Twenty years ago, Cai Pingshu was not the only heroine renowned in the Jianghu; there was also Luo Yuanrong of the Grand Beginning Abbey.

She was the daughter of the deceased sister of Canghuan Zi, the then-abbot of the Grand Beginning Abbey. Her uncle had taken her in as a disciple since childhood, teaching her with great care.

Unlike the straightforward Cai Pingshu, whose fists would send people toppling, Luo Yuanrong was a complete lady—beautiful, talented, and as cold as ice, earning her the elegant moniker 'Ice Fairy' in the Jianghu.

She had three outstanding martial brothers above her—Eldest Martial Brother Wu Yuanying, whose heroic spirit reached the clouds and whose martial arts were superb, was the most respected among his peers; Second Martial Brother Wang Yuanjing was handsome and amiable, meticulous and gentle; Third Martial Brother Qiu Yuanfeng had a temper as fierce as fire, wild and untamable.

For a very long time, she was Canghuan Zi's youngest disciple and the most doted-on girl in the Grand Beginning Abbey.

When Eldest Martial Brother Wu Yuanying carried his wine jar up to Myriad Waters Thousand Mountains Cliff, she would often follow alongside him, and through this, she also got to know the Yin Sisters.

She especially liked the empathetic Yin Sulian, because Yin Sulian had seen through her thoughts early on. Whenever there was a banquet, she would always arrange for her to be seated next to Wu Yuanying. Eldest Martial Brother was a magnanimous person who loved drinking and chatting with his brothers. She couldn't understand most of what they talked about, but as long as she could be by Eldest Martial Brother's side, her heart was filled with ten thousand joys.

Sometimes she thought that if, in the future, Eldest Martial Brother was unwilling to become Daoist partners with her, she would quietly remain a celibate Daoist nun in the Grand Beginning Abbey, and that would be good enough.

But even this wish came to nothing.

Qiu Yuanfeng's face was ashen. "Fourth Martial Sister, have you made enough of a scene! Wu Gang, Wu Xiong, are you two joining in this foolishness as well!" The latter half of his sentence was directed at the two middle-aged disciples behind Luo Yuanrong.

"Today is the two-hundredth anniversary of the Grandmaster's death. On such a solemn occasion, you dare to cause a disturbance. It seems the Grand Beginning Abbey must clean its own house!" Cangqiong Zi said sinisterly. "Martial Brother, seeing that your parents died early, has repeatedly indulged you. But today, you have injured countless people. As your martial uncle, I can no longer let you continue your misdeeds. Yuanfeng, apprehend this wicked disciple. It doesn't matter if she lives or dies!"

Wang Yuanjing was filled with worry and pleaded repeatedly, "Martial Uncle, Martial Brother, for Master's sake, Yuanrong is just being stubborn, but her crime isn't punishable by death!"

Qiu Yuanfeng flicked his sleeve, shrugging off Wang Yuanjing, and arrogantly stepped forward. "Martial Sister, for Master's sake, surrender without a fight. I will not harm you."

Luo Yuanrong didn't even spare him a glance, looking straight at Qi Yunke. "Sect Master Qi, may I say a few words?"

Qi Yunke sighed heavily. "Heroine Luo, I know what you want to say. Not only do I know, but our peers and friends also roughly know your intentions. Who is not heartbroken by Brother Yuanying's death? But the dead cannot be brought back to life. You, you should just let it go."

Cai Zhao turned her head. "Mother, what are they talking about?"

Ning Xiaofeng actually looked just as clueless. "I don't know. Your father never mentioned it."

Cai Zhao had a disdainful look on her face. "Didn't he say all your peers knew about it!"

Ning Xiaofeng tilted her head and thought for a moment. "Ever since your aunt snapped the Grand Beginning Abbey's treasured sword during the Six Sects Grand Tournament that year, our two sects haven't been on good terms. So of course, Falling Blossoms Valley wouldn't know about their sect's affairs!"

She added, "Tch, what's so great about some broken sword? If it was so precious, why bring it out for a tournament? And it snapped with just a twist. Your aunt was stunned at the time too. It was so brittle, more brittle than a radish!"

