182: Estrangement between Min Rou and Shi Qing, Xia Ke Island

"Very well." Seeing this, Ning Yuan no longer concealed anything. "Someone from my School saw Hero Shi recently together with a woman named Mei Fanggu. They appeared quite intimate, and he has not continued searching for Shi Zhongyu."

"Actually, this news reached me several days ago, but I never knew how to tell Madam Shi. Since Madam Shi asked today, I have no choice but to inform you."

"What? Mei Fanggu?" Hearing this name, Min Rou's expression changed instantly.

She was naturally no stranger to this name.

Because this was her husband Shi Qing's former lover. Back then, Senior Brother had very strong feelings for her, and Mei Fanggu was also deeply enamored with Shi Qing; the two had almost ended up together.

It was only later, for reasons unknown, that they parted ways, and he ended up with her. Mei Fanggu could be said to be Shi Qing's old flame.

However, there had been no news of her for many years, so she had gradually forgotten about it.

But now that she had suddenly appeared, and was involved in such an ambiguous situation with Shi Qing, meeting in private, it immediately gave Min Rou an uneasy feeling, as well as a sense of betrayal.

"When did this happen? Where did they meet?" Min Rou immediately pressed for answers.

"This just happened recently. It was Hero Shi who sought her out personally. However, I do not believe Hero Shi is that kind of person. Perhaps my Disciple saw it wrong, misunderstood something, or the message was relayed incorrectly." Ning Yuan added another explanation.

But this did not dispel Min Rou's suspicions; on the contrary, it only deepened them.

"Knowing the way well..."

"Could it be that for all these years, Senior Brother has never cut ties with her, and the two have even been meeting frequently?"

"And this time, when Senior Brother sought her out, could it be that Mei Fanggu kidnapped Yu'er?"

In that instant, all sorts of thoughts flooded Min Rou's mind. After all, over these many years, it had been impossible for her to travel the Jianghu with Shi Qing every single time.

There were many times when Shi Qing went out alone, and upon returning, he would bring her jewelry and accessories to please her.

But if, every time Shi Qing went out, it wasn't to handle affairs, but rather to find an excuse to meet his old lover, that was not an impossibility.

"No, it is very possible!" Min Rou couldn't help but clench her fists, because back then, even she hadn't understood why Shi Qing had ultimately chosen her.

Even she, famed for her beauty in the Martial Forest, had to admit one thing: Mei Fanggu had been a few shades more beautiful than her back then, her martial arts were three parts stronger, and her skills in calligraphy, painting, and various arts were also more refined than her own.

She could be called an extremely perfect woman; by comparison, she herself was a notch weaker than the other.

Moreover, her feelings for her Senior Brother Shi Qing were even deeper than her own.

She had never understood why Shi Qing had chosen her, nor did she understand why such a strong-willed woman would disappear and choose to remain silent after her Senior Brother chose her.

Now, after what Ning Yuan said, many thoughts suddenly occurred to her.

"No wonder, no wonder!"

"Mei Fanggu is a person of a stubborn nature; what she wants, she must obtain. If she cannot obtain it, she won't let others easily have it either. Back then, when she lost her beloved, she remained silent. I originally thought she had let it go, but it seems she had long since secretly stolen her Senior Brother's heart. She had not lost."

"No wonder Senior Brother often went out alone all these years, and every time he returned, he brought gifts. It seems he felt guilty toward me, which is why he used these worldly goods to please me, to make up for his own guilt."

"And here I thought my relationship with Senior Brother was deep, but it turns out it was just wishful thinking." Min Rou collapsed into a chair, looking utterly dejected, muttering to herself.

For a moment, she had no time to distinguish truth from falsehood. Or rather, she did not think Yue Buqun had any reason to deceive her.

Deep down, she had always harbored misgivings and doubts about the relationship between Shi Qing and Mei Fanggu from back then. Therefore, now that Ning Yuan said this, she naturally believed it immediately. In the end, it was because she herself had doubts in her heart all along.

"Madam Shi, please do not be angry. Perhaps there is some misunderstanding, or perhaps the message relayed by my Disciple had some omissions or errors in wording. Madam Shi must not misunderstand Hero Shi." Ning Yuan immediately stepped forward to comfort her.

"Thank you, Headmaster Yue. I understand." Min Rou shook her head, her face full of sorrow. "He was entangled with Mei Fanggu back then. I didn't expect that after all these years, the two still hadn't cut ties, and had kept me in the dark all this time."

"Today, I have finally seen his true colors!" Min Rou said through gritted teeth.

