Wandering Swordsman |

Upon hearing this, Juechenzi's expression remained unchanged. Instead, he chuckled and shook his head, saying, "Alliance Leader Situ is joking. There are countless people in the world who look like this poor, scholarly fellow. You are so knowledgeable; perhaps you only caught a glimpse of him in a teahouse or tavern and got confused."

His tone was relaxed, and his smile was gentle, as if he were truly just an unknown passerby.

But only Shen Mo knew that the wedding banquet at Qilin Village was the crucial moment when Juechenzi changed the course of his destiny. And today, as a member of the Heavenly Demon God Sect, he could stand calmly and composedly in the Central Plains Martial Arts Alliance.

Shen Mo sighed inwardly: As expected of the leader of the Twelve Venerables, his composure and resourcefulness are rare in the world.

He calmly took over the conversation, smiling as he addressed the crowd, "Master and Mr. Chen have come from afar; you must be tired from your journey. Please come inside and have some tea. The wedding banquet is about to begin, and we need the presence of these two elders!"

Yang Zhi felt as if he had been granted a pardon, nodding repeatedly: "Good, good, good! Come in, come in!"

Juechenzi followed with a smile, and just before entering the door, he quietly turned back to glance at Shen Mo.

That single glance spoke volumes—it seemed to be telling Shen Mo that she was representing the entire Heavenly Demon God Sect at the Heavenly Demon God's wedding banquet.

Just as the master of ceremonies was about to put away the red carpet welcoming guests, a simple blue-curtained carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the Martial Arts Alliance.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Master Wang was the first to get out. Although he was old, he was in good spirits. He wore a brocade robe embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns and held an old-fashioned jade ruyi in his hand.

Behind him, Wang Ruoling moved gracefully, still as beautiful as ever, but with a touch more serenity and gentleness in her eyes.

She wasn't dressed in her finest attire today, but simply wore a pale white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and adorned her hair with a plain silver jasmine blossom, which only accentuated her refined and elegant demeanor.

Beside her stood a handsome young man in an indigo brocade robe, with a modest demeanor and an obsidian thumb ring on his right hand that gleamed softly in the setting sun.

Shen Mo felt a warmth in his heart at first glance, but then his heart sank suddenly.

Master Wang...Miss Wang...

Memories flooded back: back then, at the gate of the wealthy mansion in Beiping, the bronze sword felt slightly cool in his hand, and Wang Ruoling said softly, "Young Master Shen, when you travel the world, it's hard to defend yourself without a weapon." When they parted, he and He Yun were young and spirited, unaware of the bloodshed and storms ahead.

As the recollection ended, Shen Mo quickly stepped forward, bowing deeply with his hands clasped: "Master Wang! Miss Wang! You two have come from afar, I am so sorry for not greeting you properly!"

Master Wang quickly took his arm, his eyes filled with relief and emotion: "Young Master Shen, I apologize for coming uninvited. But having heard of your heroic deeds in saving the Central Plains martial arts world from disaster, and now your joyous wedding, I fear I would regret it for the rest of my life if I did not come to see you in person!"

Shen Mo quickly replied, "Sir, you flatter me! A guest is always welcome, and besides, you bestowed a sword upon me back in Beiping. I am deeply grateful to see you today!"

After saying this, he turned to introduce Situ Dengfeng and Murong Liang: "This is Master Wang of Beiping. When He Yun and I first entered the martial world, we were treated very well by him. This is Miss Wang. She is a woman of great talent and strength. She is Master Wang's beloved daughter and an old friend of He Yun and me."

Upon hearing this, Situ Dengfeng and Murong Liang were filled with respect and quickly returned the greeting: "So you are a prince! Please, please come in!"

During the pleasantries, Master Wang smiled broadly and turned to the young man beside him: "This is my daughter Ruoling's fiancé, named Lin Xiu. He is the eldest son of the Lin family in Qi. He is kind and honest, and has excellent learning."

Upon hearing the name "Lin Xiu," Shen Mo's pupils suddenly contracted!

In an instant, the densely packed "List of Central Plains Spy" presented by the Flame Demon Lord flashed through his mind like lightning, with one line standing out: "Lin Xiu, young master of the Lin family in Qi, has secretly maintained contact with the Heavenly Demon God Sect for six years and is responsible for intelligence transmission in Qi."

Shen Mo was deeply shocked, but his face remained completely expressionless.

