Ruan Family's Request

"You want the murderer and Duàn Yì dead? The former is easy, but the latter...

The sword duel was proposed by Ruan Dong. After the duel, Ruan Dong couldn't bear the shame of defeat and left in anger. To declare Duàn Yì guilty now would be to twist the facts."

Seeing Ruan Xiang's expression change, Liu Zhiwei paused, then shifted his tone and continued, "Alas, Master Ruan, to be frank, when I learned of this yesterday, I was furious and immediately intended to punish Duàn Yì.

At that time, I felt the same as you. Ruan Dong was my disciple, and those involved in his death must pay.

But this matter is quite complicated. Duàn Yì is a distant relative of my junior brother, Bái Xī Wén, and possesses exceptional talent. He is highly regarded. If not for these reasons, I wouldn't let him off so easily.

You want his life to accompany Ruan Dong in death. I cannot do that, nor can the Golden Cauldron Sect. I hope you can understand."

Liu Zhiwei had complex feelings towards Duàn Yì. He admired his talent, composure, and sharp wit, but he also disliked that Duàn Yì was associated with Bái Xī Wén and that he had brought shame upon Liu Zhiwei and Ruan Dong.

Now that Ruan Xiang seemed determined to hold Duàn Yì largely responsible for Ruan Dong's death, Liu Zhiwei decided to play along. Duàn Yì's fate would depend entirely on whether Bái Xī Wén could withstand the pressure.

"The Golden Cauldron Sect's top expert?"

Upon hearing Bái Xī Wén's name, Ruan Xiang's heart sank, and much of the killing intent that filled his chest dissipated.

Although he was a merchant, he had a good understanding of the Jianghu and the Martial Arts World. Bái Xī Wén's name was legendary to him.

The reason Ruan Dong had even considered practicing martial arts was because he had heard about Bái Xī Wén's great name and deeds from his servants, which inspired him. He had even wanted to directly apprentice himself to Bái Xī Wén.

Unfortunately, Bái Xī Wén did not take disciples, no matter what conditions were offered. Only then did Ruan Dong settle for the second-best option, following Liu Zhiwei to learn martial arts.

"Could it be that just because Bái Xī Wén protects him, Duàn Yì can live freely?"

Ruan Xiang felt dejected and sorrowful.

The true killer, the Golden Cauldron Sect would not let go. He didn't need to worry about that, but he couldn't ignore Duàn Yì.

His mind flashed with images of Ruan Dong's tragic screams, urging him to seek revenge, and then it was occupied by a powerful, peerless, domineering figure that made him feel incapable of resistance.

It wasn't that Ruan Xiang didn't know Duàn Yì was not involved in Ruan Dong's death, but so what?

His son was dead, and Duàn Yì was the one who caused his son to suffer humiliation and indirectly lead to his death. He had to pay the price.

This was a common human failing. Apart from the truly great and benevolent, when faced with such a situation, people tend to favor their own kin over justice. They wouldn't consider if their relative brought it upon themselves.

"Master, although we cannot have Duàn Yì be buried with Young Master, it's not impossible to make him pay a price.

Deputy Sect Leader Liu, setting aside the fact that your Golden Cauldron Sect has been supported by my Ruan family for many years, my young master was your disciple. He was defeated by someone from an outside sect in a sword fight, damaging his reputation. Don't you have any thoughts on this?"

Steward Xu saw Ruan Xiang's deep distress and hesitation. He felt a sense of fading glory and had a sudden idea. He stepped forward and cupped his hands, saying.

He had heard the entire matter from beginning to end and grasped a few key points.

First, Duàn Yì had only been practicing martial arts for ten days, yet he could defeat his young master with his sword. This indeed showed extraordinary talent, but only in swordsmanship, not in pure strength.

This implied that in a real fight to the death, his young master might not have lost, and could even have won. Otherwise, Duàn Yì wouldn't have proposed such terms for the duel.

Second, Duàn Yì was not a disciple of the Golden Cauldron Sect but merely resided on the mountain as a distant relative of Bái Xī Wén and practiced martial arts. This was another point of leverage.

Furthermore, the Ruan family had provided substantial financial support to the Golden Cauldron Sect for many years, and this was not without reason. When trouble arose, they could seek help from the Golden Cauldron Sect using this.

Now, their young master, an inner disciple of Liu Zhiwei of the Golden Cauldron Sect, was dead, having been defeated before his death by someone from an outside sect. Could the Golden Cauldron Sect simply ignore the fact that their reputation had been tarnished?

