The little heroine investigates a mysterious case

The main hall of Tiandao League.

Hu Junfeng respectfully placed the Evil-Slaying Blade on the knife rack. Hu Yiba, who was standing nearby, asked, "Are you leaving now?"

Hu Junfeng nodded. "Originally, I used the Evil-Slaying Sword and the Evil-Slaying Sword Technique. Even if I won, I would have felt that the victory was unfair, but I still lost..."

"That's because you're not cruel enough!"

Hu Junfeng pondered, "I don't think that's entirely true. I want to find the root of Miss Huang's fearlessness and undaunted spirit. Her fearless courage and unwavering will must have a reason, and it can't be summed up simply as ruthless. I don't want to inherit the Tiandao League one day and be constantly disturbed by its trivialities. I'll bid farewell to my uncle now and head down the mountain to gain experience. I believe I'll gain something!"

Hu Junfeng bowed deeply to Hu Yiba, then resolutely turned and left.

When the doctor from the alliance changed the dressing again, Zhao Xuan asked the doctor to help apply the ointment given by the Little Medical Fairy on the wound. The effect was surprisingly good. By the fifth day, the wound had scabbed over. However, the broken bone that was split by the blade was still fixed with a splint and could not move at all.

But Zhao Xuan thought that everyone in Jiaoyang Valley was still waiting for food and herbs to save their lives, and she had been away for more than a month, so she was really worried. So she said goodbye to Hu Yiba and took the prize, the Evil-Slaying Sword.

Hu Yiba was quite straightforward and immediately held a farewell banquet for Zhao Xuan.

During the banquet, many chivalrous men from the martial arts world who had not yet left the Tiandao League congratulated Zhao Xuan. Hu Yiba handed the Evil-Slaying Knife to Zhao Xuan on the spot. Zhao Xuan took the knife with one hand, but couldn't hold it at all. She had to use the knife to support herself on the ground, feeling very embarrassed.

Hu Yiba smiled and said, "Young hero, I admire you. I hope that when Young Master Huang travels the world with this sword, he will never forget to uphold justice and help the weak, so that he can live up to the reputation of the Evil Slayer Sword!"

Zhao Xuan replied, "Huang Huacai will definitely live up to the leader's trust! But, could the leader lend me a carriage?"

"Not only will I lend you the carriage, I'll also send you a few men to escort you back."

"No, no! Just a carriage will do!"

"Okay, okay. Young Master Huang, please take a seat!" Hu Yiba said cheerfully, "Let's have a nice drink first!"

That night, the Tiandao League held a grand banquet, but Zhao Xuan hadn't seen Xiao Ling. Just as she was about to ask, Hu Yiba asked, "Where did Young Master Huang come from?"

"No sect or school."

"Young Master Huang, have you ever considered joining our Tiandao League? We can discuss everything, including salary and level."

"Is there money to be made?"

Hu Yiba laughed heartily, intent on winning over Zhao Xuan. He whispered, "Young Master Huang, it seems you know very little about our Tiandao League. Let's not even talk about Qiankun Continent, let's just talk about Xia Country. The Tiandao League commands all the martial arts sects. Even if a powerful figure wants to handle some private business in the martial arts world, they can only entrust us with it, and we'll spare no expense for this. Do you understand, Young Master Huang?"

"Is there such a good thing?"

Hu Yiba looked around, beckoned Zhao Xuan to an empty side hall, and whispered to her:

"Let me give you an example. Ten years ago, the Crown Prince's delegation was attacked. The whereabouts of Zhao Xiaoman and Zhao Xuan, the master and apprentice who are now wanted, remain unknown. For the past ten years, a mysterious figure has secretly entrusted our Tiandao League to search for them. They want them alive or dead! They're willing to pay a huge amount every year for this!"

Hu Yiba slapped Zhao Xuan, and her heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected that for the past ten years, while she and her master had been wanted by the government, someone had been secretly searching for them. Who was that person? Why was he doing this? Could he be the real culprit behind the attack on the diplomatic mission?

Thinking of this, Zhao Xuan felt a surge of unease. She feigned composure and asked, "Hasn't the government been issuing a wanted notice? Why would someone still entrust the Tiandao League with this?"

"Five hundred taels of silver!" Hu retracted his palm. "The government has its ways, and the Heavenly Dao League has its spies! But I don't expect to find these master and disciple anytime soon. Earning so much silver for free every year is such a bargain! What do you think? Young Master Huang, consider it. If there's work, it's just running errands. It won't cost you anything!"

