The small sect residence was already filled with more than a dozen cultivators in uniform robes in a short time.
They consciously lined up on either side, leaving the middle for the two young men dressed in noticeably more luxurious clothes.
One of the young men was tall and heroic, the other small and devious; they were Wu Cheng and Wu Ping, who had come out to investigate the disappearance of Mr. He.
Wu Ping, with his ugly appearance and short stature, had no chance of becoming friends with You Su, even disregarding the grudges between You Su's and his masters. Just seeing You Su in his magnificent skin made Wu Ping wish to stomp him into the dirtiest mud. He couldn't resist mocking upon seeing You Su holding bedsheets in his hands:
"Oh, Mr. You, are you going to do laundry? How can that be? Your hands are meant for holding a sword, not doing a servant's work!"
The cronies beside him let out sneering laughs, perhaps genuinely amused or just playing along with their master.
"Mr. Ping, you're wrong. There's a lot to learn from washing clothes; it helps control Profound Qi. Why not ask these servants next to you why they're so much better than a young master like you who only needs to hold a sword all day long?"
This remark hit a sore spot for Wu Ping. Unlike his brother Wu Cheng, Wu Ping had very poor talent and could only rely on his genius brother's and Shouxi Sect Elder father's reputation to live arrogantly in Chuyun City, earning him a spot as an Inner Sect Disciple. Yet in truth, in terms of hard strength, he was at the bottom of Shouxi Sect.
He glared fiercely at You Su, then carefully observed the reactions of the outer sect disciples around him, determined to make anyone who dared show a strange expression regret it deeply.
After observing, he did not hurry to verbally retaliate against You Su but quietly leaned to his brother's side and whispered, "Brother, is what he said true?"
Wu Cheng did not answer, only giving his useless brother a fleeting glance, prompting Wu Ping to quickly shut his mouth and retreat.
Wu Cheng took out a token from his sleeve, bearing the words "City Lord".
With pride and full of vigor, he declared, "Shouxi Sect, with the City Lord's permission, is here to investigate the disappearance of Shouxi Sect disciple He Qimiao! Everyone is to cooperate actively, no resistance allowed!"
You Su squinted his eyes, frowning slightly; it was clear the opposition was well-prepared this time.
The previous harassment from Wu Ping, Wu Cheng, and the others was likely instigated by elders who had been humiliated by his master, but now, his repeated disdain seemed to have turned the older generation's conflict into their own. Otherwise, their actions couldn't be so aggressive, escalating from individual challenges to now barging in.
Regarding their so-called investigation, it was naturally nonsense. You Su knew Mr. He had long been eaten by the Lantern Ghost, so how could they ever find him? If they truly cared about Mr. He, they wouldn't have left him wandering alone in a daze.
"How does your sect plan to investigate?" You Su placed the fabric he was holding on the nearby windowsill, his tone icy and dangerous.
"What do you think? Search thoroughly!"
Wu Cheng wasn't afraid of You Su at all. At twenty years old, he was a standout among the younger generation of Shouxi Sect, just like You Su, who entered the Lingtai at eighteen. Wu Cheng was also a key focus of Shouxi Sect's training.
Initially, he didn't dislike You Su, or even know him. But his master insisted he challenge You Su and defeat him. He thought it was a simple task, but You Su always evaded battles, leaving him in agony for failing his master's expectations, increasing his desire to fight You Su. Yet You Su would simply look at him with those dismissive eyes and then flee. Wu Cheng resorted to sneak attacks and various methods, hoping You Su would fight back, but this turtle-like boy would easily dodge and escape, never retaliating, seemingly disdainful.
To others, he was a courteous and promising young talent, but facing You Su, he felt himself growing more twisted. You Su seemed to become his heart demon, and he urgently wanted to see this seemingly eternally calm boy show disappointment and regret.
Fortunately, he wasn't the only one in the city who hated You Su. And he would become the first among them to successfully defeat You Su, feeling extremely pleased.
The outer sect disciples beside him followed his orders like a stream of water, ready to turn this dilapidated old house upside down.
"I'd like to see who dares!"
You Su's roar halted everyone's movements, only for him to start coughing due to unresolved internal injuries, losing his momentum entirely.
Seeing this, everyone laughed heartily, feeling that You Su seemed to be asking "Who doesn't dare?" rather than shouting "Who dares?".
Ji Lingruo, not fond of meeting strangers, had initially kept out of sight. Seeing You Su cough, she quickly ran over, sticking close to him with genuine concern, supporting his arm and patting his back.
When You Su regained composure, she angrily glared at the intruders and said, "Is this how you conduct an investigation? Aren't you cultivators? Do you really need to turn things upside down to find someone?"
Upon seeing the celestial beauty Ji Lingruo, Wu Ping looked infatuated, realizing for the first time that You Su was hiding such a beauty as a junior sister. Watching her unhesitatingly press her ample chest against You Su's arm, he ground his teeth with envy.
Wu Cheng seemed much more restrained, still maintaining a righteous demeanor. He was quite familiar with You Su, so it was impossible he hadn't seen Ji Lingruo before. Upon first sight, he realized she possessed a beauty unfitting of this small city, only knowing her as You Su's junior sister without knowing her name. Over time, he grew increasingly resentful, questioning why such a woman was his junior sister. What right did a blind man have to admire such innate beauty? He found yet another reason to dislike You Su.
"The lady is right. I could have directly used a Spiritual Artifact to search. But this blind man You Su isn't ordinary; who knows if he'd use some forbidden magic to conceal my master's presence? That's why we're forced to rely on our eyes." Wu Cheng explained smoothly, smiling, "Which room is yours, miss? Point it out, and I'll make sure they don't intrude. After all, whatever you and that blind man are involved in surely has nothing to do with it."
Ji Lingruo laughed in anger, glaring ferociously at this sanctimonious fool, "Blind to beauty! My senior brother and I are as one, sharing joy and sorrow. Can't see that, yet you think you can find anything with your dog eyes? Get out!"
Ji Lingruo had every intent to stand by You Su and wouldn't let these bullies who always tormented You Su drive a wedge between them. She could tell from the beginning that these people weren't here to solve the case but to stir trouble.
Wu Cheng's expression remained composed, unfazed by the girl's insults, speaking slowly:
"Stay your anger, miss. Once our search is complete, we will of course provide a judgment. If no clues are found, I will personally apologize to the miss. But if anything is uncovered, your brother might be in trouble..."
"Search!"
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