Causality and Slander

Chu Ming glanced at him.

Li Xuan's gaze fell into the mist ahead. He lightly tapped his folding fan against his hand, the rhythm somewhat uneven.

"Not bad," Chu Ming said.

Li Xuan smiled, though there was something indescribable in that smile.

He remained silent for several steps, then suddenly lowered his voice. "Things were quite lively over at Yan Qiong's place last night. A lot of people came."

Chu Ming did not slow his pace, merely listening intently.

Li Xuan continued, "Su Qing went. Hanche went. Yue Shan went too. And there was one more..."

He paused, tapping the folding fan once against his palm. "Someone wearing a cloak. Their face couldn't be seen, and their aura was concealed deeply. But judging by their build, they should have been an old man."

Chu Ming gave a sound of acknowledgment.

Li Xuan looked at him, his gaze probing. "Aren't you curious what they discussed?"

"Since Fellow Daoist Li came to find me of his own accord," Chu Ming said, "I assume you intend to tell me."

Li Xuan froze for a moment, then laughed, somewhat helplessly. "Fellow Daoist Chu, the way you speak really is..."

He shook his head, put away his folding fan, and said seriously, "The condition Yan Qiong offered was the ownership rights to the Chaos Order Dao Seed."

"He said that as long as they were willing to stand by and do nothing, Heaven-Burning Valley would offer a top-tier supreme treasure as compensation once the matter was done."

Chu Ming said nothing.

Li Xuan watched him, his eyes flickering. "But I don't believe him."

"Why?" Chu Ming asked.

Li Xuan fell silent for a moment before slowly saying, "The Yin-Yang Chaos Hollow and Chaos Order share the same origin. I told you this before. If you