Youthful Ignorance

There was no helping it. Everyone present had turned to look at Qin Ziyan. Qin Jian could only nod at her, praying inwardly that the girl would watch her words. This was not the Sword-Imperial Pavilion, not a place where he alone could call the shots.

Qin Ziyan did not hesitate. She stepped forward directly, composed and open. "Reporting to the Vice Sect Master, hall masters, and elders. During the day that day, this junior first went to the Sword-forging Room to accompany a friend while he forged a sword. It was not until dusk, when I had just left the Sword-forging Room and was preparing to return, that I discovered a suspicious person..."

"Later, this junior saw those people enter the Hundred Herbs Garden. In my anxiety, I followed them inside. My friend did not enter. After I went in, I discovered that two senior brothers had already fallen unconscious, so I did not dare venture deeper and immediately withdrew. Later, I saw someone emerge from within and flee at once, but this junior was unable to give chase. Looking back now, it was fortunate that this junior was somewhat timid. Otherwise, at this moment, I fear..." Her story truly had no cracks in it. There was no need to conceal certain matters that could be uncovered with a simple investigation. Yet Qin Jian's hairs stood on end as he listened. Even if Qin Ziyan had not gone to the main peak because she was following the man in black, the latter part of her account should have been true. His precious granddaughter had truly taken a trip through the gates of hell this time. The hall masters had personally examined those disciples who had been drugged unconscious, yet they could do nothing; they were still comatose. If Qin Ziyan had been poisoned too, he did not even dare think about it.

Ye Wan was also watching Qin Ziyan. She clearly knew this was not the truth. This had to be the work of that little boyfriend of hers again. It seemed this girl owed him another life. Sigh, after this, this little lass would probably become even more wholeheartedly devoted to Chen Fan. It had to be said that women often approached matters from unusual angles. Still, both of them were clearly deliberately concealing matters related to Chen Fan. They were in the same trench now. Ye Wan also could not help thinking: Chen Fan and this girl had entered the Hundred Herbs Garden. Since they had come back out, they had most likely encountered the remaining man in black. How had they emerged unscathed? Or perhaps there had never been an eighth person at all—then where had the herbs gone? At that thought, Ye Wan could not help drawing in a deep breath. He truly was capable of such a thing. Chen Fan, Chen Fan, you really were something. Thinking that he was her man made her a little happy again. A woman's heart truly was impossible to fathom.

After Qin Ziyan finished, everyone fell into thought and analysis. Suddenly, Liu Wushuang spoke. "After hearing all this, have none of you noticed a problem?"

Everyone present turned their gazes toward Liu Wushuang.

"Does the Vice Sect Master believe there is something amiss?" an elder asked.

Liu Wushuang chuckled. "I merely find it curious. After an outer sect disciple finished forging a sword, he did not return to the outer sect, but instead went to the main peak. If he was following a suspicious person, Ziyan was an inner court disciple, so it would be understandable for her to enter. But where did an outer sect disciple get the nerve to violate sect rules so openly? And with an outer sect disciple's cultivation, he still dared venture into such a situation?"

Upon hearing this, everyone secretly felt that she had a point. No one had questioned this earlier. The Vice Sect Master truly was the Vice Sect Master. Qin Ziyan and Ye Wan, meanwhile, both trembled inwardly. It was over. Had they still failed to hide it? Ye Wan's mind began racing wildly through every possibility. It seemed some matters would have to be explained clearly. But how could she conceal Chen Fan's affairs to the greatest extent possible?

Qin Ziyan's heart was even more panicked. She had brought Chen Fan in. Now there was no way to explain it clearly. If she had known, she would not have gone today. Yet there was no medicine for regret in this world.

Before anyone could respond, Liu Wushuang continued, "Also, why did this disciple choose to forge a sword today rather than a day earlier or later? The sword was barely finished when he encountered such an incident. Don't you find that a little too coincidental?"

It was over. Qin Ziyan's heart turned to ashes. She did not believe this matter had anything to do with Chen Fan. Going to the main peak had entirely been her idea, and when Chen Fan was forging the sword, he had not known where they would go afterward. But could there truly be such a coincidence in the world? Moreover, she already believed Chen Fan was from Black Dragon Pool. As long as they investigated further, Chen Fan's identity would be exposed beyond doubt, and then even a hundred mouths would not be enough to clear him. What could she do?

