Feng Rugu was Sang Luojiu's master, so naturally he was an honored guest of the Feihua Sect.

Feeling emboldened with backing, Hua Ruohong smiled brightly. After bowing, he stood up and said, "When did Lord Yunzhong arrive? Why didn't you let us know?"

Feng Rugu released his right hand, which was actually holding a small handful of sunflower seeds wrapped in a handkerchief.

Sitting up high, he ate the seeds while saying, "No need for greetings. It's just a murder case in Jianchuan, not some big deal, right?"

Understanding his implied meaning, Yan Wufu raised his eyelids and intentionally glanced at this young immortal lord.

Even if Hua Ruohong was slow-witted, he knew these weren't good words. He didn't reply, just laughed dryly twice. "Misunderstanding, misunderstanding."

"It's not a misunderstanding." Zhu Mingchao interjected at the right time, her voice gentle and unhurried, both defusing the situation and setting a trap. "Allow me to report to Lord Yunzhong. Human life is of utmost importance. The purpose of our three families gathering here is still to identify the murderer. The Qingshuang Sect disciple left Jianchuan for personal reasons. We requested the Qingshuang Sect to quickly recall the disciple, but the Qingshuang Sect refused. If this sets a precedent and allows the real culprit to escape, we cannot give an explanation..."

Yan Wufu was indeed blunt, not holding back at all even in front of Feng Rugu. "It's all nonsense. 'Quickly recall'? It's not as if the dead man was your own father."

Hua Ruohong spoke with much more confidence. "Sect Leader Yan, you are morally right in this matter but legally wrong. Even if you wanted to let your disciple leave Jianchuan, why didn't you inform the Feihua Sect and Baisheng Sect? You made the decision on your own without a word. Where do you place the outcome of our three-party discussion? Just because the Qingshuang Sect has great influence in Jianchuan, you can be so arbitrary?"

Hua Ruohong felt his speech was resounding and clear, so he looked at Feng Rugu full of hope, wishing he could take the opportunity to say a few good words for the Feihua Sect.

However, to his disappointment, Feng Rugu was flicking sunflower seed shells into the wind, not even glancing at him.

Feng Rugu's spectating attitude actually made the three families shut their mouths.

He had no intention of mediating.

If they kept arguing, he might turn around to brew himself a cup of tea.

Moreover, the matters in Jianchuan were complex. It was one thing for them to quarrel amongst themselves, but another to have an outsider watch.

Zhu Mingchao realized he had no intention of meddling in the trivial matters of the three families and actually felt relieved.

Her older sister, ever since marrying, had been partial to the Feihua Sect, treating the Baisheng Sect like the Feihua Sect's back garden. Last time, when her brother-in-law took a concubine, she made a big scene and hid back at the Baisheng Sect.

Zhu Mingchao had thought her sister was still the same sister as before, that she understood the principle of using the wisdom sword to sever emotional ties. Zhu Mingchao had coldly rebuked Hua Ruohong on behalf of her sister, but unexpectedly, her sister obediently went back with him.

On this small matter, Zhu Mingchao keenly realized that between the Feihua Sect and Baisheng Sect, her sister had chosen the former.

Therefore, it was better for the Baisheng Sect if the Feihua Sect's assistance was a bit less.

She said mildly, "Brother-in-law, Jianchuan's family matters can wait. Standing here talking is also too disrespectful to the honored guest."

At this time, she switched to using a familial address, the meaning of which was clear—a temporary truce.

Although Hua Ruohong was unwilling, Feng Rugu's sudden arrival in Jianchuan was a good thing for him.

He put on a smiling face. "Lord Yunzhong, if you don't mind, please come to my humble abode for a cup of tea."

Feng Rugu nodded slightly. "I'm also thirsty from eating seeds."

With that said, regardless of Hua Ruohong's embarrassment, he stood up and walked towards the back.

Ruyi, Luo Fuchun, Sang Luojiu, and Hai Jing were behind the bushes.

