Liu Buli had originally intended to go up the mountain himself to check on the situation, as he was worried.
However, upon hearing his words, You Siqi immediately tugged at his sleeve, asking with some nervousness, "Did something major happen? Are they in danger? I… forget it, I'll only be a burden if I go with you. You go by yourself, and I'll wait here for you."
Though he said this, his eyes were brimming with worry.
Liu Buli saw this clearly and couldn't help but soften his expression, chuckling, "What's wrong, are you worried about Shen Muzhi?"
You Siqi replied, "I'm worried about him because this matter is truly dangerous, and it has nothing to do with our relationship! We're talking about something serious, don't look at me like that."
Liu Buli nodded, uncharacteristically compliant, and averted his gaze.
After a moment's thought, he said, "I'll take you up with me. I only said I suspected my disciple Wuming had gone mad, but I didn't sense anyone else's presence, nor was there any significant fluctuation in spiritual energy. It's likely nothing major. You won't be a burden."
You Siqi opened his mouth.
He wanted to say something, but before he could utter a sound, Liu Buli grabbed him by the collar, kicked off the ground, and flew up with him.
You Siqi was startled, but at the crucial moment, he covered his mouth, preventing any scream from escaping.
Liu Buli was not Shen Muzhi, and he was certainly not as gentle with You Siqi. You Siqi felt as though he was on a high-altitude roller coaster without a safety belt, his soul nearly flying out of his body along the way.
By the time they finally reached the summit of the Sword Sect, You Siqi felt dizzy and disoriented. He no longer felt like screaming; he felt as though Liu Buli had already sent him to his doom.
Liu Buli's cultivation was indeed formidable. Even though Shen Muzhi had erected a barrier to prevent the leakage of spiritual energy, Liu Buli sensed the strongest point of spiritual energy fluctuation.
After a brief pause, he again grabbed You Siqi by the collar and brought him to the courtyard where the Sword Sect Leader resided.
Although Shen Muzhi was within the barrier, he sensed their approach and opened a gap in the barrier, quickly letting them in.
The moment they entered, before they could even get a clear look at their surroundings, a strong scent of blood assailed them.
Liu Buli frowned.
You Siqi was still gasping for breath after his near-death experience. Before he could even look up, Shen Muzhi had already covered his eyes.
You Siqi blinked and asked, "Muzhi, what are you doing?"
"Don't look. This is not something you can bear to see," Shen Muzhi replied calmly. He then turned to Liu Buli, sighed, and asked with some helplessness, "Daoist Liu, weren't we supposed to wait down the mountain? How come you not only came up but also brought him along?"
"Because he was worried about you."
Liu Buli shrugged and replied casually.
He then glanced at You Siqi, whose eyes were covered by Shen Muzhi and who was held tightly in his arms, unable to move. He looked at the blood splattered all over the courtyard, at Lu Wuming standing amidst the blood, and at the Sword Sect Leader opposite him, gasping for his last breath. Liu Buli felt an indescribable sense of helplessness.
Pressing his forehead, Liu Buli asked, "It seems your negotiation has broken down?"
"Not exactly. It's more like it never even began," Shen Muzhi shook his head. "The Sword Sect Leader was also involved in Duan Liuyun's plan, in league with the Medicine Master Valley. The things I prepared were all wasted. He didn't even look at them and then started fighting with your disciple."
Liu Buli nodded in understanding.
He stepped forward and walked to Lu Wuming's side. Patting his shoulder, Liu Buli thought, "Wuming, although this courtyard is filled with the stench of blood, I haven't sensed any demonic energy. So, when you killed this beast just now, did you control yourself properly?"
Lu Wuming nodded vigorously.
He flashed a brilliant smile at Liu Buli and said, "Master, Wuming only used spiritual techniques this time, not his claws. But this old man was too weak. Before I could even use all the moves you taught me, he couldn't take it anymore. Can I go find someone else to spar with?"
Liu Buli's mouth twitched.
Lu Wuming made him understand perfectly what it meant to wear the most beautiful smile while saying the most ruthless words. Of course, this was assuming one could ignore the blood splattered on his face that didn't belong to him.
After a moment of thought, Liu Buli reached out and rubbed Lu Wuming's shoulder. Then, he crouched down in front of the Sword Sect Leader and said with a smile, "Old man, I have a few questions for you. Besides you, who else in the Sword Sect participated in your human experimentation? Tell me the specifics, and I'll have my disciple give you a quick end. If you don't, he has various ways to make you suffer a fate worse than death for a long time. I suspect you wouldn't want to try."
As he spoke, Lu Wuming cooperatively raised his long sword and fiercely pierced the Sword Sect Leader's palm.
The latter let out a pained cry and quickly nodded, saying, "I… I'll tell you everything. Don't torture me. Just… just give me a quick end…"
Liu Buli nodded with satisfaction.
He glanced back at Lu Wuming beside him, a doting smile on his face, and said, "See? This way, you can continue practicing."
Lu Wuming was overjoyed.
Shen Muzhi, who had overheard the entire conversation: …
He realized he had been utterly mistaken.
The idea that the Pill Sect Leader was rational? With his disciple around, he was completely irrational!
One after another, they were both lunatics!
Shen Muzhi began to doubt, for the first time, if his judgment of people was truly flawed.