Ning Siyu raised her eyes and looked.
In the far distance, three figures were swiftly approaching.
At the forefront was an elderly man with a jade ruler in his hand, wearing a lofty crown on his head, and his flowing white hair exuded an ethereal aura. He had a benevolent appearance with kind eyes.
On the left was a middle-aged man, slim with broad shoulders, carrying two swords on his back. His sharp and piercing eyes resembled those of a hawk. Lightning surged in his eyes as he opened and closed them.
On the right was a man in his thirties, clad in a black robe, with fair skin, emanating a solemn and murderous aura. He held a long spear in his hand.
Upon seeing these three individuals, Ning Siyu was somewhat surprised.
At a glance, she recognized the elderly man wearing the lofty crown and holding the jade ruler as Wang Chundu, the Palace Master of Luyang Academy.
He was a true Innate Martial Ancestor at the Flawless Realm!
"Who are the other two?" Ning Siyu transmitted her voice in a low tone.
"The one with the dual swords on his back is Xuan Youlong, the Vice Palace Master of Luyang Academy," Shen Jiusong quickly replied. "The one with the long spear is Le Zheng, the Marquis of Huaiyang."
Ning Siyu was taken aback and asked, "Marquis of Huaiyang? Is he one of the five Marquises who emerged from the Su family in the Imperial Capital?"
"Exactly. It is said that Le Zheng followed Su Hongli, a prominent figure in the Imperial Capital, when he was young. Fifteen years ago, he reached the Martial Master realm and eight years ago, he was conferred the title of Marquis of Huaiyang with his Martial Master Quadruple cultivation level."
Shen Jiusong continued, "This person is introverted in temperament, merciless in battles, and has achieved numerous remarkable achievements on the border battlefields over the years. His strength is extremely formidable."
Just as he finished speaking, Wang Chundu, with his flowing white hair and ethereal aura, had not yet arrived but already loudly exclaimed from a distance, "Ning Palace Master, long time no see!"
Before the words had even fallen, the three of them had arrived in the vicinity.
As their gazes swept over the scattered corpses of the Ghost-faced Blood Hawks on the ground, a hint of surprise flashed across their faces.
Ning Siyu said calmly, "I didn't expect to encounter an old fellow like you here."
Although Wang Chundu was referred to as an "old fellow," he didn't mind. He laughed and said, "I also didn't expect the elusive Ning Palace Master, who rarely shows up, to come to this Bloodthorn Demon Mountain. Could it be... that you are here for the opportunity hidden deep within this mountain?"
Ning Siyu replied calmly, "You could say that."
Wang Chundu smiled and introduced, "Ning Palace Master, this is Xuan Youlong, the Vice Palace Master of Luyang Academy, and this is Le Zheng, the Marquis of Huaiyang."
Xuan Youlong, carrying the dual swords on his back, clasped his fists and greeted, "Xuan pays his respects to Lady Ning!"
Although Ning Siyu appeared young and innocent like a young girl, Xuan Youlong dared not disrespect her.
After all, she was a legendary and mysterious figure, praised by the Grand Scholar Hong Canshang as "an enigmatic person who cannot be underestimated"!
Moreover, with Ning Siyu's identity, she could sit on equal footing with Wang Chundu, leaving no room for disrespect from Xuan Youlong.
Ning Siyu nodded her head but remained silent.
At this moment, Le Zheng, the Marquis of Huaiyang, also clasped his fists and greeted, saying concisely, "Le Zheng pays his respects to Lady Ning."
Ning Siyu nodded in acknowledgment.
She had never liked exchanging pleasantries with strangers.
However, to her surprise, Le Zheng thought for a moment and said, "I have heard from my lord that Lady Ning practices a mysterious and unfathomable grand Dao technique, capable of rejuvenation and eternal youth. Now that I see you in person, it truly lives up to your reputation."
"Your lord? Could it be Su Hongli?" Ning Siyu raised an eyebrow.
At the mention of Su Hongli, a trace of reverence appeared on Le Zheng's face as he solemnly replied, "Indeed."
