TSFLIP Chapter 234

Sun Yidao’s condition relapsed, forcing Feng Guang, who had already packed her bags and prepared to leave, to stay a little longer. On a sunny day, two visitors arrived outside the Valley of the Departed. After announcing their presence to the Valley Master, the guards allowed them entry.

The pair went straight to Feng Guang, who was surprised to see Dan Ya and Mu Liunian. She had not expected them to come looking for her in the Valley.

Mu Liunian spoke boldly, “The Valley of the Departed is no big deal. Finding this place was child’s play for Qianjin Pavilion.”

“No, that’s not what surprised me…” Feng Guang’s gaze swept over their hands, which were clasped together, and she fell into an awkward silence.

A rare trace of embarrassment appeared on Dan Ya’s otherwise stoic face, but Mu Liunian’s grip was firm, and he couldn’t shake her off—not that even he believed his efforts.

“I’m curious—how is Miss Jinlu?” Feng Guang asked.

“What do you mean by that?” Mu Liunian flared up instantly, pulling Dan Ya behind her like a protective shield. “Old Madam Tang wanted Jinlu to marry Dan Ya. You’re not suggesting the same thing, are you?”

“No, not at all. I was just… curious.” Feng Guang was genuinely intrigued. Jinlu did have feelings for Dan Ya, but Dan Ya didn’t return them. Meanwhile, Tang Jiuge was fond of Jinlu, creating a tangled love triangle. Feng Guang’s curiosity was purely fueled by her penchant for gossip.

As for Old Madam Tang, it was clear she preferred Jinlu to be with Dan Ya. Tang Jiuge’s status and position made marrying a maid unlikely.

Mu Liunian, petite, tried to block the tall and imposing Dan Ya, but her slight frame wasn’t up to the task. Dan Ya casually raised a hand to ruffle Mu Liunian’s hair and explained to Feng Guang, “Jinlu has already left the Tang Sect and returned to the Demon Sect.”

Her relationship with Tang Jiuge, as expected, had ended unresolved.

“She’s from the Demon Sect?” Feng Guang asked, astonished.

“Indeed. Jinlu was an undercover agent from Nangong Li’s faction within the Tang Sect.”

Mu Liunian clung to Dan Ya’s arm like a pendant. Despite her small frame, Dan Ya’s towering figure made it look as though she were dangling from him. She chuckled and said, “And it’s not just Jinlu—Dan Ya is also the Demon Sect’s Right Protector.”

Feng Guang’s mind went blank. “Dan Ya, you… don’t seem like someone from the Demon Sect.”

Dan Ya radiated an air of righteousness and swordsmanship—he embodied the very essence of an upright warrior. How could he possibly belong to the Demon Sect, let alone hold such a high rank? Besides, back in the bamboo forest, there had been no hint of anything amiss between him and Nangong Li.

Seeing her confusion, Dan Ya explained, “Even Nangong Li doesn’t know about my role as the Right Protector. The Right Protector of the Demon Sect has always operated in the shadows, answering only to the Sect Leader. Nangong Li has no authority over me.”

“So the only one who can command you is… him?” Feng Guang said, almost in a daze.

“Correct.” Dan Ya nodded. “Although he left the Demon Sect, he didn’t fully transfer his authority to Nangong Li. He stationed me in the Tang Sect because he didn’t trust Nangong Li with the task of obtaining the Rain of Blossoms Pear Blossom Needles. Moreover, I was the one who advised Tang Jiuge to fake poisoning as a means of escaping his engagement. The poison was provided by him. Only by appearing poisoned could Tang Jiuge justifiably enter the Tang Sect.”

It turned out everything had been meticulously planned long ago. Feng Guang felt a chill run down her spine as the pieces fell into place. Suddenly, she remembered something. “The map of the Tang Sect’s secret chamber?”

“I provided it to him,” Dan Ya admitted. “Jinlu, who grew up in the Tang Sect, could only access the map of the chamber’s exterior. However, as Tang Jiuge’s mentor, I infiltrated the Tang Sect’s treasure vault and retrieved the complete map.”

“What does he want with the Rain of Blossoms Pear Blossom Needles?” Feng Guang asked. She couldn’t believe that someone as capable as him needed this weapon to dominate the martial arts world. He had already manipulated both orthodox and unorthodox factions with ease.

Mu Liunian grinned. “He doesn’t want the needles—he wants the poison on them.”