Suspect

"Granny An, why does Duàn Yì spend so much time practicing his sword, to the point where he even neglects his meals?"

On a green lawn beside Bái Xī Wén's residence halfway up the mountain, Duàn Yì, dressed in a clean and neat blue martial arts uniform, held the Ten Refinements Sword and moved back and forth under the sun. His sword techniques were powerful, and combined with his footwork, they were incredibly varied.

His eyes shone with sharp light. Even after practicing swordplay for two hours, he was still full of energy. Not only was he not tired, but he felt his blood and qi surging like a tide, his body burning with fervor.

Not far from Duàn Yì, Helan Yue'er, dressed as usual, rested her chin on her hand and watched Duàn Yì practice his sword. She said with a hint of helplessness, a food box placed to her left having been there for a long time.

Inside was a medicinal meal specially prepared by the cooks on the mountain at Helan Yue'er's request. It was exquisite and could replenish the body's essence and energy consumed during cultivation. Unfortunately, Duàn Yì hadn't touched a single bite.

She had watched Duàn Yì practice swordplay for two hours, and she had been by the side of the person she liked, which brought her joy, but she also found it boring.

A young girl who didn't know the taste of sorrow, she thought more about how to be happy and how to have fun. As for studying or practicing martial arts, she had completely put them aside. Therefore, it was difficult for her to understand Duàn Yì's current behavior.

"This is a common problem for those who love martial arts. Many people practice like this; the more they practice, the more diligent and joyful they become. Only with complete focus can their martial arts advance by leaps and bounds, a state many dream of.

Look closely at his footwork; it already contains some of the mysteries of King Yue's Divine Arrow. He moves like an arrow, fast as the wind, and his swordplay's power has increased by more than several times. This is the reward.

If he were back in the battle with Ruan Dong two days ago, even if Duàn Yì only used basic sword techniques, he could have defeated Ruan Dong within ten moves."

Granny An, however, thought differently from Helan Yue'er. The more she looked at Duàn Yì, the more she felt he was a talent worth cultivating, even giving her the idea of taking him as a disciple to pass on her and her husband's legacy.

Two days ago, Duàn Yì began learning King Yue's Divine Arrow, a movement technique, from Helan Yue'er. The next day, he had already achieved some proficiency. After Granny An explained the key points within it, his progress was even more remarkable, demonstrating his strong talent, which was not limited to swordplay.

It was just a pity that they were a step too late. Duàn Yì was learning martial arts from Bái Xī Wén. Although they did not have the formal title of master and disciple, they had the reality of it, and they disdained snatching disciples from others.

Finally, Duàn Yì on the lawn sheathed his sword. After a moment of breathing, he wiped the sweat from his forehead.

He felt a refreshing coolness on his back, and the heat in his body was dispelled by the circulation of the Ice True Qi within him. He couldn't help but sigh at the quality of the fabric of the clothes he was wearing.

On that day, Zhào Yù had brought a tailor to measure him. The clothes were made in one day and sent to Bái Xī Wén's residence. There were four sets in total, mainly in pure blue and cyan colors. They were also designed to consider the changes in seasons, being warm in winter and cool in summer, truly thoughtful.

"By the way, Duàn boy, have you seen Ruan Dong when you were alone these past two days? He disappeared after leaving the arena two days ago. You need to be extra careful."

Seeing Duàn Yì approach, Granny An remembered something and reminded him with a serious expression.

As the saying goes, one should not harbor ill intentions, but one must guard against them. Ruan Dong was narrow-minded and conceited, and Granny An had never liked him. Now that he was missing, Granny An worried that he might be planning revenge. Such things were common in the Jianghu.

After all, the sword competition two days ago was not only instigated by Zhào Yù, but Granny An had also fanned the flames. If Duàn Yì were to suffer any harm because of it, it would not be what she wished.

Duàn Yì remained silent, only nodding slightly. He also found it strange.

Although Ruan Dong had lost the sword competition, he shouldn't have had the idea of revenge. After all, Bái Xī Wén was standing behind him.

Just then, several people were seen approaching from the mountain path, their steps hurried and their movements urgent.

Leading them was Zhào Yù, followed by two outer disciples in yellow robes. However, their expressions were not very good, as if something had happened.

The three arrived. Zhào Yù first greeted Granny An and Eunuch Qiu, then his expression turned cold as he looked at Duàn Yì and said, "This morning, someone found our missing junior brother Ruan in the mountains. However, he is now a corpse.

