Third Master Liu's Tragic Fate

In the taverns of Hengyang City, with the recent gathering of Jianghu heroes, it had become an information exchange hub. Countless Jianghu figures drank and boasted, occasionally interspersing useful intel into their conversations.

However, the atmosphere had recently become somewhat strange. While the Jianghu figures continued their desultory chats, two acquaintances' eyes met by chance.

As if connected by Bluetooth, a wealth of information was instantly conveyed through their gazes. One of them tentatively opened his mouth, "You've heard, haven't you?"

The other nodded, "This matter is practically common knowledge in the city. How could I not know?"

Overhearing their conversation, someone nearby immediately chimed in, "So everyone knows. This whole affair is truly unbelievable. When I first heard it, I thought it was fake."

Another joined the topic, "What are you talking about? Based on my years of experience, things that seem plausible are often fake. On the other hand, things that sound unbelievable, that don't seem real, are often the truth."

Hearing this sharp insight, everyone in the tavern nodded in agreement.

Yet, a few who had gotten thoroughly drunk in recent days had missed out on much of the juicy gossip. Seeing everyone chatting animatedly but mysteriously, they became agitated, scratching their heads and ears, and couldn't help but ask, "What exactly are you all talking about?"

Someone eager to share, seeing that others were still in the dark, was about to speak but was kicked in the shin by a companion. He turned to look at his companion, who merely glanced at the Hengshan Sect disciples maintaining order within the tavern.

The eager one then calmly sipped his tea, no longer speaking.

Seeing that no one answered his question, he asked a few more times. Annoyed, someone finally told him, "Those who understand, understand. Those who don't, won't understand even if I explain. You shouldn't ask. This matter involves too much, and speaking of it would benefit none of us. I can only say the water is deep. What's been circulating in the city... it's all been ruined. So, I can only say, those who understand, understand. If you don't, there's nothing that can be done."

With that, the man became even more anxious, "You've babbled on and on, and said nothing. I..."

The Hengshan disciples on duty in the tavern listened to the crowd's discussion, their faces turning ashen. But remembering their Master's instructions, they forcibly suppressed their reactions.

However, their restraint didn't mean others could be so patient. Suddenly, a Songshan Sect disciple slammed the table and stood up, shouting, "Enough! This matter is baseless and fabricated! It must be the Demonic Cult slandering the Sect Leader Zuo. If you continue, don't blame my sword!"

Everyone immediately fell silent. But human nature being what it is, the more you forbid discussion, the more heated it becomes in private.

Some of the more scholarly Jianghu figures suddenly realized that the latter half of "fabrication" (空穴来风) was "not necessarily without cause" (未必无因).

In the inn where the Mount Hua Sect disciples were staying.

Several disciples were also gathered, discussing the matter.

Lu Dayou whispered, "Do you think Sect Leader Zuo of the Songshan Sect and Third Master Liu of the Hengshan Sect are truly lovers?"

Liang Fa nodded and replied, "Although I'm also very suspicious, didn't that booklet say it all? The reason Third Master Liu was able to bypass Sect Leader Mo and control the Hengshan Sect was because the Sect Leader Zuo, as the alliance leader of the Five Great Sword Sects, put in a great deal of effort."

Lu Dayou frowned, "But this is too..."

Gao Genming added, "Didn't that Demonic Cult fiend try to assassinate Third Master Liu a few days ago? Those nearby heard the Demonic Cult fiend scolding Third Master Liu, accusing him of feigning friendship to lure him into a false sense of security, and then leading people to ambush him.

Those people clearly heard the Demonic Cult fiend's aged male voice. Wasn't that Qu Yang, mentioned in the booklet?"

Lu Dayou shook his head, "What I care about isn't whether it's true or false. What I care about is, if everything in this booklet is true. Then Sect Leader Zuo and Third Master Liu have been in love since they were young. Later, when Third Master Liu was traveling alone, he was abducted by the Demonic Cult elder Qu Yang and forcibly... violated.

