Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 482 Rumors spread
Song Xian carefully examined the robe for a while, then put it into his pocket. He then went to the first cabinet where all the items he had previously acquired were kept, and he put them all away as well.

As for the storage bags of Taylor, Thor, and Huang Jie, they had already been burned to ashes by the Taiyin Netherfire. Under the circumstances, he couldn't possibly have thought of holding back.

Looking at the three scattered, charred remains on the ground, he felt a complex mix of emotions.

This was the first time he had been attacked from behind by his companions since he began his cultivation, and also the first time he had turned against his fellow treasure hunters.

He had also gone treasure hunting with people he had never met before. Although not everyone escaped unscathed every time, this was the first time they had faced off with swords.

Even though he was very careful, he almost fell for it. Now, recalling the scene of Taylor's attack, he couldn't help but feel a little scared. If his reaction had been just a little slower, and Taylor's bloody hands had penetrated three inches further, it would have been too late to save him.

The one lying here wasn't one of the three, but him.

He stood there for a moment, stunned, then strode over the three charred corpses and left.

…………

Qianfeng Mountain, Xijiang County, is the residence of the Xuanyuan Sect.

Inside the spacious and bright hall, Murong Yun frowned as he looked out at the outer room, his expression already showing some impatience, but his eyes also revealing unease.

Recently, rumors have been circulating in Xijiang County that the Murong family has secretly contacted the rebel army of Nanhan County and is waiting for them to arrive so that they can cooperate with them to take over Xijiang County.

Some even described it in great detail, recounting exactly how they contacted the rebels in Nanhan County and how they reached an agreement, as if they had witnessed it firsthand.

These rumors appeared almost overnight and spread rapidly throughout Xijiang County. This was clearly not ordinary gossip, and there must be someone manipulating and instigating them behind the scenes.

Upon learning of this, the Murong family immediately convened an emergency meeting. As the saying goes, "three men can make a tiger," and "many mouths can melt metal." Moreover, given the sensitive and critical period, it was clear that the person who orchestrated all of this was targeting them.

Besides the Beast Taming Sect, there is almost no one else who has the motivation and ability to do this.

The Murong family immediately split their forces into several groups. One group sent people to investigate and arrest those who spread the rumors and find out who was behind them. The other group summoned forces from all sides to clarify the matter.

The patriarch, Murong Teng, personally went to Xishu County, while Murong Yun came to pay a visit to Wei Wuyai.

He waited there for almost a whole day, but Wei Wuyai did not appear.

This is undoubtedly a very bad sign.

Murong Yun was upset and drank cup after cup of tea, but Wei Wuyai was nowhere to be seen.

It wasn't until the moon was high in the sky that he slowly walked in, hands behind his back.

Murong Yun's impatience vanished instantly. He quickly stood up, put on a smile, and bowed to Wei Wuyai: "Master Wei, I apologize for disturbing you."

Wei Wuyai kept his eyes straight ahead, neither returning the greeting nor explaining why he had been so late in coming to see him. He walked past Murong Yun with his head held high and his steps unhurried, and sat down directly in the main seat.

Murong Yun maintained his bowing posture. Being treated so rudely, he couldn't help but feel angry, but since he needed a favor, he could only swallow his anger and force a smile. He flipped his hand and took out a three-foot-long golden box, which he handed over with both hands: "Fellow Daoist Wei, this is a small token of my family's respect. I hope you won't find it offensive."

Wei Wuyai did not refuse. He reached out and took the golden box, but without even looking at its contents, he casually placed it aside and said calmly, "Fellow Daoist Murong, you must have heard about the recent uproar in the city!"

When Murong Yun saw that he had accepted the gift and brought up the matter, she breathed a slight sigh of relief. This meant that the upper echelons of the Xuan Yuan Sect had not yet given Wei Wuyai any clear instructions that would be detrimental to the Murong family, and it also meant that things had not developed in the worst possible direction.

"To be honest, that is why I have come here. Recently, rumors have suddenly spread throughout the city that our government is colluding with the rebels. This is completely unfounded. Someone is trying to frame our government. I urge Steward Wei to see this clearly and hope that you can say a few good words for our government before your esteemed family."

Wei Wuyai did not reply. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and as he put the teacup down, he looked up at him with eyes as sharp as an eagle: "I heard that Qi Yunxuan secretly returned to Xijiang County and met with your family several times in secret. Is this true?"

Murong Yun was startled, suddenly finding himself in a dilemma, caught between a rock and a hard place.

He did indeed meet Qi Yunxuan in secret, but only once. After that visit by Qi Yunxuan in disguise, the two never met again.

At this point, admitting it is one thing, and denying it is another.

Because he didn't know how far Wei Wuyai had gotten to. If Wei Wuyai had solid information that Qi Yunxuan had visited, and he chose to hide it, it would be like trying to hide something obvious, making him seem even more guilty.