"So, the Vice Sect Master believes that outer sect disciple was an accomplice in this incident? A spy from another sect?" Qin Jian suddenly spoke. Naturally, he said this to separate Qin Ziyan from the matter.

The moment those words came out, several people present shuddered, including the elders from the Sword-Imperial Pavilion. They had allowed Chen Fan and Qin Ziyan to violate the rules more than once. When they first heard of today's incident, they had known Qin Ziyan had been stirring up trouble with Chen Fan again. If Chen Fan truly was a spy, and all the previous matters were settled together, none of them would have easy days ahead.

Ye Wan was also anxious beyond measure. That brat spent all day fooling around with the Little Witch. Fooling around was one thing, but now he had caused such trouble that no one could help him.

Yet she had no choice but to help her own man. Besides, there was another teammate present, so all hope was not lost. After a brief consideration, Ye Wan said, "Reporting to the Vice Sect Master, this junior once encountered this disciple at the foot of the mountain. At the time, he was attacked by a man in black, and this junior saved his life only by acting in time. We then returned to the sect together. This junior believes that this disciple is absolutely not a spy from another sect. As for why he chose to forge a sword today, it was because he had previously gone down the mountain specifically to purchase sword-forging materials. Only after returning to the sect did he make an appointment to forge his sword. Thus, today's events should truly have been a coincidence. As for why he dared investigate the main peak, it was because of his deep friendship with Junior Sister Ziyan."

Ye Wan barely dared breathe as she finished speaking. Everyone was speechless for a moment. Some people's focus was actually on this—Ye Wan was so fiercely defending an outer sect disciple? Was that normal?

Before they could react, Qin Ziyan suddenly took over. Ye Wan had already set things up so perfectly; how could she fail to understand? "That is right. This junior believes the same. That outer sect disciple is named Chen Fan. A year ago, he saved this junior's life, so we can be considered friends who had survived death together. Furthermore, when he previously went down the mountain and was attacked, he was gravely wounded and his cultivation fell sharply. That was why I took the initiative to accompany him while he forged a sword, so that he could make up for some of his lost strength. When he saw this junior enter the main peak, of course he would accompany me. That is what a true friend is. If he chose to protect himself in a moment of danger, then I would have misjudged him. How could such a person be a spy? If you say he is a spy, then I too am a spy." Qin Ziyan spoke without the slightest concealment, utterly frank and forthright. Everyone was actually somewhat moved by her words. In the cultivation world, true friends were exceedingly rare. It was already good enough if they did not stab you in the back; how many would risk themselves to protect you?

Ye Wan was also astonished inwardly. The Little Witch truly came through at critical moments. What Ye Wan had said just now had merely been meant to prove that Chen Fan was not a spy. Yet Qin Ziyan had instantly elevated Chen Fan's image by several levels. If she knew that those precious herbs were currently in Chen Fan's room, what would she think?

"You foolish girl! What nonsense are you saying? Hurry and apologize to the Vice Sect Master!" Qin Jian became anxious. He had thought his precious granddaughter had spoken quite appropriately before, so why had she suddenly become so emotional? And that Ye Wan—was she not supposed to be the Ice Beauty? Usually, she would not say one extra word. What was going on today?

Liu Ruyu was also greatly surprised. Ye Wan was her youngest personal disciple. Although Liu Ruyu had spent most of her time traveling outside and had not interacted much with her, everyone knew Ye Wan was cold and proud, rarely communicating with others. Why would she stand up for an outer sect disciple today? It was truly strange! It would have been one thing if Ye Wan alone had done so, but even Qin Ziyan, the famous Little Witch, was acting completely out of character. What exactly was going on?

Everyone else thought the same. These two women were clearly giving Chen Fan special protection. What did it mean? Could he have poisoned them? But was that possible, with his cultivation? Then again, if Chen Fan wanted to poison someone, he truly had the ability. But he did not need poison—he had stolen their hearts directly, and that worked far better than poison.

Just then, Liu Wushuang laughed softly. "No matter, no matter. I actually think Ziyan's words were quite good. If she truly had received a life-saving favor from that disciple, then naturally she should speak up for him. That is true temperament. People always say the young are ignorant, yet they do not know that though the young may be ignorant, they value loyalty and affection. I fear old fossils like you can no longer understand that."

