Chapter 163 Jian Mu Old Man

These elders seemed intent on severing ties with the death of the Heavenly Sword Sect's master, pushing Fang Yue out as a scapegoat.

After all, with the Glacial Ice Sect's current strength, being able to wage war against the Blazing Fire Sect was already the limit. Adding the Heavenly Sword Sect into the mix would mean certain defeat.

However, these words immediately turned Wei Ba's face ashen.

"Brother Ye risked his life to cover our retreat, fighting Jian Wufeng and managing to kill him by luck. Now you want to push Brother Ye out to be a scapegoat?"

"It's not exactly a scapegoat. We just want him to return the Heavenly Sword. Since Ye Se Liming was able to kill Jian Wufeng, his strength must be extraordinary. I believe the Heavenly Sword Sect wouldn't dare to do anything to him. Returning the sword would turn a major issue into a minor one, and a minor one into nothing. Everyone would be happy."

Shamelessly, the elders made it sound so easy.

Wei Ba's expression darkened further. She said coldly, "What's the difference between sending the sword and sending him to his death? Being able to kill Jian Wufeng doesn't mean he can take on the entire Heavenly Sword Sect single-handedly. If you insist on returning the sword, do it yourself. Don't drag Brother Ye into it!"

These words silenced the elder.

If he were really sent to return the sword, he'd be as good as dead.

Everyone knew this was just a way of speaking; the essence of it was sending someone to die to give the Heavenly Sword Sect an explanation and prevent them from joining the fight between the Glacial Ice Sect and the Blazing Fire Sect.

But now, it seemed this plan was about to fall apart.

Because anyone could see that Wei Ba's relationship with Fang Yue was extraordinary, and she might even break with the Glacial Ice Sect for the sake of an outsider like Fang Yue.

They didn't care about Wei Ba.

Although she was a peerless genius, the Glacial Ice Sect had seen many geniuses over the years.

However, Wei Ba had the Glacial Ice Sect's Grand Elder [Qi Ba Jiu] backing her, making her position extremely delicate. Even the sect master wouldn't dare to act rashly against her.

The Glacial Ice Sect's master sighed deeply, preparing to reason with Wei Ba, appeal to her emotions, and try to persuade her one last time.

"Wei Ba, you should know the current situation of our Glacial Ice Sect. Being able to wage war against the Blazing Fire Sect is already the limit. Adding the Heavenly Sword Sect into the mix would mean certain defeat. Furthermore, Grand Elder Qi Ba Jiu can't appear for extended periods due to your cultivation issues. With a shortage of combat power, reducing enemies and resolving issues is what we should be doing."

After a pause, the Glacial Ice Sect's master continued, "Also, I promise that once we resolve the Blazing Fire Sect's problem, we'll find a way to help Ye Se Liming attack the Heavenly Sword Sect together."

This old fox had calculated everything perfectly, hoping Fang Yue would hold off the Heavenly Sword Sect while they dealt with the Blazing Fire Sect, then destroy and annex the Heavenly Sword Sect as well.

Wei Ba was about to speak when Fang Yue stopped her.

He looked coldly at the elders present and sneered, "I see now; you're all masters of shirking responsibility. You don't want to deal with the trouble at your doorstep and just want to dump it on an outsider like me. Fine, I killed the Heavenly Sword Sect's master, so it's natural for them to come after me. But don't forget, even after I die, when the Heavenly Sword Sect learns the truth, your Glacial Ice Sect won't be able to escape responsibility."

"Being able to delay them for a while is enough to give us a head start in our fight against the Blazing Fire Sect and achieve a phased victory."

Now that everything was out in the open, the Glacial Ice Sect's master seemed to have given up on all pretense and shamelessly revealed his true colors.

This infuriated Fang Yue.

If not for the fact that everyone present was Wei Ba's elder, Fang Yue would have drawn his blade and hacked them down.

The faces of these people had dragged the Glacial Ice Sect's reputation to an all-time low in Fang Yue's eyes.

Since you are merciless, don't blame me for being unrighteous.

Fang Yue wanted to wash his hands of the whole affair and leave right then and there.

The world was vast; he couldn't possibly fail to find a place for himself just because of the Heavenly Sword Sect's pressure.

Don't forget, he was still nominally a Red-Clothed Official of the Azure Department of the Azure Kingdom.

His status was so high that the Heavenly Sword Sect couldn't move against him casually.

But if he did that… Wei Ba…

Fang Yue had just turned to look at Wei Ba when his expression suddenly changed. He sensed a powerful aura rapidly approaching from the distance.

"A master is approaching!"

"At least a Yu-level (Rain-level) expert!"

"We just killed the Sixth Elder of the Blazing Fire Sect; they're likely here with ill intentions! Quick, go out and welcome them! Prepare for battle!"

Not only Fang Yue, but the sect master and elders present also sensed the powerful aura outside.

The group hurried outside, only to see a golden figure soaring towards them on a sword in the distance.

"Who goes there? State your name!"

As the Glacial Ice Sect's master, how could he remain silent when someone was practically jumping in his face?

When the golden figure stopped and the golden light dissipated, it revealed an old man.

This old man had sword-like eyebrows and radiated an aura of sharpness!

Fang Yue sensed him and was surprised to find that this old man was far more powerful than the Jian Wufeng he had killed before!

The Heavenly Sword in his hand trembled violently as if sensing something, wanting to break free from Fang Yue's control and fall into the old man's hands.

How could Fang Yue let the duck he had in his grasp escape?

He threatened in a low voice, 'If you make any more trouble, I'll let the parchment eat you.'

Sure enough, the Heavenly Sword was so frightened that it became docile, trembling and daring not to move.

The parchment's reputation was even more effective than the boy who cried wolf.

At this moment, the old man above spoke.

He stroked his long, white beard and said.

"I have long forgotten worldly fame. This old man is now just an ordinary elder. If you wish, you may call me Jian Mu Laoren (Old Man Sword Tomb)."

Hiss—

As Jian Mu Laoren's words fell, the elders present couldn't help but gasp in unison. Their eyes widened as they looked at the old man in the air in shock.

Jian Mu Laoren, the Heavenly Sword Sect's Jian Mu Laoren!

Why would this old fox come to the Glacial Ice Sect and appear directly before them without any warning?

Cold sweat appeared on the foreheads of the elders and the sect master, and even their breathing became cautious.

"So it's Sword Elder from the Heavenly Sword Sect. May I ask what brings Sword Elder to our Glacial Ice Sect?"

The sect master took a deep breath, respectfully bowed, and asked cautiously.

This was a rhetorical question. Everyone's gaze subconsciously glanced at Fang Yue, except for Wei Ba, who immediately stood in front of Fang Yue, her expression grim.

"I have two things to do at your Glacial Ice Sect. The first is to retrieve the Heavenly Sword Sect's inherited sword, the Heavenly Sword."

As he said this, Jian Mu Laoren glanced at Fang Yue, feeling somewhat strange.

Why was the Heavenly Sword in Fang Yue's hands instead of being kept by someone else in the Glacial Ice Sect?

But after a moment's thought, Jian Mu Laoren decided that since he had arrived so quickly, the Glacial Ice Sect probably hadn't figured out what to do with the Heavenly Sword yet. So it didn't really matter who had the sword right now.