Du Gongfu, who had remained silent as still water, finally spoke when he saw Dugu Hongjian repeatedly losing face."Qin Feng, you are the renowned 'Stellar Sword Saint' of the martial world, known for your hatred of evil. Let me ask you: do you consider your third brother Qin Ren's actions to be evil?"
Qin Feng looked deeply at him. He didn't blurt out questions like "How the hell are you still alive?"—because he knew no one would believe the truth anyway: the real Du Gongfu was long dead.
"What exactly did my brother do?" Qin Feng asked, feigning ignorance.
Du Gongfu nodded, then turned to Lianzhu Fenghua. "Patriarch Lianzhu, may I ask that your daughter and niece step forward to testify?"
Lianzhu Fenghua nodded and looked at Lianzhu Luo'er and Qin Nier. "Do not be afraid. Though Qin Feng and his allies may seem powerful, justice is written in the hearts of all. Besides, we still have many experts yet to act. Speak the truth—heroes of the realm will stand for you."
The two girls nodded stiffly. Lianzhu Fenghua then addressed Zhen Luo, who stood beside Qin Nier. "Miss Zhen Luo, the righteousness of the martial world now rests upon you. I understand your experiences have been cruel and traumatic, but I, Lianzhu Fenghua, swear: if you speak the truth today, the whole world shall bring you justice. And if any dare mock or shame you in the future, I will personally end them."
Zhen Luo, her face veiled lest her beauty cause half the gathered men to swoon, nodded softly. "I believe the Patriarch's words. But... the power of Xiaoyao Villa is vast. If I accuse Qin Ren now, what happens if they come for revenge later?"
Lianzhu Fenghua smiled confidently. "After today, Xiaoyao Villa will be nothing but history."
"In that case," Zhen Luo said calmly, "I have no more concerns."
The three women rose and stepped toward the wooden platform, eyes fixed on Qin Ren.
The young master looked back at them, a smile soft and warm as spring sunshine lighting his face. His eyes, deep as the night sky, shone with tenderness and a sorrow that seemed to carry the weight of lifetimes—lamenting the things one longs for yet can never grasp.
It was the kind of sorrow that pierced bone and heart alike. For any young woman unseasoned in the ways of the world, it was a deadly blow; even a battle-hardened temptress might find herself defenseless.
Because this was no ordinary look—it was the ultimate move of the Love Saint himself: the Soul-Drowning Eyes of Melancholy.
And just as the girls began to reel from that gaze, he deployed another of his infamous techniques, a follow-up strike equally devastating.
He parted his lips, teeth like pearls peeking through, and uttered, in silent lip-read whisper:
"All this time, I thought I'd forgotten you.But when I saw you again, I realized…I never did.I carved you into my soul,Etched you into my very bones…"
This was the second forbidden art of the Love Saint:The Heart-Piercing Words of Deep Devotion and Flowery Nonsense.
No one could fully measure the power of this technique. Even Qin Feng and the others beside him only saw Qin Ren's lips move slightly—and then the three girls on the stage were already shimmering with tears.
"What terrifying power!" exclaimed Qiao Wei, his body trembling involuntarily.
"Heavens!" muttered Uncle Li, "This boy has already achieved thirty percent of my prime charm! Truly a born genius!"
Hearts deeper than oceans, emotions stronger than steel.The Supreme Love Saint—invincible beneath the heavens.
Lianzhu Luo'er was defeated.Qin Nier too—utterly routed, armor shattered.
They had once stood at the edge of death beneath his Sky-Palming technique, only to be spared and even wound him in return. That kind of chaotic tangle of emotions... no girl, not even one with pride, poise, and secrets, could resist it forever. Especially not those still young, still dreamy.
So they fell—completely and utterly.
As for Zhen Luo, she may have seemed to falter like the others—her eyes glistening—but in her heart, she sneered.
