Chapter 83 – Stirring Up Trouble First

The Alliance Leader looked at the relic on the ground, his face a picture of unspeakable complexity.

An elder from Ba Luo Temple hurriedly picked it up, exclaiming excitedly, “Abbot, this truly is one of Ba Luo Temple’s relics!”

The abbot’s anger flared. “How do you explain this?”

The monks of Ba Luo Temple were livid. The mere thought that their sacred relic had been placed in such a disgraceful location nearly drove them to murderous rage.

The evidence was right before him, and Jin Yangzi could no longer deny it. Tugging at his robe to cover himself, he said weakly, “Since you’ve found it, there’s nothing more this poor Daoist can say.”

The abbot frowned deeply. If Jin Yangzi failed to provide a reasonable explanation, this would mean a permanent rift between Ba Luo Temple and the Wuxing Sect, a situation he did not wish to see. “Though our sects follow different paths, we’ve supported each other for centuries. We’ve always stood together in times of trouble. Surely you don’t wish to turn us into enemies? Please, offer an explanation that can calm our anger.”

Jin Yangzi let out a long sigh.

The Alliance Leader also wanted to prevent a conflict that could not be mended. “There are too many people here. This isn’t the place for discussion. Let’s move inside.”

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Ohlausdl ralpldv: “……!!!!”

Kkd Zydtgk nsdvkdwle, bkp hsknl valxczkdt. “Jy Nws Mlxrzl oswze dlhla zlde kv vs wp. Zlv vbkp rssa Pyskpv kp yzalyeu rypv qkqvu, yde xu Pys ryavdla kp ds zsdtla uswdt. Rq ol elzyu ydu zsdtla, ol’zz dlhla byhl y nbkze sq swa sod. Fs R qsanle xuplzq vs pvlyz kv, kdvldekdt vs alvwad kv iwklvzu yqvla nsdnlkhkdt. Ebs jdlo ol’e cl ekpnshlale clqsal kv lhld osajle?”

Tl csole zso clqsal vbl yccsv yde vbl xsdjp. “Mbkp oyp kdelle xu oasdteskdt. R es dsv ypj qsa qsatkhldlpp, sdzu qsa usw vs wdelapvyde xu alypsd.”

“……”

The abbot and the elders exchanged looks.

All of Ba Luo Temple knew how badly Jin Yangzi and his partner wanted a child. They had even helped him search for fertility prescriptions. They understood his desperation, yet their sacred relic, how could it be defiled in such a way?

Their emotions were tangled, a mix of anger, sympathy, and exasperation.

The Alliance Leader was also at a loss for how to settle the matter.

Then suddenly, a woman’s voice echoed in the air:

【Go find the National Preceptor. He can purify the relic and bless the Sect Master with twins within a year.】

The Alliance Leader stiffened. “Who’s there? Who said that?”

The abbot’s eyes widened. “That voice! It’s the same one that told us the relic was on Jin Yangzi’s person!”

Jin Yangzi, equally excited, said, “She said the National Preceptor can grant us twins? Of course! Why didn’t I think of that before? The National Preceptor is a man of divine power, he can surely handle this small matter!”

But then he hesitated. Would the National Preceptor actually be willing to help?

---

Far away in the capital, Feng Sinan suddenly sneezed.

Yu Xia frowned. “My lord is no ordinary man. He shouldn’t catch colds. Could this be an omen of something ill?”

Feng Sinan’s thoughts drifted inexplicably to Mu Nanjin. He set down his brush. “Have you found the demon creature?”

“Three days ago, my lord. You should deal with it soon, or the officials and commoners will start doubting your abilities.”

Feng Sinan nodded. “Tonight, we’ll end it.”

---

Meanwhile, in the Alliance Leader’s manor, the Jinyiwei were searching high and low for Mu Nanjin.

Many sects had been assigned guest rooms, but there were also plenty of independent wanderers. Those without sects stayed in unmarked quarters, yet none dared look down on them. Anyone invited by the Alliance Leader was surely extraordinary.

After much effort, the Jinyiwei heard of a young girl who had checked into a west-side room with two men. But when they arrived, the room was empty.

They did not know that Mu Nanjin had already led Xu Cheng and the others down the mountain, intending to “cause trouble” among the martial artists.

They searched for three days, witnessing several brawls along the way, but never finding her. Then finally, the Martial Arts Tournament began.

One commander said, “Nothing’s happened these few days. Maybe Mu Nanjin isn’t as mischievous as we thought.”

“Too quiet,” Captain Liu muttered, clutching his chest. “When it’s this calm, trouble’s coming. I can feel it. Something bad’s going to happen during the tournament.”

Kan Chaoyan patted his shoulder. “Today’s the tournament. The girl will definitely show up to watch. We’ll find her there.”

“Then let’s move.” Captain Liu marched out.

The tournament arena sat atop the mountain, surrounded by breathtaking scenery: the crystal-clear Fairy Lake, the roaring waterfall, and lush greenery everywhere. The arena alone covered thirty mu, with spectator terraces and pavilions around it. Those without invitations stood below, while guests with invitations sat in comfort above. The highest pavilion was reserved for the most powerful and noble figures.

