As she spoke, Song Wanníng projected the image of Ye Chuxue ruthlessly killing Lu Nanfeng for all to see.
"Who are these people?"
The Palace Master raised her brows slightly as she asked.
"My disciple. The one she killed is Ye Chuxue, the disciple of my ex-fiancé."
Song Wanníng answered plainly, but what she revealed carried immense weight.
The Hundred Ghosts Sect was known for its information trade. The Palace Master was already well aware of the tangled grudges between Song Wanníng, Gu Qingyuan, and Ye Chuxue, but she hadn't realized that this woman was Ye Chuxue.
She glanced at Ye Chuxue, then back at Song Wanníng, a flicker of surprise flashing in her eyes.
"Gu Qingyuan really does have… unique taste."
"To think he rejected Song Wanníng and chose Ye Chuxue instead..."
Song Wanníng offered no comment. She couldn't care less about such things. All she wanted was to drag them both into the abyss, never to recover.
She stepped closer to the Palace Master and quietly explained her business proposal.
The Palace Master was momentarily stunned, but her expression soon turned serious as she nodded. "Don't worry. I'll handle it cleanly. As for payment in spirit stones, forget it. Let's call it a gesture of friendship, how about that?"
If anything, she was the one getting the better deal here.
But Song Wanníng didn't mind. She smiled radiantly.
For a moment, the Palace Master found herself dazed, then smiled along with her without meaning to. Now that she had crossed Song Wanníng, Gu Qingyuan and Ye Chuxue likely wouldn't be able to rise again in this life...
By the next day, news of Ye Chuxue killing Lu Nanfeng had already spread across the land. Alongside it came reports that the Sect Master of Wentian Sect was attempting to shield her.
The fallout was instant and explosive.
This was the most critical time for new disciple recruitment, and Wentian Sect had the gall to be involved in such a scandal?
"Tch, this is outrageous. Lu Nanfeng was a true disciple and Song Wanníng's student. If they're willing to cover up for the killer, what would happen if an ordinary disciple was murdered? Would they just be left to die without justice?"
"Exactly. The sect rules exist for a reason. If even the Sect Master ignores them, how can he command the hearts of the people?"
"Have you heard? This whole thing happened more than half a month ago, and Wentian Sect has kept it quiet. Word is, even the disciples inside didn't know!"
"For real? Then it's obvious they're determined to protect Ye Chuxue!"
"What is it about that woman? First Gu Qingyuan, now even the Sect Master is defending her? Why does everyone bend over backwards for her?"
"It's disgraceful. First she stole Song Wanníng's fiancé, now she's killed her disciple. They're pushing Song Zhēnjūn way too far."
"No way Song Wanníng will let this slide. Just watch."
"It's not just her. Even the Lu family won't sit this out..."
Sympathy for Song Wanníng began to swell. To most, Ye Chuxue clearly had it out for her. And considering how certain factions in the sect always favored Ye Chuxue, Song Wanníng's years here must have been filled with hardship.
Still, many wanted to understand why Ye Chuxue had done it. After all, word from inside Wentian Sect was that she and Lu Nanfeng had been extremely close.
There had to be more to the story. Surely she wouldn't just turn on him without a reason.
Rumors of scandal and secrets spread like wildfire.
Back inside Wentian Sect, chaos erupted.
"What is the sect trying to pull? My brother was expelled and crippled for killing a fellow disciple, his whole future ruined. Now what, there's a double standard?"
"Exactly. Just because Ye Chuxue is talented, the sect is bending the rules for her? We won't accept that!"
"The sect must give us an explanation!"
The anger among disciples was growing louder. True disciples already enjoyed privileges, but now even murder could be excused?
Some, however, who had benefited from Ye Chuxue's help, stood firmly by her.
"Lu Nanfeng must have done something. Otherwise, why would Ye Chuxue kill him?"
"That's right. The Sect Master must know the full story. That's why he hasn't made a public statement. Why are you all so quick to judge?"
"Let's wait for the investigation. I'm sure Ye Chuxue had no choice."
In truth, many couldn't believe she would kill Lu Nanfeng. And even if she had, it had to be under extreme circumstances.
But with the Sect Master staying silent, suspicion only grew.
As the rumors spiraled out of control, the Sect Master finally had to step in. Though furious, he promised a final verdict would be given within a few days.
That deadline was meant for Gu Qingyuan.
"This wasn't without cause. Song Wanníng struck first, and she even let Lu Nanfeng try to violate Chuxue. Chuxue had no choice. She killed him to protect herself. If the sect plans to punish Chuxue for this, then I won't accept it. I'll leave the sect with her if I must."
Gu Qingyuan's voice echoed clearly through the transmission talisman, heard by every elder.
The room fell into a heavy silence.
"Is Gu Qingyuan threatening us?"
An elder shot up, visibly furious.
"This is outrageous. Even Martial Sister Song, with her notorious temper, has been respectful while speaking with us. What is Gu Qingyuan playing at?"
"Does he want the whole world to know he's obsessed with his disciple?"
His feelings for Ye Chuxue had long been an open secret, a disgrace to Wentian Sect. Now he dared to threaten them openly? Who could tolerate such arrogance?
No one owed him anything.
The Sect Master and several elders wore matching expressions of disgust. Gu Qingyuan had crossed the line.
"We've been trying to buy him time, but this is how he repays us..."
The Second Elder let out a long sigh and rolled her eyes skyward.
They were only protecting his faction to keep Song Wanníng's side from becoming too dominant.
After all, the families in the sect constantly maneuvered and kept each other in check.
She'd grown used to it.
"Hmph. If he's that eager to betray the sect, then let him go. I want to see if he can still act so high and mighty without the sect behind him."
One elder spat out the words in anger.
The Sect Master's face darkened further. "Now's not the time for petty squabbles. There may be truth in this. I'll confirm things with Martial Sister Song. If Lu Nanfeng really was at fault, we can exempt Ye Chuxue from punishment."
With that, he sent a message to Song Wanníng through a transmission talisman.
But this time, she didn't reply.
One hour passed. Then two. By nightfall, there was still no response.
The Sect Master gave a cold snort. "Looks like Gu Qingyuan was telling the truth. Song Wanníng has gone silent out of guilt."
In that case, the situation had just become much simpler.
"Someone, spread the decree across the sect. Lu Nanfeng attempted to violate Ye Chuxue and was killed by her in self-defense. Though there was cause, she still killed a fellow disciple. As punishment, she is to meditate in seclusion and reflect for one year."
The Sect Master narrowed his eyes. After a moment's thought, he decided not to mention Song Wanníng.
That woman… was not someone he could afford to provoke.