"Men—all the same.Sweet words, smooth lies—is this all you've got?And for this, the world calls you 'superior'?No.This world must change.Qin Ren—you are capable, daring, ambitious.Since I escaped Gongzi Yu, let me rise with you.You take the throne—I shall become the Empress.And one day, the phoenix shall rise above the dragon.All under heaven will bow not to the dragon, but to the phoenix."
Yes, ambition lived in all powerful beings—not just men, but women too.
But whether ambition bends to love—that was another matter.
"Luo'er, speak up. Everyone's waiting," Lianzhu Fenghua urged, his patience wearing thin.
Luo'er bit her lip, lowered her head, and whispered, "Father… Qin Ren and I… are truly in love."
Lianzhu Fenghua's face darkened.
Qin Nier added sharply, "I always speak plainly. Qin Ren's annoying, yes—but I like him. The boy chased me so hard, I gave him a little something—not because he tricked me, but because I wanted to."
Gasps erupted from the crowd.
Zhen Luo bowed her head. "The young master saved my life. I am willing to serve him for the rest of mine."
"Damn it! There's no justice in the world!" someone shouted.
Lianzhu Fenghua's expression twisted, but he held himself back. Coldly, he said: "So be it. Luo'er, from this day forth, you are no longer my daughter. As for Qin Nier—you are not of my blood. Do as you will."
Lianzhu Tianxiong scoffed and added, "Where there are wanton women, there will always be scoundrels. One cannot exist without the other."
Lianzhu Tianying nodded grimly. "Father was lenient. Were it my judgment, the three of you would be drowned in bamboo cages."
Lianzhu Luo'er looked up, tearful and sorrowful. Qin Nier, on the other hand, pulled her and Zhen Luo aside.
"Hmph! Even kin turn cold in this world. If even one's own family is so heartless, who else could we rely on? Come, let's not waste breath on them."
She dragged them down from the stage, heading toward Qin Ren.
Qin Ren grinned like a fool. Seeing him, Qin Nier couldn't help but laugh. "Look at that silly face. You think you've won?"
Then she gritted her teeth. "Don't think I'm letting you off the hook. This whole 'Wulin Assembly' is a damn conspiracy. Once it's over—I'm going to beat the hell out of you!"
Qin Ren bowed humbly, still smiling. "Of course, of course. Sister Nier is noble, thinking of the bigger picture. I'm filled with awe and gratitude!"
Du Gongfu sneered. "What a performance! Qin Ren, you really should've been an actor. Such wasted talent!" Then he turned toward Ye Yingxue. "And you? Don't tell me you, too, are protecting this scoundrel?"
Ye Yingxue stood, face pale. She clenched her fists, her lips nearly bleeding from how hard she bit them.
Qin Ren looked at her, unsure of what to say. They had shared only one night—no deep connection, no emotional leverage. If she testified against him, so be it. After all, this 'assembly' was just a front. Everyone had their own schemes. Justice was never truly the goal—violence would decide everything.
"Qin Ren… never did anything to me," Ye Yingxue suddenly said.
The crowd gasped—even Qin Ren was stunned.
She collapsed back into her chair, trembling. The words were a lie—she wished she could devour his flesh, flay his skin. But pride would not let her let others strike in her place.
Du Gongfu nodded slowly. "Of course… yet another couple of filthy adulterers." Then he turned toward Du Xiaoyan, his voice dripping venom. "And you, my dear daughter—do you have anything to say to your father?"
Du Xiaoyan looked straight at him and shouted, "You're not my father!"
Du Gongfu nodded again. "Very well. Everyone, do you see? Even my own daughter disowns me. The truth is clear: Qin Ren is a demonic sorcerer who's used evil arts to enslave these women!"
He paused, sorrow carved deep into his features.
"Even my daughter is under his spell. For the sake of the martial world, I must perform a righteous act—even if it means slaying my own kin.Fellow heroes! For the peace of the realm, for the safety of the innocent—take his head!"
And with those words, he wept bitterly, appearing to age ten years in a breath.
Dugu Hongjian stepped forward, playing his role in the farce...