A Bunch of Fools

Chen Fan had been about to explain what had happened that day when the woman suddenly spoke. "Those herbs and such should be with you, right?"

The moment those words left her mouth, Chen Fan nearly suffered a heart attack. He looked at her in terror, his entire body trembling slightly, though he quickly forced himself to calm down. Even so, he could not simply sit there and wait to die. At worst, he would confess everything. Perhaps, considering he might still be useful, she would spare his life. Yet he had not sensed the slightest killing intent from her before. Could there be some other twist to this?

"Take it out and let me see." She clearly had no intention of wasting words on this matter.

This? Half of those things had already been used to make poison, while the other half was not even on him.

"This junior did not bring them with me." Chen Fan answered helplessly. He really did not have them on him. What was he supposed to do, let her search him?

"I wasn't talking about those things. Your poison darts. Don't tell me you don't carry those around either!?" The woman's words were more shocking than the last.

At that moment, Chen Fan wanted nothing more than to kill himself. Was there anything she did not know? Still, he did not dare disobey her, much less argue. It was obvious that she knew everything about him.

"So this senior knows about it as well. Here it is. Please inspect it, Senior." With a flick of his sleeve, Chen Fan produced a Venomheart Dart and handed it to her. "But this junior is absolutely not from Black Dragon Pool. I hope Senior can see clearly."

The woman did not speak. She first accepted the Venomheart Dart and examined it over and over in her hand for a long while. Then she looked at Chen Fan before turning back to study the dart again. As she stared at it, she seemed to sink into her thoughts, pondering something without end. Her eyes were filled with emotions too complex to name. At last, she gathered her thoughts and looked at Chen Fan. There seemed to be a glimmer of moisture in her eyes. "Take it back. Keep it safe. I do not know how many more you have, or whether you possess other similar objects. But I want to tell you this: never take this out again."

"Yes, this junior will remember Senior's words." Chen Fan was completely convinced now. This woman was terrifying—she seemed to know everything. But if that was the case, she should know he was not from Black Dragon Pool, right? "Then does Senior believe this junior's identity?"

The woman froze for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter. "When people call you foolish, you seem rather clever. But when they call you clever, why do you ask such a foolish question?"

"Senior truly does not suspect me?" Chen Fan still had his concerns. Earlier, he had thought that this woman had recognized the origins of his poison darts, or perhaps had some connection to them. That was why she had spared him.

"Hahaha, why would I suspect you?" The woman laughed so hard that her body swayed like blossoms trembling in the wind. "Wouldn't I know whether you are from Black Dragon Pool? I was merely curious why you possessed Venomheart Darts."

Chen Fan was even more confused now. What made her so certain he was not one of them? Did he really have the face of a good person?

"You need not find it strange. I know you are not one of them because I myself am from Black Dragon Pool." This woman truly would not rest until her words shocked someone to death.

Chen Fan was utterly dumbfounded, unable to say a single word.

"Was that reaction necessary? You look like someone who has never seen the world." Her tone turned serious. "In truth, I can be considered a person of Black Dragon Pool, but I am also a person of Swordcry Mountain."

This was something Chen Fan could accept a little more easily. But then another thought struck him. Damn it! So she's the real spy! Why tell me something this explosive? Aren't I carrying enough secrets already? Is she trying to drag me into this?

"You need not panic too much. The Sect Master is somewhat aware of this matter as well, though it is not convenient to tell you the reasons yet. In short, what happened this time was an accident. If you had not appeared, everything would have been seamless, without a single flaw. But since things have come to this, perhaps it can only be called fate." The woman sighed softly, looking somewhat melancholy as she muttered, "This is fine too. It will save trouble later."

After hearing her words, Chen Fan was certain that the matter of Hundred Herbs Garden had been planned entirely by her. Otherwise, how could everything have been arranged so perfectly? But he was completely in the dark about the reasons behind it. Since she did not explain, he did not dare ask. He could only stand there blankly.

"Enough. You need not be nervous. I will not do anything to you. Even if you told others, no one would believe you. Besides, I know you are not foolish enough to go around babbling about it." Ever since seeing that Venomheart Dart, the woman's mood had visibly sunk. "There is nothing else. You may go back now, though I will not see you down the mountain."

