The Grandmaster 04

"Why are there three addresses?" Black Vajra asked, puzzled.

Yue said, "This was his agreement with us, for safety. He also fears we might betray him."

The Valley Master of Muyun looked at Yue's sincere expression but still harbored doubts. "How do I know you're not lying?"

Fang Zhiyi interjected, his mouth greasy from eating: "Am I not still here? His whole family is here too. If there's any falsehood, you can come find me!"

The Valley Master of Muyun and Black Vajra exchanged a glance and nodded.

"Valley Master Qian, then let's proceed as agreed. You take his life and the divine weapon. I'll take the treasure map and the secret manual," said Black Vajra.

Valley Master Qian was taken aback. Previously, he had only heard from Fang Zhiyi that there were quite a few items. Thinking of Muyun Valley's development, he had resolutely chosen not to share with the others. But now, hearing Yue's description, his heart wavered.

"I'm afraid that's not quite appropriate, Black Vajra. You're taking a bit too much."

Black Vajra frowned. "What do you mean, too much? Didn't you want to avenge your disciple?"

Valley Master Qian's face darkened. "Avenging my disciple is one thing, but I can't be fobbed off with just a weapon."

"Then what do you want?" Black Vajra suddenly stood up.

Valley Master Qian said gravely, "I want half of the secret manual, and half of the treasure map as well."

"Preposterous!"

Fang Zhiyi watched the two with great interest, but unfortunately, they didn't end up fighting.

"In that case, we'll each rely on our own abilities," Valley Master Qian said with a cold laugh.

The two parted on bad terms, even leaving in a hurry with their men before finishing the meal.

Yue watched them leave and turned to ask Fang Zhiyi, "Master, this... if they discover they've been deceived, aren't we finished?"

Fang Zhiyi smiled. "Then we just have to make sure they don't discover they've been deceived, isn't that right?"

Yue was bewildered. At this moment, she felt her husband didn't understand his master at all.

"Two things. First, spread the word that Sun Kui has quite a few things in his possession." Fang Zhiyi paused, then suddenly smiled even more wickedly. "Also, add another rumor: say that after he killed the Divine Physician back then, he stole an elixir of immortality."

Li Xiuyu, who had been silent until now, couldn't hold back. "Master, Brother Sun doesn't have an elixir of immortality."

Yue also nodded. "Master, an elixir of immortality is too exaggerated."

Fang Zhiyi waved his hand. "You don't understand human nature. Remember, this news must spread through the city, the faster the better."

"Second, find Sun Kui and bring him to me. We can't proceed without him."

Upon hearing this, Yue's smile froze, and Li Xiuyu lowered his head.

Fang Zhiyi gave a strange smile. "Surely you don't distrust even your own master?"

Li Xiuyu remained silent, stubbornness written all over his face. He had sworn an oath never to betray Brother Sun. It was precisely because of this character that in the original course of events, he chose to take his own life.

Yue opened her mouth to speak but, after a glance at her husband, closed it again.

Thinking carefully, Li Xiuyu's master had acted very strangely today. Why did he suddenly help them? Xiuyu had said his master was rigid, self-righteous, and disliked the demonic sect, yet his attitude towards her today had been quite good.

If Xiuyu wasn't talking nonsense, then there was only one explanation.

Yue gave Fang Zhiyi a complicated look.

Xiuyu's master also coveted the treasures in Sun Kui's possession! After all, those were valuable things. If her heart weren't solely occupied with Xiuyu and their son, she might have been tempted herself.

She grew wary.

Just by looking at the expressions on their faces, Fang Zhiyi knew what the two were thinking. Are protagonists always this difficult to deal with?

But he wasn't afraid. He had plenty of methods, though he didn't need anything so complicated right now.

"Speaking of which, what's your son's name again? He looks quite adorable."

His sudden change of topic made them both pause. But Yue, seeing Fang Zhiyi's ambiguous smile, suddenly realized something—this master was actually using the child to threaten her!

Only Li Xiuyu failed to grasp the meaning in his master's words and chuckled, "Master, this child Weiyang has been clever since he was little..."

Yue tugged at his sleeve, her face full of tension.

Li Xiuyu was confused. "What's wrong, Yue?"

Yue grew anxious. Seeing her husband acting completely clueless, she could only stand up. "Master, I'm not feeling well. I'd like to return to my room."

Fang Zhiyi smiled. "Very well! Oh, by the way, I had someone take your son out to play. He probably won't be back until later. The night scenery in our back mountain is quite splendid."

Yue felt as if struck by lightning, staring at Fang Zhiyi in shock.

Li Xiuyu, however, was carefree. "Your disciple thanks you, Master, for helping us out of trouble today and for acknowledging this disciple's son..."

Fang Zhiyi knew that Yue was a sharp woman. Unlike Li Xiuyu, who stuck rigidly to his principles, her so-called secrecy was merely out of love for her husband. But when someone important to her was threatened, she would inevitably make a choice!

That night, after Li Xiuyu fell asleep, Yue sneaked to the main hall. With just a furtive glance, she saw Fang Zhiyi sitting cross-legged in meditation. She was puzzled by the faint white mist rising around him—what kind of technique was this?

Fang Zhiyi suddenly opened his eyes and looked at her. "Well, Yue. What can I do for you?"

Looking at his smiling face, Yue felt uneasy and subtly retracted the dagger in her sleeve.

Xiuyu's master's skills were unfathomable. A sneak attack probably wouldn't work.

Fang Zhiyi simply watched her. Yue felt her scalp tighten. Finally, the scales in her heart tipped.

"Master, I am willing to contact Sun Kui and have him come." As if afraid Fang Zhiyi wouldn't believe her, she immediately pulled out a small object. "This is a token between us. Once sent, no matter where he is, he will come."

Fang Zhiyi still said nothing. Yue had no choice but to brace herself and proceed step by step. Only after the carrier pigeon in her hand flew away did Fang Zhiyi finally speak.

"Releasing a carrier pigeon in the middle of the night—are you sure it can see the way?"

Before the stunned Yue could reply, Fang Zhiyi stood up. "Li Weiyang will sleep in my room tonight. The child is tired from playing. I hope you, as his mother, won't blame this old man."

Upon hearing this, Yue dared not say anything, only nodding repeatedly. Yet her heart was in turmoil. She had thought returning to her husband's sect would be like coming home, but instead, they had just jumped into a pit of fire!

Fang Zhiyi returned to his room, glanced at the sleeping Li Weiyang, and cursed under his breath, "You little rascal, not even avenging your parents. What are you messing around for?" But after pacing a couple of circles, he could only sit down cross-legged in the corner and continue circulating his energy.

This body's limits were too low. In that case, he would have to think of some other plan.

News about Sun Kui spread through the martial world almost instantly, and the descriptions of the treasures he possessed were greatly exaggerated.