"Itâs been so many years since Iâve spent a festival like this...." The scars on Ran Xinyueâs face were also gone, her skin and eyes had changed too. If someone wasnât particularly familiar with her, they wouldnât recognize her current appearance.
"This is what I want," Zhang Rongfang said softly from the side, "Tranquility, peace, safety, not having to worry about someone ambushing, assassinating, or harming you at any moment. Why wouldnât anyone like such a life? I cannot understand."
"Heh." Ran Xinyue dared not speak beside him.
Having witnessed firsthand how this guy slaughtered an entire village of recently found Residual God followers, and then the Human Immortal Temple masters rushed in to drain the enemies completely.
She realized that this manâs supposed desire for a peaceful life and his brutal ruthlessness when taking action were utterly split personalities.
Without a doubt, the internal evaluation of this man by the Reversal Society was exceedingly accurate.
Ran Xinyue recalled a meeting not long ago where the members assessed Zhang Rongfang.
âThis person outwardly favors peace and desires stability and happiness. But what he wants is not the stability of ordinary people.
He desires safety brought by absolute control in his own hands.â
âFrom the name "Human Immortal Temple," it can be seen that he positions himself as the supreme Immortal in his heart, as the foremost among the Immortals. He exists separately from mortals.
On the surface, this man appears placid, but in reality, he is unscrupulous in achieving his goals, easily resorting to extremes, and extremely dangerous.
The only thing to be thankful for is that there is a last shred of a bottom line in his heart.
And that bottom line is his sisterâs family and people like the Great Dao Teachingâs Sect Leader, Yue Dewen.â
âSo if we wish to cooperate with him, the best way is to start with his sisterâs family.
And if we want to drive him mad, to turn him into a complete monster, it is also to start with his sisterâs family.â
âZhang Rongfang, he appears simple, but in reality, he is fanatically ruthless. When interacting with him, one must maintain his peace and avoid violating any taboos. Remember, remember.â
Bang.
Suddenly, a firework exploded in the sky, resembling a snow lotus, slowly blooming.
It pulled Ran Xinyue back from her wandering thoughts.
She glanced at Zhang Rongfang, whose expression was now gentle, watching as his sister took the nephew. He didnât at all seem like the ruthless executioner with thousands of lives under his command.
"Whatâs wrong?" Zhang Rongfang noticed her gaze and turned to ask.
"Nothing, just... it feels like youâre quite complicated." Ran Xinyue said.
"Complicated? I just want a safe life." Zhang Rongfang replied.
"No one threatens you now, right? So why keep looking for those old remnants..." she didnât finish, but Zhang Rongfang understood her meaning.
"Itâs just basic precautionary measures," Zhang Rongfang replied. "After all, who knows whether Iâll have to face those entities sooner or later in the future. Rather than being caught unprepared, itâs better to strike first."
"....." See, this is unusual.
Ran Xinyue was speechless.
Just for this reason, during this time, the Human Immortal Temple launched attacks everywhere, scavenging residual god religious forces. Some had been buried under the sands of history, which was better.
But more had remnants of reclusive followers, and when encountering such, the Human Immortal Templeâs approach was complete slaughter.
Looking back on all this, Ran Xinyue increasingly felt the danger of the Human Immortal Temple.
And perhaps it was her illusion, but she always felt that Zhang Rongfang was becoming increasingly unfathomable.
At this time, elsewhere in Wushan Prefecture.
Dongfang Mu sat at the top floor of a tavern, pouring wine on the terrace while listening to music. Sitting around the table with him were two others.
One was a middle-aged scholar with a square face.
The other was a woman dressed as a man in a blue Confucian robe with a cold appearance.
"Both of you are newcomers here; as the local host, apart from hospitality, there are some matters I must clarify for you," Dongfang Mu said, pushing the poured wine to the two in front of him.
"Brother Mu, if youâre referring to the Yi Vein matters, weâve already investigated and understood them. Once we acquire the sword, we will leave this place without troubling you." The woman in blue said coldly.
"Solitary Egret Academy certainly possesses extraordinary power, but no matter what, the Seven Veins are our rightful path. The academy is merely a product of past compromises, with many factions within. Even if both of you are exceptionally talented and powerful, you canât represent the entire academy," Dongfang Mu replied.
"Brother Mu, just speak directly. Why beat around the bush?" The woman said.
"Very well." Dongfang Mu nodded. "I know you are here for the Righteous Scholarâs Sword. The academy has always wanted to control the seven Gentlemanâs Swords, and now with the decline of the Yi Vein, youâve seized the opportunity to come. However, Wushan Prefecture is not as simple as you think."
"What do you mean? The Yi Vein is now in ruins, with only some strength left in the Alchemy Scriptures, Earth Palace, and formations. How can they still safeguard the Gentlemanâs Sword?" The middle-aged scholar said in a deep voice.
"The Seven Veins pride themselves on being orthodox, living in past glory, which has naturally become meaningless. As successors of Confucianism like us, and several big academies, we look down upon them.
But.... besides the lingering blessings of our ancestors, Wushan City has another great force that you must be cautious of."
"Oh? Please enlighten us, Brother Mu." The scholar squinted and cupped his hands.
Dongfang Mu saw the indifferent attitude of the two and knew that they probably didnât care at all.
He immediately laughed and said.
"Have you two heard of the Human Immortal Temple recently?"