Sang Luojiu was just apologetically smiling at everyone. "Our three families... are always like this."

Hai Jing was speechless, only saying "Amitabha" and reaching out to pat Sang Luojiu's back to comfort him.

Everyone had been together for several days and had already grown close.

Ruyi also quietly said, "No worries."

Sang Luojiu said regretfully, "I think when the old grandmaster left behind the sword arts, his purpose was not for the three families to fight each other, but for the three Daoist youths to each refine the sword arts that suit their own characteristics, ascend early, and meet him in the upper realm. Who would have thought the three families' sword arts would now become the fuse for conflict."

Luo Fuchun had been in a daze since earlier, until Feng Rugu walked to his side.

"Fuchun, on the way here, didn't you ask what reason the black-robed man had for painstakingly throwing the corpse into Jianchuan where outsiders have difficulty entering?" Feng Rugu raised his hand and patted Luo Fuchun's shoulder. "...This is his reason."

Sometimes, just a single nameless corpse can stir up a storm.

The Baisheng, Qingshuang, and Feihua sects had always only maintained superficial peace, with long-standing conflicts and mutual wariness.

Perhaps, they were all waiting for such a storm.

Luo Fuchun was dumbfounded, unable to react for a moment.

Luo Fuchun's upbringing was completely different from Sang Luojiu's. He was born in an upright Daoist sect and had received an education of supporting the immortal way and saving the world since childhood. The atmosphere in the orthodox Fengling was also relaxed and extremely friendly. Luo Fuchun had never seen such confrontation and attacks between Daoist sects that were almost like tearing off their facades.

In just a dozen or so days, he had witnessed a Daoist sect secretly harboring demonic ways, deities with shaken mortal hearts, and three families each harboring their own intentions.

Did anyone really care about the dead Daoists?

Were the current Daoist sects really so full of chaos?

Then what about his home, Fengling, and other Daoist sects? Did they also have shadows he had never touched upon?

He opened his mouth and helplessly said to Feng Rugu, "Master..."

He didn't say the following words, and didn't have time to say them.

Feng Rugu pressed down on his head, single-handedly tucking him into his embrace.

Luo Fuchun, who was slightly taller than Feng Rugu, was completely at a loss. Like a docile large dog, he nestled in Feng Rugu's arms, letting him soothingly pat his back.

When he gradually realized what his master was doing, he heard Feng Rugu's voice ring out by his ear, as lazy and casual as always, not taking it seriously.

Judging by his voice, Feng Rugu wasn't angry about this matter at all and even seemed a bit used to it after seeing it so often.

Feng Rugu said, "First, just because you feel bad about this kind of thing doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Second, this is exactly what the black-robed man wanted you to see. If you think that what you see before your eyes is the entirety of the current state of Daoist sects..."

He lowered his head to look at Luo Fuchun and laughed softly. "Then look up at me."

Luo Fuchun momentarily even forgot to breathe, foolishly staring at Feng Rugu.

Feng Rugu was quite free and easy. With the back of his other hand's fingers, he lightly knocked on Luo Fuchun's forehead. "Recovered? Then let's go drink tea at your junior brother's place." It was only after Feng Rugu left with his hands behind his back that Luo Fuchun became excited in hindsight.

- Master... Master hugged him!

This was the most intimate and gentle treatment he had received from his master since joining the sect!

He chuckled foolishly and touched the back of his head, feeling indescribable joy in his heart.

Ruyi glanced at him without saying anything and turned to leave.

Hai Jing laughed beside him.

Luo Fuchun, who was immersed in his emotions, sensed something was off and asked Hai Jing, "What are you laughing at?"

Hai Jing didn't dare to lie and said with a laugh, "Just now... Lord Yunzhong wiped his hands on your back."

Sang Luojiu, who was beside them, also burst out laughing and helped Luo Fuchun brush off the sunflower seed shells stuck on his back.

Luo Fuchun: "..." He suspected that Feng Rugu's ultimate goal in making those gestures was to conveniently wipe his hands on him.