Suspect

"Granny An, why does Duàn Yì train with his sword for so long every time, to the point that he even forgets to eat?"

On a patch of green lawn beside Bái Xī Wén's residence halfway up the mountain, Duàn Yì, dressed in a clean and neat blue fitted outfit, held the Ten Refinements Sword as he darted back and forth beneath the sunlight. His Sword Momentum was majestic, and combined with the footwork beneath him, his movements shifted in endless variations.

His eyes shone brightly. Though he had already practiced his swordsmanship for two hours, he remained full of energy. Not only was he not fatigued, he instead felt the blood and qi throughout his body surging like a tide, leaving him in a blazing state.

Not far from Duàn Yì, Helan Yue'er was dressed as usual, her fragrant cheek resting in her hand as she watched him practice his sword. Somewhat helplessly, she said this. To her left sat a food box that had been there for quite some time.

Inside were medicinal dishes that Helan Yue'er had specifically ordered the mountain's cooks to prepare. They were both exquisite and capable of replenishing the body's vital essence consumed through breathing exercises, yet Duàn Yì had not taken a single bite.

Duàn Yì had practiced his swordsmanship for two hours, and she had watched for two hours. Staying beside the person she liked naturally made her happy, but it was also rather boring.

A young girl knew not the taste of sorrow. She thought mostly of how to be happy and how to have fun. As for studying, martial training, and such, she had cast them all behind her mind. Thus, it was difficult for her to understand Duàn Yì's behavior at present.

"This is the common failing of those who love martial arts. Many people are like this when they train—the more they practice, the more diligent they become; the more they practice, the happier they are. Only with complete concentration can one's martial arts advance by leaps and bounds. It is a state countless people dream of.

"Look more closely at his movement technique. He has already grasped some of the mysteries of King Yue's Divine Arrow. He comes and goes like an arrow, swift as the wind. The power of his swordsmanship has increased by several degrees at the very least—that is his reward.

"If he were to fight Ruan Dong again as he had two days ago, even using only basic swordsmanship, that boy Duàn could defeat him beneath his sword within ten moves."

Granny An's thoughts differed from Helan Yue'er's. The more she watched Duàn Yì, the more she felt that he was a promising talent. She even began to consider taking him as a disciple and passing down the legacy of herself and her husband.

Two days ago, Duàn Yì had followed Helan Yue'er in learning the lightness skill King Yue's Divine Arrow. By the next day, he had already attained some proficiency. After Granny An explained its crucial points to him, his progress had become even more remarkable. This showed that his talent was formidable and was not limited to swordsmanship alone.

Unfortunately, she was one step too late. Duàn Yì had learned martial arts from Bái Xī Wén. Though they had no formal master-disciple title, the reality of such a relationship was there. They could not be bothered to snatch someone else's disciple.

At last, Duàn Yì sheathed his sword. Only after regulating his breathing for a while did he wipe the sweat from his forehead.

He felt a cool, refreshing comfort across his back, while the heat throughout his body was dispersed as Ice True Qi circulated within him. He could not help sighing at how carefully chosen the material of his current clothes was.

That day, Zhào Yù had brought a tailor to measure him for clothes. A day later, they had been completed and sent to Bái Xī Wén's residence. There were four sets in all, mainly in solid shades of blue and green. Even the differences between summer and winter had been considered—they were warm in winter and cool in summer, truly thoughtful.

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

When she saw Duàn Yì approach, Granny An recalled something and warned him with a grave expression.

As the saying went, one should not harbor the heart to harm others, but one must guard against the hearts of others. Ruan Dong was narrow-minded and self-righteous, and Granny An had never thought highly of him. Now that his whereabouts were unknown, she feared that he might be plotting revenge. Such things were commonplace in the martial world.

After all, aside from Zhào Yù's instigation in the earlier sword match, Granny An had also added fuel to the flames. If that caused Duàn Yì to suffer some mishap, it would not be what she wished.

Duàn Yì said nothing, merely nodding lightly. He too found it strange.

Ruan Dong may have lost the sword match, but he should not have entertained thoughts of revenge. After all, Bái Xī Wén stood behind him.

Just then, several people came hurrying down from the mountain path, their steps hurried and their movements rushed.

The one leading them was none other than Zhào Yù. Two outer sect disciples in yellow followed behind him. None of their expressions looked pleasant, as though something had happened.

When the three arrived before them, Zhào Yù first greeted Granny An and Eunuch Qiu. Then he looked at Duàn Yì, his expression turning cold, and said,

"Earlier this morning, someone found Junior Brother Ruan, who had been missing for two days, in the mountains. But he has now become a corpse.