Damn it! That works too? Chen Fan cursed inwardly, but he felt as though he had received a pardon. He hurriedly prepared to leave. Being allowed to return was already good enough—what more could he ask for?

"Wait!" The woman suddenly seemed to recall something. "I damaged your scabbard earlier. That was my fault. I apologize."

"Ah!" Chen Fan was deeply alarmed. "What are you saying, Senior? Earlier, this junior failed to recognize Mount Tai before his eyes. I hope Senior will forgive me."

The woman did not respond. She directly pulled out her own scabbard, and a burst of light immediately shot out from within. Chen Fan felt a blinding glare and could not look at it directly, forcing him to avert his gaze. It seemed he truly was not qualified to behold that sword.

The next moment, the woman sheathed her treasured sword. However, she tossed the removed scabbard to Chen Fan. He reflexively caught it, utterly flattered as he looked at her.

"Fine, take it. This way, even if you do not draw your sword in the future, you should still have some combat strength." She waved a hand, signaling for him to leave quickly.

Chen Fan took the scabbard and slid his Soul Reaper Sword into it. With a ringing clang, the sword slipped inside. His Soul Reaper Sword was somewhat shorter than ordinary swords, so it fit perfectly. Yet from the outside, the sword now looked longer, and it was far too conspicuous. This woman had probably tossed him a thunderbolt as well. If someone snatched it and saw the sword inside, would they vomit blood on the spot?

Still, since she was willing to give him such a scabbard, it was indeed an act of kindness. Chen Fan bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Senior, for bestowing this treasure. If Senior has any need for this junior in the future, simply give the order." Naturally, that was only polite talk. This woman did not seem like some savage demon, but she had two identities. Who knew what great scheme she was plotting? If he truly helped her risk his life, he would probably die very quickly.

"Good. I will remember your words. Go." The woman nodded.

Chen Fan was about to leave when he suddenly clasped his hands and bowed again. "By the way, after receiving such a great gift from Senior, this junior still does not know Senior's name. May I ask what it is?"

The woman smiled sweetly. "My name is Wushuang. Remember it, all right?"

Chen Fan thought about it, but he had never heard the name before. After bidding her farewell, he left. If he delayed any longer, it would probably be night again. He was now terrified of Swordcry Mountain's nights.

After crossing several mountains and winding around several bends, Chen Fan had never expected that whatever pavilion it was would be so far away. Back then, Senior Wushuang had merely floated through the air for a while and arrived. That was the gap between them!

After much difficulty, he finally descended from the mountains. Hm? Why did this place seem so familiar? Looking closer, he realized it was the inner courtyard area beneath Swordcry Mountain's Main Peak. Just a few days ago, he and Qin Ziyan had come here.

By then, the sky had darkened again. Chen Fan muttered inwardly, Heavens, don't mess with me again. But there was clearly an obstacle before him that he could not avoid.

At that moment, quite a few inner courtyard disciples were gathered in groups of four or five. Some were constantly patrolling, while others guarded important passageways. It seemed the sect had strengthened its defenses because of the events of that day.

You fools probably have no idea someone has invited a wolf into the house, do you? Chen Fan was secretly pleased. Very few people knew this secret.

He was hiding in a corner when, just as he hesitated over whether to reveal himself, someone not far away shouted, "Who is there!?" Immediately afterward, two patrol teams rushed over from both sides, ten people in total.

Seeing that he could no longer hide, Chen Fan could only walk out from the corner with an awkward expression. "Senior brothers, if I said I just came down from the mountain, would you believe me?"

"Cut the nonsense. Take him down first." At the command of one leading man, everyone directly surrounded him.

"Senior Brother, it seems we have caught the spy this time. This merit belongs to our Swordheart Hall." A younger disciple said excitedly.

Pah! You're the spy. If the real spy were standing right in front of you, you probably wouldn't dare arrest them.

Thus, the group set off in grand procession toward Swordheart Hall's main hall. Chen Fan was surrounded in the middle. Though he had not been put in restraints, there was no way he could escape. Along the way, many disciples from the other two palaces watched and pointed at him. Chen Fan had truly become famous now. If he came here again in the future, probably more than half the inner courtyard disciples would recognize him.