Because of the martial arts competition two days ago, junior brother Duàn is a significant suspect. Therefore, by order of Uncle Liu, we request junior brother Duàn to come with me to the Golden Cauldron Hall to prove his innocence."

The news brought by Zhào Yù shocked Duàn Yì and the others. They had just been discussing guarding against Ruan Dong's secret revenge, and now Ruan Dong was dead, and Duàn Yì had become the suspect?

"Senior Brother Zhào, regarding the sword competition two days ago, I believe I acted uprightly and honestly, with nothing to feel guilty about, nor did I make any underhanded moves.

After the match, I was practicing martial arts with Miss Yue'er, Granny An, and Eunuch Qiu. In the evening, I returned to Brother Bái's place, so I had no opportunity to kill anyone.

If you suspect me, basing it solely on the sword competition seems a bit far-fetched."

Duàn Yì was neither flustered nor hesitant. His eyes met Zhào Yù's gaze without flinching, refuting them. He hadn't even considered going with them to the Golden Cauldron Hall like this, to be wrongly accused.

It was a joke. This was the Golden Cauldron Sect, and the deceased was an inner disciple of the Golden Cauldron Sect. Who knew what would happen to him, an outsider, if he went there? If he were framed and convicted, it was not impossible that he would be executed in the hall.

Even if he went, he had to go with Bái Xī Wén, not for anything else, but just for fair and just treatment.

"Junior Brother Duàn, the matter of Ruan Dong was personally assigned by Uncle Liu. We also know that you might be innocent, but we cannot defy orders. Please do not make things difficult for us.

I can guarantee you that if you are truly innocent, you will not be troubled."

Zhào Yù raised his palm and said, seemingly full of sincerity, but it was just empty talk. Duàn Yì didn't believe him at all.

He understood that Zhào Yù was acting under the orders of Liu Zhiwei, the Vice Sect Master of the Golden Cauldron Sect, not Qū Dōng Liú. This was a concern.

Since Liu Zhiwei was Ruan Dong's master, his actions would inevitably be influenced by personal feelings. Even if Duàn Yì was not the murderer of Ruan Dong, the fact that he had defeated Ruan Dong in the sword competition that day, causing Ruan Dong to lose face and leave in shame, meant he couldn't escape responsibility.

During the investigation, if the other party made things difficult for Duàn Yì, they could make him suffer greatly.

Secondly, Duàn Yì was still worried that his background could not withstand scrutiny. Once the Golden Cauldron Sect delved deeper, his identity might be revealed, which would be a more serious consequence than killing Ruan Dong.

Meanwhile, Helan Yue'er finally snapped out of her shock from the news of Ruan Dong's death. Seeing Duàn Yì being treated as the murderer, her heart was filled with worry. Her small face turned red with anxiety, but she didn't know what to do. She could only look to Granny An and Eunuch Qiu for help.

"Duàn Yì, if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear. You have been with us these past two days, and we know best whether you killed anyone. You can go to the Golden Cauldron Hall and explain everything clearly.

Don't worry, the old man and I will go with you. If the Golden Cauldron Sect bullies you, we will not stand idly by."

Granny An comforted Helan Yue'er, her heart also filled with questions. Ruan Dong's disappearance was not for revenge, but he was already dead. But who killed him, and for what purpose?

However, one thing was certain: Duàn Yì had definitely not killed Ruan Dong.

Since the sword competition at the arena, Duàn Yì had first practiced the movement technique King Yue's Divine Arrow with them, and then practiced swordplay accompanied by Yue'er. He had no free time during the day to commit murder.

In the evening, under Bái Xī Wén's watchful eye, Duàn Yì had even less opportunity to sneak out.

"Granny, I..."

Duàn Yì's heart settled. With the two elders by his side, he had far fewer worries.

Just as he was about to say something, a white blur streaked through the air like a swallow. It landed without a trace of sound, clearly indicating that his movement technique was skillfully controlled.

When the person's figure was revealed, it was the tall, slender, and seemingly refined Bái Xī Wén.

His expression was unusually serious, his lips pursed, and the sharpness in his eyes surpassed even that of Eunuch Qiu. His appearance immediately drew everyone's attention. He spoke with a clear and cold voice, "Duàn Yì, come with me to the Golden Cauldron Hall. I want to see what tricks Liu Zhiwei is up to."