"Madam Shi, please do not overthink it. I believe Manor Lord Shi is not that kind of person. There must be some misunderstanding. Hearing is believing, but seeing is the truth. I think it would be better for Madam Shi not to make a hasty judgment." Ning Yuan continued.

Min Rou was taken aback by his words. She looked up at Ning Yuan, "What does Headmaster Yue mean..."

"To catch a thief, you need stolen goods; to catch an adulterer, you need a pair. Relying only on some news relayed from below is not enough to determine anything." Ning Yuan appeared earnest and righteous.

This made Min Rou feel even more grateful. She stood up and said, "Headmaster Yue is indeed a gentleman of integrity; you handle matters with such prudence. Rest assured, I will definitely get to the bottom of this and will not wrong him."

"That is good. If I were to cause damage to the relationship between you and your husband because of this, it would be my fault, Yue. Therefore, I hope Madam Shi can investigate this thoroughly yourself." Ning Yuan smiled and nodded slightly.

"Rest assured, Headmaster Yue. No matter what the final outcome is, I will be grateful to Headmaster Yue." Min Rou curtsied in gratitude.

"Madam Shi, please rise. This was merely a small favor." Ning Yuan quickly reached out to support her. "As long as Madam Shi does not blame me, Yue, for damaging the relationship between you and Hero Shi, that is fine."

"How could I blame Headmaster Yue? I am too grateful to do so. No matter the process or the outcome, Headmaster Yue could have stayed out of it, yet you informed me of this matter. I should be thanking Headmaster Yue." Min Rou shook her head repeatedly.

"In that case, I can rest easy." Ning Yuan let out a soft sigh of relief, then, as if just realizing what he was doing, immediately released his hand supporting Min Rou.

...

Several days later.

Two people, one fat and one thin, appeared at Jade Maiden Peak.

"Zhang San and Li Si, pay our respects to the Huashan Sect Leader!" As soon as Zhang San and Li Si appeared, they spoke immediately. Their voices seemed calm, but when they spread out, they were like a booming bell, resounding across the entire mountaintop.

"Who are you? Why are you trespassing on Huashan?" Ying Bailuo gathered his courage and stepped forward, asking loudly. After the previous incident with Dongfang Bubai, he had become more cautious, especially since these two people had displayed astonishing Internal Skill the moment they spoke.

"A junior has no right to question us. Tell your Sect Head to come out and receive the order." Zhang San glanced coldly at Ying Bailuo and said arrogantly.

"You have quite the nerve, daring to tell my father to receive an order." Yue Lingshan looked dissatisfied. Especially since Ning Yuan had just fought to a draw with Dongfang Bubai, she was naturally more confident, and she was certainly displeased with these two braggarts before her.

"Hmph!" Li Si snorted coldly. Seeing that Yue Lingshan was a woman, he dispersed the palm power he had been secretly accumulating. "I, Li Si, will not argue with a little girl. Let Yue Buqun come out."

The two had only recently stepped into the Jianghu, traveling at full speed, and hadn't bothered to hear about Yue Buqun's battle record. That was why they were acting this way now. And even if they had heard, the two of them wouldn't have cared.

After all, Xia Ke Island had gathered countless experts from various Schools, and those with deep Internal Skill were everywhere, yet most could not compare to the two brothers. Therefore, they naturally held the people of the Central Plains Jianghu in even less regard. Could they be stronger than the people on the island? That was what the two were thinking now.

"You are too arrogant." Yue Lingshan excitedly stepped forward. At this moment, Ning Yuan's voice came, "Lingshan, stand down."

As his voice was heard, Ning Yuan had already appeared behind Zhang San and Li Si. "I do not know what business you two have with me, Yue?"

Yue Buqun's voice suddenly came from behind them, and both Zhang San and Li Si were startled, immediately turning around. Upon seeing Ning Yuan, both of their faces showed a trace of astonishment, and the arrogance on their faces gradually dissipated. "It seems Your Excellency is indeed the Huashan Sect Leader; your reputation is well-deserved." Zhang San and Li Si cupped their hands and said.

"You are too kind. Let us talk about your intentions." Ning Yuan appeared very calm. "I heard you two meant for me, Yue, to receive an order? Whose order might that be?" Ning Yuan did not immediately show anger, but his words were indifferent.

Zhang San and Li Si exchanged a glance, and they also put away their contempt. "We are under the orders of the two Island Lords, Dragon and Wood, to invite experts from various Jianghu Schools to go to Xia Ke Island to participate in a grand event and drink laba congee together!" The two stopped wasting words, stated their purpose directly, and presented the token and invitation in their hands.

