Who is spreading rumors that my filial piety towards them has changed?

The old man stared in astonishment at the sword that had suddenly pierced through his chest, the sword imbued with extremely yin energy.

Various questions arose in his mind, but the extinguished hope of life prevented the old man from continuing to think.

Chapter 202 Yunhan: Master, what are you doing!

Chu Mingkong pretended to leave the city, leaving behind a trace of his departure, and immediately returned to Xiao Yunhan's courtyard. The Xiao family members were gathered in Qingxin Mansion, making a bit of a commotion.

Moreover, the current situation of being in the dark right under one's nose makes things somewhat ridiculous. The Xiao family set up a soundproof barrier outside Qingxin Mansion, and it was a very powerful barrier formation. Once activated, the formation consumed energy like a gold-devouring beast. Without using any of their trump cards, it would be extremely difficult for Shen Xuejun to eavesdrop on the sounds inside the mansion based solely on her cultivation level.

However, the Xiao family members who can now enter and leave Qingxin Mansion are basically core members, and even their subordinates are loyal old servants. Family members who are slightly distant are not allowed to enter. This made them a little careless, and when discussing plans in Qingxin Mansion, they basically did not use a strong soundproof barrier to protect their secrets.

The group of people in Xiao Yunhan's courtyard had heard almost everything that was happening in Qingxin Mansion, and the Xiao family had been guarding against nothing.

Because the protective array surrounding Qingxin Mansion was too powerful, Chu Mingkong didn't dare to rush in despite his injuries. Only after the Xiao family was about to leave and removed the array did Chu Mingkong quietly slip back to his sister's courtyard.

He had just returned to the room and sat down when Shen Xuejun, who was sipping tea, said to Chu Mingkong:

"You actually demanded that they apologize to the Lu family? Aren't you afraid of harming the Lu family widows? They are now a family without their husbands as their protectors."

Chu Mingkong spotted the seat next to Xiao Yunhan, but before he could climb halfway over, his sister grabbed his arm and pulled him into her arms.

Although he was a little embarrassed, he decided to make the best of it. He shifted his weight on his sister's thighs to make himself comfortable, and felt the soft, silky touch of her white silk legs was wonderful. He couldn't help but stroke Xiao Yunhan's thighs with both hands.

"I naturally knew that this might draw Xiao Fengnan's attention to the Lu family, so when I left the city, I set up some restrictions near the Lu family. Anyone who dared to make a move there would suffer the consequences. I also asked Fengying to keep an eye on the area for a while."

However, he also understood that he shouldn't have mentioned the Lu family's situation to the Xiao family. Chu Mingkong had to admit that his decision at the time was hasty. He wanted to help them vent their anger and at least get an apology.

It's truly heartbreaking. I want to get an apology for Lao Lu's family, but I have to worry about them being targeted. If I want to ensure their safety, then I have to keep them in the dark for the rest of their lives, so they can't even know the truth about their family's tragic deaths.

As he pondered, the soft coolness on his cheek pulled Chu Mingkong back to reality. Xiao Yunhan's jade-like hand had landed on his face without him noticing, gently rubbing and caressing it.

As a macho man, I naturally find this kind of treatment quite offensive, but considering that I'm also touching my sister's thigh, I'll just have to bear with it for now.

She touched hers, I touched mine.

Chu Mingkong suddenly became curious about his master's wife's opinion on this matter, wondering if she would have any chivalrous thoughts about stepping forward, which seemed unrealistic.

"Master's wife, if you really heard that they were planning to attack the Lu family, would you help them?"

"Then I'll ask you a question in return: if you hear that a stranger is in trouble, will you care about their situation? If one day you have the ability to see and hear more things, will you handle every single one of them personally?"

Shen Xuejun's words were very clear: she wouldn't physically tie him up. And she really should think that way, otherwise Chu Mingkong would be wondering why she cared more about outsiders than her daughter Ruyu.

Chu Mingkong put himself in that position, imagined the situation in his mind, and shook his head, saying:

"It's highly unlikely, but if it's because of me, I think I'll handle it, as long as I have a clear conscience."

Xiao Yunhan continued his question, asking further:

"But this whole thing started because of your momentary emotions. You want to continue helping her, and it seems like you've put in a lot of effort and dedication, but can you guarantee that the Lu family will want the outcome? Can you guarantee that things won't get worse?"

Chu Mingkong seemed to understand his sister's meaning and confirmed it:

"Yunhan, are you saying that my subsequent all-out assistance, including my desire to seek justice for them, is just self-gratification, and in reality, only pushing the Lu family's lives into an even worse situation?"

Shen Xuejun appreciated his understanding. The wisdom he displayed in his actions seemed to fluctuate and be hard to fathom, but looking at his current boyish demeanor, it seemed acceptable.

