Could it be that I am the cruel villain?

Another matter is simply routine.

The Sect Master asked me to inquire about the situation, essentially wanting Jiang Feng to show an attitude. The underlying meaning is, I roughly have an understanding of the matter, but you need to express your stance slightly.

It's fine if you quietly profit from Xuan Xiaozi's inheritance, or if you refine the flesh and blood left by the evil cultivator, but the premise is that you mustn't use this power for wrongful ends. A verbal guarantee here is sufficient, and if trouble arises in the future, you'll be responsible and not implicate those within the sect.

That's basically the idea.

Gu Miyun and Jiang Feng are peers, sending his grandson here already indicates a lot; it means they fundamentally don't intend to make a big issue out of this and are just going through the motions with routine inquiry.

Why delegate this to Gu Miyun? Because he's his grandson, the current head of Dragon Head Peak, and the one who will take over the power and Dragon Head Peak. This is essentially handing Jiang Feng's affairs entirely to the next generation of disciples, for them to internally resolve and discuss amongst themselves if issues arise.

This is undoubtedly a form of decentralization, even Jiang Feng himself hadn't thought of it since he and Gu Miyun are of equal rank.

Indeed, he's the inheritor of Swordmaster Peak, while the other is the inheritor of Dragon Head Peak; in terms of status, they're equivalent, and regarding power, they are also equally matched. It's just that Liu Tangxi hasn't yet handed decision-making power to her own junior because the kid is too weak.

She's worried that if she gives up the decision-making power, the kid might get beaten to death.

As he shrank his head and looked at Gu Miyun doubtfully, honestly, he couldn't see any intention of making things difficult for him from the expression, but maintaining a cautious attitude, Jiang Feng immediately straightened up.

"Senior Brother Gu, what you said is wrong! For such filthy and vile scum, they should be killed swiftly. Not only the family but even the birds and beasts at their home should be killed, scatter the yolks of eggs, and worms should be split vertically!"

"You little rascal, neither oil nor salt works on you, huh? Fine, I'm leaving, I'll relay every word to the Sect Master..."

"Wait!"

Seeing Gu Miyun intend to leave, Jiang Feng finally couldn't hold back.

Quickly stopping him, Jiang Feng hurriedly smiled awkwardly yet politely, poured tea, and coaxed Gu Miyun to sit down.

"Well, Senior Brother Gu, we're fellow sect members, no need to take things to the extreme, regarding the Sect Master, there?"

Still probing.

Though he wouldn't admit that this method has some gum-like determination, under the current situation, it is indeed the best approach. Playing dumb can solve ninety percent of the interrogations in this world, as long as your acting is mature enough and the other party lacks absolute evidence.

Seeing Jiang Feng's slightly guilty expression, Gu flipped his eyes, this guy truly won't learn until he sees the coffin. From the looks of Ao Qing next door, that Senior Sister seems to understand he didn't come with malice.

He then sternly said: "If the Sect Master truly intended to interrogate, the person sent wouldn't be me, but the inner sect protector personally inviting you to Yuqing Hall for questioning."

"They sent me, yet you still can't grasp the situation, still acting as if dazed. Do you wish for me to make things crystal clear? What am I supposed to say when reporting back?"

"We're all fellow disciples, all peak heads. In the future, the two of us will inevitably work together. With your talents, in this sect, you'll certainly rise smoothly in the future. The Sect Master sent me here to watch over and consult together."

"You acquired those things after being struck by calamity, not by your own initiative. To honestly speak, this is still the responsibility of Purple Cloud Palace and the elders. Even if we spoke plainly and presented it upwards, who could blame you for anything?"

"Moreover, with Master Liu here, who dares to move you? Seriously pursuing responsibility, must we head to Heavenly Power Peak to arrest Senior Brother Shan Yu?"

"Think about it, Purple Cloud Palace has lasted for over eight thousand years due to its open mentality. Our sect can accommodate both the Demon Race and Demon Clan, how could it not tolerate you?"

Slapping the table.

He was truly infuriated by this kid, almost laughing from anger. But that relaxed Jiang Feng's expression, frightened by the big scene.

And then...

"Buddy, aren't you fishing here? Deliberately probing me?"

