Luo Fuchun felt nervous and his cheeks flushed red, but his palms were so dry that Sang Luojiu's silence seemed to prevent even a single drop of sweat from forming.

He knew his mind was simple, but regardless, his aptitude for sword cultivation was considered outstanding among his peers when he first entered the sect. His father had praised him, saying he had rare sword talent and his future prospects were limitless.

However, compared to Feng Rugu's natural genius back then, the two were as far apart as the sky and the earth. It would be polite to even call it a distance between clouds and mud.

Not to mention anything else, when Feng Rugu was twelve or thirteen years old, he was able to combine the essence of the Fengling Sword Technique and create the Guixu Sword Technique on his own. Just this alone was enough to make Luo Fuchun sincerely admire him.

Despite this, after Luo Fuchun entered the sect, Feng Rugu never had any intention of teaching him the Guixu Sword Technique. Even the transmission of the Fengling Sword Technique was sloppy. At most, he would point out a few things on the side, causing Luo Fuchun to be distracted many times. In the end, every time he went out to eliminate demons, he still used the Xiao Family Sword Technique.

Although his Xiao Family Sword Technique progressed rapidly because of this, Luo Fuchun did not feel happy.

He had even secretly suspected whether his master simply looked down on him and felt he was unworthy of practicing the Guixu Sword Technique.

But one thing was certain - he had never thought of peeking at the Guixu Sword Technique.

That was his master's painstaking effort, a treasure his master used to protect the world and the people. Without his master's approval, no one was qualified to touch it.

Sang Luojiu, this obedient and gentle junior martial brother, had a deep bond with him. Whatever was on his mind, he would tell Luo Fuchun. And no matter what Luo Fuchun complained about, he would tuck his sleeves, smile, and listen patiently and calmly.

No matter what, Luo Fuchun was unwilling to believe that this person was a mole that the Feihua Sect had painstakingly sent in.

Luojiu...

After an unknown amount of time, Luo Fuchun heard Sang Luojiu say softly, "I can't."

The tense muscles in Luo Fuchun's shoulders suddenly relaxed.

Hua Ruohong asked in surprise, "Why can't you?"

Sang Luojiu replied, "Master said the Guixu Sword Technique is not to be taught to others."

Hua Ruohong obviously didn't believe it. "Are you an outsider? Didn't he accept you as an inner disciple?"

Sang Luojiu seemed to not understand his words at all and said straightforwardly and innocently, "Father, your child has always been slow-witted in swordsmanship, not even a fraction of your skill. Moreover, the Feihua Sword Technique is difficult to coexist with other sword techniques. With my aptitude, the only way I could practice his sect's sword techniques would be to start over from scratch. Besides, it's only been a little over three years since I entered the sect. Master probably wants to train me for a while longer to build a solid foundation before teaching me. It's not too late."

Sang Luojiu's words were soft and appropriate. People say you can't hit a smiling face. He naturally flattered Hua Ruohong in his speech. Hua Ruohong couldn't find half a fault with him and couldn't even get angry. He could only wave his hand in frustration, "Your mother is not from the Dao Sect, so your bloodline is not considered pure. It's understandable if your innate talent is a bit lacking. Just remember to always pay attention. The future of the Feihua Sect is in your hands."

Sang Luojiu did not say "okay", but only smiled gently, "Your child understands."

Half a cup of tea later, Sang Luojiu went out and was about to return to where his master was staying. As soon as he exited the Moon Gate, he ran into Luo Fuchun who was anxiously pacing back and forth at the door.

As soon as Sang Luojiu called out "Senior Brother", Luo Fuchun suddenly turned his head, quickly stepped forward, grabbed Sang Luojiu's hand and examined it, "Are you alright? Did your dad hit you?"

Just now, after Sang Luojiu refused Hua Ruohong, Luo Fuchun got so excited that he accidentally broke the connection.

He was afraid that if Hua Ruohong couldn't get the sword manual, he would be so angry and embarrassed that he would make things difficult for his junior brother. He was also afraid that if he rashly barged in, it would blow up the matter and become unmanageable. He rushed to the door but didn't dare enter. Just as he was anxiously pacing in circles, a completely unharmed junior brother fell from the sky.

After being felt all over by Luo Fuchun's hands that were full of sword calluses, Sang Luojiu blinked his eyes, his tone and expression quite gentle and harmless, "Senior Brother, it tickles."

...This foolish senior brother of his.

Master was still in Jianchuan. Even if Hua Ruohong was angry, he couldn't possibly beat him at this time and slap his master in the face.

Moreover, he had been getting along with this father for many years and had ways to make Hua Ruohong unable to find a reason to get angry at him.

Luo Fuchun let out a sigh of relief, "It's good that you're okay."

He was an honest person and immediately confessed everything about how he didn't cut off the voice transmission technique earlier. He also took the initiative to reassure him, "I won't tell Master about this. Let's just keep it a secret between the two of us. In the future - although it's inappropriate for me to say this, I'm your senior brother and still have to say a word - have less contact with your family. They are just using you!"

Sang Luojiu stared fixedly at Luo Fuchun.

