Shadow Soul Hall

After bidding Hao Kong farewell, Song Wen changed his appearance again, becoming "Bie Chou," a cultivator at the Middle Golden Core Stage.

He went to the Secret Lore Pavilion and asked a welcoming maid to announce him. Then, in a private chamber, he met Kang Jiang.

"Senior Bie Chou, what brings you here today?" Kang Jiang asked.

Kang Jiang had arranged the deal between "Cui Huo" and Hao Kong, earning himself a share of the credit and a generous reward from the Nine Palaces Sect.

As a result, he was quite well disposed toward "Bie Chou," who handled affairs for "Cui Huo."

"I'd like to ask Steward Kang about someone," Song Wen said.

"Please, ask away, Senior. If I know anything, I'll tell you," Kang Jiang said.

"Yan Yiwen of your sect," Song Wen said.

"Why are you asking about Elder Yan, Senior?" Kang Jiang asked in return.

"Her grandfather, Yan Zhengping, and I were old friends. We'd been through life and death together. Come to think of it, Yan Yiwen ought to call me great-uncle." Reminiscence filled Song Wen's face.

Kang Jiang looked startled. "Senior Bie Chou, I had no idea you had such a connection to Elder Yan."

"Alas..." Song Wen let out a long sigh.

"Unfortunately, the Yan Family offended the Corpse Demon Sect, which later wiped them out. I thought the whole family had died. Only afterward did I learn that Yan Yiwen had fled alone to the Nine Palaces Sect and narrowly escaped with her life."

"She was only seventeen or eighteen then, still in the flower of youth. With her family destroyed and no kin to turn to, she must have suffered terribly on her own in the Nine Palaces Sect. I failed to look after her as her great-uncle. I've let down Yan