Immortality begins with the Swordsman.

Chapter 42 Reputable Families

October 24th, Chang'an.

At dawn, the Pei family compound was surrounded by government officials, and the area in front of the vermilion gate was crowded with onlookers, creating a noisy and bustling atmosphere.

"What heinous crime has the Pei family committed?"

"You're from out of town, aren't you? The Pei family, the Xue family, and the Liu family—who doesn't know how these three families have been running rampant in Chang'an for years, bullying others, and treating human life like dirt?"

"Behind their backs, they are even more despicable, trafficking innocent women, forcing them into prostitution, and seizing land. Which of these acts is not utterly immoral? They should have been dealt with long ago."

"I heard that it was Cai Ling Shuang, the Holy Maiden of the Huashan Sect, who destroyed one of their dens of iniquity, which thoroughly angered them. That's why the three sects joined forces to drive the Huashan Sect out of Chang'an."

"So that's what happened... I was wondering why the Huashan Sect suddenly withdrew."

"The Huashan Sect is a prestigious and righteous sect. They didn't want to escalate the situation, which is why they completely withdrew from Chang'an. Who would have thought that these three families would be so ruthless as to lead a manhunt for the Huashan Sect overnight?"

"Hmph, even a rabbit will bite when cornered, let alone the Huashan Sect! They deserved to be wiped out completely; the Huashan Sect has done a service to the people!"

Before the words were finished, the door creaked open, and a group of Pei family members were dragged out one after another. Men and women, young and old, all of them were bound hand and foot, with disheveled hair and ashen faces.

"You beasts! You should have died long ago!"

"Finally, God has opened his eyes!"

The crowd erupted in a chorus of angry curses, and rotten eggs and vegetable leaves flew out one after another, so that the once high and mighty Pei family members did not even dare to raise their heads.

Not far away, the two young men who had previously led the incitement of emotions, publicized the evil deeds of the three families, and praised the Huashan Sect exchanged a glance, quietly withdrew from the crowd, and disappeared.

The same scene played out in front of the Xue and Liu families' gates.

The evil deeds of the three families had long been rumored in the streets, and now that the government had announced them to the whole city, they were completely confirmed, causing a surge of public opinion that continued for days.

"Great! I've finally been waiting for this day!"

"Luckily, there's the Huashan Sect, otherwise we ordinary people would still be oppressed by the three major families!"

Public opinion was almost unanimously in favor of the Huashan Sect. In just two days, the Huashan Sect became the embodiment of "eliminating harm for the people" in Chang'an.

Cai Ling Shuang's name was spread like wildfire in teahouses and taverns, with some even calling her a goddess descended from the heavens to eliminate evil.

……

When the Huashan Sect members stepped back into Chang'an, even Gu Changfeng was stunned for a moment.

People lined both sides of the street to welcome him, with applause and cheers ringing out. Some were even moved to tears and shouted excitedly.

Looking at this enthusiastic scene.

Gu Changfeng's lips twitched, and he turned his head to whisper to Ouyang Qingzhao, "Uncle-Master, were those people actors you hired? Their crying looked so fake..."

Ouyang Qingzhao remained calm, a smile playing on her lips, her voice preceding her words: "Found this at the last minute, it'll have to do."

Gu Changfeng was taken aback for a moment, then grinned and gave a thumbs up: "Well done."

Ouyang Qingzhao said casually, his tone indifferent: "Remember! Our Huashan Sect is a prestigious and righteous sect, and it is only natural that we are loved and respected by the people."

"That makes sense!" Gu Changfeng smiled, inwardly admiring him.

It was clearly his scheme to deal with the three major families, burning over a thousand of them to death, yet no one called him cruel; instead, he was hailed as a great hero who eliminated evil and promoted good.

Unlike the Qingcheng Sect in the original novel, who lost all face and reputation in their attempt to seize the "Evil-Repelling Sword Manual" from the Fuwei Escort Agency, and ultimately didn't get a good outcome.

Before long, the group returned to the Huashan Sect's headquarters in Chang'an.