"You!"

Almost coughed up blood on the spot.

Fist clenched, mouth twitching, barely resisting the urge to strike, but quickly changed his words.

"What Senior Brother Gu just said is right. Extraordinary individuals should do extraordinary deeds; even remnants of evil cultivators, if used correctly, can save the world."

"If the person controlling them possesses the right mindset, walks with integrity, then it's the blessing of the entire Cultivation World. Enough said, if I am to practice cultivation with this body, and famine arises, I'll personally cut flesh from my own body."

"Should I use this for any wrongdoing, forget the elders and protectors, Senior Sister could chop me up and mince me into a stew."

Immediately pledging earnestly.

Though it sounded strange, Jiang Feng's words still made Gu Miyun nod. Jiang Feng mentioned a crucial reason why the sect didn't plan to pursue the matter.

That's because Liu Tangxi is present.

They understand the temperament of this Sword Immortal clearly. Should an evil cultivator or a person with wrong intentions emerge within the sect, given Liu Xianzi's temperament, it's guaranteed they'd die violently; she could directly chop them into a stew, without needing sect intervention.

Her authority within the sect is paramount, possessing the highest enforcement power.

"Saying it earlier would have sufficed, you really are..."

Sighing.

However, still graciously finished the tea Jiang Feng handed him.

What was in it wasn't tea but delightful sweet and sour green plum wine, which Jiang Feng had brought back from Country Liang last time and brewed several jars himself.

"Alright, with Junior Brother Jiang's words, I can report back to the Sect Master without issue."

Standing up.

Seeing his posture intended to leave immediately, Jiang Feng quickly stood to see him off, the fawning look on his face not befitting a Sword Immortal disciple, though he found it not unpleasing given the frequent elder complaints about the odd and unpleasant temper of Swordmaster Peak people prior.

Yet in the future, when under Jiang Feng's rule, things should presumably be different.

"Oh, right, Junior Brother Jiang."

As they walked outside together, Gu Miyun suddenly opened his mouth to ask.

"Speaking of which, after the Nine Peaks martial arts competition concludes, the sect will dispatch disciples to various regions for training; with the trip to Phoenix Heavenly Cave imminent, as a disciple of Master Liu, you should be aware of this, right?"

"Naturally."

"Hmm, since that's the case, how about we two brothers go together for training? I heard from people in the sect you're from Long Country, which borders Southern Border. Just right, the sect plans to send me to Southern Border, you should be familiar with it."

"Oh? Senior Brother Gu intends to go to Southern Border? Quite interested indeed."

Suddenly became intrigued.

Just as Gu Miyun said, his visit was indeed routine inquiry. After Jiang Feng expressed his attitude earlier, he immediately turned the matter over and began discussing personal topics.

"Indeed."

The man nodded.

Showing a bit of helplessness in his expression, he still spoke: "No choice, relations between the Central Plains and Southern Border, as well as all regions, are currently tense. Ultimately, Purple Cloud Palace needs to make more allies, so the elders wish for me to partner with the Southern Border Witch Clan, preferably as a family relation, sigh."

"Matchmaking!?"

Eyes instantly lit up.

Seeing Jiang Feng unable to conceal the smile on his face, Gu Miyun's expression showed some helplessness but still nodded.

"More or less, recommended by the old antiques of the sect, though it depends on fate, as among the younger generation from Southern Border, few even catch my eye. Oh, they mentioned wanting me to meet the current Saintess of Southern Border, seems from the Cen Family Village."

"What's her name?"

"Cen Yueyue?"

Casually said some words.

Thump!

Someone's advancing steps suddenly stopped.

"Alas, I truly wish to avoid women from that area, their temper and character are strange, not to mention their creepy poison insects; looking at those Gu Techniques is a headache, even if it's the Saintess, hmm, Junior Brother Jiang, are you okay?"

Seeing the man's trace vanish from nearby, Gu immediately turned around, only to see Jiang Feng's calm yet intensely serious face.

"Senior Brother Gu."

"In a few days at the martial arts competition, wash your neck... no, wash yourself completely."

"Then wait for me on the stage."

Widening his eyes, and then.

He slowly formed a question mark.

"?"