As Kan Chaoyan and Captain Liu entered, the tension was palpable.

Nine-tenths of the crowd wore grim faces, glaring daggers at their rivals. The rest were silent, afraid even to breathe too loudly.

“This isn’t good,” Captain Liu muttered.

Kan Chaoyan agreed.

“This… this isn’t Mu Nanjin’s doing, right?”

Captain Zhang frowned. “She couldn’t possibly have stirred up the entire martial world.”

“Heh.” Captain Liu snorted. “Wait till you see it burn. You’ll realize how wrong you are.”

Captain Zhang: “……”

Kan Chaoyan whispered, “As long as we don’t start anything, no one will dare provoke the Jinyiwei.”

They nodded in agreement.

“Are you sure you sent that report?” Kan Chaoyan asked.

“Of course. Urgent courier.”

Kan Chaoyan gave him a look.

Captain Zhang wiped his brow. “You sent it urgent courier? People will think we’re under attack from a foreign nation.”

Captain Liu jerked his chin toward the right pavilion. “I’ll check over there.”

He left with twenty men.

Kan Chaoyan dispatched the rest around the arena, heading himself toward the viewing pavilion.

But the search did not go smoothly. Whenever Captain Liu so much as glanced at a woman, her companions would bristle, driving him away. If not for his uniform, he would likely have been beaten to a pulp.

Kan Chaoyan, meanwhile, found the entire viewing pavilion eerily silent, with doors shut, people staying inside, and the atmosphere heavy. Even the serving maids whispered in fear.

Sensing danger, he went back outside. “The pavilion’s too quiet. It feels less like a tournament and more like a battlefield.”

The head guard looked puzzled. “You don’t know?”

“Know what?”

Kan Chaoyan and his men had been too busy searching for Mu Nanjin to follow other news.

“Someone’s been spreading ‘important secrets’ to the major sects, things that have turned allies into enemies. Even friendly factions now suspect each other…”

He explained everything that had happened recently.

The more Kan Chaoyan listened, the more convinced he became that it had to be Mu Nanjin. Who else knew so many secrets?

The tournament was about to begin, but there was still no sign of her.

Then suddenly:

【One-on-one duels are boring. Killing your enemies, that’s the real fun.】

Liu Baihu’s heart skipped. He recognized that voice instantly. But before he could react, the crowd erupted.

“She’s right!” someone shouted. “My enemy’s right there, and I’ve had to hold back all day!”

“Yeah! I can’t stand it anymore!”

“Why wait for the tournament? I’ll kill my father’s murderer now!”

“Eh?” Captain Liu looked around in alarm. “Wait… it’s not just us hearing her voice. Everyone can hear it!”

“Maybe it’s not her inner voice this time,” Captain Fang whispered. “Maybe she’s projecting it so everyone can hear.”

Captain Liu: “……”

【Don’t wait. Your enemies won’t stay here after the match!】

That did it.

A man leapt into the air, his sword flashing. “Ma Huainan! Return my family heirloom, or die!”

As one person struck, others followed. Weapons clashed, poison filled the air, and chaos erupted. Even those on the viewing pavilion joined the fray.

The Alliance Leader shouted himself hoarse. “Stop! Stop! You’ll ruin the tournament!”

No one listened.

The Jinyiwei dove for cover.

Captain Fang exhaled. “Mu Nanjin really knows how to cause trouble.”

“Now you understand why I was so desperate to find her,” Captain Liu growled, deflecting a flying dagger. “She’s probably somewhere laughing her head off.”

“Knowing her, she’s not watching, she’s joining in.”

They jumped to a rooftop for a better view.

After a moment, Captain Fang spotted her. “There! That black-clad girl. Look!”

Captain Liu followed his gaze. Sure enough, Mu Nanjin was darting through the chaos, sneaking up on bystanders to give them a slap on the back, provoking them into fights before dashing away.

【Heehee… chaos! Let it all burn!】

The Jinyiwei: “……”

Captain Liu jabbed a finger. “That’s her, no doubt!”

He leapt down to chase her. “Mu Nanjin! Get back here!”

【Huh? Was that Captain Liu? Never mind. Must stir up more trouble first!】

“MU NANJIN!!!” he roared.

But she was already gone.

The others soon spotted her again.

Before they could call out, she patted a few strangers on the shoulder and pointed at the Jinyiwei. “They’re here to arrest you! Get them!”

“Wait, what?”

“Jinyiwei? Here?”

Moments later, the Jinyiwei found themselves besieged.

From the rooftop, Captain Fang yelled, “She’s headed left! Go!”

Captain Liu sprang after her, finally catching sight of Mu Nanjin weaving through the chaos.

“Mu Nanjin!”

She suddenly stopped beside a tall, elegant man.

Captain Liu shouted, “You little menace! Finally found you! You’re coming with me, now!”

Mu Nanjin smiled slyly. “Guess who he is first. Get it right, and I’ll go with you.”