Ji Feiyang frowned, murmuring to himself, "Onmyoji, this term has been appearing more and more frequently in recent years."
Ye Bufan looked at Ji Feiyang, his expression suggesting there was more to this matter that Ye Bufan didn't know.
"Alas, our Great Xia is taking this very seriously," Ji Feiyang said. "We've encountered similar incidents in our military. Onmyoji have possessed new recruits, thereby stealing military secrets. If not for descendants of folk sorcerers within the army, we might not have discovered this."
Ji Feiyang’s brow furrowed, and he clenched his fist tightly.
"In recent years, the incursions from Ying Country into Great Xia have become increasingly frequent, and their methods are becoming more insidious. My father's condition, which you diagnosed from the spirit-devouring insects, is likely the work of an Onmyoji from Ying Country," Ji Feiyang stated.
"Brother Ye," Ji Feiyang knew Ye Bufan could likely see these things, "I have an impudent request."
"You want me to capture that Onmyoji?" Ye Bufan asked.
"Capturing them would be ideal. If that's not possible, I hope you will eliminate them," Ji Feiyang's eyes were filled with resolve. "If you agree, I will issue you an external consultant certificate in the name of the military, and you will receive a considerable reward."
"Uncle Ji, what are you saying?" Ye Bufan waved his hand. "Ying Country bullied our Great Xia a century ago, thinking we had no one. Now, Great Xia is brimming with talent. For me to act, what does it matter about revenge?"
Ji Feiyang nodded, cupped his fists and bowed to Ye Bufan. Ye Bufan quickly returned the gesture.
"If you require any assistance in the future, please don't hesitate to tell me. No matter where I am, I will ensure it is arranged properly," Ji Feiyang added after a moment's thought.
Outside, the martial arts tournament continued. At this moment, Wu Cheng entered with Nangong Yi.
Nangong Yi had successfully broken through to the Martial Venerable realm. Upon seeing Ye Bufan, his eyes lit up.
"Ye Bufan, our match isn't over yet," Nangong Yi said. "But my cultivation is unstable right now after my breakthrough. I'll challenge you again once I've stabilized. Or, you can come to the capital and I'll be a good host, showing you a good time."
"Alright. I'll definitely visit the capital when I have the chance," Ye Bufan replied.
"General Ji," Nangong Yi saluted Ji Feiyang.
"General Ji, I heard something happened on the competition stage just now, so I hurried over to see," Wu Cheng said with a fawning smile.
As an elder of the Martial Alliance, it would be a laughing matter if he were absent when an incident occurred on the competition stage, especially when other elders were also nowhere to be found.
"Hmph! The Martial Alliance organized this martial arts tournament, yet the elders are nowhere to be seen?" Ji Feiyang snorted coldly.
Three elders of the Martial Alliance had come to this martial arts tournament. The other two had been invited for tea by people from the Tianxing Martial Arts School to some unknown location, leaving only Wu Cheng.
Wu Cheng had always been on good terms with the Nangong family. Since Nangong Yi had broken through, Wu Cheng couldn't afford to let Nangong Yi be harmed, and felt deeply ashamed.
"Alright, stop making excuses. I don't want to hear them. Just ensure no more incidents happen in the upcoming matches," Ji Feiyang said, cutting off Wu Cheng's attempt to explain.
Seeing this, Wu Cheng could only heave a sigh. Nangong Yi looked at Wu Cheng, understanding his awkward position within the Martial Alliance.
The Martial Alliance was no longer what it used to be. The elders were all in their own factions, and the Alliance Leader, aside from his own cultivation, paid little attention to the Alliance's affairs, leading to a completely disorganized state.
Wu Cheng had painstakingly endured until this martial arts tournament. He sold his Po'e Pill to raise some funds and organize this event. However, due to the appearance of the Xisui Pill, the venue was moved from the capital to Jinhe, rendering Wu Cheng's previous investments worthless.
For this martial arts tournament, Nangong Yi, who was the top contender on the Martial Venerable preliminary list, was invited to inspire the other martial artists. Through the Nangong family's influence, it was hoped they could unite the Martial Alliance.
Unexpectedly, Nangong Yi encountered Ye Bufan, and after their fight, Nangong Yi had leaped from a high-level martial artist to the Martial Venerable realm.
"Find someone to deal with Li Bai's body," Ji Feiyang said, pointing to Li Bai behind him. "Make proper arrangements for him with a decent reason."
"Yes," Wu Cheng replied.
The martial arts tournament was scheduled for four days. After the fierce battles on the first day, sixteen participants remained.
The second day would be for the round of sixteen to eight, the third for eight to four, the fourth for four to two, and the final day would crown the champion of this martial arts tournament.
Ye Bufan, having promised to find the Onmyoji, frequented the martial arts tournament venue during these days.
Simultaneously, the news of Nangong Yi's breakthrough to Martial Venerable at Tianxing Martial Arts School spread like wildfire. Along with it came even more explosive news that captivated all of Great Xia.
At the martial arts tournament site, a younger Martial Venerable than Nangong Yi appeared—Ye Bufan, another genius on the rise.
Early the next morning, Ye Bufan was picked up by Ji Feiyang and taken to Tianxing Martial Arts School. As soon as he got out of the car, he saw a plump middle-aged man standing at the entrance of Tianxing Martial Arts School, holding a banner.
"Murderer Ye Bufan, you killed my son."
Ye Bufan glanced at it, surprised that this person was looking for him.
He walked up to the man. Upon seeing Ye Bufan, the man's face changed, and he shouted, "Ye Bufan, you killed my son Zhuang Sijie!"
This man was Zhuang Qian, the father of Zhuang Sijie, who had died at Ye Bufan's hands.
"I killed him," Ye Bufan stated. "Your son committed heinous crimes. If I didn't kill him, who would have?"
"You!" Zhuang Qian pointed at Ye Bufan's nose. "What my son did is none of your business, and it's not for you to interfere."
Ye Bufan looked at Zhuang Qian, and Zhuang Qian looked back at him.
"I can't defeat you, but someone can deal with you," Zhuang Qian sneered. "Today, I will make you pay with your life for my son."
From within Tianxing Martial Arts School, an elder about Wu Cheng's age emerged, dressed in a martial arts uniform.
As soon as he appeared, Ye Bufan recognized his strength; he was another Martial Venerable.
"Elder Zhang, you must seek justice for my son!" Zhuang Qian cried out to the elder.
Ye Bufan looked at Zhuang Qian, frowning. No wonder the man was so brazen; he had someone backing him.
The elder gently patted Zhuang Qian's shoulder, walked up to Ye Bufan, and asked, "You killed my disciple?"
"Disciple?" Ye Bufan was slightly taken aback, not expecting this additional connection.