Cai Zhao sighed deeply. "Aunt, too. If you break someone's precious sword, you should at least apologize."

"She did apologize! Your aunt told the Grand Beginning Abbey with great sincerity that if she had known the sword was so delicate, she definitely wouldn't have used her full strength. She really didn't mean to do it," Ning Xiaofeng said indignantly.

Cai Zhao's eyes widened—'That's an apology?!'

Chang Ning frowned slightly. "If they can't even accept such a sincere apology, then the Grand Beginning Abbey is in the wrong."

"..." Fan Xingjia and Cai Zhao were once again speechless. Ning Xiaofeng, on the other hand, found Chang Ning much more agreeable.

At that moment, Luo Yuanrong spoke again, "Venerable Fakong, it is not my intention to cause trouble on the day of the Grandmaster's death anniversary. But if all these fellow heroes were not present, I fear this monstrous injustice could not be voiced. Venerable Fakong, for the sake of my deceased uncle, please allow Yuanrong to say a few words." She referred to him as 'uncle' instead of 'master', clearly no longer considering herself a disciple of the Grand Beginning Abbey.

Venerable Fakong pondered for a moment, then looked at Qi Yunke and the others, persuading, "Since things have come to this today, rather than forcefully suppressing it, it would be better to let things be said openly. Resolving the misunderstanding before the Grandmaster's spirit would be a fine thing."

Just as Qi Yunke was about to speak, Qiu Yuanfeng said with displeasure, "Venerable One, you make it sound too easy. How can it be resolved?! This 'Thunderous Tempest' was Elder Tianxuan's deadly weapon back then. How did Luo Yuanrong obtain it? It's highly likely she colluded with the Demonic Cult! That's the first point. Second, so many brothers in this hall have been innocently injured. Are we just to let it go! In any case, the Grand Beginning Abbey is determined to cleanse the sect!"

Venerable Fakong was also in a difficult position after hearing this.

Cai Pingchun suddenly spoke, "I do not know if Fellow Daoist Luo has colluded with the Demonic Cult, but as for the antidote for 'Thunderous Tempest,' Falling Blossoms Valley has as much as you need. Everyone, there is no need to worry."

"That is true," Zhou Zhizhen said. "Back then, Elder Tianxuan, relying on 'Thunderous Tempest,' injured countless heroes of the righteous path, my father among them. It was all thanks to Uncle Cai Changfeng who fought to the death to kill Elder Tianxuan and brought the antidote back to Falling Blossoms Valley for analysis, saving the lives of countless fellow martial artists."

A man with a bristling beard stepped forward and said loudly, "That's right! My master and martial uncle were detoxified by Falling Blossoms Valley, and they're still at home, sunbathing and bragging!"

Everyone laughed and expressed their thanks to Cai Pingchun one after another.

Cai Zhao gently tugged on her mother's clothes. "Mother, is that how Granduncle passed away, from his severe injuries?"

"Yes, but it was well worth it." Ning Xiaofeng gently stroked her daughter's hair. "That Elder Tianxuan loved to concoct poisons. In order to create the most yin and most toxic substance in the world, he would do any depraved and wicked thing. Don't be sad. Your granduncle passed away peacefully."

Fan Xingjia sighed softly, "...Just how many wicked villains are there in the Demonic Cult."

Chang Ning remained impassive.

Since Ning Xiaofeng saw that her daughter was unharmed, she gave a few more instructions and went back to look after Little Fatty Cai.

At this time, Venerable Fakong proposed once again, "Since the injured in the hall are out of danger, why not let Heroine Luo speak her mind? It would also prevent animosity among fellow sect members, which would be a great act of kindness. Besides, we all witnessed the power of 'Thunderous Tempest' back then, and these two are far inferior. To say Heroine Luo has colluded with the Demonic Cult is still premature."

Zhou Zhizhen nodded slightly upon hearing the latter half of the sentence. He also felt that the power of these two 'Thunderous Tempests' was much weaker than what he had seen in the past.

