A Bitter Drama

However, the Immeasurable Elder's double standard and pragmatism instantly put Duàn Yì on alert.

A hand as fair as ice and jade lightly rested on the Seven Star Dragon Abyss Sword slung across his body. His bottomless, abyss-dark eyes swept over those by the table: Prince Duan, Xia Shu, the Immeasurable Elder, Chang Yangzi of the Danxin Sect, and Hedong's famed hero Han Xing.

People who originally had nothing to do with one another had suddenly been linked together by this unexpected young man.

"Lü Ren is a young hero of Hedong. He acted to uphold justice and aid the weak, so he would naturally win Chang Yangzi and Han Xing's favor and support. Han Xing especially—he and Lü Ren could be considered fellow townsmen. As they say, meeting an old friend in a foreign land, their goodwill ran even deeper.

"Moreover, this Lü Ren is apparently the Blood Conquest Saber Successor, which just happens to have aroused the Immeasurable Elder's interest, adding yet another connection. With all this, even if Prince Duan wished to turn a blind eye, he likely could not."

At this moment, the young Lü Ren was also inexplicably excited. Seeing the Immeasurable Elder's kindly gaze and the encouraging looks from Chang Yangzi and Han Xing, he continued from where he had left off.

"After saving this mother and daughter, this junior settled them in an inn and asked what trouble they faced. If it lay within this junior's power, I certainly would not stand by with folded arms before such frail women. It was then that I learned the truth."

As he spoke, Lü Ren took a step back, turned, and pointed at the haggard girl cradled in her mother's arms.

"This girl is named Ren Jiao. She is only fifteen years old and was