"Their souls have been restricted; I can't peer into them."

Lu Qingmo shook her head. "If I try, they'll be instantly destroyed—it's a cruel and extreme limit, a situation where both sides would perish."

"Ah, Aunt Mo, you can't do anything about it?" Bai Ruoyue's frustration was evident.

"No, I can't," Lu Qingmo replied. "There are infinite ways of doing things in the world of Taoism, and this is not my area of expertise."

No cultivator is all-powerful. Combat, alchemy, formations, talismans, and fate manipulation are all different realms of expertise.

Lu Qingmo continued, "In Black Cloud Town, there's no one on the surface who specializes in this kind of technique."

Bai Ruoyue deflated at her words.

"Which faction in Black Cloud Town could have the ability to set such a restriction?"

Lu Qingmo answered, "On the surface, none. The Yun family has many cultivators, but they don't specialize in this."

"The Gao and Lin families are martial artist-oriented, with only a few cultivators among them. The Yun family, on the other hand, is mostly composed of cultivators."

"Yun family...?" Han murmured, thinking of Yun Duo.

Staring at the unconscious martial artist on the floor, Han pondered.

The Yun family...

Han couldn't shake the feeling that a faction operating so covertly would never leave such an obvious clue behind.

"I’ll question him," Han said. "I have a way to tell if he's lying or not."

As soon as the man regained consciousness, he began shouting in anger and confusion.

"What do you want? Why have you captured me?"

"You hired someone to kill me and you ask why you’re being captured?" Han kicked him lightly.

"Calm down."

The man grew even angrier but showed no signs of panic. "When did I hire anyone to kill you?"

Liar. He was definitely involved.

"You are breaking the laws of the Great Qi! Martial artists fighting privately is forbidden by the law!" the man continued, trying to defend himself.

"Let me go, my friends will come looking for me. If they find out I'm missing, they’ll bring in the officials from the Martial Bureau, and you’ll regret it!"

Han couldn’t help but laugh. When you were paying for an assassination, you didn’t care about the law, but now you use it as a threat.

"So, you're a government official?" Han asked, his amusement evident.

"..."

"Which family do you belong to?"

Han pressed. "Yun family?"

The man’s eyes flickered with visible panic, which Han, Bai Ruoyue, and Lu Qingmo immediately caught.

"I have nothing to do with the Yun family."

That was the truth.

Han kicked him again. "You're quite the actor."

"Then are you from the Tenglong Martial Hall?"

"I don’t understand what you mean."

"Yes or no?" Han delivered a punch.

"No!" The man answered quickly.

That was the truth too.

Han’s mind raced. Not from the Yun family, and not from the Tenglong Martial Hall either, the two groups he suspected most.

"So, it must be the Gao family who wants me dead."

"What are you really trying to ask? I have no connection with the Gao family either."

Another lie!

So it was you.

The man was well-hidden, but his skills weren’t enough to outsmart Han’s methods!

Han then asked about the Lin family and the Kuangdao Martial Hall, only to receive the same "no connection" answers. Again, all were truthful.

Truth and lies weren’t as straightforward as the Mind-Confounding Pill, but they were still accurate.

Han didn’t know the exact mechanics, much like how he couldn’t explain the principle behind the falling objects from the Great Thousand Immortal Tree.

He used his methods to make the man lose consciousness again and then told Bai Ruoyue and Lu Qingmo:

"It’s the Gao family."

"The cultivator who set this restriction," Lu Qingmo’s eyes narrowed. "They’ve hidden themselves very well..."

"Let’s go to the Gao family!" Bai Ruoyue immediately decided.

"But Senior Sister, Master isn’t here, and we don’t have direct evidence."

"Whether my father is here or not, I’m going to get justice for you!"

"As a disciple of Taibai, I won't suffer in vain!"

"Junior Brother, even if it costs my life, I won’t let you be wronged!"

Bai Ruoyue stepped out of the Peach Grove, and Han watched her back, his gaze softening.

"Go ahead. I'll find a way to gather evidence against the Gao family."

"As for safety, don't worry about it."

Once Bai Ruoyue and Lu Qingmo left, Lu Qingmo took out an object, gazed at it for a moment, and sighed softly before activating it.

"Fifteen years..."

----------------------------------------

The Gao Family.

A grand estate with wide courtyards, pavilions, and towers covering a vast area.

As one of the three major families in Black Cloud Town, the Gao family had always been at the peak of power.

Their influence extended to the county city and surrounding areas.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

The families and martial halls in Black Cloud Town were formidable even by the standards of the county city. If they wished, they could easily expand to other regions.

And because of Black Cloud Town's unique position, even the large forces in the county city were willing to show deference to them.

After all, this was a stable resource channel.

But today, even though the Gao family was renowned throughout Tian Yue County and had dominated Black Cloud Town for years, someone had come knocking on their door.

