Chapter One Hundred and Four: Forcing the Palace (Part Two)
“What!?”
The words hung in the hall, leaving everyone stunned on the spot.
The true disciples of the three sects were even more dumbfounded—could it be that the offspring of the Demon King and the human prince were both killed by Shen Qingyun?
Amid the confusion, the leader of the Cangyun Sect looked at him with displeasure, a hint of anger in his expression. “A true disciple of the Shakui Sect, do you think that being a true disciple grants you the right to slander the innocent here at will?”
“Slander the innocent?”
Wu Shi seemed unfazed by the Cangyun Sect leader’s anger, smiling slightly. “The Northern Abyss Demon King used a secret technique to extract from his offspring’s blood the image of the person who killed him.”
“A figure clad in a cyan robe, wielding a dark red halberd,” Wu Shi said slowly. “Such a person is exceedingly rare within the Five Sects. Those who wield a halberd are even scarcer. Originally, I never doubted the Cangyun Sect.”
“Because, in the Cangyun Sect, cyan robes are worn by new disciples. Tell me, how could a mere novice kill the offspring of a Demon King at the Foundation Establishment stage, and a human prince as well? Moreover, such accusations easily undermine the unity among the Five Great Sects.”
“Even so, how can you be so decisive in condemning someone outright? To claim with certainty that he is the killer?”
The Cangyun Sect leader said sharply, “He is only at Qi Refining Stage Nine; such cultivation cannot hide anything before us. Even if he has the strength to fight beyond his rank, that only proves he can contend with a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator now.”
“At the time he was accepted into the inner sect, his cultivation was only Qi Refining Stage Three. Who would believe a Stage Three disciple could slay a Foundation Establishment opponent?”
“These are only your words, Sect Leader. Why don't we ask Senior Brother Shen himself?” Wu Shi said with a sly smile.
“Very well!” The Cangyun Sect leader responded and turned to the silent Shen Qingyun. “Qingyun, you speak!”
As he spoke, the Cangyun Sect leader subtly signaled him with his eyes. The leader was well aware of Shen Qingyun’s combat abilities, as were the other four sect leaders. They had witnessed Shen Qingyun’s feats in the Ghost Valley firsthand. Clearly, the Cangyun Sect leader’s words were meant to defend him.
Yet many still doubted the leader’s claims, seeing only Shen Qingyun’s present strength. According to the leader, before entering the inner sect, he was merely a Stage Three Qi Refining disciple—so how could such a one leap so many ranks to slay Foundation Establishment opponents? It was hard to believe.
Shen Qingyun appeared oblivious to the leader’s hint, speaking coolly, “I am the one who killed him. If he wanted to kill me, was I supposed to just stand there and let him? That’s absurd!”
“Moreover, the Northern Abyss Han and Qin Yun successively demanded the treasure from me, threatening to kill me if I refused. My counterattack was only natural. What’s wrong with that?”
“What’s wrong with that?” Wu Shi laughed loudly. “If your status, identity, and strength surpassed mine, surpassed the Demon King’s, then no one could say a word. But alas! You are just a mere disciple.”
“From the moment you killed the Demon King’s offspring, you were doomed to punishment. Because in this world, power and strength are everything!”
“Do you know why the ruler of the Tianlan Dynasty did not pursue my killing of Qin Yun?” Shen Qingyun asked indifferently, unaffected by Wu Shi’s words.
“How would I know?” Wu Shi shook his head.
“That’s right. It proves your status is nothing more than that. You will never understand the truth behind this matter.” Shen Qingyun spoke, a faint chill of spiritual energy swirling around him, directed sharply at Wu Shi.
Wu Shi felt the cold aura but maintained his composed smile. “I know you’re stronger than me. If you attack now, I can’t escape this hall.”
Hearing this, Shen Qingyun raised an eyebrow—so cooperative?
Wu Shi’s tone suddenly shifted. “But since I dared to come alone, I must have prepared. Outside the Cangyun Sect, five thousand demon beasts and Foundation Establishment demon cultivators await. If I don’t return by evening, they will launch a full assault on the Cangyun Sect.”
“Then countless disciples will die with me. Not a bad trade-off.”
“What!”
Not only did the Cangyun Sect leader’s expression change, but even the other three sect leaders’ faces turned grim. It was clear Wu Shi had long planned this.
The true disciples of the three sects looked at Wu Shi, his smile, and his words, silently dubbing him a title in their hearts:
“Madman!”
A clever madman.
“Senior Chief Shen is also a wise man. Surely you can distinguish right from wrong in such matters?” Wu Shi continued.
“Heh.”
Shen Qingyun chuckled lightly, the spiritual energy around him dissipating quietly as he stared at Wu Shi. “What do you want?”
“I want nothing.”
Wu Shi shook his head. “The key is what the Northern Abyss Demon King wants. Tomorrow, he will come to the Cangyun Sect in person to take someone. You know what to do without me saying it, Sect Leader.”
Wu Shi’s final words were addressed to the Cangyun Sect leader.
“The Northern Abyss Demon King is coming?”
The four sect leaders trembled inwardly. Though they appeared lofty to their disciples, before the two rulers of the Tianlan Dynasty, they were insignificant.