He discreetly observed the man: his manners were proper, his speech was refined, his eyes were clear, and he looked like a gentleman.

If the list weren't so conclusive, who would believe that such a gentle and refined young man was actually one of their sect's hidden agents?

He suppressed his emotions, his smile remaining unchanged, and simply nodded slightly: "Young Master Lin, I've long admired you."

He then turned to Wang Ruoling, his tone gentle: "Miss Wang, He Yun and Zhao Xue have already taken their seats. They will be delighted to know you are here. I will have someone introduce you to them later."

Upon hearing this, a bright smile flashed in Wang Ruoling's eyes: "Young Master He and Miss Zhao are here too? That's wonderful! It's been so many years since we last met, I was worried I wouldn't be able to see them."

She was completely unaware that her fiancé's name had already been engraved on a secret letter that Shen Mo had burned; even less did she know that the old friend who was about to marry Shuang Jue was her fiancé's true "master".

Master Wang nodded in satisfaction and led his daughter and future son-in-law into the wedding hall.

Lin Xiu walked with ease, his brocade robe brushing against the red carpet, like a jade gentleman, gentle and flawless.

But just as he was about to cross the threshold of the Martial Arts Alliance, his steps suddenly stopped.

That face, which had always been as calm as still water, suddenly seemed to be struck by an invisible thunderbolt. The pupils contracted sharply, the veins on the forehead throbbed slightly, and the whole person seemed to fall into an ice cave in an instant.

He turned his head abruptly, his gaze piercing Shen Mo like lightning. His eyes no longer held any trace of the humble scholar's demeanor, but only shock, awe, and even a hint of barely concealed fear.

—For a single voice, like a drop of cold spring water falling into a lake of the heart, rang out with crystal clarity deep within his mind:

"I am the Heavenly Demon God of the Heavenly Demon God Sect! Wang Ruoling is an old friend of mine. If you are fortunate enough to marry her in the future, please do not betray her."

The voice was not loud, but every word was like a sword, piercing through flesh and reaching the very soul.

Lin Xiu shuddered, his fingertips turning icy cold. He knew that only those whose martial arts had reached the pinnacle could use internal energy to transmit sound.

He never expected that the world-renowned "Sword God" before him was actually the supreme Heavenly Demon God of the Heavenly Demon God Sect!

Even more unexpectedly, the supreme being, the Heavenly Demon God, knew that he was one of the spy that the Flame Demon Lord had selected in the Central Plains; and his fiancée, whom he was about to marry, was someone that the Heavenly Demon God had personally chosen to protect!

He dared not respond, not even blink, but bowed his head deeply, performing the most standard subordinate etiquette—his right hand lightly touching his left chest, thumb tucked in—a gesture that was almost imperceptible to outsiders. He then quickly followed after Master Wang, his back as steady as a pine tree, but his steps were slightly unsteady, as if invisible chains were coiling around his spine, making his breathing even lighter.

Shen Mo stood still, his smile unchanged, but a deep, unfathomable light flashed in his eyes—like the moon reflected in a cold pool, with undercurrents surging beneath the tranquil surface.

If Lin Xiu truly cares for Wang Ruoling, he is willing to help her achieve a happy marriage; if he harbors ulterior motives, then... under the red ribbon of the Martial Alliance, a path to the underworld can also be paved.

Wang was completely unaware of the turmoil in her fiancé's heart, nor did she know that the threads of her fate had just been gently touched by an invisible hand. She only felt that the sun was shining brightly today, that she had reunited with an old friend, and that even the wind carried a sweet scent.

She turned back and smiled sweetly at Lin Xiu, her eyes clear as spring water: "Ah Xiu, when we meet Young Master He later, I will definitely introduce you to him properly."

Lin Xiu finally came to his senses from the shock. He looked at Wang Ruoling, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly, and he was speechless for a moment.

Shen Mo's voice transmission just now was like a brand etched into my heart: "Don't let her down."

Three words, heavier than mountains.

He suddenly realized that the gentle woman in front of him was not only his fiancée, but also an old friend whom the Heavenly Demon God cared about.

When he looked at Wang Ruoling again, his gaze held a newfound respect—not out of admiration, but out of awe.

He responded softly, "Okay." His voice was low, yet exceptionally firm. The two walked side by side, their figures blending into the light and shadow of the auditorium.