Wandering Swordsman |

"Five years ago, after the demonic energy reappeared in Yimen County, Yunnan, our Martial Alliance was re-established to prevent the demonic cult from making a comeback." The curator's voice was low and slow, as if every word carried the weight of time. He stood with his hands behind his back, his posture as upright as a pine tree, but in his originally clear eyes, a trace of weariness and worry flashed.

"Over the past few years, we have never stopped investigating, but no matter how we investigate, there has been no trace of the demonic energy." He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the room. "Now that there is no progress on the matter of the demonic sect and the demonic energy has disappeared, should we lower our alert level? After all, resources are limited, and if we maintain a high state of alert for a long time, it will probably tie up too much manpower and resources."

As soon as he finished speaking, the hall erupted in chaos.

"Outrageous!" Tang Lie, an elder of the Tang Clan, abruptly stood up, slamming his cane down with a heavy thud that sounded like thunder. His hair and beard were completely white, but his expression was like a tiger descending a mountain, his aura imposing. "Back then, it took our leader ten years to severely damage and repel the Demonic Sect when he founded the previous Martial Alliance! Do you all remember how many fellow martial artists sacrificed their lives during that great battle against the Demonic Sect?!"

After saying this, Tang Lie's agitated state calmed down somewhat: "The reappearance of demonic energy five years ago was a warning! It showed that the Demonic Sect still had remnants lying dormant for many years, and they must have some designs on the Central Plains martial arts world. Once we let our guard down, I'm afraid they will make a comeback, and then it will be too late to regret it!"

After he finished speaking, he looked around, his eyes blazing, his tone revealing an undeniable anger.

Elder Su Yi of the Emei Sect gently shook her head. Dressed in white as snow, she sat upright like a lotus, her voice clear and firm: "Elder Tang Lie is absolutely right. The Demonic Sect has always been cunning and treacherous. They appear calm on the surface, but in reality, they harbor deadly intentions. Even if they are temporarily in hiding, we must not let our guard down."

Elder Zhao Yunchuan of the Qingcheng Sect frowned, finally unable to hold back his words. His tone, though not as intense as Tang Lie's, still carried a hint of anxiety: "But can we be so paranoid because of a mere shadow? We also need to consider other threats, such as those increasingly rampant overseas evil cultivators. Last month, Granny White Bone massacred thirty households in Lingnan; the corpses piled up like mountains—a truly horrific sight! Shouldn't we focus our energy more on the real enemy before us?"

"Elder Zhao, you are mistaken!" Elder Zhang Jun of Mount Hua sneered, his tone firm and resolute. "The Demonic Sect is not a mere illusion, but a venomous snake lurking even deeper. You think it has disappeared, but that's only because it hasn't yet emerged from its hole. If you wait until it bites you before regretting it, it will be too late!"

"But if we stubbornly cling to old enemies and ignore new threats," Zhao Yunchuan retorted, not to be outdone.

"Absurd!" Tang Lie's eyes widened in anger, almost slamming his fist on the table. "You're putting the cart before the horse! If we lower our guard today, others will follow suit tomorrow. If the Demonic Sect seizes the opportunity and threatens the Central Plains martial arts world again, who will take responsibility?!"

......

"Gentlemen." As the debate intensified and the atmosphere in the hall nearly spiraled out of control, the curator finally spoke. His voice was soft, yet like a drop of ink falling into clear water, it spread instantly, silently silencing all the clamor.

Everyone fell silent, and their gazes turned to the acting leader.

Although the curator's identity is shrouded in mystery, almost no one knows his true origins except for Situ Dengfeng, the leader of the martial arts alliance. However, since Situ Dengfeng brought him back to the martial arts alliance and appointed him as the acting leader, this man has quickly won the trust and respect of all parties with his amazing wisdom and calm demeanor.

From that time on, the name "Mr. Wang" spread throughout the martial arts alliance. Although he belonged to no sect or faction, he became one of the most influential figures in the alliance. He did not vie for power or profit, but only concerned himself with right and wrong; he did not flaunt his abilities, yet every word he spoke was accurate. Even the leaders of the nine sects held him in high regard.

At this moment, he remained calm, as if the heated argument had never happened. He slowly raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, exuding authority without anger.

"The matter of the Demonic Sect will be put on hold for now." His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority. "We will make a decision after further intelligence is available."

He paused, his tone softening slightly, yet now carrying a hint of admonition: "Right now, we have other important matters to discuss. I urge you all to restrain your emotions. If a momentary dispute jeopardizes the overall situation, wouldn't people laugh at our martial arts alliance for having no one to rely on?"

He spoke calmly, yet his words struck like hammers, resonating deeply within people's hearts.

Everyone lowered their heads, and despite their resentment, no one dared to utter a word of rebuttal.

The argument abruptly ceased, and the entire hall returned to its initial solemnity. Even the sound of the wind outside the window seemed to become cautious, as if afraid of disturbing this brief tranquility.

Zhao Yunchuan sighed softly, lowered his head and remained silent, his brows full of helplessness; Tang Lie, though his face was full of resentment and his knuckles were white as he gripped his cane, ultimately did not stand up again; the nun in plain clothes nodded slightly, seemingly with approval, her eyes showing more respect.

The curator watched all this quietly, his face remaining calm. He knew that everyone present was a powerful figure with their own agenda. But he was even more aware that his role today was not just that of a mediator, but a bridge—a bridge maintaining the internal balance of the martial arts alliance.

Then, the curator's tone turned serious, each word seeming to rise slowly from a bottomless well, carrying an undeniable power: "Next, it concerns the matter of the martial arts alliance leader sending a message by carrier pigeon, requesting an investigation into the Black Wind Gang's recent activities."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire hall fell into a murmur, as if a stone had been thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples to spread.

"The Black Wind Gang? Haven't they been operating in the southwest all along?" someone muttered under their breath, their tone full of doubt.

"Since the establishment of the New Martial Arts Alliance, the Black Wind Gang has become much more obedient," another representative chimed in, his voice tinged with a hint of confusion.

"Yes, we've heard very little about the Black Wind Gang in recent years," Tang Clan Elder Tang Lie said with a frown. "I heard that after the Martial Alliance was established, the Black Wind Gang closed its Black Wind Mountain gates and stopped communicating with the outside world."

"Could it be that the Alliance Leader is preparing to retaliate against the Black Wind Gang for kidnapping Situ Meng five years ago?" Elder Su Yi of the Emei Sect asked softly, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes. "No! Impossible! The Alliance Leader is definitely not that kind of person."

The discussions among the crowd rose and fell like waves crashing on the shore, one after another. Everyone tried to interpret this sudden order from their own perspective, their hearts filled with both doubt and unease.

Finally, amidst the commotion, Elder Zhao Yunchuan of the Qingcheng Sect stood up. His gaze was firm, and his voice was steady and powerful: "Master, since everyone has their own speculations, could you please explain in detail why the Black Wind Gang is being investigated? After all, the Black Wind Gang has been closed off for many years, so why is it suddenly being investigated now?"