Ning Yuan beckoned, and the two items landed in his hand. Without needing the two to explain, Ning Yuan already knew the reason, but he still asked, "How do you know that I will definitely accept the invitation?" Ning Yuan looked at the two with amusement.

Zhang San and Li Si both felt that the person before them was no ordinary expert, so they did not dare to put on airs as they did with others. They calmly explained, "I believe the things on the island are something a sword expert like the Huashan Sect Leader would definitely be interested in."

"Tell me more." Ning Yuan said indifferently. The two looked at each other again, and after hesitating for a moment, they said, "Some things would naturally become clear upon arriving at the island. Since an expert like the Huashan Sect Leader asks, we brothers will reveal a little. Actually, what we two know is also quite limited; after all, we are merely low-ranking messengers on the island."

"What? Such experts are merely ordinary messengers on Xia Ke Island? And low-ranking at that?" Hearing the two say this, many Huashan Disciples below began to whisper, revealing their shock.

"Are they just being deliberately modest? Such experts, even the Thirteen Taibao of Mount Song probably cannot compare to them, how can they be low-ranking?" Some people clearly did not believe it.

But the two did not pay attention to the commotion below and continued, "Xia Ke Island possesses an earth-shattering supreme skill and sword technique. We invite experts from various Schools to go there for the purpose of studying this supreme skill together."

"Besides this, consuming one bowl of laba congee on the island can increase one's Internal Energy by several decades. I believe no one in the Jianghu can escape such a temptation." Zhang San and Li Si said confidently. Upon hearing this, the others were even more shocked.

Ning Yuan raised his hand to stop the discussion among the Disciples below, a smile appearing on his face. "Regarding the rumors about Xia Ke Island, I, Yue, have indeed heard of them. In today's world, it is difficult for me, Yue, to find an opponent. If I could encounter a true expert on Xia Ke Island, that would be a joyous occasion. Since that is the case, you may withdraw. I will definitely go to this Xia Ke Island." Ning Yuan put away the token and the invitation and said.

Hearing Yue Buqun agree, the two did not show any surprise. After all, once martial arts reached this level, wanting to progress further was extremely difficult, and Xia Ke Island could provide such assistance. This was also why, for so many years, so many experts had accepted the invitation and gone to Xia Ke Island.

"Since that is the case, we two brothers will take our leave. We will await the Huashan Sect Leader on the ship." After speaking, the two cupped their hands and immediately disappeared from Jade Maiden Peak. Other Disciples then swarmed over to ask questions.

...

An invitation appeared on Ning Yuan's desk.

"Xia Ke Island?"

"What kind of place is this?" Ning Zhongze picked up the invitation, and after seeing the contents inside, she was full of confusion.

"A good place that can make one's strength even stronger." Ning Yuan's eyes flashed, and he said to Ning Zhongze, "Junior Sister, it seems I will have to leave for a period of time."

"Senior Brother, are you really going to accept the invitation of those two weirdos and go to this place?" Ning Zhongze couldn't help asking.

"Of course I must go." Ning Yuan stood up. "This place holds the hope for me to advance further, so I certainly cannot miss it." Hearing this, Ning Zhongze was stunned for a moment, but she did not try to dissuade him. After nodding silently, she said solemnly, "Senior Brother, take care."

"Junior Sister, rest assured. With my strength, who in this world could hurt me?" Ning Yuan looked confident. Ning Zhongze smiled slightly and nodded. After all, since even Dongfang Bubai could not do anything to her Senior Brother, indeed, there were few people in the world who could defeat her Senior Brother head-on.

Not long after, the news that Ning Yuan was leaving Huashan was passed on to the other Disciples. Ren Yingying also received this news.

"Yue Buqun is going down the mountain?" Ren Yingying looked astonished. She had been at Huashan for so long without finding a single clue, and now Yue Buqun was suddenly going down the mountain. Without a target to investigate, should she still stay at Huashan?

"Do you know why?" Ren Yingying looked at Qu Feiyan and asked.

"Holy Maiden, I heard news that the Huashan Sect Leader received an invitation from some island and is preparing to go to this place." Qu Feiyan said truthfully.

"An island? What island?" Ren Yingying frowned.

"It seems to be called... something..." Qu Feiyan thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up, "Xia Ke Island. I heard it's a place that only the most powerful experts of various Schools can go to. However, it is also said that it seems no one has yet left that island alive, so it is also called the Devil's Island."

"Moreover, the two people who came today, I heard their martial arts are extremely terrifying, countless times stronger than the Thirteen Taibao of Mount Song, and perhaps even higher than the martial arts of the Sect Heads of various major Schools."

"But according to what these two said, they are still considered low-ranking figures on that Xia Ke Island."