Chapter 1027: Sorry, but I do.

Everyone had heard bits and pieces about Zhao Yunlu's relentless hunt for his son's killer. Many were curious about this individual with the guts to provoke Zhao Yunlu. However, none of them had expected the trail to lead back to the Long Family.

In the Third Courtyard, Long Wu wore a look of gleeful schadenfreude. "Looks like Long Ruo is going to be in trouble today."

Dongfang Haojie muttered in surprise, "Brother Fang Chen just went to Yunlu City with her recently. Could he be dragged into this?"

Long Wu was taken aback for a moment. However, she shook her head, looking unconvinced. "Shouldn't be. Don't worry too much, Dear."

In the Fourth Courtyard, Long Ying and the others looked both serious and surprised. They hadn't expected the matter to be connected to the Long Family either.

Aboard the second branch's Immortal Boat, Long Ao's face turned ashen. He glared at Long Ruo and shouted, "What's going on here!?"

"Father, I don't know either," Long Ruo said in bewilderment.

"Father, I'm sure this has nothing to do with her!" Long Xiang added quickly.

Their mother also spoke up in a hurry, swearing that Long Ruo couldn't possibly be involved.

However, the other noble ladies weren't so agreeable.

The siblings behind them, Long Ruo's half-brothers and sisters, looked serious and reserved.

One of the ladies scoffed coldly, "Explaining is useless now. Senior Zhao Yunlu has already come knocking; he must know something."

Another added, "A woman should know her place and not be constantly gallivanting outside. I said before she'd bring trouble to the family. Husband, was I wrong? And this isn't some minor trouble. It's a huge problem!"

"What are you still muttering about?" An elder broke through the air and landed, scolding Long Ao and the others before turning to Long Ruo. "Bring everyone who accompanied you that day. Daoist Yunlu wants to ask some questions. Just say what you know. If you didn't do it, don't confess to anything."

"Yes, Grandfather."

Long Ruo immediately called for Fu Donghai and the others.

But Fu Donghai said with an odd expression. "Young Lady... what about the one from the First Courtyard?"

Long Ruo's face darkened. Seeing all the eyes on her, she could no longer shield Fang Chen. She turned and gestured to him, "You, come with us too."

Everyone was stunned.

"He's involved too?"

𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Long Ao's expression eased slightly. Now that the First Courtyard was involved too, he naturally felt a little better.

Over on the immortal boat of the First Courtyard, Li Changsheng and his wife looked a bit awkward. Chen Qingtai and others frowned, their gazes turning toward Fang Chen.

How had this youth ended up involved with Long Ruo, and now somehow implicated in the death of Zhao Yunlu's son?

Li Changsheng was silent for a few seconds, then gave a light nod. "Go on. If this matter has nothing to do with you, no one will be able to pin it on you."

Fang Chen said nothing and directly flew over to join Long Ruo's group to meet Zhao Yunlu.

Long Xuan looked displeased and said in a low voice, "If I had been firmer that day and refused to let Long Ruo bring him out, this wouldn't have involved us."

"What's done is done. Regret won't help now," Li Changsheng said calmly.

Chen Qingtai and others came over, visibly worried. "Brother Li, if this matter really is connected to that little sword cultivator, the consequences could be severe, no?"

They had always supported the First Courtyard. If the Long Family's main line faced serious trouble, it would affect them as well.

Li Changsheng wore a smile. "You all needn't worry. I've heard that Zhao Mingxuan was accompanied by a sword cultivator in the Ascension Realm before he died. With someone that powerful protecting him, how could his death have anything to do with a few juniors? I imagine the City Lord of Yunlu just wants to ask some questions."

Everyone nodded. That made sense. No matter how they looked at it, this matter couldn't possibly be tied to the juniors. The killer had killed Zhao Mingxuan and his Ascension Realm sword cultivator subordinate near Yunlu City before evading Zhao Yunlu's pursuit afterward. This pointed to the fact that the killer was a Loose Immortal.

On the Sun family's side, Sun Yi lit up when he saw Fang Chen join Long Ruo. He looked ecstatic as he called out, "Cousin, that's him!"

Sun Susu frowned slightly. "He's also involved in Zhao Mingxuan's death? Your brother was there too, along with Nangong Yuancheng from the Nangong family...."

Sun Yi speculated. "Cousin, I mentioned before that this guy held some status in that rural region, and even had a Loose Immortal backing him. Could it be that he brought that Loose Immortal along this time?"

"Hard to say. Father has already gone to the Yin Holy Sect to invite someone to cross over and search for Zhao Mingxuan's soul in the underworld. Once found, everything will become clear." Sun Susu shook her head. "As for a Loose Immortal from some backwater place, even if one came to Qiufeng, they'd have to keep a low profile. How would they dare lay hands on the son of Yunlu City's lord? That would be suicide."

Sun Susu's lips curled into a vindictive smile. "Still... maybe I should mention this to that person later and see what he thinks."

The Loose Immortal from the Second Courtyard led Long Ruo and the others to meet Zhao Yunlu.

Faced with a third rank Loose Immortal, the sword cultivators by Long Ruo's side all looked visibly uneasy.

"You don't need to be afraid. I just want to ask a few questions." Zhao Yunlu smiled and turned to Long Ruo. "Little girl, my son Mingxuan handled things poorly that day. Allow me to apologize on his behalf."

Long Ruo cupped her hands respectfully. "Senior, there's no need to be so courteous."

"One matter has nothing to do with the other," Zhao Yunlu replied. "I just want to ask... after he stopped you that day, what exactly happened?"

"Nothing happened. When we left, Zhao Mingxuan was completely fine," Long Ruo answered.

Zhao Yunlu's eyes flickered. "Is that so..."

The Second Courtyard's Loose Immortal chuckled and said, "Kids will be kids. A little conflict is normal. But Long Ruo is my granddaughter and a noble-born. She understands manners well and wouldn't lay a hand on your son. Besides, she wasn't even accompanied by a Tribulation Realm cultivator, so she couldn't possibly match the Ascension Realm sword cultivator who was with your son."

The Sun Family's Loose Immortal laughed coldly and chimed in, "That's not necessarily true. Perhaps someone from the Long Family was secretly tailing them?"

The Long Family's cultivators glared at him.

Zhao Yunlu looked toward the elder from the Second Courtyard and said calmly, "Daoist Long Rui, I don't suspect your granddaughter. She couldn't have killed Mingxuan. I just want to know what happened that day."

He paused and let his gaze drift over Fu Donghai and the others.

"I heard this started because one of the sword cultivators was disrespectful. Which one was it?"

Though none of them spoke, their eyes all turned toward Fang Chen. At a time like this, none dared risk getting involved.

"So it was you? Late Stage Enlightenment Realm..."

Zhao Yunlu was clearly surprised. Fang Chen's cultivation was too low. To him, the boy was no different from an insect.

"Senior Zhao, this has nothing to do with him," Long Ruo said softly.

"I don't think it does either. However... Since he was the cause, I'd like to search his soul to confirm what happened. I trust no one here would object?" Zhao Yunlu said with a smile.

As soon as he said that, many from the Long Family looked hesitant.

Daoist Long Rui smiled faintly. "Just an Enlightenment Realm sword cultivator. Daoist Yunlu, do as you wish. I have no objections."

At that moment, someone's voice rang out.

"Sorry, but I do."

Everyone turned toward the main branch and fixed their eyes on Li Changsheng.