The older people present were all unconvinced. Who was she calling old fossils? She herself had lived for who knew how many years. Did she understand best? Could she feel it most deeply?

Still, Chen Fan's crisis seemed to have passed somewhat. Qin Ziyan and Ye Wan both secretly breathed sighs of relief.

At this moment, Liu Wushuang was staring straight at Ye Wan, as though she wished to see through her completely. Then an almost imperceptible expression appeared between her brows, as though she were slightly surprised. She then looked at her younger sister and the Swordheart Hall elders and asked, "This Nephew Disciple Ye has quite good talent and cultivation. I wonder, is she married yet?"

Huh? What did that mean? Why ask such a question? Everyone present was baffled, but Qin Ziyan thought of that man. They could not be in that kind of relationship, could they? If they were, what was she supposed to do? It had to be said that a woman's sixth sense was indeed sharp.

"Elder Sister, what do you mean? My disciple has devoted herself to the Dao since childhood and has never entertained such thoughts. How could marriage even be mentioned?" Liu Ruyu asked in return.

"Oh? Is that so? It was nothing. I was merely asking, since she is no longer so young and possesses such extraordinary looks." As Liu Wushuang spoke, she smiled meaningfully at Ye Wan. Under that gaze, Ye Wan's face actually reddened slightly.

At this point, everyone who needed to report had done so. It was time to make a final decision. Liu Wushuang's smile faded as she said, "All right. I have basically understood this matter. You may all withdraw first. I still need some time to consider a response."

Upon hearing this, everyone bowed slightly in salute, then withdrew from the hall one after another.

"Nephew Disciple Ye, stay behind." Liu Wushuang suddenly spoke at that moment.

Ye Wan's heart tightened. So she had indeed noticed something. Fine, what was coming would always come. She turned and walked back toward Liu Wushuang.

After everyone else had left, Liu Wushuang gently waved her hand, and the hall doors closed. She walked down from her seat, came before Ye Wan, and said, "Let me tell you a story."

Ye Wan remained silent and simply listened.

"Once upon a time, there was a young girl. She had a childhood sweetheart, a young man who grew up alongside her. The two were a talented man and a beautiful woman, their hearts in perfect accord, and so they privately pledged themselves to each other..."

"That young girl was you, and the young man was your beloved. But later, your cultivation succeeded and your strength became too high. The gap between you grew too great, ultimately leading to a tragic ending." Ye Wan's mouth truly was a conversation killer. Chen Fan had commented on it long ago.

Liu Wushuang was interrupted and blanked for a moment. "Little girl, my story has only just begun. Interrupting would have been one thing, but you went straight ahead and spoiled the ending. Very rude." There was no anger in her tone, however.

"Then it seems you know what I want to say to you?" Liu Wushuang said. Since they were both intelligent people, there was no need to beat around the bush. Because Liu Wushuang had once cultivated a peculiar beauty-preserving art, she could faintly sense whether a woman's primordial yin remained unbroken.

"Yes." Ye Wan's expression was calm, yet entirely candid.

After staring at Ye Wan for a while longer, Liu Wushuang suddenly asked, "That person—are you certain he is the one?"

Ye Wan looked at Liu Wushuang and solemnly nodded. Her eyes were incomparably resolute, even carrying a faint glimmer of moved tears.

Seeing this, Liu Wushuang smiled again. "In that case, I have nothing more to say. I only hope you will not regret it in the future. Still, I am becoming increasingly curious about that boy." With that, she waved Ye Wan away, signaling that she could leave.

Ye Wan accepted the order, gave her farewell, and walked out of the hall.

Just as she stepped outside, she suddenly heard Liu Wushuang's voice from within again. "Also, that rival in love of yours is no easy opponent either!" Her tone carried amusement, clearly as though she were waiting to watch a show.

Ye Wan was utterly speechless, but fortunately, the matter of the Hundred Herbs Garden could be considered provisionally settled. Hmph, that fellow was probably enjoying himself in his room right now, while he had left them here worrying themselves sick for an entire night. She raised her head to look at the sky. By then, the heavens had begun to glow faintly with the first light of dawn.