Chapter 64: The Truth Beneath the Stone Part 2

And the Golden-Wanderer Eternal Flower that had previously sprouted from the stone sword? It was growing directly from these vines!

As the crowd reeled in horror, Zhou Gui remained on the ground in her delusional state, muttering incomprehensible nonsense.

Sang Chencao chuckled. “Do you all recognize this person?”

Not far away, Sui Jianxue rose unsteadily. She suddenly tore off the white silk wrapping her eyes, her light-sensitive pupils struggling to find the source of the voice.

Before her disciples could stop her, she flew onto the stage. Ignoring the dense thorns on the vines, she used her hands to feel and confirm the face of the woman in the casket.

Sui Jianxue’s vision was failing, and even from inches away, she couldn’t see clearly. After feeling the features, tears streamed down her face. “Feng Rong…” she choked out. “How can you be here?!”

Sang Chencao glanced at her, standing composed on the stage. “You have all practiced martial arts for years,” she said leisurely. “One would hope that along with your skills, your wisdom has grown as well. You shouldn’t be so easily deceived.”

“What do you mean!” someone bellowed. “Unite and free Acting Alliance Leader Zhou! You used poison to drive her into a demonic state!”

As one, the crowd drew their swords. The ringing of steel echoed across the peak as blades were leveled at Sang Chencao.

Sang Chencao didn’t bother defending herself. She spoke calmly, “Feng Rong founded the Hantian Alliance with the original intention of dismantling the Central Plains’ martial world. Unfortunately, the Moonlight Sect suffered internal strife. Wen Lanxin, jealous of Feng Rong’s prosperity, poisoned and murdered her. Isn’t that what the Dieshan Alliance told you?”

It was the story everyone had heard. They had traveled from all corners of the land precisely because they believed the Dieshan Alliance—believing that by joining the New Alliance through the Hero Recruitment Meet, they were serving the greater good.

But Sang Chencao’s tone was too airy, her mockery too obvious. It made the crowd hesitate. The tips of their swords wavered.

“What the Dieshan Alliance failed to mention…” Sang Chencao narrowed her eyes. She leaned down to Zhou Gui’s ear, appearing to whisper to her alone, yet her voice carried like a thunderclap that everyone could hear.

“Is that they were the ones who killed her,” Sang Chencao finished.

It was a bolt from the blue.

The hostility on some faces shattered into shock; others became even more suspicious.

One man shouted, “Anyone can talk! If you want to slander people, you need evidence!”

A white figure descended from the sky, landing right beside Sang Chencao. The woman wore a veiled hat, concealing her face.

Feng Yun’ai had brought the cups and bowls. She leaned down and placed a cloth bundle on the ground. With a flick of her fingers, the porcelain rolled out.

In addition to the bundle, she held something far more eye-catching: Chen Jinsai’s umbrella sword.

The members of the Thousand Machinations Sect were in the crowd. Chen Jinsai, standing at the front, stared with wide eyes. She lunged forward, clearly intending to reclaim her weapon.

Sang Chencao let out a sharp laugh, applying a bit more pressure with the finger at Zhou Gui’s throat.

Zhou Gui let out a pained moan. Her expression grew more crazed, yet she couldn’t break free from that single finger.

Feng Yun’ai struck out with a palm to repel Chen Jinsai. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed something dark moving under the skin of Zhou Gui’s neck, right where Sang Chencao’s finger rested.

It wasn’t a bug, but rather poisoned blood being manipulated. The serpent’s toxin had entered her veins, causing her to lose control.

Chen Jinsai couldn’t take another step forward. She hissed, “So it was you two acting suspiciously at the foot of Listening Goose Peak that night! Give me back my sword!”

Feng Yun’ai did not comply. Instead, she used the umbrella sword to execute a move: Startling Wind, Breaking the Cold Goose. Her sword intent was cold and absolute, preventing anyone from drawing near.

This was one of Feng Rong’s signature techniques. Those who had been fortunate enough to see Feng Rong fight had that move burned into their memories.

Chen Jinsai froze. She didn’t dare test the blade further and retreated to the front of the Thousand Machinations Sect, her eyes fixed on the girl, terrified that she had seen correctly.

Feng Yun’ai kept her veiled hat on, her head slightly lowered. “Everyone, please remain calm,” she said softly.

How could they be calm? Feng Rong’s corpse had appeared, the cause of death was uncertain, and this mysterious girl was using Feng Rong’s own sword style.

Sang Chencao looked at Feng Yun’ai with a faint smile. She reached out to adjust Feng Yun’ai’s veiled hat before speaking slowly. “I’m sure you all know that the Thousand Machinations Sect excels at mechanical hidden weapons. Their creations are exquisite enough to fool the eye.”

She paused, surveying the crowd. “As it happens, I found several items in the Dieshan Alliance. They appear to be common items used by Alliance Leader Feng, but they actually contain the Thousand Machinations Sect’s unique Earthstone.”

“Is Earthstone hidden in those cups and bowls?” someone asked in surprise.

“Why listen to this demoness’s nonsense? You would trust these two little wenches over Zhou Gui?”

Several people began to move, preparing to rescue Zhou Gui.

At that moment, Sui Jianxue—her body covered in bloody scratches from the vines—stood up and drew her sword. She stepped in front of the two girls. “If anyone tries to stop them from speaking, my Qiushui Pavilion will become their sworn enemy.”

Several blindfolded women from the pavilion blurred forward, shielding Feng Yun’ai and Sang Chencao. They stood with the resolve of those ready to die.

The corners of Sang Chencao’s mouth curled up. “You may have also heard that when Earthstones meet, they produce a strange phenomenon. The umbrella sword in the hands of Senior Chen of the Thousand Machinations Sect is the most potent of all. It can be used as a test. No matter how deep it’s buried or how small the stone, it will cause a resonance.”

Feng Yun’ai pressed the umbrella sword against the pile of cups and bowls. Not only did the umbrella sword let out a cry like a startled crane, but the porcelain itself began to hum and vibrate incessantly.

The crowd held their breath. In the dead silence, the sound of the vibration rang in everyone’s ears.

Chen Jinsai’s face turned ashen. She gritted her teeth. “And if Alliance Leader Feng specifically asked me to make those for her? How would that prove your frame-up?”

“Oh?” Sang Chencao tilted her head. “There is one more item. The most important one.”

She was referring to the long desk in the Council Hall.

Sang Chencao leaned toward Feng Yun’ai and whispered, “Xiuxiu, go get it.”