Zhao Xuan perfunctorily said to Xiao Xiao: "If that's the case, then I'll think about it."

Before the banquet was over, Zhao Xuan left early on the pretext that her injury had not yet healed. Hu Yiba then sent two disciples to carry the Evil-Slaying Sword to Zhao Xuan's residence, exchanged a few words of greeting, and then left.

Zhao Xuan quickly chose the Evil-Slaying Knife over the Seven Jars of Eternal Fragrance.

Just as she wrapped the evil-slaying knife tightly with clothes and was trying to tie the knife to her back, she suddenly heard someone outside the door quietly calling out, "Madam Huang, I'm Xiaoling, open the door quickly!"

Zhao Xuan frowned and thought for a while, then hid the wrapped evil-slaying sword under the bed. Then she opened the door and saw Xiaoling standing at the door with a wound on his face, sobbing.

Zhao Xuan dragged Xiao Ling into the room, closed the door, and then asked, "What happened to you? I haven't seen you all night! Who beat you up?"

"Today, just because... just because I woke up a little late and didn't bring the leader water to wash his face in time, the leader beat me up and locked me in a small dark room..."

Xiaoling said this while turning his back to Zhao Xuan and lifting the clothes on his back. Sure enough, there were several bloody whip marks on his back.

"Madam Huang, I know you'll leave the Tiandao League sooner or later. No matter where you go, please take me with you, even if it's just to save me... If you keep going like this, I'll be beaten to death by the League Leader!"

Zhao Xuan agreed immediately: "Okay! I'll take you away, tonight! Can we get a carriage secretly? We have to do it without anyone noticing!"

"That's so easy! I have a good friend who manages the stables!"

Zhao Xuan was a little worried: "What if he finds us a carriage and we leave? Will he be punished?"

"Don't worry, I stole it, it has nothing to do with him!"

Zhao Xuan was relieved: "That's good! Let's take the Evil-Slaying Sword and the seven jars of wine!"

"Okay! All up to you!"

The next morning, Zhao Xuan and Xiao Ling drove into Jinyang City in a carriage.

Jinyang City is located at the junction of Xia and Yue countries, adjacent to the Takhan Desert to the west. Passing through Jinyang City and heading east is Fengcheng, and further east you can reach Xiuyue Mountain and enter Jiaoyang Valley.

Xiaoling, who was driving, yawned and stretched. Seeing a breakfast stall nearby, he stopped the carriage, jumped out and bought four buns. Then he returned to the carriage, lifted the curtain, and saw Zhao Xuan sitting with her eyes closed. Xiaoling reached out and touched the evil-slaying sword on the ground, and Zhao Xuan opened her eyes.

Xiao Ling said hurriedly, "I can't even lift this knife. Miss Huang is really skilled! It won't be long before you become as famous as this evil-slaying knife! When that happens, you have to protect me! Come! Have a bun!"

Zhao Xuan glanced at the Xiezhe Blade, which she had wrapped tightly in her arms. She took the bun and took a bite. She lifted the car curtain and looked out at the street. Shops were opening one after another. A pawnshop with an extravagant facade and a sign that read "Bao Bao Pawn" caught her eye. Zhao Xuan stuffed the bun into her mouth and said to Xiao Ling, "Eat quickly, then get back to work!"

Xiao Ling ate his buns and asked, "Work? What kind of work?"

"As a knife."

"what?"

"I'm injured and can't lift it by myself. Come with me and pawn this knife. I'm sure we can get a good price for it!"

Xiao Ling was so frightened that he sat down on the ground, and half of the bun in his mouth fell to the ground. He wailed, "No, lady! Please! This evil-slaying sword is the treasure of the Tiandao League! If the leader knew you pawned the sword, he would fight you to the death!"

"Of course I know it's a treasure. Otherwise, why would I risk my life to win it back? If I win, it's mine. I can do whatever I want with it. What can the Heavenly Dao Alliance do to me? Even if they have to go to the world to reason with me, I'm not afraid!"

Meanwhile, in the Tiandao League, Hu Yiba had just finished his breakfast when he heard from his disciples that Huang Huacai had disappeared with the Evil-Slaying Sword last night.

Upon hearing this, Hu Yiba suddenly sneered, "You ungrateful little brat! How can you possibly escape Jinyang City?! Spread the word that Huang Huacai has already left the Tiandao Alliance with the Evil-Slaying Blade. Whoever manages to snatch the Evil-Slaying Blade from Huang Huacai, keep a close eye on them. I, the Alliance Leader, will personally take the Evil-Slaying Blade back!"