Seeing that their own disciples and sons were fine, Song Shijun and Yang Heying were naturally happy to watch the show, especially an internal strife drama of the Grand Beginning Abbey. They would even bring their own tea and pay to watch. Zhou Zhizhen and Cai Pingchun were indifferent.

Qi Yunke glanced around and said, "Heroine Luo, you may speak."

Luo Yuanrong carefully handed the bamboo basket to Wu Gang and Wu Xiong, then walked to the center of the main hall and bowed deeply to Venerable Fakong.

Qiu Yuanfeng bit his lip hard and suddenly shouted, "I'll speak first, to prevent you from baselessly slandering me!" Without waiting for Luo Yuanrong to open her mouth, he hurriedly began to speak—

"As you all know, my Eldest Martial Brother Wu Yuanying died in the Battle of Cauldron Mountain twenty years ago. Many heroes witnessed it with their own eyes at the time. Who would have thought that this martial sister of mine refuses to believe it, insisting that Eldest Martial Brother is not dead. For over a decade, she has pestered us relentlessly, either forcing us to go to the Demonic Cult to rescue him, or insisting that I harmed Eldest Martial Brother! Hmph, simply absurd!"

Cangqiong Zi slammed his hand on the wheelchair and also said, "That's right! In a fight against the Demonic Cult, casualties are unavoidable. If everyone carried on endlessly like this wicked disciple, wouldn't it be chaos! Besides, you and Yuanjing didn't even go to Cauldron Mountain that time. How do you know for sure that Yuanying isn't dead! Utterly fanciful and reckless!"

Many people in the hall had never heard of this matter and immediately began to discuss it amongst themselves—

"What? Great Hero Wu Yuanying didn't die?"

"How is that possible! My senior brother was on Cauldron Mountain back then and personally saw the Demonic Cult's Elder Yaoguang kill Great Hero Wu with a single blow. It's just that everyone retreated in a hurry and didn't manage to retrieve his body."

"Then why is Heroine Luo so insistent on this matter?"

"Hey, hey, I heard Heroine Luo deeply admired Great Hero Wu. She probably can't get over it in her heart."

"Alas, the world is full of lovesick fools. Heroine Luo is a devoted person. To have such a confidante think of him for over a decade, Great Hero Wu can rest in peace in the netherworld."

"Great Hero Wu may be resting in peace, but the living have been tormented enough by this Luo Yuanrong!"

Hearing this, Fan Xingjia looked at Cai Zhao with confusion.

Cai Zhao: "Don't look at me, I don't know. I only know that the Battle of Cauldron Mountain was led by the Grand Beginning Abbey. They invited many Wulin heroes, but for some reason, our family didn't go that time."

Chang Ning: "Nonsense. Your family had just snapped their sect's treasured sword. Of course they wouldn't invite you."

Cai Zhao shot him a glare.

After hearing Qiu Yuanfeng's words, Luo Yuanrong was neither surprised nor angry. Her former beauty, after more than ten years of hardship, was now only indifference and age. She slowly parted her lips, "Third Senior Brother, no need to rush. Everyone, please listen to me slowly."

"That year, we learned that the Demonic Cult was committing atrocities on Cauldron Mountain, using living people to refine pills, causing great harm to the surrounding populace. Eldest Martial Brother was determined to eliminate this evil for the people, so he invited many heroes and close friends to go together. We just didn't expect that the one entrenched on Cauldron Mountain was not an ordinary demon, but one of the Seven Star Elders of the Demonic Cult, Elder Yaoguang."

"That old villain Yaoguang had numerous followers. After we clashed, Eldest Martial Brother knew we were outnumbered and whistled for everyone to retreat. But Third Senior Brother Qiu Yuanfeng, greedy for merits, took advantage of the Twin Heroes of Lingnan and Zen Master Juefang desperately holding back Elder Yaoguang to cover our retreat, and rashly launched a sneak attack on Elder Yaoguang... Third Senior Brother, I'm not wrong about this, am I?"

Qiu Yuanfeng's face turned ashen.

Although sneak-attacking a Demonic Cult villain wasn't a bad thing, Wu Yuanying had already given the order to retreat, and three heroes were risking their lives to cover the rear. If his sneak attack at this moment succeeded, it would be one thing, but if it failed, wouldn't he be endangering others?