"That's exactly right. And it all started because you invested too much 'emotion' into looking at and handling things. Blindly acting impulsively will only leave those around you battered and bruised, while you remain complacent. But once you wake up one day and look around to find that you've been doing the wrong things all along, those past experiences will become your inner demons."

"Then comes enlightenment and renunciation? Master's wife, what's the difference between your Taoism and Buddhism? It seems they also have to let go of their seven emotions and six desires."

"It's similar, but not the same. Buddhism dictates what you should do in your life. Wenqing Pavilion wants you to handle things better. As for what you should do, that's something you'll need to think about after you've achieved some success in your cultivation. However, as things stand, even Buddhism's own precepts are difficult for you to follow."

You were just asking if your master's wife would help you take care of the Lu family, right?

Chu Mingkong, feeling exposed, nodded sheepishly.

Shen Xuejun shook her head, but there was a hint of optimism in her words:

“I won’t help, but since you’ve called me ‘Master’s Wife,’ if you’d like to serve tea and ask her to come and help, I can have my disciples keep watch near the Lu family’s residence.”

What are we hesitating for? It would be great if Shen Xuejun would send people to help! Otherwise, Feng Ying's progress will be hampered by the Lu family's affairs.

Chu Mingkong slid down his sister's long, slender legs in white stockings, walked over to fill Shen Xuejun's teacup, and respectfully placed it in front of her, raising it above his own head as he requested:

"Please help me, Master's wife!"

The aloof and beautiful woman nodded happily, took the tea offered by the boy, and sipped her red lips, indicating that she agreed to his request. Just as Xiao Yunhan was about to wait for her younger brother to return and then hug him back, she saw Chu Mingkong turn around and was about to come back when he was hugged by his master, Shen Xuejun.

Xiao Yunhan: "???"

Chu Mingkong: "???"

He felt his sister's gaze and, feeling uneasy, Chu Mingkong asked cautiously:

"Master's wife, is there anything else?"

"It's nothing, I just wanted to get closer to you so I wouldn't always be close to Zuo Qiuchi and get corrupted by her. Just now... why were you touching Yunhan's thigh?"

Chu Mingkong's heart skipped a beat, but he calmly and solemnly replied:

“This, this… I’m curious about the socks Yunhan is wearing. I’ve never seen them in the capital before, and they feel quite novel to the touch.”

Shen Xuejun nodded and said calmly:

"I was just curious. Yunhan, do you have any more of these socks? Lend me a pair, and Mingkong, you can just touch your master's wife's."

Chapter 202 On the Eve of the Martial Arts Competition

Chu Mingkong suddenly felt that this ruthless path was actually quite good, very positive!

After the beautiful young sect leader Shen Xuejun changed into white silk, Chu Mingkong sat on the white silk cushion. However, his sister Xiao Yunhan was watching him intently from the side, so he dared not touch her. He remained calm and composed, sitting without touching her.

"Recently, I've noticed that many disciples in the sect have started wearing these socks that look like pants. Is there any particular reason behind it?" Shen Xuejun asked Xiao Yunhan for an explanation. She had noticed Xiao Yunhan starting to wear these socks a while ago, but she hadn't asked about it until now.

If it's something harmless, Shen Xuejun usually won't interfere. Her disciple is already capable of handling things on her own, and Xiao Yunhan is mature and steady enough that she doesn't need her, as his master, to give him advice on everything.

Now that she was wearing these slippery stockings herself, she began to have doubts.

Xiao Yunhan glanced at her younger brother, wanting to find an opportunity to bring him back, but first responded to her master, saying:

"There's nothing particularly special about it. This style of socks was first created by the Immortal Treasure Pavilion, and it was gradually accepted by people from various sects and factions. They believed that these socks were tighter than trousers, wouldn't be loose, and could cover the legs, making them conservative and beautiful."

Shen Xuejun nodded in agreement:

"It is novel, and it's no wonder that Mingkong couldn't help but touch it out of curiosity. The feel of it is completely different from ordinary pants and socks. However, with the same conservative design, it is indeed much more aesthetically pleasing than trousers. Trousers inevitably have wrinkles, which make people look sloppy and lax. These white socks are much neater. Perhaps we can add these kinds of socks to the sect's clothing in the future."

Absolutely right!

That's too conservative. We should promote it more; the current promotion speed is still a bit slow!

Chu Mingkong was heartbroken. He had asked Qingse to work on this service many years ago, but it had only been gradually accepted in the last year or two.

But if that's the case, then Wenqing Pavilion would be part of the white silk camp?

The topic of clothing couldn't last long, and the conversation ended after a few brief exchanges. Shen Xuejun and Xiao Yunhan told Chu Mingkong about their conversation at Qingxin Mansion, at which time Chu Mingkong happened to be out of the city for a stroll.

