At last, someone came to Tianmu Mountain. And it was Sect Elder Lu Boqi. Tianmu Mountain was the ancestral cultivation ground of the Lu clan; the mountain was full of Lus, which was why people called it the Lu Sect of Tianmu Mountain.

Elder Lu arrived in a rush, face dark with anger, and immediately began scolding Lu Yuanlang. “Do you have any idea what kind of trouble you’ve caused? Wulong Mountain marks the boundary between the six sects. An agreement made by all their leaders! How dare you trespass there without permission?”

Lu Yuanlang lowered his head. “Elder… I didn’t know at first. I had just come out of seclusion when I heard the news of Brother Zhongqiu’s death. Then I learned my second brother’s death years ago was likely tied to Wei Hongqing as well. So… I went up the mountain to confront him.”

Lu Boqi’s eyes widened. “And? Did you find him?”

Lu Yuanlang kept his gaze on the ground. “Those bandits from Wulong Mountain… they’ve got stubborn mouths, none of them will talk.”

Lu Boqi snapped, “You acted recklessly again! Charging in without knowing a thing. Your old habits haven’t changed one bit! Couldn’t you at least have asked the Sect Master before setting out? Or one of us elders? Even asking a few of your senior or junior brothers would’ve been better! Do you have any idea what kind of position this puts our sect in? What kind of shame this brings upon your master and your martial uncles? Step aside. Now!”

After scolding Lu Yuanlang, Lu Boqi turned to the gathered sect elders and cupped his hands in apology. “My nephew here may have talent in cultivation, but he’s just as well known across Jing-Xiang for being impulsive and hot-headed. The Sect Master himself has reprimanded and punished him more times than I can count, yet the boy never seems to learn. I must apologize to you all on his behalf.”

He paused, sighing. “To be fair, there is some cause behind his behavior. Lu Zhongqiu, one of our inner sect stewards, was not only the Sect Master’s grandson but also Yuanlang’s childhood companion and sworn brother. Four years ago, Yuanlang lost a duel to Jingzhao of the Qingyu Sect and went into seclusion to cultivate. He only just emerged a few days ago, only to hear of Zhongqiu’s tragic death. In his grief and anger, he acted rashly. It was not his intent to violate the inter-sect accords or trespass into Wulong Mountain. I, on behalf of Mount Tianmu, offer our sincere apologies.

Please be assured, our sect has always respected the rules and honored our oaths. We will discipline our disciples strictly and ensure that nothing like today’s incident ever happens again.”

“Daoist Lu,” Tu Junyi said coldly, “your disciple has gone much too far today. Do you really think a few words of apology can settle this?”

Elder Bai added, “Brother Lu, I agree. There should be some form of punishment. Otherwise, what good are the rules if anyone can just break them and apologize afterward?”

Lu Boqi hesitated. “This… I confess I’m unsure what punishment would be fitting for such a breach.”

Wulong Mountain served as the boundary between the sects. An agreement reached after two separate councils. But though the six sects had agreed in name, each still harbored their own ambitions, their little schemes and quiet moves never ceasing. When they first set the accord, no one had dared to specify how violations should be handled.

After all, such pacts between sects weren’t like rules within one’s own order; they relied only on mutual oversight. Most of the time, that meant preventing problems before they happened. But once a transgression did occur, as it had today, no one really knew what to do. The sect leaders had all kept a silent understanding: better not to bring up punishment at all. For without a true means of enforcement, there were only two options. Awkward silence and confusion, or open conflict that could tear the alliance apart.

After Lu Boqi raised the question, Tu Junyi, Elder Bai, Lou Zhenwu, Dongfang Yuying, and Jian Shao of the Pingdu Eight Formations Gate all exchanged uneasy looks. Each fell silent, lost in thought.

At last, Elder Tu spoke up. “Everyone… let’s continue this discussion inside the cliff cave.”

The group followed him in, while the various disciples and stewards from each sect stayed outside to wait.

Liu Xiaolou, having calmed Li Busan, glanced toward Dragon Mountain Wanderer, then at the corpses strewn before the cave entrance. A chill ran down his spine. If Wei Hongqing hadn’t already left Wulong Mountain, if he’d let his guard down and been caught off guard by Lu Yuanlang’s ambush, he might well have been captured on the spot. And if that had happened… what would’ve become of himself?

He didn’t dare imagine.

Then another thought struck him. He’d gone to the Hongji Tavern plenty of times before. Those shopkeepers and waiters were bound to remember his face. Now that he’d landed squarely within Lu Yuanlang’s sight, what if one day the man decided to pay Hongji a visit… and start settling old scores?

The past three months had been way too relaxing. They’d clearly been taking the so-called “rules” of the major sects far too seriously!

He turned to Yun Ao. “Brother Yun, last night you said they wouldn’t punish those who broke the agreement too harshly. Looks like you're right… So many from Wulong Mountain are dead, and yet all the sects are still getting along just fine, huh?”

“What else would they do?” Yun Ao said. “There’s really nothing to be done. Xiaolou, I’ll be blunt. To the big sects, people from Wulong Mountain are just rogue cultivators, bandits at best. Kill a few, and no one’s going to care.”