"So, Su Hongli actually mentioned me to you?" Ning Siyu couldn't help but feel astonished.
"My lord once said that within the Great Zhou Empire, there are only a few individuals worthy of being called true cultivators, and Lady Ning is one of them," Le Zheng said in a low voice.
Ning Siyu nodded and said, "I have never met Su Hongli in person, but it is surprising to hear such an evaluation from him. It truly caught me off guard."
At this moment, Shen Jiusong also stepped forward and greeted Wang Chundu and the others.
Although they had no close relationship, they were all renowned figures in the Great Zhou Empire, and their positions did not differ much.
However, it seemed that Le Zheng remembered something and said to Shen Jiusong, "Brother Shen, three days ago, I received news from Marquis Yushan Pei Wenshan. He said he saw you in Gunzhou City, and it was said that you were with Su Yi at the time?"
Shen Jiusong narrowed his eyes as he recalled the scenes at Su Yi's Shu Stone Residence a few days ago, where he encountered Marquis Yushan Pei Wenshan.
Instinctively, he looked up at the mountaintop not far away.
This scene startled Wang Chundu, Xuan Youlong, and Le Zheng, who all turned their gaze towards the mountain peak.
There, a handsome young man sat cross-legged, calm and motionless, exuding a tranquil and ethereal aura.
"Before asking Lady Ning, who is that?" Wang Chundu asked.
Before Ning Siyu could speak, Le Zheng coldly replied, "That's Su Yi! The most worthless scoundrel under my lord's knee!"
His words were filled with coldness and disdain.
Wang Chundu was taken aback, somewhat surprised. How could someone as mysterious as Ning Siyu be associated with the disreputable son of the Su family's patriarch?
"Le Zheng, watch your words!" Shen Jiusong's expression turned angry. "Moreover, Su Young Master is still the son of your lord. You shouldn't speak ill of him like that."
Even Wang Chundu was somewhat confused.
Le Zheng, who emerged from the Su family, had no reservations about criticizing Su Yi as the disreputable son of Su Hongli.
On the other hand, Shen Jiusong, who had no connection to the Su family, spoke up to defend Su Yi's dignity.
This was indeed quite strange.
"He is indeed the son of my lord, there's no denying that. But in the Su family of Yujing City, who doesn't know what a rebellious and treacherous scoundrel he is?" Le Zheng's eyes turned icy cold. "Yun Guanghou, this is an internal matter of our Su family. You don't even know the reasons behind it. I won't argue with you, but I advise you not to meddle in this. Otherwise, even if you are a powerful marquis, you may invite great calamity upon yourself!"
His words were resolute and filled with a chilling aura.
Tension filled the air in an instant.
"Your Su family's matter?" Shen Jiusong sneered. "Is your surname Su? You're nothing more than a retainer by Su Hongli's side. Let me make this clear: if you dare to show disrespect to Su Young Master, don't blame me for being impolite!"
Le Zheng's eyes flickered with a cold light as he stared at Shen Jiusong.
Sensing that the atmosphere was becoming tense, Wang Chundu cleared his throat and smiled, "Both of you are esteemed marquises. Why argue over such a trivial matter? How about we take a step back?"
Suddenly, Ning Siyu, who had been silent all along, spoke in a cold and determined tone, "This is a step that cannot be taken back."
Wang Chundu's pupils suddenly contracted as he asked, "What does Lady Ning mean?"
Ning Siyu's expression remained calm as she said, "My meaning is simple. Su Daoist friend is now our companion. Whoever slanders him will be our enemy."
With a single sentence, Wang Chundu was completely stunned.
Ning Siyu, a figure of such prominence, regarded Su Yi, a mere youth, as a fellow Daoist?
Moreover, she was willing to personally step forward to defend his dignity?
All of this completely exceeded Wang Chundu's expectations and made him deeply aware that Su Yi, who was described by Le Zheng as the "disreputable son of Su Hongli," was likely not ordinary!
