A commotion briefly erupted in the courtyard; many disciples were in a panic.
Their respected Mistresses, their beloved Junior Sister, all brutally murdered overnight—the bloody truth laid bare before them, how could their minds not descend into chaos?
"This is impossible!" one disciple shouted in shocked fury. "Master's martial arts are profound! How could he suddenly go mad? Clearly, just a few days ago, he was still teaching us martial practice!"
"That's right!" another disciple, as if emboldened, loudly chimed in. "Recently, Master has been taking the lead in organizing the various sects, working tirelessly day and night. If there were truly signs of madness, how could the people from other sects not have noticed?"
"You may not believe it, but the authorities will naturally believe it."
Yang Shifei casually drew a letter from his robes and said unhurriedly, "Evidence of collusion with the enemy was found in your Master's room. As long as it's reported to the authorities, a fair judgment will naturally be made."
Saying this, he casually pointed towards the main hall. "Chief Constable Tie from the yamen is here right now. If he didn't already suspect your Master, why would he engage in such a fierce battle? Or perhaps—"
Yang Shifei feigned anger as he swept his gaze around. "You are all like Xiang Tianlin, vile traitors colluding with the enemy, trying to obstruct our official investigation!?"
"This… this…"
Swept by his fierce gaze, many disciples subconsciously retreated two steps, their faces paling, almost unable to hold their weapons steady.
But the two direct disciples remained defiant. "Hand over the letter! Let us see it!"
Yang Shifei said coldly, "Hand over the material evidence, just so you can destroy it all?"
Once these words were spoken, the expressions of Xiang Zhao and Xiang Yu changed; clearly, he had hit upon their true intentions.
The surrounding Ninefold Gate disciples hesitated, unsure what to do. After all, their sect leader suddenly committing treason, their Mistresses and Junior Sister dying tragically—these changes had come too quickly, making it impossible for anyone to remain calm. Their main pillar of support naturally shifted to their Senior Brothers.
"…Regardless, none of you will leave."
Xiang Zhao's expression flickered, and he suddenly raised his sword, pointing it forward. "If it's proven afterwards that you are wrong, I'll compensate you with one of my arms!"
"Who cares for it? If your Ninefold Gate Sect wishes to defy the authorities, feel free to make your move."
Yang Shifei's tone grew even colder. "More government soldiers will arrive soon. Even if you manage to capture me, everyone in the Ninefold Gate Sect will end up imprisoned."
Cold sweat dripped down the foreheads of the surrounding disciples. Hearing the shouts of government soldiers indeed arriving from outside the courtyard, they silently sheathed their weapons.
Seeing this, the two direct disciples, though enraged, were helpless.
Although the Ninefold Gate Sect could be called the foremost sect in East City, it ultimately relied on the imperial court. If they defied the court's orders, the entire sect would inevitably suffer severe punishment.
"…"
But after a brief silence, they still circulated their internal energy, the edges of their swords glinting coldly.
"Senior Brothers!" a disciple in the distance cried out anxiously. "Please think thrice! If you act rashly now—"
"Master raised me since I was young. I cannot stand by and do nothing."
"Me too." The two exchanged a glance, their resolve already set.
Yang Shifei's expression was indifferent as he clenched his fists and assumed a stance. It seemed a fight was inevitable after all.
"—Stop."
Just then, a robust voice suddenly rang out, startling everyone present.
Chief Constable Tie's figure leaped down from the rooftop, landing in front of Yang Shifei, and he produced a token from his robes.
"All members of the Ninefold Gate Sect, listen to this order! Your Ninefold Gate Sect Leader, Xiang Tianlin, has colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country. He has now absconded to escape punishment. You are all hereby ordered to lay down your weapons and await yamen personnel for search and inquiry. During this period, you are not permitted to leave the sect by even half a step without authorization."
Hearing these words, Xiang Zhao and Xiang Yu, who had been about to strike, trembled violently, as if the last ounce of their strength had drained away. They collapsed to their knees, utterly dejected.
"Master truly… escaped…"
A buzz of disbelieving conversation spread among the surrounding Ninefold Gate disciples.
Chief Constable Tie put away his token and looked back. "Little brother, did you find any evidence?"
"It's all here."
Yang Shifei stuffed all the envelopes from his robes into Tie Hanyang's hands. "You didn't catch Xiang Tianlin?"
Tie Hanyang gave a wry smile. "His cultivation is slightly superior to mine. If he wanted to escape, I truly couldn't stop him. Three skilled individuals are currently trying to pursue him; we can only try our luck."
Yang Shifei inwardly clicked his tongue.
Pah! And he's called East City's number one constable? How come he never manages to catch anyone?
"Miss Tanxiang, is she injured?"
"She—"
Just as Yang Shifei was about to speak, he heard the young woman murmur by his ear, "Go, quickly."
"…Alright."
Yang Shifei's expression turned grave. After a brief explanation to Chief Constable Tie, he bid a hasty farewell.
Tie Hanyang looked puzzled, but figuring the Luo family had deep resources and could properly handle any injuries, he didn't dwell on it.
But just as Yang Shifei was about to leave, a Ninefold Gate disciple couldn't help but call out, "Who exactly are you?"
An idea flashed through Yang Shifei's mind. He coldly threw back, "The head disciple of Fallen Moon Pavilion," then turned, leaped out of the Ninefold Gate Sect's courtyard, and sped away under the cover of night.
