Chapter 301: The Four Culprits Watch from the Sidelines

"But he bought delicious things for me..." Banxia said, her voice growing increasingly faint. After all, it wasn't exactly a glorious thing, but... but...

But those fruit candies Liu Xia bought were truly delicious...

"What!?" Lianqiao couldn't help but raise her voice, but suddenly realizing they were still outside Youyuan Hall, she hurriedly lowered it, "Just for a few bites of food?"

In truth, she didn't need to be so cautious; after all, it was quite lively inside Youyuan Hall right now, so even if she were louder, no one would care.

"It's just that, one feels indebted after taking things from others..." Banxia muttered, lowering her head and unconsciously twisting the corner of her clothes. Only now did she feel that this matter was indeed somewhat absurd, but she had already agreed, and she had already eaten the things, so it wouldn't do to go back on her word now.

Watching Banxia pout, Lianqiao couldn't help but roll her eyes, cursing inwardly: This silly girl is truly beyond saving. But then she thought about it and felt the matter was actually reasonable; after all, since she had known Banxia, she had never seen her follow common sense.

Just as Lianqiao felt this was all very natural, she heard Lingxiang's voice from behind:

"Oh~ so that's how it is. I was wondering why the two of you had been acting so strangely since that day; I never imagined you had made a private vow to each other."

Banxia and Lianqiao were caught off guard by Lingxiang's sudden appearance, and both were startled, especially Banxia, who hurriedly began to explain upon hearing what Lingxiang said:

"It's not like that, Ninth Elder, please listen to my explanation..."

Lingxiang simply raised a hand, interrupting Banxia with a smile that wasn't quite a smile.

"Tsk, I didn't say anything, why are you so nervous? It's just feelings between a man and a woman, it's not a big deal. Even the sect rules don't have a clause that could convict the two of you," she said, waving her hand quite casually, "Don't be afraid, I am very satisfied with this match. If your respective masters ask about it later, just say I approved it!" With that, she walked toward Youyuan Hall with her hands behind her back.

That Liu Xia, the hot-headed youth really is quick to act. Quietly, he has managed to swindle one of the few female disciples in the sect. Good lad, he really shouldn't be underestimated!

Lingxiang entered Youyuan Hall with a face full of joy, as if she were a mother whose own foolish son had just gotten married.

Youyuan Hall was truly lively; a group of people wearing Daoist Robes were brawling together, cursing incessantly amidst punches and kicks.

This scene truly opened Lingxiang's eyes; even the Chenjian gambling dens she frequented weren't necessarily this lively.

"Acting Manager Fucang Elder is here!"

Yun Yue shouted at the top of his lungs, but it was like a stone sinking into the sea; the fighting on the hall floor remained as intense as ever, with the cursing growing wave after wave.

Seeing this, Yun Yue looked at Lingxiang with a troubled expression, only to see her looking composed, as if she didn't care at all.

Eh? How strange, is this still the Junior Aunt he knows?

Based on Yun Yue's understanding of Lingxiang, if she encountered such a thing, she would either roar in a fit of rage or watch the show with her eyes gleaming. He felt the latter was more in line with Lingxiang's character; perhaps she would even bring a stool and brew a pot of tea to watch slowly, cheering on one side while pointing out how others should fight.

Could it be that this Junior Aunt had changed her temperament after taking over the sect's affairs?

Just as Yun Yue was drumming his fingers in his heart, unable to guess what Lingxiang intended, he turned around and found her gone.

Lingxiang hadn't changed her temperament; she was simply looking for the culprit behind this chaos.

In Lingxiang's view, fighting between sect disciples was far too common, just like children from various families attending school—some couldn't get along and would start brawling in the classroom for trivial reasons.

It was just that behind this matter were two sects, and these two sects had intricate connections; if not handled properly, it might lead to future grudges.

Wasn't the dispute over the Bodhi Tree and Bright Mirror Terrace of the Zen Sect exactly like this?

Moreover, it was originally just a verbal spat; who could have quietly thrown a stone amidst a group of cultivators with considerable cultivation at that time?

Except for him, there was no one else to think of.

As soon as she entered the door, Lingxiang looked around, and sure enough, she spotted four people in this chaos, gathered in a corner, watching this good show without any attempt to hide.

Ha! Just as expected!

These four were Long Qi, Xin Yi, Liu Xia, and Zhao Wuyang.

At this moment, Long Qi was standing with his arms crossed, watching the farce with a happy face, occasionally whispering a few words to the distracted Liu Xia, or shouting along with the scene. Xin Yi stood to the side without a word, like a pillar; if one didn't pay close attention, one could really ignore his existence. Meanwhile, Zhao Wuyang was poking his head out from behind him, his expression shifting between excitement and surprise.

"Brother Yun Yue, even if you say you aren't as good as him, you shouldn't be so serious, after all, the guest is a guest!"

"Brother Guanyan, that person looks a bit stronger than you!"

"Brother Mulan, watch out behind you, he wants to sneak attack!"

"As expected of Brother Hanchans, this move is truly marvelous!"

Long Qi was fanning the flames, and one didn't know who he learned it from; he quietly stirred up the anger of both sides while he stood on the sidelines watching the battle. The way he pinched his chin made it seem as if he were seriously studying their respective moves.

"Crack, crack..."

The four were watching with great interest when they heard a series of crisp sounds from the side—subtle and sharp, yet hard to ignore, and extremely discordant with the chaos before them.

"Crack, crack..."

The sound seemed to be right in their ears. Long Qi turned his head and saw Lingxiang standing beside him, eating pine nuts while watching the fight before them with full concentration.

Long Qi was startled, muttering inwardly: When did this little girl get to his side? How was she so silent? Zhao Wuyang also saw Lingxiang; he, who had been poking his head out to watch the fun, immediately shrank behind Xin Yi.

"What's wrong? You were speaking quite well, why did you stop?" Lingxiang's face was full of feigned confusion, as if she hadn't heard enough, but anyone could tell this was a sarcastic remark.

"You... aren't you supposed to be handling sect affairs? How do you have time to come here?" Long Qi asked nervously while tugging at Xin Yi's sleeve, his previous arrogance completely gone.

But the three of them, Xin Yi included, turned their faces away at this moment, seemingly not receiving Long Qi's small gesture for help.

Hiss! These three disloyal guys!

But how could Lingxiang let them off? She cleared her throat and hummed like she was singing an opera: "I just don't understand, Youyuan Hall is swept every day, so where did the pebbles come from? What do you say? Xin Yi?"

Xin Yi rolled his eyes but didn't answer, just standing there with his shoulders hunched, as if thinking about something and not having heard Lingxiang speak; his large frame looked particularly awkward.

Liu Xia was even worse; the moment he saw Banxia poking her head out at the hall entrance, he walked out of Youyuan Hall without looking back.

Ha! If not now, when else to slip away?