Inside Swordheart Hall's discussion hall, Chen Fan stood in the center of the main chamber. Some Swordheart Hall disciples stood guard outside, while others lined both sides of the hall, their gazes fixed firmly upon Chen Fan.

What are you staring at? I'm not going to run. Besides, I should thank you for bringing me here to see my wife. Chen Fan was entirely unafraid. He had come to Swordheart Hall this time precisely to show his face. After all, this could be considered Wan'er's maternal home.

People gradually entered the hall. The disciples took their places along both sides, after which one important figure after another entered—stewards and elders. Finally, led by the Third Elder, a beautiful woman slowly emerged. Chen Fan felt that she resembled Senior Wushuang somewhat, and at first, he thought they were the same person. Only when she took the seat of honor at the very top did he see her features clearly. She was breathtakingly beautiful as well, enough to make fish sink and geese fall. Her features were even more exquisite than Senior Wushuang's, and she appeared younger too.

But Chen Fan's gaze shifted away the next instant, sweeping across the disciples on both sides as he searched. He saw several familiar faces, including Steward Liu from the new disciple assessment, as well as several disciples who had gone to Hundred Herbs Garden that day. Sha Ye and Bu Shi were there too, glaring viciously at him. It seemed the grudge from before had yet to be resolved.

At last, he found that figure. My wife is still the prettiest! Chen Fan was overjoyed. Within the sect, the chances to see Ye Wan were few and far between. As a young man brimming with vigor and vitality, how could he endure the pain of longing? When the two had returned to the sect, they had agreed to cultivate peacefully on their own. Ye Wan had said she would find chances to "take a stroll" through the outer sect, while Chen Fan was to behave himself.

Hehe, behave himself? Using those words on Chen Fan was simply laughable. It would already be a blessing if the things he caused did not alarm the sect every single time.

Ye Wan was looking at Chen Fan as well. Their gazes met. Chen Fan's smile grew even brighter, while Ye Wan rolled her eyes at him again and again. Chen Fan thought she was simply too adorable. As expected of my wife. Unable to help himself, he recalled what had happened that night in Blackrock City. Ah, since that single night of spring passion, when would he be able to savor her fragrance again?

"Enough. In the middle of the night, you summoned us all here. What important matter is it?" The woman in the seat of honor finally spoke, asking the Third Elder standing to one side.

The disciples who had captured Chen Fan were all confidants of the Third Elder. Their leader was the Third Elder's chief disciple, Bai Shuang.

"Reporting to the Palace Master, our palace's disciples were patrolling tonight when they finally captured a suspicious person. Who would have thought that he was precisely the person the Vice Sect Master suspected of being a spy that day? Now, it seems the matter can be confirmed." There was a hint of pride in the Third Elder's tone. Clearly, she was seeking credit.

Chen Fan laughed inwardly. Confirmed? How exactly did you confirm it? Just because I happened to appear here again?

The woman in the seat of honor was Liu Ruyu. Her brows furrowed slightly as she looked at Chen Fan, doubts filling her heart. A few days ago, her elder sister had told her that although the outer sect disciple's movements had seemed suspicious, he was not a spy. With her sister's experience and knowledge, she should not have judged such a matter incorrectly.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up as though she had seen something. Her expression changed in shock. Then she looked at the Third Elder and said, "You say you have confirmed that this person is a spy? Are you certain? What evidence do you have?"

Upon hearing this, the Third Elder bowed slightly. "That day, this boy's appearance at Hundred Herbs Garden was already highly suspicious. Although Fairy Ye and Martial Niece Qin later stepped forward to defend him, we always felt that one may know a person's face but not their heart. And today, he has appeared in the inner courtyard once more. This time, surely it was not Martial Niece Qin or Fairy Ye who brought him here as well?" As she spoke, she looked toward Bai Shuang. Bai Shuang understood and nodded, indicating that he had already investigated. This person had come here alone today and had nothing to do with anyone else.

"Even so, that only means he trespassed into a forbidden area. What does that have to do with being a spy?" Liu Ruyu retorted.

"This..." The Third Elder was briefly at a loss for words. It did indeed seem to make sense.

If Chen Fan had not forcibly held himself back, he would have burst out laughing long ago.