Seeing Qiu Yuanfeng's expression, the crowd could guess that the sneak attack must have failed without needing to hear the rest.

Luo Yuanrong continued, "Third Senior Brother's hasty sneak attack, on the contrary, provoked the demon's ferocity. He took a sword blow from Third Senior Brother to unleash his ultimate technique, the 'Poisonous Python Heart-Drilling Claw,' and cracked open Zen Master Juefang's skull. Then he sent the Twin Heroes of Lingnan flying with a palm strike each, before turning back to deal with Third Senior Brother."

She gave a tragic smile, "Now, Third Senior Brother is the esteemed abbot, his divine arts world-shaking. But back then, Third Senior Brother's skills were just so-so, weren't they?"

"That's right, I can vouch for that. Back then, Abbot Qiu was only a tiny bit stronger than Martial Sister Luo," Song Shijun cheerfully interjected.

The disciples of the Grand Beginning Abbey all glared at him, and the disciples of the Vast Heaven Sect glared back in kind.

"With Elder Yaoguang's skill, even ten of Third Senior Brother wouldn't have survived. But Eldest Martial Brother, Eldest Martial Brother, he..." Luo Yuanrong's tears rolled down. "Without a second thought, he turned back to save Third Senior Brother, fighting the demon with his life on the line. And this Third Senior Brother of mine, took that opportunity, and fled for his life!"

The heroes more or less knew that Wu Yuanying had died at Cauldron Mountain, but this was the first time they heard the circumstances of that day.

An uproar instantly erupted among the heroes. Even the young disciples of the Six Sects were astonished. The gazes directed at Qiu Yuanfeng were not very pleasant, especially from a few hot-tempered individuals who spat on the ground in contempt.

Qiu Yuanfeng, facing the varied gazes, forced himself to remain calm. "That's right, Eldest Martial Brother saved me back then. But it wasn't because I was afraid of death and fled on my own. It was Eldest Martial Brother who told me to run!"

"Oh? You didn't listen when Wu Yuanying told you to retreat earlier, but after stirring up a hornet's nest and provoking the demon, you suddenly remembered to flee? Is this a case of snatching merits and causing trouble yourself, but leaving the cleanup to others? No wonder everyone says Abbot Qiu is a man of true character. Hehe, what true character indeed," the sarcastic Daoist Yunzhuan spoke up again.

Song Shijun almost laughed out loud and loudly agreed, "Fellow Daoist Yunzhuan's words are absolutely right! Abbot Qiu, you should bear the consequences of the trouble you caused. Running away after causing trouble, isn't that just getting your Eldest Martial Brother killed!"

Cangqiong Zi angrily retorted, "Killing demons is the bounden duty of the heroes of the righteous path. Even if Yuanfeng was a bit hasty, it cannot be considered a major mistake! Yuanying sacrificing his life to save him shows their deep brotherly bond. No one was in the wrong here!"

Daoist Yunzhuan: "Fine, if you say no one was wrong, then no one was wrong."

Cai Zhao whispered, "When I go down the mountain in the future, I must treat Daoist Master Yunzhuan to a drink." That retort was so damn satisfying!

"Save it," Chang Ning glanced at the girl's fluffy pink cheeks.

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Qi Yunke quickly said, "Martial Sister Luo, this incident indeed has many misfortunes. But what's done is done, please accept your condolences and move on! I believe Brother Yuanying also died willingly to save his junior brother."

Wang Yuanjing shed tears, murmuring, "It's all my fault. I didn't go with them that day."

"Second Senior Brother was recovering from an injury at that time, how could you have gone?" that handsome young Daoist quickly defended.

"No, Eldest Martial Brother isn't dead! I know it, he just isn't dead!" Luo Yuanrong wiped away her tears. "For the past decade, I have visited all the surviving heroes of Cauldron Mountain. Not a single one of them saw Eldest Martial Brother breathe his last with their own eyes!"

Hearing her speak with such certainty, the people in the hall began to hesitate.