Do you really think you can get me with just a banana?

The third hall is dedicated to the duty of consulting spirits, and the layout of the hall is ingenious.

The floor was paved with shiny black stone slabs, inscribed with circular patterns that progressed layer by layer, resembling a naturally formed Tai Chi Bagua diagram. From a high vantage point, the patterns were even more distinct. The walls of the hall were covered with a variety of props for inquiring into spirits, from talisman paper and water to willow leaves and peach wood. Beneath the dome, a bright pearl hung high, emitting a soft yellow light that illuminated the entire hall.

Radiating from the radiant pearl at the center of the hall, circles of female disciples sat beneath it, eyes closed, intently cultivating their energies and inquiring of spirits. Around them, a few figures seemed to float, seemingly appearing and disappearing. They were presumably summoned spirits.

Yan Ruchen stood at the door, hesitant, not daring to disturb the solemnity. With just a quick glance, he heard the female disciple leading the way say in a slightly weak voice, "Senior Sister is over there. Do you need me to lead you there, or do you want to go on your own?"

Yan Ruchen said, "Let's not look for Hongyin yet. I want to find Senior Brother Song. I heard he's at Ziwei Society today. Could you point me in the right direction?"

The female disciple glanced back at Yan Ruchen curiously, clearly not expecting him to be looking for Si Hongyin. But she said nothing more and immediately began searching the crowd.

However, Song Ziye's figure has not been found yet, but Si Hongyin started a fire in the hall.

"Asking about the spirit is a compulsory course for us to get started. What kind of nonsense are you asking? There are so many mistakes and omissions. How did you pass the test? Don't tell me you used a backdoor like Guan Shanyu!" Si Hongyin scolded a female disciple harshly.

At this moment, Qiushui Sword Lady, who had been resting with her eyes closed, gently opened a sliver of her eye, glanced at Si Hongyin indifferently, and softly reminded her, "Hongyin, be careful with your words."

Si Hongyin still had a look of disappointment on her face and glared at the female disciple. The female disciple explained aggrievedly, "Senior Sister, after I joined the society, I was loaned out by Qionghuading to help forge weapons. I only came back last month, and I've only been learning the art of asking spirits for half a month. We've been busy day and night these past few days. If it weren't for this spirit bead that keeps our hearts flowing, I would have died of exhaustion long ago."

Si Hongyin became furious upon hearing this and said, "Can't you even endure this little hardship for Master? Do you really want to continue working as a blacksmith at Qionghua Peak?"

The female disciple lowered her head, her dark circles hidden in the darkness, and whispered, "Blacksmithing isn't bad, but doing this is really too tiring."

Si Hongyin's cheeks flushed instantly, and she was about to lecture him again when Song Ziye suddenly appeared from the side and intervened, saying gently, "Hongyin, everyone has indeed been consulting the spirits day and night for three consecutive days. The body is not made of iron, so some mistakes are inevitable, and they are forgivable."

Si Hongyin's eyes were red, and her voice was filled with grievance. "How can I not understand the hardship my sisters have endured? Father's seventh day has passed, but the murderer who killed him is still at large. How can I explain this to him? Not to mention that you, Brother Ziye, are about to return to Zixiao. I think we should have had Guan Shanyu tied up in the water dungeon and tortured severely to pry open his mouth and find out which demon he has colluded with."

Song Ziye shook his head slightly and patiently explained, "Junior Sister Hongyin, torture often results in confessions. I don't think Guan Shanyu is cunning. He may have offended someone or learned some secret, which is why he's being used as a scapegoat. We're keeping him in the bamboo hut for two reasons: first, to restrict his movements and prevent further trouble; and second, if someone truly wants to frame him, he'll surely reappear, and the disciples lying in ambush will be able to catch the real culprit."

Si Hongyin understood Song Ziye's good intentions, but when she thought of the disciples who were guarding the house and reported that Guan Shanyu was either sleeping or reading in a daze every day in the bamboo house, she hated his leisurely behavior and wanted to argue with him, but she kept saying "but" for a long time and didn't know what to say.

Seeing her face still brimming with anger, Qiushui Jianji worried she might lose control and say something inappropriate, so she gently soothed, "You better be patient. Anyone who could kill Senior Brother Si is definitely no ordinary person, and they won't be caught so easily. Besides, Ziye will be returning to Zixiao Spiritual Realm in the next few days to track down clues and consult his master. Relax and don't speak so loudly to Junior Sister. It's too damaging."

Si Hongyin was startled, realizing his loss of dignity, and hurriedly apologized to the female disciple. The female disciple nodded faintly and continued to ask questions with half-open eyes. The female disciples around them, with obvious dark circles under their eyes, listened to the noise but kept their eyes focused on the things in front of them, working expressionlessly.