Boom!

The gate of the Gao family estate exploded open, and the guards were sent flying from the outside in.

"Gao Zhenxiong! Come out!"

A voice, loud and furious, echoed throughout the Gao family and the nearby streets.

Some experienced onlookers froze in disbelief.

Gao Zhenxiong? Wasn't that the current head of the Gao family?

Who dared to call the head of the Gao family by name and demand he come out?

This was going to be interesting!

A crowd quickly gathered, eager to see what was happening.

Curiosity was in everyone's nature.

Han and his group of seven were blocking the entrance to the Gao family estate, looking imposing.

Taibai disciples always moved together—none would back down in situations like this.

"Is that... the six disciples of Taibai Martial Hall? Who’s the extra one?"

"You’re behind the times. There are seven disciples now, and the seventh is the most talented."

"More talented than Bai Ruoyue?"

"It’s night and day. That one’s only been practicing martial arts for ten days and already achieved mastery of the body."

Hiss!

"I thought Bai Ruoyue was terrifying enough. I didn’t expect there was someone even more exceptional."

"Why are Taibai Martial Hall’s disciples looking for trouble with the Gao family? Are they going to start a war?"

"Didn’t Taibai’s Hall Master die in Black Mountain?"

"Who said that? Nonsense! Anyone who curses Taibai’s Hall Master will regret it for the rest of their life!"

"You told me that last time over drinks."

"..."

The crowd chattered excitedly, their eyes gleaming with excitement.

The Gao family reacted swiftly. A group of martial artists rushed out to block Han and the others.

A tall, handsome young man led them, his voice full of anger as he shouted:

"Bai Ruoyue! How dare you cause trouble at my Gao family’s doorstep!"

"Do you want to go to war with us?"

"Gao Yuan, what your Gao family has done, you know it well enough," Bai Ruoyue stepped forward.

"You dared to hire someone to kill my junior brother. If we don’t get an explanation today, we will declare war!"

The crowd gasped in astonishment. No one had expected the Gao family to be involved in such things.

Even more shocking was that it had been discovered.

"Slander!" Gao Yuan denied vehemently. "My Gao family is upright. How could we do such a thing?"

"On the contrary, it’s Taibai Martial Hall that has offended us and spread such dirty lies."

"If you don’t clarify this today, no one here will leave!"

Shen Long sneered, "Looks like we’ve come for trouble. Let’s see how the Gao family plans to keep us here."

"You’re the ones who are here for trouble!" Gao Yuan, the Gao family's eldest son, was enraged. "Surround them!"

"Their souls are restricted, unable to be probed."

Lu Qingmo shook her head. "If we force it, they'll immediately disintegrate. It's a harsh and brutal limitation—a no-win scenario."

"Ah, Aunt Mo, you can't do anything about it?" Bai Ruoyue's voice was filled with frustration.

"No, there's nothing I can do. The Dao is vast, and this particular one isn't my expertise."

No cultivator could be proficient in every field—combat, pills, weapons, formations, and restrictions all belong to different domains.

Lu Qingmo added, "In Heiyun Town, there isn't anyone on the surface who excels in this."

Bai Ruoyue's expression dropped as she heard this.

"What about the factions in Heiyun Town? Which one could have set up such a restriction?"

Lu Qingmo answered, "On the surface, none. The Yun family has many cultivators, but they don't specialize in this."

"The Gao and Lin families focus mainly on martial artists, with only a few cultivators. The Yun family, however, is the opposite."

"Is the Yun family the largest?" Han murmured, thinking of Yun Duo.

As they glanced at the unconscious martial artist on the ground, Han was deep in thought.

The Yun family…

Han couldn't shake the feeling that such a secretive force couldn't have left such an obvious opening.

"I'll ask him," Han said, "I have a way to tell if he's lying."

The martial artist had just regained consciousness and immediately started shouting. "What are you doing? Why am I being held?"

"You hired someone to kill me. Why are you asking why you're being captured?" Han kicked him lightly.

"Behave yourself."

The man grew angrier and showed no signs of fear. "When did I hire someone to kill you?"

Lying. As expected.

"You are violating the laws of the Daqi Kingdom! Private fights between martial artists are forbidden!"

"Let me go. If my friends find out I'm missing, they'll definitely bring in people from the Martial Bureau. If that happens, you won't get away with this!"

Han almost laughed. He hadn't cared about Daqi laws when he hired someone to kill him, but now he wanted to use the law to pressure him.

"Actually, I am a member of the Daqi government."

"..."

"Which family are you from?"

Han asked, "The Yun family?"

The man's eyes betrayed a flash of panic, which Han and his companions caught immediately.

"I have nothing to do with the Yun family."

Truth.

Han kicked him again. "You're quite the actor, aren't you?"