It's easy to imagine how Wei Wuyai would report this to the Xuan Yuan Sect.

The attitude of the Xuan Yuan Sect is directly related to the survival of the Murong family. Over the years, if it weren't for the Xuan Yuan Sect suppressing the Beast Taming Sect, the Murong family might have already ceased to exist.

However, admitting it directly would also cause considerable trouble.

Yunxuan Sect was a sect that Xuanyuan Sect ordered to be eradicated. Qi Yunxuan was regarded as a thorn in their side. In addition, Qi Yunxuan had already joined the rebel army of Nanhan County. The fact that the Murong family secretly met with him without reporting to Xuanyuan Sect was itself a sign of disloyalty.

"Where did you hear that, Steward Wei?" Murong Yun did not answer directly, but asked in return after a moment's thought.

Wei Wuyai said expressionlessly, "I don't need to report to you where you heard that! Fellow Daoist Murong, just tell me whether your family has met with Qi Yunxuan privately. Is that so hard to answer?"

"These are all baseless rumors. Someone is deliberately targeting our manor." Murong Yun answered without hesitation. He had already thought of how to deal with it while he was thinking. In the current situation, he could only deny it to the death.

Once you admit it, it's hard to explain clearly.

No matter how it's explained, in the eyes of the Xuan Yuan Sect, it will be seen as collusion with the rebels.

"It's good that you haven't seen it. Don't say I didn't warn you beforehand. Anyone who has any connection with the rebels of Nanhan County will not be easily spared by this clan. Your family should take care of themselves."

“Our household understands the implications. Our household has always followed the orders of your esteemed clan, and Steward Wei is aware of this. No matter what the matter is, as long as your esteemed clan gives the order, our household will go through fire and water, even at the cost of our lives.” After expressing his loyalty, Murong Yun looked up at him and hesitated before speaking.

"Recently, rumors have suddenly spread throughout the city. There must be someone behind this. With Chief Steward Wei's shrewdness, he should be able to find out who is behind it and what their intentions are. Chief Steward Wei is in charge of all matters in Xijiang County. I hope that Chief Steward Wei can restrain them a little."

Wei Wuyai remained calm: "Fellow Daoist Murong, do you mean that these words were spread by the Beast Taming Sect?"

"Besides them, our prefecture cannot think of anyone else with such motives and capabilities. Steward Wei knows that ever since the incident involving Emperor Yunxuan, the Beast Taming Sect has been plotting to swallow up our prefecture and unify the entire Western Frontier County. They are creating such public opinion and rumors, clearly intending to target our prefecture. Therefore, they have pinned the charge of colluding with the rebel army of Southern Han on our prefecture to achieve their goal in a legitimate manner."

"If your sect's elders believe this rumor, they have been deceived by the Beast Taming Sect. We humbly request Steward Wei to defend our sect to your sect's leader. Our sect will be eternally grateful."

Wei Wuyai's voice remained calm and composed: "You say these words were spread by the Beast Taming Sect, but do you have any concrete evidence?" Murong Yun's heart sank slightly. He had already keenly sensed Wei Wuyai's hostility. Such an obvious matter, and he wasn't even confronting the Beast Taming Sect in court, but only having a private conversation, yet he still needed concrete evidence. This was clearly an excuse.

Either someone influential within the Xuan Yuan Sect said something detrimental to the Murong family, or the Beast Taming Sect has already won him over.

Neither of these scenarios is good news for the Murong family right now.

As the head of the Xuan Yuan Sect stationed in Xijiang County, Wei Wuyai could easily influence the judgment of the sect's higher-ups if they were unaware of the situation.

In other words, his words had a great influence on Xuan Yuan Sect's handling of this matter.

"No... no."

"Without concrete evidence, how can you definitively say that it was the Beast Taming Sect who did it?"

Murong Yun was about to speak again when Wei Wuyai waved his hand to interrupt him: "Alright, I know everything. Fellow Daoist Murong, please leave!"

Murong Yun had a lot more to say, but since the host had already given the order to leave, he could only get up reluctantly.

"Then I will not trouble you any further, Steward Wei. Please put in a good word for this matter with your esteemed clan. Our family will be eternally grateful and will certainly repay you handsomely."

“After the matter is investigated, I will naturally report to the sect. As long as your family has a clear conscience, why worry?” As soon as Wei Wuyai finished speaking, a disciple of the Xuan Yuan Sect came outside. Upon seeing Murong Yun there, he lowered his head.

Upon seeing this, Murong Yun had no choice but to take his leave.

Only after he had walked away and disappeared from sight did the disciple respectfully bow and report, "Uncle-Master, Senior Brother Zhang has returned and is requesting an audience in the outer room."