Tie Hanyang looked utterly bewildered.
Eldest Miss Luo's fiancé, when did he also join some Fallen Moon Pavilion?
The night in East City seemed exceptionally quiet.
And the late spring breeze carried a bone-chilling coldness that made Yang Shifei's spine tingle.
But what was most terrifying were the faint, distorted creaking and sizzling sounds coming from his back, like flesh and bone grinding, or perhaps like refined iron being torn. The fragrant, soft, delicate body that had been lying against his back now felt increasingly cold and hard.
It was as if he were no longer carrying a pretty young girl, but a terrifying demon on the verge of revealing its true form.
"Should we go back to the pharmacy first? Is there any medicine there that can treat you?"
"…No."
A hoarse female voice came from behind his ear. "Go to your residence. Your room."
Yang Shifei's steps faltered for a moment, then he quickly turned and darted into his own residence, rushing towards the inner room.
"Can you still stand?"
He reached the bedside and undid his belt, about to lower the young woman from his back.
But a sudden, terrifyingly immense force instantly flipped him over, and with a thump, he was 'smashed' onto the bed.
Yang Shifei's expression went blank. Before he could react, a pretty face covered in scarlet patterns filled his vision.
Tanxiang was kneeling over him, her eyes wide, blood-red veins spreading like a spiderweb from her eye sockets, crawling across her entire body. Her long hair behind her was slightly raised, and with the continuous sound of tearing fabric, it seemed as if something was about to 'break out of its cocoon' from her back.
"You…"
Tanxiang's vermilion lips parted slightly, a hint of struggle flashing in her strange red pupils.
She pressed down hard on Yang Shifei's shoulders, her breathing rapid and ragged, falling silent for a moment.
"Are you alright?" Yang Shifei's heart pounded faster, yet he wasn't overly surprised.
After all, he had long suspected the identities of the Luo Residence's master and servant were unusual; he was naturally prepared.
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
He gently supported the young woman's trembling, slender waist.
Tanxiang's body shuddered. She gradually lowered her head, her voice as soft as a whimper. "I don't want you to see me in that state…"
Her disheveled bangs concealed her face, making it impossible to see her expression.
But judging from her trembling body, her emotions seemed somewhat out of control.
"I won't mind." Yang Shifei softened his tone, comforting her as gently as possible. "I still want to taste more of your cooking in the future. No matter what Miss Tanxiang turns into, you'll still be beautiful."
"You, you really are…"
Tanxiang rested her forehead against his chest. Her hands, which had been gripping his shoulders tightly, trembled and loosened, then grabbed the bedding on either side, soon tearing rips into it. Fragrant sweat dripped down.
Seeing her state, it seemed she was trying to endure through sheer willpower.
Yang Shifei felt uneasy, unsure if an accident might occur.
But as he pondered, a flash of inspiration suddenly struck him.
Although he hadn't passively absorbed cold energy when touching Tanxiang or Luo Xian'er before, if he actively tried to absorb it, could he obtain cold energy from them?
The moment the thought arose, Yang Shifei once again tried pressing his hands against the young woman's tense waist.
—Hiss!
In the next instant, a fierce cold energy, as if rampaging, surged into his arms, making his entire body jolt.
It felt as if countless sharp blades were tearing through his meridians, flesh, and blood; he almost cried out in pain. Only when the cold energy already residing within his body responsively surged forth, timely protecting all parts of him, did the excruciating pain, like ten thousand swords piercing his body, barely subside.
In just a few breaths, Yang Shifei was already drenched in cold sweat.
But, his face was filled with immense joy.
"It worked!"
He could actually absorb the cold energy from within Tanxiang! So, this so-called 'Filth,' could it also be a type of cold energy within the body?
Yang Shifei was just about to exclaim in delight when he saw Tanxiang slowly lift her head, revealing her pretty face, flushed with an unusual crimson.
"You lewd… scoundrel…"
Tanxiang's breath was suddenly like orchids, her voice becoming incredibly coquettish, like an ice lotus melting, transforming into a myriad of tender affections.
She didn't know what had happened either. She only felt the pain and coldness in her body gradually disappearing, replaced by a warm current that brought an unbearable, tingling itch, like ants crawling all over her skin.
And the man before her had become even more fragrant and alluring, making her unable to resist embracing his neck as if they were lovers, all her shyness and embarrassment transforming into the purest impulse, holding him tighter and tighter.
Yang Shifei's body stiffened.
He recalled Yue Rui saying before that it would feel very comfortable when her cold energy was absorbed. But looking at Tanxiang's intense reaction, this was far beyond just 'comfortable'!
Her usually ice-cold face was now so soft it seemed about to melt like honey. Her scarlet eyes swirled with complex emotions and shyness—she looked every bit like a young maiden experiencing the first flush of love!
"Tanxiang, I can absorb the Filth from your body. Just endure it a little longer, and you'll recover soon—Mmph?"
But before he could finish his sentence, Yang Shifei's mouth was completely covered, a few strands of her hair falling across his face.
He stared, stunned, at the tender, bright, beautiful eyes so close to his. Speechless, the two could almost see the ripples forming in each other's gaze.
At the same time, a stream of icy cold energy slowly flowed into his body through their lips, making Yang Shifei unsure whether to laugh or cry.
So, absorbing cold energy isn't limited to using hands.
The mouth works too?