Outside the door, Luo Nanqing, the leader of the Green Sheep Gang, had been waiting for a long time. Upon seeing Ouyang Qingzhao appear, he immediately smiled and clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Brother Ouyang, excellent skills, I admire you!"

Ouyang Qingzhao patted him on the shoulder and said, "I must thank Brother Luo for his help."

Luo Nanqing immediately cried out dramatically, "Ouch! Go easy on me! That kick of yours was really hard! I'm really hurt."

Ouyang Qingzhao laughed and said, "If you weren't injured, how could they let their guard down? How could you take the opportunity to leave?"

The two exchanged a glance and smiled without saying a word.

Upon entering the courtyard, one finds it spotless and clean, with fallen leaves swept away, a stark contrast to the mess left when they left in their haste. Clearly, someone has put a lot of effort into maintaining it.

After a few hours of rest, night fell and curfew was imposed.

The real highlight is here.

Ouyang Qingzhao summoned about fifty disciples and said, "I know you can't wait any longer. Let's set off now and go to the Pei family to collect the spoils of war."

Upon hearing this, Gu Changfeng perked up: "Should we wear some black clothes and cover our faces?"

Ouyang Qingzhao waved her hand: "No need."

Sure enough, the group swaggered down the street, and the patrolling officers deliberately avoided them, making way for them.

Upon arriving at the Pei family's gate, the guards turned and left in unison as soon as they saw the group from Mount Hua, as if they had completed their guarding mission.

"Uncle-Master, amazing!" Gu Changfeng only glanced at it and knew that Ouyang Qingzhao must have some shady dealings with the government behind the scenes.

Ouyang Qingzhao smiled without saying a word, but patted his shoulder: "Last time, you did a great job covering the rear. If there's anything you like inside, feel free to take it."

Gu Changfeng was taken aback, then overjoyed: "Uncle-Master, how generous!"

Before he finished speaking, he darted into the Pei family compound like a cat.

Inside the Pei family compound, lanterns were already lit, illuminating the entire courtyard as if it were daytime...

Gu Changfeng walked through the corridors and courtyards, heading straight for the back residence. He searched every room, turning everything upside down as soon as he entered. He found quite a few valuable jade artifacts, which he planned to take back to please his junior sister.

"I wonder if it will reduce my 'morality score'..." he muttered to himself as he flipped through the pages.

then.

He pushed open the door and entered a spacious, empty room.

The room was simply furnished, with neatly arranged knife racks on both sides, the blades gleaming coldly, clearly a place for martial arts practice.

His gaze swept across the ground and he suddenly noticed something unusual. Upon closer inspection, he discovered it was a dusty scroll.

Bending down to pick it up, four large characters on the cover immediately came into view—

Pei Family Sword Technique!

……

A moment later.

Ouyang Qingzhao and several disciples searched this place. As soon as they pushed open the door, they saw Gu Changfeng sitting cross-legged on a "bed" with the "Pei Family Knife Technique" in his hand, leisurely fanning himself with it.

"Uncle-Master Ouyang, I want this!"

He pointed to the "bed" beneath him and said, "A gentleman's word is his bond. You won't go back on your word, will you?"

Ouyang Qingzhao was slightly taken aback. The place where Gu Changfeng was sitting was less like a bed and more like a piece of warm, snow-white jade, carved into the shape of a bed. The jade surface was crystal clear, and even from several feet away, one could feel the bone-chilling coldness creeping over them.

In an instant, Ouyang Qingzhao's eyes reddened, her Adam's apple bobbed slightly, she swallowed hard, and after a long while, she managed to squeeze out a sentence:

"Of course! A gentleman's word is as good as his bond."

He seemed to have exhausted all his strength to barely finish saying the promise, his voice trembling, even his breathing carrying a hint of resentment and heartache.

Upon hearing this, Gu Changfeng burst into laughter: "Guards, move this 'Cold Jade Bed' back to Mount Hua for me. I want it as a betrothal gift for my junior sister..."