Chapter 33 Chengyuan Became the Target of All

　　The following morning, just as the household was settling down for breakfast, a commotion broke out among the disciples of Guanzhong Fist. Voices rose in agitation, their indignation echoing through the hall.　　“The Japanese sword manual has been switched!” someone cried. “Someone has stolen the original and left us with a worthless forgery!”　　Lei Yongbang swept his gaze across the assembled heroes, his expression darkening as he realized one face was conspicuously absent. “Bloody hell!” he bellowed, his voice cutting through the murmuring crowd. “It must have been that wretched spawn of the demonic sect—Liu Chengyuan! After receiving the sword manual from Young Master Zhou, only three people laid hands on it besides myself—my father, my master, and him. Mark my words, he took advantage of our inattention, switched the real manual for a forgery, and slipped away under the cover of night!”　　“Nonsense!” Qian Yu slammed his hand against the table, his voice ringing with indignation. “If Brother Liu had truly coveted this sword manual, he would have taken it the moment Master Zhou declared him the victor. Why go to the trouble of swapping it and then vanishing into the night?”　　“Hah! That’s just the way of demonic sect scum!” Lei Yongbang shot back, his face livid with fury. “If he hasn’t fled, then where is he now? Look at this so-called manual yourself—it’s utter drivel! That wretch Liu Chengyuan has made a mockery of us all!”　　With that, he flung the book onto Qian Yu’s table in a fit of rage. The impact sent a spray of congee splattering across the table, nearly toppling Master Zhu’s bowl.　　Qian Yu unfolded the manual and scrutinized its contents. The title, at a glance, did indeed bear the words Japanese Sword Manual, but within, the pages were filled with nothing more than Buddhist scriptures—the kind recited by devout old women in their daily prayers.　　He let out a sharp scoff. “Brother Liu is a man of honour—he would never stoop to such disgraceful trickery. And tell me, didn’t you handle the manual as well? Who’s to say it wasn’t you who swapped it, hoping to steal its secrets for yourself?”　　“Utter nonsense!” Lei Yongbang snapped, throwing his arms wide. “If I had swapped the manual, you’re welcome to search me!”　　He cast a sweeping glance around the hall before continuing, his tone heavy with accusation. “Liu Chengyuan has vanished without a trace. If he hasn’t fled, then tell me—where is he?”　　Xuan Miao stepped forward in support of Qian Yu. “I believe in Brother Liu’s character,” she said firmly. “He would never stoop to such deception.”　　Abbess Jiayan, barely