Not long after, Elders Tu, Bai, and Lu, along with Jian Shao, Lou Zhenwu, and Dongfang Yuying, finished their discussion and came out of the cave.

Yun Ao, being from a prestigious family, saw things much the same way as the major sect elders and inner disciples did. And events turned out just as he’d expected. Jian Shao, the inner disciple of the Pingdu Eight Formations Gate, stepped forward and announced the joint decision to the roughly twenty cultivators gathered atop Ghostdream Cliff.

“Lu Yuanlang violated the agreement among the six sects and trespassed into Wulong Mountain. He should be punished severely. However, considering it’s his first offense and that he acted out of ignorance, he will be sent back to Tianmu Mountain for strict supervision. And forbidden to leave the mountain for three years.

“Tianmu Mountain, having failed to keep its disciple in line, must issue a formal written apology to each sect and pay compensation of one hundred spirit stones to each. The sect is to strictly forbid its disciples from breaking the pact again. If there’s another offense, the penalty will be doubled. All compensation must be paid in full within ten days.

“Upon returning to your own sects, you are also to announce this decision to everyone, as a warning to all disciples.”

After hearing the verdict, the disciples and stewards from each sect bowed respectfully, solemnly accepting the resolution. For a moment, the atmosphere atop Ghostdream Cliff grew heavy and still.

When the matter was settled, Lu Yuanlang still couldn’t hold back his protest. “Elder,” he said, “three years without leaving the mountain, isn’t that too harsh? In seven days, the Second Sword Trial at Danxia Grotto Heaven begins. If I can’t go down the mountain, how can I take part?”

Lu Boqi scolded him. “You’ve made such a serious mistake, and you’re still thinking about the Sword Trial? Once you return to the mountain, you’ll stay in seclusion and reflect. No slacking off!” He paused, then added, “As for the sword trial, I’ve already told the other sects. They all agree it’s an important event, so we’re making an exception. You can take part before heading back to the mountain.”

Lu Yuanlang brightened. “That’s good!”

Lu Boqi went on, “The Gengsang Cave and the Pingdu Eight Formations Gate have also decided to send their people. We’ve agreed to it, and once the sects are on board, we’ll let the Danxia Sect know. I doubt they’ll refuse.”

Lu Yuanlang nodded. “They definitely won’t; they’ll probably send some of their own disciples too.”

Lu Boqi’s expression hardened again. “Did you find anything this time?”

Lu Yuanlang shook his head. “It seems Wei Hongqing really isn’t there.”

Lu Boqi let out a cold snort. “Damn it. If that thief has gone far afield, it’ll be nearly impossible to track him down.”

“Elder... I believe heaven’s justice may be slow, but it never fails. Do you still remember Elder Hua’s daughter from Xiaowei Mountain? The case from sixteen years ago, I’ve found the murderer. I executed him just now.”

“Oh?” The elder’s eyes narrowed. “Is that true?”

“The head is in my storage pouch...”

The two of them talked quietly as they led the Tianmu Mountain group down the slope. Soon after, the Pingdu Eight Formations Gate and the Qingyu Sect also took their leave and descended the mountain.

Liu Xiaolou was still sitting nearby when Lou Zhenwu came over to check on him. Seeing that his injuries weren’t serious, Lou Zhenwu offered a few comforting words. “Wulong Mountain isn’t a place to stay for long. Even if you’ve left the Su family, don’t throw your life away. Find another path; it’s better to keep walking the righteous road.”

Then he turned to Yun Ao. “If you have time, come visit Dongyang Mountain. I’ll have Wuwang show you around. He’s the young son of our Sect Master Han. His talent’s exceptional, already at the eighth layer of Qi Refinement, just entering the late stage. You two could do some sparring.”

Liu Xiaolou and Yun Ao both nodded.

Once the Dongyang Sect had departed, only the people from Gengsang Cave and Zhanglong Sect remained on Ghostdream Cliff. Elder Tu walked over to say farewell to Elder Bai. The two sects had long been bitter enemies; they barely exchanged a few words before sniping at each other.

Meanwhile, Steward Xin from Gengsang Cave quietly approached Liu Xiaolou and whispered, “If any of your friends or kin were killed, see to it they’re properly compensated.”

He slipped a small money pouch into Liu Xiaolou’s sleeve.

After Gengsang Cave’s group finally left, Elder Bai strolled forward, gazing at the bodies strewn across the ground. He let out a sigh and ordered the Zhanglong Sect disciples to unblock the meridians of the Wulong Mountain cultivators. Then he addressed everyone:

“What’s done is done. No point dwelling on it. When we return, Zhanglong Sect will have Ewe Ram Mountain send over a thousand catties of spirit grain to calm your nerves. Liu Xiaolou, you’ll oversee the distribution.

You all saw it yourselves, Tianmu Mountain has admitted its fault and apologized to every sect. Their reputation’s in ruins. Lu Yuanlang will be confined to the mountain for three years. So you could say Zhanglong Sect has helped you all get some justice.

Each sect has promised this won’t happen again. Go back, rest, and recover. And remember this well: if any outsiders come up the mountain again, report to Zhanglong Sect immediately. The sooner you warn us, the safer you’ll all be.”