"Again."

Seeing his master's wife's sharp eyes, Yin Shihuai gritted his teeth and raised his sword until the sword was knocked out of his hand again, and he had no strength left to raise his arms. Only then did Song Xia stop.

"Not bad, you've made a lot of progress again."

Hearing this, he finally collapsed, relieved, and grinned foolishly at the sky.

Not far away, Ouyang Feng and Ouyang Wan were in similar condition, covered in dirt, their legs and arms trembling.

When Shangguan Jin and Doctor Fan arrived, this was the scene they saw. They clicked their tongues indifferently and then had their attendants place the meat they had brought on the pavilion.

"There's food to eat." Ouyang Feng sprang to his feet, then glanced behind another attendant. "Didn't you bring any wine today?"

"Yes!" Another attendant pushed a wheelbarrow around the bend. "Young Master Ouyang, are these jars enough?"

Seeing this, Ouyang Feng beamed and said, "That's enough, that's enough."

Shangguan Jin chuckled: "How old are you? Why do you love alcohol so much? Be careful you don't turn into a drunkard."

"No, I always remember my teacher's wife's teachings and never let drinking interfere with my work. I only drink when you come."

Shangguan Jin waved her fan and said, "If you ask me, she's more like your master. When has Ouyang Zhen ever cared about you?"

Ouyang Feng and the other two exchanged glances. In fact, they felt the same way. But if they should call their master's wife "master," then what should they call the other one?

Song Xia lit the stove and said nonchalantly, "It's just a form of address. Feng'er and the others won't change their attitude because of a form of address."

"That's what they say, but I think all three of them are promising talents. If they make a name for themselves in the martial arts world in the future, wouldn't that be their achievement?"

"What reputation in the martial arts world? In my opinion, it's all empty talk. So what if Ouyang Zhen really becomes the leader of the martial arts alliance?" Over the past year, Song Xia has never hidden her opinion of Ouyang Zhen from her three disciples. Under her guidance, the three of them now have completely different attitudes towards the martial arts world.

The expressions of Ouyang Feng and the other two were also conflicted. Not to mention Yin Shihuai, who had only been a disciple for two years, he had barely seen Ouyang Zhen in those two years, let alone received any instruction from him. Although it was Ouyang Zhen who rescued him from the Yin family back then, it was partly because of the previous relationship between the Yin family and Linghe Valley, and partly because Ouyang Zhen only wanted to gain fame in the martial arts world. So, when it came to who he felt more affection for, it was naturally his master's wife.

Ouyang Feng and Ouyang Wan were adopted at a young age. Although they took Ouyang Zhen's surname, Song Xia raised them from childhood. When they were very young, Ouyang Feng received instruction from Ouyang Zhen a few times. However, as the situation in the martial arts world became more and more intense, Ouyang Zhen devoted all his attention to the struggles in the martial arts world. The way the two of them grew up is largely due to Song Xia's efforts.

Therefore, when they learned that Song Xia would not support Ouyang Zhen as the leader of the martial arts alliance, all three of them were supportive.

Being the leader of the martial arts alliance is not an easy job. They did not want to see Linghe City and Linghe Valley, which their master's wife had worked so hard to build, become sacrifices for Ouyang Zhen.

Song Xia said calmly, "If he could truly command the martial arts world, attack the evil cult, and kill treacherous officials, then I would support him no matter what. But clearly, the position of martial arts alliance leader that he so actively promotes is nothing more than an empty shell, even if he sits on it."

Shangguan Jin nodded: "Let alone the two-faced sect leader Shan Jiangchuan of the Shenyang Sect, even those bald men of the Zizai Sect would never submit to him. And then there's Zhuge Chun, the master of Wuxiang Manor, who's an old fox who won't suffer any loss. As for the Four Directions Sect, the four brothers have never reached a consensus, so why would they listen to an outsider's orders?"

With just a few simple words, Shangguan Jin pointed out the current problems in the martial arts world. Ouyang Wan asked in confusion, "Then why are cults so united?"

Doctor Fan chimed in from the side, "I've heard that the leader of the Silver Moon Holy Sect has a method to control people's hearts, making them submit. Many righteous masters have become hall masters and elders of the evil sect."

Song Xia seemed to sense something: "What's your guess, Elder Fan?"

"I suspect they are being controlled by a Gu poison."

Ouyang Feng exclaimed in astonishment: "Does Gu really exist in this world? A tiny Gu worm can control people's hearts?"

"I have also studied Gu worms, but I can't control people like a cult, so this is just my suspicion."

"It's not just about Gu; they're also good at controlling people's minds. Even if they have Gu worms, I guess they're not that easy to cultivate. It makes sense if they're used on high-ranking officials, but ordinary people are like they're under a spell. They give them money, and some don't even realize it until their families are ruined. So they must have another method."

Song Xia had seen pyramid schemes before, and many of them involved people who didn't care about being abandoned by their families and friends. This Silver Moon Holy Sect probably used similar methods, and might even be more powerful.

Shangguan Jin took a sip of wine and said, "I once sent someone to infiltrate the Silver Moon Holy Cult. At first, that subordinate could report news about the cult to me, but gradually, he was brainwashed and became a follower. He even tried to persuade me to convert to the cult."

Ouyang Feng gasped, "That terrifying?"

“I showed it to Elder Fan, and he was not poisoned by Gu until he betrayed Wuhua Tower.”

"The brainwashing techniques of that cult are truly profound."

"That's why cults are so terrifying. Those martial arts masters who were recruited were all highly intelligent people, but in the end they became the most loyal henchmen of cults."

"Isn't there a way to break this?" Yin Shihuai gripped the hilt of his sword. "How about we just kill that cult leader?"

"It is said that the leader of the evil cult was a peerless martial artist. Master Wuya of the Zizai Sect once fought against him. In the end, Master Wuya was seriously injured and defeated. If it weren't for the timely arrival of several eminent monks from the Zizai Sect, Master Wuya might have been dead long ago."

These words silenced Ouyang Feng and Yin Shihuai even more.

Song Xia encouraged them, saying, "Master's wife believes in you. You are the generation that will end the cult. Feng'er, you have the highest talent in martial arts. Even Ouyang Zhen back then couldn't compare to you. As long as you practice diligently, you will definitely be able to defeat the cult leader in the future. And Shi Huai, among the three of you, you have the most comprehensive wisdom. You can strike at the cult's forces from the side and defeat their branches one by one. With the two of you attacking from both sides, the cult will definitely not be able to gain any more power."

"What about me, Master's wife?" Ouyang Wan asked impatiently, looking defiant.

“You…” Song Xia gave her an affirming look, “You just guard Linghe Valley and Linghe City, and be the strongest support for your senior and junior brothers.”

Ouyang Wan was somewhat disappointed: "Can't I go and fight against cults?"

"You think it's easy to hold the rear? If anything happens to them, you'll be their strongest support. If the cult attacks Linghe City, are you confident you can defend it?"

Ouyang Wan opened her mouth, feeling somewhat timid.

"So we still need to work hard. With your master's wife here, don't be afraid."