Afterward, Third Master Liu simply played along, using himself to seduce the demon, but Qu Yang discovered his intentions and wanted to kill him in a fit of rage. Such a thing... such a thing is too outrageous. How will the outside Jianghu community view our Five Great Sword Sects?"

"Alas!" Shi Daizi sighed, "The evidence is now conclusive. A few days ago, you all saw the corpses carried out from the courtyard next to Third Master Liu's residence. They were all Songshan Sect disciples.

They weren't sleeping late at night, still in their clothes, swords in hand. If not to ambush Qu Yang, then for what?

Also, why were Songshan disciples ambushing Qu Yang, and not Hengshan disciples? Why could Third Master Liu command Songshan disciples?

All these signs speak for themselves. If everyone had managed to keep Qu Yang there that day, this matter would not have become known to outsiders.

Unfortunately, Qu Yang managed to escape. After these events, everything was revealed. It's likely Qu Yang's doing."

Ying Bailuo listened for a long time without speaking. Suddenly, he realized something, "I heard... I only heard from others, I haven't seen the booklet.

I heard that besides describing this incident, the booklet also detailed the intimate affairs between Qu Yang and Third Master Liu, and between Qu Yang and Sect Leader Zuo. The descriptions were very explicit.

The affairs between Qu Yang and Third Master Liu are one thing, but how could Qu Yang know the private matters between Sect Leader Zuo and Third Master Liu in such detail?"

"This is quite obvious, isn't it?" Wang Jingyuan, who was eating a steamed bun, walked by. Hearing him speak, everyone turned to look at him.

"We'd be glad to hear your explanation."

"Junior Brother Wang, tell us what's going on."

Wang Jingyuan quickly finished his steamed bun and said, "People, after all, have possessiveness and a competitive spirit. When I used to frequent brothels, the most common thing I heard the patrons say was, 'Am I the most skilled among all the guests?'

Some clever courtesans would directly say 'Yes,' which saved a lot of trouble. But some more honest ones would say, 'There are those more skilled than you.'

At this point, the patron would press for details, asking who was better and in what way. If they couldn't explain, they might get beaten by an irate patron. But if they did explain, they'd likely be beaten even worse.

The reason Qu Yang knows so much inside information, hmmm...

Third Master Liu was probably an honest man."

The numerous Mount Hua disciples suddenly swarmed around. Wang Jingyuan thought his answer was flawless and they were full of admiration, but to his surprise, these scoundrels were all staring at him with intense gazes.

"Junior Brother Wang, you said you went to a brothel just now?"

"Junior Brother, what was it like in that brothel?"

"Junior Brother, was it fun in the brothel?"

Wang Jingyuan's face instantly fell, "I only went twice. The first time I just ate a meal inside, and the second time I practiced swordplay there all night. How could I know if it was fun?"

I wish I knew if it was fun too!

"Hmph!" The disciples walked away in disappointment.

"Junior Brother, you're not being honest."

"Junior Brother, you're treating us like outsiders."

"Junior brother, can you bring me along next time?"

"Me, me, me, and me too."

Wang Jingyuan had to exert a great deal of effort to finally shake off those brats. Afterward, he spotted Lin Pingzhi hiding in a corner, secretly looking over in his direction.

Wang Jingyuan walked up to him and asked, "Why are you hiding here?"

Lin Pingzhi hesitated for a moment before honestly replying, "The senior brothers don't like to associate with me."

Wang Jingyuan immediately understood. "Young people can't stand impurities. It's normal to reject those who got in through connections."

When Wang Jingyuan first arrived, he was also ostracized, but he didn't care. As for NPCs who couldn't provide quests, as long as they didn't go too far, he was too lazy to find ways to forcibly PK them.

Lin Pingzhi suddenly remembered that the senior brother in front of him also seemed to be someone who got in through connections. "What about you, senior brother?"