Song Ziye sighed softly and added, "Hongyin, the Heavenly Sword Pavilion is leaderless right now. As your uncle's only daughter, the elders intend to let you take charge. You must act like a senior sister and set a good example for everyone."

Don't say nonsense or do things that are inappropriate.

Si Hongyin nodded belatedly, her hand unconsciously stroking her slightly messy hair. These past few days, she had been fully devoted to redressing her father's grievances and had almost no time to care about her personal image. She only hurriedly tidied up her hair after being reminded by someone.

At this moment, the leading female disciple, after watching the excitement, remembered Yan Ruchen, who had been left out. A hint of apology flashed in her eyes, and she announced loudly to the hall: "Master, Senior Sister, Senior Brother Song, Yan Ruchen of the Heavenly Sword Pavilion greets you."

Si Hongyin paused in mid-air, looking toward the palace door in surprise. Qiushui Swordswoman glanced calmly at Yan Ruchen, then back at Si Hongyin. Understanding was clear, she nodded briefly as a greeting, then closed her eyes and continued meditating. Song Ziye politely returned Yan Ruchen's greeting.

"Ruchen, did you come here to see me specially?" Si Hongyin asked anxiously.

Yan Ruchen smiled at her, shook his head, and said, "I heard that Senior Brother Song was here, so I came to look for him."

Song Ziye asked doubtfully, "Looking for me? What's the important matter?"

Yan Ruchen asked, "May I have a moment to speak? I'm afraid I'm disturbing you all."

The two men walked out of the hall and stopped on the corridor.

Yan Ruchen spoke first, "Senior Brother Song, I plan to go down the mountain for two days. First, I'll visit Senior Brother Xu at Yuchen Palace, and second, I heard there are monsters infesting the northern hills, so I plan to clear them out along the way. The round trip will take about three days, and since I've been helping you survey the sect recently, I've come to let you know."

Song Ziye pondered for a moment after hearing this and asked, "Have you told the elders in the Council of Elders?"

Yan Ruchen replied, "Not yet, but I plan to ask for leave from my uncles later."

Song Ziye recalled how Yan Ruchen had been working tirelessly these past few days, diligently handling matters of all sizes within the sect. It was he who had been instrumental in the last extermination of the demon beasts, earning the praise of the people. Meanwhile, Xu Fengyu was entangled with the daughter of the Princess of Yuchen Palace down the mountain, and despite repeated attempts to summon her, the Council of Elders hadn't considered promoting Yan Ruchen, giving him the title of Assistant Investigator while considering someone else for the real job.

Regardless of the reason for this leave, he should be allowed to have a good rest.

After thinking about it, Song Song Ziye nodded and said, "Junior Brother Xu's behavior was indeed inappropriate. It's thanks to Junior Brother Yan for considering the overall situation and finding him back to the sect first. Junior Brother Yan may be indifferent to fame and fortune, but as a senior brother, I must understand the ways of the world. You have worked so hard for the sect, and I will definitely seek the reward you deserve from the Council of Elders. When you are away from home, safety is your top priority. If you need anything, please feel free to ask."

Yan Ruchen nodded, and the two of them stood on the corridor exchanging pleasantries. When the time was right, Yan Ruchen prepared to take his leave, citing the need to not disturb them. However, just as he raised his hand to bow, he saw Si Hongyin peeking out from behind a nearby door. Song Ziye caught a glimpse of her and knew that his cousin had something else to discuss privately with Yan Ruchen. He tactfully found an excuse to leave, leaving the two of them alone.

After everyone left, Si Hongyin cautiously walked out from behind the door, with a bit of grievance in her voice: "Ruchen, are you still angry with me?"

Yan Ruchen pretended to be relaxed and said, "Why should I be angry? Of course not."

Seeing Yan Ruchen smile, but his eyes frosted, Si Hongyin knew she'd said the wrong thing and gotten herself into trouble. Seeing he didn't respond, she quickly tried to make amends, "It was that time in the Elders' Council, when Uncle Yue and the others were discussing the selection of acting elders. I suggested checking the disciples' backgrounds and not recommending those with unclean backgrounds. Who knew they'd actually done a thorough investigation and discovered your mother was... that... That's why, there wasn't..."

At this point, Si Hongyin couldn't continue. After that incident, Yan Ruchen's smile became noticeably less frequent when he saw her. She had been confused at the time, wanting to protect her father's hard work from being tarnished, but she hadn't realized it would hurt Yan Ruchen. If she had known the identity of Yan Ruchen's mother, she would never have said that.

Yan Ruchen smiled bitterly, looking at Si Hongyin's haggard face, thinking to himself: This silly girl won't back down even if I give her a way out.