Obtaining Top Art on Family's Extermination Night

"Golden Cicada Shell?"

Fang Lingxin watched Ye Feihua on the distant rooftop.

Ye Feihua was currently listing the names of Jianghu people who had supposedly died at the hands of Jinghua Pavilion recently.

It seemed she really had some evidence and wanted to prove Jinghua Pavilion’s innocence.

Having been mentored by Fang Shuwen lately, Fang Lingxin knew that matters in the Jianghu were never so simple.

The crowd gathered here today didn’t seem to care about right or wrong. All they wanted was the Seven-String Ancient Chapter in Ye Feihua’s hands.

If Ye Feihua was willing, she could just toss out the Seven-String Ancient Chapter.

Why go through all this trouble?

But on second thought, she felt that wouldn’t be right either.

As long as this slander was pinned on Jinghua Pavilion, they would never know a day of peace.

Even without the Seven-String Ancient Chapter, others would probably covet something else from Jinghua Pavilion.

Therefore, the issue of the Seven-String Ancient Chapter had to be resolved, and this stain on their name had to be wiped away completely.

Following this line of thought, and considering what Fang Shuwen and Chen Qi had said, Fang Lingxin had an epiphany:

’This Pavilion Master Ye... does she just need a chance to speak?’

Chen Qi smiled and looked at Fang Shuwen.

"This apprentice of yours has some sense."

Fang Lingxin wanted to be happy, but then she looked at Chen Qi... He didn’t seem much older than her. Being praised like that by a peer felt completely condescending.

She couldn’t help but glare at him.

"...Quite fierce, aren’t you?"

Chen Qi was amused again.

But in the next moment, his amusement vanished. A hint of killing intent suddenly appeared in Fang Shuwen’s eyes as he looked at him.

He was baffled. ’That killing intent came out of nowhere. What did I do to provoke him?’

Fang Shuwen had already withdrawn his gaze and said to Fang Lingxin,

"Pay him no mind. This fellow is the Young Venerable of Dragon Emperor Hall. He’s no good man."

Even though Fang Lingxin had matured considerably recently, she still couldn’t help but gasp at his words.

Her own master had a feud with Dragon Emperor Hall, yet this boy before her was their Young Venerable?

Then why were they here, chatting and laughing so casually?

’Could this be the legendary ’dagger hidden behind a smile’?’

As the young girl’s mind reeled in confusion, Chen Qi sounded a little resigned.

"I knew you had already figured it out, but I’d still like to know when."

"The fate of the Fierce Tiger Gang."

Fang Shuwen suddenly brought up a name that seemed from the distant past.

"Their annihilation was too strange.

"Given their situation at the time, Wu Lingxiao wouldn’t have cared about them, and I wouldn’t have killed them either.

"And yet, they were all slaughtered.

"Based on the accounts of the few survivors, it wasn’t hard to guess that the killers were the Undead from your Dragon Emperor Hall.

"So, why would the Undead annihilate the Fierce Tiger Gang?"

Chen Qi nodded.

"So that’s where things went wrong."

"And outside Flying Snow City, I was about to leave when a Vermilion Bird Envoy and the Vermilion Bird Guard suddenly intercepted me.

"At the time, that Vermilion Bird Envoy mentioned that a major figure was coordinating things from within Flying Snow City.

"I thought it over and over, but I couldn’t see anyone among the people there who seemed like a major figure.

"Not until Qian Gong mentioned the title of Young Venerable...

"...did I start focusing my attention on the experts of the younger generation."

Fang Shuwen continued,

"Everything after that fell into place. Among the younger generation, your Martial Arts aren’t the strongest, or at least, what you showed wasn’t particularly impressive.

"But on that day, you survived just fine.

"And while everyone was hunting me down, you vanished without a trace.

"Combine that with the sudden annihilation of the Fierce Tiger Gang.

"It would have been difficult for me not to suspect you."

Chen Qi pursed his lips.

"I never actually intended to wipe out the Fierce Tiger Gang. After all, they were too cowardly to ever reveal any information about me."

"It seems your life as the Young Venerable isn’t as smooth sailing as they say."

"If everything were truly going my way, why would I need to seek Brother Fang’s help?"

Chen Qi grinned.

Fang Shuwen waved his hand dismissively.

"Let’s put your matters aside for now. You forced Ye Feihua into this corner; do you really think she’ll let it go?

"Today is a ’Golden Cicada Shell,’ but it’s also a play to lure them into a trap.

"With all these factions vying for power... do you think Dragon Emperor Hall can escape unscathed?"

"Dragon Emperor Hall? Why should it escape unscathed?"

Chen Qi sneered.

"Those people... all deserve to die."

Fang Lingxin was completely lost now.

’What in the world is going on?’

How were these two, who were supposed to be rivals, suddenly chatting like old friends?

There was no clash of swords, not even a war of words.

Not only did Chen Qi show no hostility toward Fang Shuwen, but he seemed to harbor a deep-seated hatred for Dragon Emperor Hall... ’What? The traitor is their own Young Venerable from Dragon Emperor Hall?’

And another thing... Fang Lingxin now understood the "Golden Cicada Shell" strategy.

Ye Feihua, in league with Dong Wangyou, had orchestrated this Flower-Picking Conference simply to get a chance to speak.

On one hand, she could clear Jinghua Pavilion of the slanderous accusations pinned on them by Dragon Emperor Hall, perhaps even returning the favor.

On the other hand, Ye Feihua also said she would hand over the Seven-String Ancient Chapter.

This would allow her to break free from the vortex of conflict over it.

However, both Fang Shuwen and Chen Qi seemed certain that the Seven-String Ancient Chapter Ye Feihua handed over would be a fake.

’Would that plan even work?’

’And what did they mean by luring them into a trap?’

These Jianghu people... ’It’s one thing for their Martial Arts to be so incredible, but why do they have to speak in such unfathomable riddles?’

She couldn’t help but glance at Shui Qianrou.