"Bring him in."

"Yes." The disciple responded and left, soon returning with another burly Xuan Yuan Sect disciple.

"How's the investigation going?" Wei Wuyai waved his hand, indicating that there was no need for further formalities.

"Reporting to Martial Uncle, after our investigation, we have confirmed that a cultivator at the ninth level of the Golden Core realm did indeed visit the Murong family's mountain gate half a year ago. This person later appeared in Xuzi Mountain and Huangfeng Ridge, and some people saw him. As for whether he is Qi Yunxuan, we will have to wait for news from the rebels in Nanhan County to make a judgment."

"Besides, according to what I know, Murong Teng and Murong Yun have not left their sect in the past six months."

Wei Wuyai's eyes flickered slightly, and he remained silent after a moment of contemplation.

Although the surface of Xishu County is calm now, undercurrents are surging, like the calm before a storm.

The rebel army in Nanhan Commandery is fully prepared and has been frequently mobilizing its forces recently, making it possible for them to invade Xishu Commandery at any time.

At this critical juncture, the secret meeting between the Murong family and Qi Yunxuan has not only caused a great stir in Xijiang County, but has also attracted considerable attention from the higher-ups of the Xuan Yuan Sect.

Of course, they received the news much earlier than what was circulating in the marketplace, and the source of the information was none other than the Beast Taming Sect.

Upon receiving this letter, the Xuan Yuan Sect's higher-ups secretly ordered Wei Wuyai to immediately investigate the matter and closely monitor the Murong family's every move.

This is why he was so cold towards Murong Yun's visit.

If they were to flirt with the Murong family at this time, they might end up getting themselves into trouble.

.........

The sky was clear, the city of Bianxi was nestled in the clouds.

In the distance, a streak of light shot over, revealing Song Xian's figure. After returning to the sect, he immediately ordered someone to summon Jiang Zichen to inquire about the sect's recent situation.

Inside the council hall, Jiang Zichen entered from outside, bowed to him, and briefly reported on the progress of various sect affairs over the past six months.

"Recently, there have been many rumors about the Murong family in Xijiang County. It is said that the Murong family is going to join the rebel army of Nanhan County. It is said that Qi Yunxuan secretly returned to Xijiang County to meet with Murong Teng to discuss the matter. The story is very detailed and seems to make sense. Although the Murong family has tried their best to clarify the matter, the rumors are still rampant. I think there may be a major change in Xijiang County."

Song Xian's eyes flickered slightly, his mind racing. This matter was unexpected. Although there were no other sources of information at the moment, he could roughly deduce how things would develop based on Jiang Zichen's words.

Regardless of whether the Murong family actually had private contact with Qi Yunxuan, the fact that this matter was exposed and became known to everyone means that someone must have been pushing things along behind the scenes.

The mastermind behind this should be the Beast Taming Sect.

Given the power of the Murong family, other smaller forces in Xijiang County would certainly not dare to provoke them. Even if they accidentally learned the inside story, they would not dare to spread such news widely.

For a powerful force like the Xuan Yuan Sect to deal with the Murong family, there's no need for them to go to such lengths.

Therefore, the mastermind behind this could only be a force whose power is not much different from that of the Murong family, but which has a grudge against them.

After eliminating these possibilities, only the Beast Taming Sect remains.

Regardless of whether the Murong family truly had private connections with the Southern Han County or reached some kind of agreement, the fact that the Beast Taming Sect released this information was clearly an attempt to create momentum, suggesting that they intended to take action against the Murong family.

The reason they wanted to create momentum before taking action was undoubtedly to gain the consent or tacit approval of the Xuan Yuan Sect.

After the incident involving Yun Xuanzong, the relationship between the Beast Taming Sect and the Murong family became irreconcilable. However, with the Xuan Yuan Sect above them, the Beast Taming Sect could only endure it.

The Xuan Yuan Sect had its own reasons for protecting the Murong family. As the largest sect in Xishu County, they did not want the Beast Taming Sect to dominate Xijiang County. They hoped that there would be another force in Xijiang County that could restrain them, which was in the Xuan Yuan Sect's interest.

However, according to Song Xian, things were not so simple. In fact, there had been rumors for a long time that the Murong family was helping Yunxuan Sect fight against the Beast Taming Sect at the behest of Xuanyuan Sect.

This may sound contradictory, because it was Xuan Yuan Sect that ultimately eliminated Yun Xuan Sect's forces. Yu Shou Sect was also ordered by Xuan Yuan Sect to attack the fleeing Yun Xuan Sect on the way.

Since Xuan Yuan Sect took the initiative to kill Yun Xuanzong, why would they secretly send the Murong family to help Yun Xuanzong?
But this is not actually contradictory; it has its own reasonable logic.

(End of this chapter)