After listening, Chu Mingkong realized that there were elders among the cardinals of Tianya City who supported him. It was really rare. He had thought that they had all been bribed by the Xiao family.

"It seems my statement was indeed reckless and naive. I thought I could use the medicinal herbs as leverage so that the Xiao family would apologize or something. But the Xiao family immediately began to suspect that I might use my herbal medicine skills to harm Xiao Fengnan. They are quite cautious."

Chu Mingkong had no choice but to admit his mistake. In his mind, an apology would get him good herbs, a sure-fire way to make a profit. Even if he had reservations, he was still willing to take action. As a result, the Xiao family put estrangement and suspicion as their top priorities.

His idea, ironically, came from many strange Minotaur cult comics he had read in his previous life, such as "Girlfriends having unspeakable encounters with baseball coaches for their boyfriends' spots," and so on.

So, in reality, it just doesn't work?

Xiao Yunhan inquired about the important matter:

"Mingkong, have you registered for the Tianya City Martial Arts Competition? Don't spend so much time planning only to lose on such trivial matters. The first round starts tomorrow."

Chu Mingkong nodded: "Yes, yes, Yunhan, you don't need to worry about me over such trivial matters."

Registration was easy; Chu Mingkong had registered casually while strolling around Tianya City today.

The process is very simple. There is a registration point in a secret realm set up downstairs. Once inside, you just need to smash a stone statue. You don't even need to pay any money or have any background or power. You can fill in whatever you want.

Chu Mingkong had no qualms about filling in a pseudonym, so he directly wrote "Cao the Traitor" as his name, and "Tongquetai" as the name of his sect.

Tianya Tower's lenient registration policy stems from its successful selection process in the first round of competition.

Unless Elder Tianyalou, who cherishes talent, personally intervenes to stop this martial arts competition for the selection of the city lord, anyone who suffers casualties will bear the consequences. This alone has deterred many people from joining in the excitement.

Then there's the participants' mindset. Since the competition lasts for days, no one wants to be worn down by others in the previous rounds. The optimal solution in this situation is to go all out as soon as you meet someone.

Some people may lack strong physical strength, but they have many hidden cards. However, most powerful hidden cards require time to prepare before they can be released, which is commonly known as the "casting time." Because of this, the situation of attacking someone to the death as soon as they meet becomes even more serious.

Shen Xuejun was still worried about Chu Mingkong. She said:

“Mingkong, although you are now unmatched among your peers due to the strength of your injuries, if you were to use that power, it would be easy for people to guess your identity. However, your original cultivation level and strength are suppressed by your injuries. You have too many limitations, and you don’t even have a suitable weapon.”

She didn't know how much strength Chu Mingkong could currently unleash; no normal person would imagine that Chu Mingkong could recover his strength through combined cultivation.

As for weapons, there is indeed a small problem. We can't rely on Zuo Qiuchi's extermination technique anymore, as many old guys can identify people by their weapons.

"The weapon issue is easy to resolve, Master's wife need not worry about it. Besides, now that I'm back, I've naturally taken these disadvantages into account."

"Alright. The first few days are all the first round of selection. Mingkong, which day will you be competing?"

Chu Mingkong took out a jade token, which was given out after the stone statue was broken:

"Tomorrow is the same day as Xiao Fengnan, who is already pre-arranged. But the first few days won't be very interesting. The first round of competition will usually be decided in one go, and it will be over before the audience gets interested. Master's wife, Yunhan, you can wait here for my news."

Hopefully, he won't run into Xiao Fengnan on the first day, otherwise Chu Mingkong won't have time to cure him in advance.

However, considering his plan to cut off his hand, which he had only come up with today, Chu Mingkong had to first inform Xiao Yunhan.

“Yunhan, you know about Lu Zhicai’s matter. He is an old friend of mine. I will deal with Xiao Fengnan severely to get an explanation for him. If you think it’s too difficult, you might as well go back to the sect and avoid it for a while.”

Shen Xuejun said, "Mingkong's words make sense. Yunhan, you can return to the sect first. You can rest assured that Mingkong will be taken care of by me."

There was nothing wrong with these words, but when Xiao Yunhan saw his master embracing his younger brother, he felt that something was strange.

"I have my own considerations, Master, you don't need to worry about me."

Even Elder Renji of Hundred Herbs Valley couldn't stand Feng Nan's actions, saying he brought it upon himself. Feng Nan needs to be taught a lesson; his maternal grandfather and the others spoiled him too much, fostering his cruel heart. He stole his teacher's martial arts manual and then silenced him. If he isn't taught a lesson, he will only become more unruly and tyrannical in the future.

Chapter 203 I acknowledge you as a formidable rival!