This senior brother of his had said many foolish things that warmed people's hearts and done many foolish things that made people laugh and cry. His likes and dislikes were expressed too directly, sometimes even making Sang Luojiu feel incredulous.

...How could there be such a single-minded fool in this world?

With Sang Luojiu's meticulousness, how could he not discover that his senior brother had not cut off the voice transmission technique?

However, it was also thanks to Luo Fuchun eavesdropping on the side. Otherwise, Sang Luojiu would have definitely presented the "Guixu Sword Technique" to Hua Ruohong.

...A completely fictional sword technique, but one interspersed with various vicious details.

A sword technique personally fabricated by Sang Luojiu.

Hua Ruohong had always wanted a sword technique outside of the three families to bring glory to the Feihua Sect. Therefore, ever since Sang Luojiu was accepted as an inner disciple by Feng Rugu, he had been hinting to him, both openly and secretly, to steal a move or two of the Guixu Sword Technique's essentials and bring it back home.

If he presented the self-composed "Guixu Sword Technique", Hua Ruohong would definitely cherish it like a treasure and secretly practice it without telling anyone. Therefore, there was no need to worry about the news of him presenting the sword technique leaking out.

This sword technique was quite compatible with the core of the Feihua Sect's sword technique. One could practice without wasting their cultivation.

Sang Luojiu had been practicing in Fengling for a long time and had learned a lot about techniques for nourishing the body and protecting it.

At the beginning of cultivation, this sword technique was indeed helpful for improving one's cultivation.

But as the level of cultivation deepened, those sword techniques that Sang Luojiu had made up would gradually cause Hua Ruohong to deviate and go into a frenzy. At first, the major acupoints all over his body would itch unbearably, then his whole body would be in pain, and finally, he would fall into madness and become a lunatic.

This plan was nothing worth mentioning, just one of the many schemes Sang Luojiu had plotted against the Feihua Sect and his dear father.

He could have done this today, but he didn't.

The reason was laughable: because when his father asked him if he had obtained the Guixu Sword Technique, he knew that Luo Fuchun was still listening on the other side.

-- Senior Brother, you have already suffered enough shocks today. I'm afraid of scaring you.

"...Senior Brother." Sang Luojiu came back to his senses, blinked his eyes, and smiled beautifully, "Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother."

Although Luo Fuchun knew Sang Luojiu was clever, seeing how he respectfully treated Feng Rugu, he guessed that he might unconditionally trust those close to him, and inevitably be deceived and misled. In an instant, his heart swelled with heroic sentiments: "From now on, follow your Senior Brother, and no one will be able to bully you, understand?"

Sang Luojiu obediently responded: "I understand."

Luo Fuchun reached out his big hand and grabbed Sang Luojiu's wrist, but his face showed a bit of embarrassment: "Let's go. ...Your house is really big. I got here by taking random turns left and right, and now I don't know the way back."

Sang Luojiu looked at the wrist he was holding, and the surprise in his eyes momentarily exceeded the tenderness.

But he quickly adjusted the proportion of emotions in his eyes, and said with a smile: "Then let's go back together."

...

On the other side.

Feng Rugu had already questioned the two Feihua Sect disciples who discovered the corpse.

What they said was exactly the same as Hua Ruohong.

He and Ruyi returned to the valley where the corpse had been found.

After the beginning of summer, the sun gradually became scorching. Feng Rugu put on a monocle, opened a small umbrella as if worried about getting sunburned, and squatted beside the jet-black bloodstain, carefully observing the surrounding rocks.

After a while, Feng Rugu raised his head and said to Ruyi, "I've been thinking..."

Ruyi listened attentively.

He pointed to his own head, then pointed to Ruyi's, and asked sincerely, "Won't you get tanned like this?"

Ruyi: "..." Although getting angry is also a violation of the precepts, sometimes he really wanted to stuff a few rosewood beads into Feng Rugu's mouth.

Fortunately, Feng Rugu didn't continue his nonsense for long.

He just handed the umbrella to Ruyi.

Ruyi looked at that umbrella, thinking, is he trying to please me again?

He had made up his mind not to accept any of his goodwill, but directly throwing away the umbrella was also not polite.

So, Ruyi quickly thought of a compromise.

-- He followed behind Feng Rugu and quietly held the umbrella for him.

Feng Rugu glanced at the cool umbrella shadow that followed him wherever he went, feeling very relieved.

The son is really obedient.

With one hand free, it was more convenient for Feng Rugu to move. He leaned down, approached, and began to study the bloodstains on the ground.

The bloodstains were nearly a month old, the blood having turned an unpleasant dark brown. They were splattered chaotically all around, making for a horrific scene.

Jianchuan was near water, and the rock was loose and brittle in texture. There were a few painful scratch marks on the edges of a few stones, seemingly the dying struggle of the deceased.

Feng Rugu raised an eyebrow and stroked the little mole on the tip of his nose, as if he had discovered something.

Ruyi silently held the oiled umbrella over Feng Rugu's head, also approached to examine, his expression subtly changing, also discovering something.