Otherwise, how could he receive unanimous protection from Ning Siyu and Shen Jiusong?
At this moment, Le Zheng furrowed his brows and looked at Ning Siyu, saying, "Lady Ning, my lord holds you in high regard as a cultivator. Are you really choosing to be enemies with my Su family?"
Ning Siyu glanced at him and calmly replied, "Are you sure you can represent the entire Su family?"
Le Zheng fell silent for a moment before shaking his head and saying, "No, but..."
His eyes suddenly became sharp and resolute as he coldly continued, "Three days ago, I learned of my lord's explicit stance. If Su Yi does not bow his head and repent, I will not stand by idly!"
His words were resolute and forceful.
Just at that moment, a calm voice echoed from the mountaintop, "Did Marquis Yushan not tell you the message I had him deliver to Su Hongli?"
They saw Su Yi, who had been sitting cross-legged, open his eyes and gaze down at Le Zheng with a condescending posture.
Apparently, he had heard the entire conversation moments ago.
A hint of a solemn and murderous intent appeared between Le Zheng's brows. "Are you saying that you want to go and pay respects to your mother's grave on the fifth day of the fifth month?"
Su Yi casually brushed off his clothes, stood up straight, and placed his hands behind his back. He replied, "No, I said I wanted to go to the Su family in Yujing City before the fifth day of the fifth month to get some offerings."
With his profound gaze, he looked at Le Zheng from a distance and spoke casually, "If you want to die, I wouldn't mind taking your head right now. It would barely pass as an offering."
Even Wang Chundu, a figure who held great power in the Luyang Academy, couldn't help but take a cold breath. This young man... had such audacity!
Le Zheng's eyes flickered like lightning as he coldly retorted, "Marquis Yushan mentioned that you participated in the battle at the Guanzhou West Mountain Tea Gathering. Although you only have Qi Gathering cultivation, you possess the ability of a Sword Master. You shouldn't be underestimated."
He shook his head and continued, "But... I don't believe it!"
Ning Siyu and Shen Jiusong exchanged a glance, both wearing peculiar expressions.
Indeed, it seemed that Marquis Huaiyang was unaware of the details regarding the West Mountain Tea Gathering!
Otherwise, if he knew that Qin Changshan, a fifth-level Grandmaster, had died at the hands of Su Yi, he probably wouldn't have spoken like this.
"You don't believe it?" Su Yi smiled, his figure flickering as he descended from the mountaintop, stepping on the thick layer of Ghost-Face Blood Hawks' corpses on the ground. He strolled over in a dignified manner.
"Do you want to give it a try?" he asked.
Wang Chundu furrowed his brows slightly, sensing that something was amiss, and couldn't help but look at Ning Siyu and Shen Jiusong.
Suddenly, his heart shook, and he finally understood what was wrong.
Seeing Su Yi and Marquis Le Zheng at odds with each other, Ning Siyu and Shen Jiusong appeared surprisingly calm, without a trace of worry or tension!
Realizing this, Wang Chundu quietly reminded, "Marquis Le Zheng, don't forget our purpose for coming to the Bloodthorn Mountain. Moreover, with Lady Ning and Marquis Yun Guanghou here, if things escalate, it won't be easy to handle."
Le Zheng's brows slightly furrowed, he glanced at Ning Siyu and Shen Jiusong, then looked back at Su Yi. His voice turned icy as he said, "If no one else interferes, I do want to give it a try!"
Each word was like a blade, and in Le Zheng's eyes, a cold and ruthless color emerged.
Having followed Su Hongli since a young age, Le Zheng admired him to the utmost degree. Even now, despite being a respected marquis known throughout the world, he listened to Su Hongli's every word without a shred of doubt.
Therefore, towards Su Yi, who was considered a rebellious and treacherous third young master by Su Hongli, he naturally felt deep resentment and disgust.
Now that they had unexpectedly encountered each other here, if there was a chance, Le Zheng didn't mind taking action and teaching Su Yi a lesson on how to behave!