"Then you're from the Tenglong Martial Hall?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Yes or no?" Han punched him directly.

"No!"

Also true.

Han's thoughts raced. It's not the Yun family, and not the Tenglong Martial Hall, which he had suspected the most.

"So, it's the Gao family who wants me dead?"

"What exactly are you trying to ask? I have nothing to do with the Gao family either."

Lying again!

So it's you.

You hid it well, but you're skilled.

Han also asked about the Lin family and the Kuangdao Martial Hall, getting the same answers—unrelated. These were also truths.

The truth-detecting method wasn’t as direct as the Heart Confusion Pill, but it was still accurate.

Han didn’t know the principle behind it, much like he couldn’t understand the falling objects from the Daqian Immortal Tree.

He used a technique to knock the man unconscious again and turned to Bai Ruoyue and Lu Qingmo.

"It’s the Gao family."

"Only a cultivator from the Gao family could set up such a restriction." Lu Qingmo’s eyes narrowed. "They’re well hidden."

"Let's go to the Gao family!" Bai Ruoyue declared decisively.

"But Senior Sister, Master isn't here, and we have no direct evidence."

"Whether my father is here or not, I will seek justice for you!"

"I am a Taibai disciple. I will not suffer in vain!"

"Little Junior Brother, even if it costs me my life, I won’t let you suffer!"

Bai Ruoyue led the way out of the peach forest. Han watched her retreating figure, his gaze softening.

"Go ahead. I’ll find a way to get the evidence against the Gao family."

"As for your safety, don't worry."

After they left, Lu Qingmo took out an item, gazing at it for a moment before sighing and activating it.

"Fifteen years..."

----------------------------------------

The Gao Family

A vast estate with pavilions and towers, occupying a massive area.

As one of the three great families in Heiyun Town, the Gao family had always been at the pinnacle of power.

Their influence extended even to the prefectural city and surrounding counties.

The families and martial halls in Heiyun Town were strong enough to rival the forces in the prefectural city, and if they wished, they could easily expand into other regions.

Moreover, due to the special nature of Heiyun Town, even the major powers in the prefectural city would show deference to the Gao family’s influence.

After all, this place was a stable resource channel.

But today, the Gao family, which dominated Heiyun Town and was famous throughout Tianyue County, found themselves under attack.

Bang!

The Gao family’s gate was blasted open, and the guards at the door were sent flying inside.

"Gao Zhenxiong, get out here!"

The beautiful yet furious voice echoed throughout the Gao family estate and the surrounding streets.

Some people with knowledge were stunned.

Gao Zhenxiong?

Wasn’t that the current head of the Gao family?

Who would be so bold as to call out the Gao family head’s name and demand he come out?

A crowd of onlookers rushed to the Gao family, eager to see what would happen.

Curiosity got the better of them.

Han and his group of seven blocked the entrance to the Gao family estate, their intent clear.

The Taibai disciples stood together—none of them hesitated.

"Is that... the six disciples of the Taibai Martial Hall? Who’s the extra one?"

"You're behind the times. The Taibai Martial Hall now has seven disciples. The seventh is the most talented."

"Is he more talented than Bai Ruoyue?"

"A world apart. He only practiced martial arts for a little over ten days and already reached the pinnacle of physical cultivation."

"Hiss!"

"I thought Bai Ruoyue was already terrifying enough, but it turns out there’s an even more outstanding talent."

"Why are the Taibai Martial Hall disciples causing trouble for the Gao family? Are they about to go to war?"

"Didn’t the Taibai Hall master die in Black Mountain?"

"Who said that? Nonsense! Anyone who dares curse the Taibai master deserves to be cursed themselves!"

"That’s what you said to me last time when we were drinking."

"..."

The onlookers were buzzing with excitement, their eyes gleaming with thrill.

The Gao family reacted quickly. A large group of martial artists charged out to stop Han and his group.

A tall, handsome young man led the charge, shouting angrily:

"Bai Ruoyue, you have a lot of nerve, causing trouble in my Gao family!"

"Does Taibai Martial Hall want to go to war with my Gao family?"

"Gao Yuan, you know exactly what your Gao family has done," Bai Ruoyue stepped forward.

"Dare to hire someone to kill my Junior Brother? If I don’t get an explanation today, we will start a war!"

The crowd gasped. No one had expected the Gao family to be involved in such matters.

Even more shocking was that they had been caught red-handed.

"Ridiculous!" Gao Yuan denied fiercely. "My Gao family is righteous! How could we do such a thing?"

"On the contrary, it’s you Taibai Martial Hall that has offended us and smeared our name."

"If you don’t explain yourself today, none of you will leave!"

Shen Long sneered, "They don’t seem friendly. Let’s see how the Gao family tries to keep us here."

"You’re the ones who should leave!"

Gao Yuan, the Gao family’s eldest son, was livid. "Surround them!"