"Because of the martial match two days ago, Junior Brother Duàn is under considerable suspicion. Therefore, by Uncle Liu's order, I ask Junior Brother Duàn to come with me to the Golden Cauldron Hall and prove his innocence."

Zhào Yù's news left Duàn Yì and the others utterly shocked. They had just been discussing guarding against Ruan Dong's secret revenge. How had Ruan Dong been killed in the blink of an eye, with Duàn Yì becoming a suspect?

"Senior Brother Zhào, during the sword match two days ago, I can say with a clear conscience that I acted uprightly and sat straight. I had nothing to be ashamed of, much less did I launch any covert attack.

"After the match, I practiced martial arts with Miss Yuè'er, Granny An, and Eunuch Qiu. When I returned to Brother Bái's place that evening, I had even less opportunity to kill anyone.

"You suspect me based solely on the sword match. Isn't that rather far-fetched?"

Duàn Yì remained calm and unflustered. His eyes did not retreat in the slightest as he met Zhào Yù and the others' gazes and refuted them. He had not even considered following them to the Golden Cauldron Hall so unclearly and without explanation.

What a joke. This was the Golden Cauldron Sect, and the dead man was an inner disciple of the Golden Cauldron Sect. Who knew what might happen if an outsider like him went there? If someone framed him and pinned the matter on him, it would not be impossible for him to be executed outright within the hall.

Even if he went, he had to go with Bái Xī Wén. He asked for nothing else, only a fair and impartial attitude.

"Junior Brother Duàn, Uncle Liu personally gave the orders concerning Ruan Dong. We know that you may be innocent, but orders from above cannot be disobeyed. Please do not make things difficult for us.

"I can guarantee that if you are truly innocent, no one will make things difficult for you."

Zhào Yù raised a hand and said this. He seemed full of sincerity, but they were no more than empty words. Duàn Yì did not believe him at all.

He understood clearly. Zhào Yù was acting on the orders of Liu Zhiwei, the Golden Cauldron Sect's deputy sect master, rather than Qū Dōng Liú. This was one cause for concern.

Since Liu Zhiwei was Ruan Dong's master, personal feelings would inevitably become mixed into his actions. Even if Duàn Yì was not the murderer who killed Ruan Dong, he could not escape responsibility for defeating him with the sword that day, causing Ruan Dong to lose face badly and leave in shame and fury.

During the investigation, the other side only needed to make things difficult for Duàn Yì a little to make him suffer untold hardship.

Secondly, Duàn Yì also feared that his origins would not withstand scrutiny. Once the Golden Cauldron Sect dug to the roots and got to the bottom of things, and his identity was exposed, the consequences would be even more serious than killing Ruan Dong.

Beside him, Helan Yue'er finally recovered from the news of Ruan Dong's death. Seeing Duàn Yì treated as the murderer, her heart filled with worry. Her little face flushed red with anxiety, yet she did not know what to do and could only look pleadingly toward Granny An and Eunuch Qiu.

"Duàn Yì, one who stands straight need not fear a crooked shadow. You have been with us these past two days; whether you killed anyone, we know best. You can go with them to the Golden Cauldron Hall and make things clear.

"Don't worry. This old man and I will go with you. If the Golden Cauldron Sect uses its power to bully others, we will not stand idly by."

Granny An comforted Helan Yue'er. Her heart was also filled with questions. Ruan Dong's disappearance had not been a plot for revenge after all—he was already dead. But who had killed him, and for what purpose?

No matter what, one thing could be confirmed: Duàn Yì had absolutely not killed Ruan Dong.

After the sword match at the arena, Duàn Yì had first cultivated the lightness skill King Yue's Divine Arrow with them, then practiced his sword under Yuè'er's company. Throughout the entire day, he had no spare time to kill anyone.

At night, with Duàn Yì right beneath Bái Xī Wén's eyes, he had even less chance to sneak away.

"Granny, I..."

Duàn Yì's heart settled. With the two elders by his side, many of his misgivings were eased.

Just as he was about to say something, a white phantom swept down from the air like a nimble swallow. It landed without the slightest trace of worldly dust, clearly having reached the point where its lightness skill could be deployed and withdrawn at will.

When the newcomer revealed himself, it was Bái Xī Wén—tall and lean, refined and properly composed in appearance.

At this moment, his expression was rarely stern. His lips were pressed tight, and the sharpness in his eyes surpassed even that of Eunuch Qiu. The instant he appeared, he drew everyone's attention. In a cold voice, he said,

"Duàn Yì, come with me to the Golden Cauldron Hall. I would like to see what tricks Liu Zhiwei is trying to play."