The Cangyun Sect leader glared angrily at Wu Shi. Today was supposed to be a joyous day for the Cangyun Sect, but Wu Shi’s sudden appearance and words had spoiled the mood entirely.
The four sect leaders simultaneously turned their gazes to the Cangyun Sect leader, eager to see how he would decide.
“This matter was caused by my disciple, so I will handle it!”
Before the Cangyun Sect leader could respond, a voice came from the hall’s entrance. A figure appeared and stepped forward to the center of the hall, standing two paces ahead of Wu Shi.
“Sect Leader Senior Brother, he is my disciple. Shouldn’t I be the one to decide?”
The Cangyun Sect leader looked at Chang Kong, and after a moment, slowly exhaled, his once-straight posture seeming to stoop. “Very well, you decide. What do you think should be done?”
He then said to Shen Qingyun, “You, stand over there.”
Shen Qingyun obeyed, moving to stand beside Chang Kong.
Chang Kong’s gaze remained fixed on Shen Qingyun until he stood next to him before shifting away. Just as he was about to speak, Wu Shi interrupted, “Elder Chang is Senior Chief Shen’s master?”
Casting a cold glance at Wu Shi, Chang Kong’s eyes were devoid of emotion, like a still pool of water. “What, is there a problem? Or do you suspect this elder of bias?”
“No, no, no...” Wu Shi hurriedly waved his hands. “Elder Chang’s fairness and impartiality are renowned across the Five Great Sects. How could a disciple dare accuse him?”
“Dare?” Chang Kong sneered coldly. “What is there that you don’t dare?”
Hearing this, Wu Shi could only smile awkwardly.
Then Chang Kong addressed the Cangyun Sect leader. “My disciple has committed a grave error, and I was unaware. This is my negligence. I will accept punishment at the Discipline Hall myself. But as for Shen Qingyun, I request his expulsion from the Cangyun Sect and that he be handed over to the Northern Abyss Demon King tomorrow.”
“Elder Chang is truly fair and just. Such magnanimity commands my respect!” Wu Shi said with a smile. “But don’t forget to take his stored spiritual device when you capture Senior Brother Shen!”
“No need for you to teach me how to do my job!” Chang Kong said coldly.
“Disciple shuts up,” Wu Shi said with a strained smile, fearing that this ruthless man might vent his anger on him.
Chang Kong extended his hand, and a golden-yellow rope appeared.
The Immortal Binding Rope, a restraining spiritual device used to bind errant cultivators.
After binding Shen Qingyun, Chang Kong searched him and found two Qian Kun bags. Whether intentionally or not, he ignored the white storage ring on Shen Qingyun’s finger, which emitted a faint milky glow. During the search, Chang Kong even lifted his white robe, and when it fell back, it conveniently concealed the storage ring.
Holding the two Qian Kun bags, Chang Kong shook them before Wu Shi and said, “Satisfied?”
Wu Shi smiled brightly. “Satisfied, of course I am.”
“Hmph!”
Chang Kong grunted and turned to the Cangyun Sect leader. “Sect Leader Senior Brother, please arrange for others to escort him to the Discipline Hall. I will go and extinguish his Life Lamp...”
The Cangyun Sect leader closed his eyes and nodded. Chang Kong felt heavy inside—if he were Shen Qingyun in that situation, he would have made the same choice.
Yet this world valued strength above all. The Cangyun Sect leader felt a deep helplessness rising within him. Without power, such helplessness prevailed. At times like this, unable even to protect one’s own disciple, what use was such a sect leader?
The Life Lamp—when a person dies, the lamp is extinguished. Conversely, extinguishing the lamp meant expulsion from the sect.
The Cangyun Sect leader summoned two attendants to escort Shen Qingyun to the Discipline Hall.
...
“What did you say? Senior Chief Shen was captured and taken to the Discipline Hall?”
“Didn’t Senior Chief just earn great merit? Wasn’t he just honored as the best among the Five Sects by the sect leader?”
“Yes, but why is he being taken away now?”
“It’s true. My brother’s elder works at the Discipline Hall and personally sent me a message talisman. He said Senior Chief Shen killed the Demon King’s offspring, which is why he was captured and will be handed over tomorrow!”
“What!?”
News of Shen Qingyun’s capture spread like a plague throughout the entire Cangyun Sect.
A single stone stirred a thousand waves. The news plunged the whole sect into endless disputes and uproar.
Some disciples believed Shen Qingyun was innocent, acting in self-defense.
Others thought he brought this upon himself and that if he had handed over the treasure, none of this would have happened.
Both sides clung to their views, arguing incessantly.
Qiao Xinran looked at the chaotic scene before her, the words of Shen Qingyun’s capture echoing in her mind. Suddenly, her pale face turned ashen. Panicked, she rushed toward Flower Valley.
...
“Sister, sister! Something bad happened! Young Master Shen has been caught!”
Qiao Xinran ran back to Flower Valley and shouted outside Qiao Xinyu’s cave. Suddenly, she sensed something amiss and reached out.
The protective barrier that was supposed to be there had vanished.
Qiao Xinran stepped inside to find the cave in disarray—tables and stools smashed to pieces.
“Sister, where are you?”
Her eyes lost their light. Staggering back two steps, she murmured to herself. Suddenly she turned and ran out like a madwoman with only one thought—find her master.
Only her master could help her now.