"No... it's none of my business!"

Like a frightened beast, upon hearing Chiba's words, Kato Bear jumped up from the chair in panic!

This reaction, akin to hiding an obvious truth, completely exposed the close ties he has with the events of that year.

"Brother... senior brother, you... you mustn't speak nonsense!"

"I... I am innocent!"

This truth has been buried for so long, and Kato Bear absolutely refuses to let it resurface to the public.

He knows that this information could be the death of him!

"Hehe."

Chiba smiled with full control over the situation and said, "Junior brother, you need not worry, there are only two of us here. No third person will know about this conversation between us."

"But..."

Even though Chiba reassured him, Kato Bear was still uneasy.

He had kept it hidden for so long and believed that besides the heavens, only he knew the truth.

Now that someone had revealed the truth, he felt as if he were a snake caught by its weakness, feeling particularly humiliated.

He opened his mouth to explain, but Chiba didn't give him that chance.

Chiba stopped Kato Bear and said, "We have been together for so long, you are my junior brother, and I treat you as family. Do you not trust your senior brother?"

"But senior brother, this matter, really... really..."

Kato Bear looked into Chiba's eyes, trying to argue, but found himself speechless before the brother who had always overshadowed him.

"Enough, you don't need to explain anything to me."

"This matter won't reach a third person, and who do you think I asked this young man to deal with Igarashi for?"

"Wasn't it for you?"

"What?"

Hearing Chiba's explanation, Kato Bear was puzzled.

What does senior brother mean by these words?

"Junior brother, do you still not understand..."

Chiba sighed and said, "Since I know the truth about this matter, do you think Igarashi doesn't know?"

"If Igarashi were to tell everyone the truth locked away for years, even if people don't believe it, can you guarantee you won't slip up?"

"So, we can't deal with Igarashi directly. If too many people know, and if Igarashi spills any lethal information before dying, it would be a disaster for you!"

"It's only by having this young man deal with Igarashi that we can ensure no one in Ohno Temple will discover your secret."

"This..."

Listening to Chiba's explanation, Kato Bear couldn't help but ponder.

Indeed, if his group of Ancient Cultivators were to clash with Igarashi, his secret risked exposure.

Having Xu Fan, an outsider, handle it would prevent this.

Not only that, if he fought with Igarashi, it would minimize losses among the Ancient Cultivators.

"Senior brother, I'm sorry!"

Realizing with sudden clarity, Kato Bear was about to kneel before Chiba!

Fortunately, Chiba stopped him in time, and Kato Bear didn't kneel.

"Senior brother has good intentions, and I've almost recklessly jeopardized his big plans. Senior brother, however you wish to punish me, just say it!"

Thinking of his plan last night to kill Xu Fan, Kato Bear broke into a cold sweat!

If he had actually killed Xu Fan, he wouldn't have anyone left to help him now.

"Junior brother, you've said too much."

Chiba smiled, supporting Kato Bear, and said, "I've already said, you are my junior brother, I treat you like family. If I don't help you, who will I help?"

"So, remember, from now on, do not have any conflict with Xu Fan."

"Not only that, when Igarashi truly comes, you now know what to do, right?"

"Understood! Senior brother, I understand!"

Kato Bear nodded quickly, planning to distance the Ohno Temple experts when the time comes.

Let Xu Fan clash with Igarashi while he watches from the sidelines.

After all, only this way can he protect his secret!

"But senior brother, what about that kid?"

Going over the plan once again in his mind, Kato Bear looked at Chiba with caution.

He might hear things he shouldn't hear.

His life may not be spared.

"Rest assured, when the time comes, I know what to do."

"Whew, that's good, that's good..."

Looking at Chiba, whose intentions matched his own, Kato Bear couldn't help but exhale in relief.

"Senior brother, this time, I've really got a lot to thank you for."

If it weren't for Chiba's reminder, Kato Bear wouldn't have thought of this, and he felt grateful.

Chiba smiled and said, "Alright, there's no need for extra words."

"Just do as I say, and it'll be fine."

Kato Bear nodded and said, "Rest assured, senior brother, I know what to do. I won't disturb your cultivation, I'll take my leave now."

After bidding farewell to Chiba, he got up and left the hall.

Exiting the hall without hesitation, Kato Bear returned directly to his room.

Back in his room, after closing the windows and doors, he couldn't help but exhale a sigh of relief.

At this moment, his back was drenched in cold sweat.

"How did he know about the Saintess?"

Sitting on the bed, Kato Bear thought about Chiba's words in the hall and couldn't help but mutter.

Indeed, back then he coveted the treasure in the Underground Palace Tomb and even had thoughts about the Saintess.

He thought of threatening the Saintess with Igarashi's life to reveal the way to open the Underground Palace Tomb.

But who would have thought he would accidentally kill the Saintess?

As an Ancient Cultivator, one of their missions is to protect the Saintess.

Now that the Saintess died at his hand, it's a capital crime!

At that time, he fled the scene immediately.

Wandering in fear for an entire night, it wasn't until Igarashi disappeared the next day that he sighed in relief.

Everyone linked the Saintess's death to Igarashi's disappearance.

No one noticed him.

Over time, the matter faded and wasn't brought up again.

Now that the issue was resurfacing and Chiba uncovered the truth, how could Kato Bear not be nervous?

"Why is he helping me?"

Most likely, he showed some slip-up back then, and Chiba noticed it but kept silent until now.

Thinking about Chiba's repeated assurances of help, Kato Bear furrowed his brow, muttering to himself.

Does Chiba really consider him family?

Clearly not plausible.

Most likely, it's to consolidate his position as Sect Leader.

After some consideration, Kato Bear finally reached his conclusion.

Having cleared his thoughts, he lay down on the bed, finally relaxing.

The previous pressure was instantly released, and he smirked with a cold smile, humming, "Hmph, sorry, senior brother, but I don't consider you family."

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