Liu Changhu Confesses, Mirror

In the garden of the White Jade Palace on Penglai Immortal Island, Happy Arhat chuckled, "Mortals are deceitful, even fellow disciples betray each other, there's no loyalty to speak of."

Chen Renfeng watched Liu Changhe flee alone in the water mirror, inwardly cursing his cowardice. But had this Happy Arhat discovered the origin of the Great Dao? Such base mortal behavior was certainly not it.

Ancestor Lu chuckled from the side, "Arhat speaks the truth. These common folk have no integrity when faced with life and death or personal gain!"

True Martial Great Emperor remained silent beside them. He had just praised Hong Yun and Hong Lian of the Buddhist sect, finding the two disciples of the Daoist sect utterly useless.

White Deer sensed something and said softly, "Your Majesty, let the Arhat continue watching!"

Su Dingfeng, furious, was about to charge into the dense forest.

Princess Hong Yun called out to stop him, saying, "Young Master Su, it's late and the forest is deep. The thieves have long since escaped. We should make plans carefully."

Su Dingfeng impatiently replied, "I'll chase after them first and keep them engaged. You can deploy your forces to follow," he said, preparing to leave.

Su Jiangcheng quickly interjected, "Sixth Junior Brother, don't be rash. Listen to Princess Hong Yun finish speaking first." Su Dingfeng, realizing his haste, stopped.

Hong Yun said, "We've already captured one of these two thieves. Bringing him here will reveal all their secrets."

Chang Hu's arms were injured and bound tightly, his major acupoints sealed. When the guards brought him over, he turned his head to the side, his face full of defiance.

Hong Yun shouted, "Liu Changhu, you're facing imminent disaster, what do you have to say for yourself?"

Liu Changhu exclaimed in surprise, "You... how do you know my name?"

Hong Yun coldly snorted, "I don't just know your name, I also know you're the chief disciple of Wutai Peak, and your master is Liu Tianwu, ranked third among the Nine Swords of Dian Cang. To think he would send you to commit such petty thievery, shameless!"

Hong Yun had gathered intelligence on various sects and factions in Southern Expedition Country, especially on the peak masters and chief disciples of Dian Cang Sect's nine peaks. Hearing the names Chang He and Chang Hu just now, she knew who they were.

Liu Changhu retorted, "You... you little girl are spouting nonsense! My master has nothing to do with this."

"Then you ran off on your own, hiding it from your master? Do you have some unspeakable secret?" Hong Lian interjected.

"Hmph, I won't say a word," Liu Changhu said, twisting his neck proudly.

"If you don't speak, I'll cut you down with my sword, you b*tch!" Hong Lian said angrily, drawing her sword and pointing it at his throat.

Seeing that Liu Changhu would rather die than yield, Hong Yun changed her approach, "Haha, you fool, you're still protecting Liu Changhe. He used you as a shield and abandoned you to escape!"

Liu Changhu ignored her, though his expression flickered.

Hong Yun continued, "Liu Changhe is clearly a scoundrel. When he returns to the sect, he'll likely tell the elders of Dian Cang Sect that you led four disciples to assassinate King Ziqi and were captured after failing, bringing immense trouble to Dian Cang Sect."

After Princess Hong Yun finished speaking, Liu Changhu's eyes turned red with rage, his mental defenses collapsing. He roared, "Let me go! I'm going to kill that despicable wretch!"

Princess Hong Yun's expression shifted as she asked, "Who sent you? How many accomplices are there? Where will Liu Changhe take the Buddha's head after he stole it?"

"Don't play tricks, speak quickly," Hong Lian also scolded.

"I'll talk, I'll talk. First, loosen my bonds. My arms are about to be crippled," Liu Changhu said, regaining his composure.

Hong Lian gave a signal, and the guards untied the ropes binding him. Liu Changhu then slowly began, "Two months ago, Liu Changhe came to me and told me about a big deal.

Shànchǎn Marquis Gao wrote to Uncle-Master Tianwei. The King of Ziqi Country, who rules thirty-seven tribes, will celebrate his sixtieth birthday in two months. According to reliable sources, he plans to secretly discuss attacking Shànchǎn City.

He hoped Uncle-Master Tianwei would assassinate King Ziqi, thus saving the people of Shànchǎn City from war.

Shànchǎn Marquis is willing to recommend Cang Lang Peak to be granted the title of Guardian Peak of Southern Expedition Country, and Uncle-Master Tianwei to be the Guardian General. He also presented two Snow Mountain Jade Dragon Pills."