Especially if this news spread, not only would Ruan Dong become a laughingstock, but the Golden Cauldron Sect's reputation would also be severely damaged, and they would be mocked for having a false reputation.

"That's right. Duàn Yì is not from the Golden Cauldron Sect, and now he has gained fame as a genius by defeating my son. You can actually ignore this? How tragic!"

Ruan Xiang was not a foolish man. He was enlightened by Steward Xu's words and realized that Duàn Yì's downfall lay in his status as an outsider.

If Duàn Yì were a disciple of the Golden Cauldron Sect, their duel would be considered an internal sparring match between fellow disciples. Whoever won or lost would be the Golden Cauldron Sect's own affair. But now that Duàn Yì was not from the Golden Cauldron Sect, it was a different matter entirely.

"This... you people?"

Liu Zhiwei was quick to react and soon realized the Ruan family was making demands.

First was Steward Xu's statement, "setting aside the fact that your Golden Cauldron Sect has been supported by my Ruan family for many years."

This was a rhetorical statement; why mention it if they weren't going to bring it up?

This indicated that the Ruan family had the right to ask the Golden Cauldron Sect for help.

The initial apprenticeship fee for learning martial arts was sufficient. Why else would they offer substantial financial support year after year? That was essentially protection money.

Second, Duàn Yì, as an outsider, had defeated his inner disciple, and under such a significant disparity in cultivation time.

If this news were to spread, it would build Duàn Yì's reputation as a genius and Bái Xī Wén's reputation as a renowned master.

At the same time, the authority of the Golden Cauldron Sect and Liu Zhiwei's reputation would be completely lost.

If he refused the Ruan family, they would likely publicize the matter and blow what was originally a trivial incident into a widely known event in the Jianghu, which would be disastrous.

Now, the Ruan family was not only using the past financial support to request the Golden Cauldron Sect's intervention but also threatening them with other means.

"What do you want us to do?"

Liu Zhiwei finally spoke, no longer daring to underestimate Ruan Xiang and Steward Xu.

Ruan Xiang knew that his mind was in turmoil, preoccupied with Ruan Dong's death, making it difficult for him to maintain a clear head. He signaled Steward Xu to take the lead, trusting that Steward Xu would ensure he got satisfaction.

"It's simple. Since Duàn Yì defeated my young master in a sword fight, let him accept another decisive battle.

If your Golden Cauldron Sect doesn't want to act, that's fine. We will find experts to deal with him ourselves. You can just be witnesses."

"As for the outcome of the final battle, if we win, we will make him kowtow three times before the young master's coffin with the murderer's head, and at the same time, cut off the hand that wielded the sword as a sacrifice. What do you think, Vice Sect Master Liu?"

Although Steward Xu spoke these words in a casual tone, the content was truly venomous.

Three bows and nine kowtows were nothing, but demanding a hand, especially the hand of a swordsman, was indeed an extremely vicious form of revenge. To some, it was even more terrifying than death.

"Indeed, my Ruan family has already made sufficient concessions. We don't necessarily demand anything from him, only that he fight one more match. If he loses, he will pay the price. If he wins, then we'll consider him lucky, and I won't bother him or the Golden Cauldron Sect anymore."

Ruan Xiang was very tempted by Steward Xu's suggestion. He knew his own son best; he was proud and arrogant, and being defeated by a mere youngster would surely be considered the greatest shame of his life. If Duàn Yì were to cut off his own hand before his son's spirit tablet, it would surely bring him comfort and peace in the afterlife and allow him to resolve a lingering regret.

"This... I can't guarantee it will work, but I will discuss it with the Sect Master Brother."

Liu Zhiwei pondered for a long time and felt there was great potential. He planned to discuss it with Qū Dōng Liú upon his return, but he didn't dare to speak too definitively. If Bái Xī Wén was determined to protect Duàn Yì, would they really fall out over this?

"That would be good. We will await Vice Sect Master Liu's good news at the Ruan family residence."

Ruan Xiang nodded. Then, as if remembering something, he added, "Oh, right. My estate recently acquired a piece of Cold Jade, and I was planning to give it to Sect Master Qū as a wedding gift. Vice Sect Master Liu, please take this gift with you when you return. I hope it won't disappoint us."

Upon hearing about the Cold Jade, Liu Zhiwei was taken aback. He hadn't expected such a treasure to fall into the Ruan family's hands, and that they would prepare to give it to Qū Dōng Liú as a wedding gift. This was something that money couldn't buy, and it would be of immense help, especially to those who practiced martial arts. However, it was good. With this Cold Jade as a gift, he figured the Sect Master Brother would give it more thought.