?"

Chang Boning came back to his senses from the shock: "Junior Brother, what did you say?"

Feng Rugu repeated for the second time: "Why only the head?"

After careful consideration, he asked the young man who had come to report: "Fuchun, in which direction was her hair flying? What is the wind direction today?"

The young man was stunned by the question and answered truthfully: "Towards Wenshi Mountain. It should be a northwest wind today."

Feng Rugu: "Senior Brother, lend me a brush."

He said lend, but it was clearly snatching.

He took the vermilion brush that Chang Boning was still holding, jumped onto the soft couch where Chang Boning was sitting, faced the map hanging behind him, observed for a moment, and made the first stroke on Yongjing Mountain with the vermilion brush.

Chang Boning knew that Yongjing Mountain was where the first corpse was discovered half a month ago.

But Feng Rugu did not make a dot on it, instead he drew a horizontal line of vermilion red, even staining several small towns nearby.

"Rugu," Chang Boning reminded him, "you drew it wrong."

Feng Rugu replied: "I didn't draw it wrong. Head facing east, feet facing west."

Chang Boning took a moment to realize that Feng Rugu was talking about the state of the first corpse when it was discovered.

The second corpse was found in Jiulong Town, thousands of miles away.

He lay horizontally in the middle of the street in Jiulong Town, with his head facing south and feet facing north, his throat slit with a single stroke, clean and neat.

Because the corpses were so far apart, and one was an inner disciple of the Lingyin Buddhist temple while the other was a disciple of an ordinary Daoist temple, at first, no one linked the two incidents together.

Until the bad news kept coming one after another.

The identities of the deceased were different, with no connections between them, and their reasons for traveling were also different.

The only thing they had in common was the red line of death across their necks.

In the midst of the panic, the Daoist sects were at a loss as to what the murderer intended by taking so many lives.

The vermilion traces on the map became more and more, stroke by stroke, horizontal and vertical, each one representing a corpse, a life.

As he watched the thing gradually taking shape on the map, Luo Fuchun's breathing became more and more rapid.

The positions where the corpses were found, combined with their lying positions, actually formed the shape of a character.

Finally, Feng Rugu heavily dipped the brush in vermilion and made a heavy stroke on Wenshi Mountain, from northwest to southwest.

...Why did the others have their whole corpses, while Wen Shen'er only had a head?

At the moment when thunder rumbled outside, a bright lightning bolt tore a hole in the sky.

The many vermilion marks on the map, ending with the last dot, formed a huge blood-red character "Feng".

The vermilion color was so dense it was almost black.

And the last dot looked like blood-stained hair fluttering in the wind.

Feng Rugu held the ink brush horizontally in his mouth, leaned back and sat on Chang Boning's desk, not caring about the clattering of the inkstone and brush holder.

He looked at the map, his expression indistinguishable between shock and anger.

But to be honest, neither of these emotions were very suitable for Lord Yunzhong, so when they appeared on his face, they instead blended into a faint mocking smile of "such is the will of heaven".

Feng Rugu looked at Chang Boning, whose face was as cold as ice: "Senior Brother, I'm afraid I'll have to go down the mountain for a trip."