Hong Yun's expression faltered, saying, "I've heard that the Snow Mountain Jade Dragon Pill is a treasure of the Divine Dragon Snow Mountain Sect. The ruler of Southern Expedition Country only receives two each year, possessing miraculous effects for enhancing cultivation and preserving youth. Shànchǎn Marquis is truly generous."

Liu Changhu continued, "Indeed, the Snow Mountain Jade Dragon Pill is a treasure that martial artists in Southern Expedition Country dream of. Anyone below the eighth rank can increase their cultivation by ten years after taking one.

At that time, Liu Changhe showed me one and asked me to accompany him on this trip to Milu City. He promised to give me this pill after the job was done.

I was foolish for a moment and agreed."

Hong Lian said angrily, "Hmph, you weren't foolish, you were eager to die. My poor brother A Wei was hit by your poisoned arrow and is still lying in bed."

Liu Changhu said, "Those four were elite assassins secretly trained by Uncle-Master Tianwei. When they failed, we were about to return, but we heard about you melting the Golden Bodhisattva to cast gold coins. That's when we struck under the cover of darkness, intending to take the Golden Buddha Head to offset our crimes."

"Where will you meet next, and what's your plan?" Hong Yun asked.

Liu Changhu replied, "After taking the Buddha's head, we were supposed to leave the city and return to Dian Cang Mountain to report back."

"Your Wutai Peak is already close to Cang Lang Peak. How can I trust you?" Princess Hong Lian asked.

Liu Changhu said, "Liu Changhe abandoning me today is proof of that."

Hong Yun pondered for a moment, then said to the two young masters Su, "Young Masters, it has now been confirmed that the Golden Buddha Head was stolen by Liu Changhe. We cannot act rashly. This matter involves disputes between two countries, and Dian Cang Sect's Cang Lang Peak and Wutai Peak are involved. I fear this is beyond our authority to decide. We should return and report to grandfather."

Su Jiangcheng said, "Your Highness's consideration is wise. Jiangcheng obeys."

Su Dingfeng also said, "Su Dingfeng obeys Your Highness."

Bai Bingxue went to treat the injured blacksmiths at the smelting facility before going to see her grandfather.

In the Milu City Royal Palace, the Wude Hall was brightly lit, the oil lamps burning with flickering red and white flames.

Bai Bingxue stood outside the main entrance and heard her grandfather roaring in anger, "Dian Cang Sect, it's Dian Cang Sect again! How dare they! They've gone too far. Tomorrow, I will send a hundred thousand elite soldiers to flatten Dian Cang Mountain!"

Inside the hall, Hong Yun, Hong Lian, Su Jiangcheng, and Su Dingfeng brought Liu Changhu to report. Uncle Abu and the chief official of the Bing Cao, Ying Hu, were also invited.

Bai Bingxue entered and paid her respects. King Ziqi sat down and took a drink of water.

Abu advised, "Father, please calm your anger. Dian Cang Sect is the foremost sect in Southern Expedition Country. Its nine peaks have over a thousand disciples, not to mention registered disciples in various states. If handled carelessly, it could incite chaos."

"Silence! If I don't teach them a lesson, are you suggesting the court of Southern Expedition Country will laugh at me?" King Ziqi reprimanded.

Abu retreated, giving Ying Hu a meaningful look.

After some thought, Ying Hu cupped his fists and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, your subject has something to say."

King Ziqi, with a dark expression, nodded and gestured for him to speak.

Ying Hu paused before continuing, "Your Majesty, Liu Tianyang of the Dian Cang Sect is my senior fellow disciple. We both trained at Ma Long Peak. My master once warned Ma Long Peak not to get involved in the court struggles of Southern Expedition Country. Senior Disciple Tianyang has acted in accordance with this since becoming the sect leader of Dian Cang."

King Ziqi said coldly, "First assassination, then theft. What do you say?"

Ying Hu replied neither subserviently nor arrogantly, "Your subject suspects that Cang Lang Peak and Wu Tai Peak acted behind his back."

Upon hearing this, Abu quickly agreed, "Father, Lord Ying speaks wisely. We can send someone with Liu Changhu to Ma Long Peak to demand an explanation and use Liu Tianyang's hand to uncover the hidden truth."

King Ziqi remained silent.

Ying Hu added, "Your Majesty, Shànchǎn City and Milu City have coexisted peacefully for the past decade. Gao Mingqing had no motive to send assassins to kill Your Majesty."

After pondering, King Ziqi asked, "Then why do you say this happened?"