Chapter 105: Prison Break

“Sigh, Old Wang, what do you think those above are really thinking? A perfectly good disciple, and they just expel him like that. Not long ago, they were still calling him the hope of the sect’s future.”

In a corner of the Discipline Hall’s main chamber, a silver light barrier surrounded Shen Qingyun, yet it did not block his sight or the sounds from outside. Despite his predicament, Shen Qingyun remained calm, seemingly unafraid of what was to come.

The two stewards who had escorted him to the hall stood watch over him.

“Who knows? How could we guess what those above are thinking?” The steward on the left, known as Old Wang, sneered. “If we could guess, we’d be not far from them ourselves.”

“That’s true,” the steward on the right nodded in agreement.

Suddenly, the main door of the Discipline Hall opened, drawing the stewards’ attention. Upon recognizing the visitor, they both bowed deeply in unison. “Greetings, Grand Elder!”

The newcomer was Chang Kong, now dressed in a pristine white Taoist robe. As he walked, the hem of his robe fluttered slightly, revealing the faint semblance of his youthful appearance. It was evident that Chang Kong had once been a man of charm and distinction in his younger years.

“Hmm.”

Chang Kong nodded coolly. “Leave this to me from here on. You may withdraw.”

With his indifferent command, the two stewards dared not disobey. They bowed once more to Chang Kong before stepping out of the hall.

Now, only Chang Kong and Shen Qingyun remained inside. Shen Qingyun looked at him through the light barrier; Chang Kong’s gaze met his steadily. For a moment, neither spoke, the only sound being the crackling of the firewood burning within the hall.

After a long pause, Chang Kong waved his sleeve, dispelling the formation. Instantly, all barriers between them vanished.

“Do you resent everything the sect has done to you?” Chang Kong asked lightly.

Shen Qingyun let out a soft chuckle. “What good comes from resentment? And what if I don’t resent?”

“Resentment ensures the sect remains etched in your heart. No resentment means the sect is nothing more than that to you.” Chang Kong stared intently, speaking with measured calm.

“But I truly do not resent the sect,” Shen Qingyun said with a faint smile, his thoughts inscrutable.

Chang Kong pursed his lips, choosing not to continue along that thread. “I don’t know what happened back then, but the fact remains—you killed the offspring of the Demon King. Facing such a colossal demon, the Cangyun Sect is nothing.”

He sighed deeply, then added, “Still, it’s unfair to you.”

“For the sect, someone must bear the injustice. Isn’t that so?”

Chang Kong was surprised by this. Someone must suffer injustice. Shen Qingyun was willing to suffer for the sect? This stirred something within him. If Shen Qingyun still held the sect in some regard, then all he had done was not in vain.

“Besides, if I wanted to leave, who in the vast Cangyun Sect could stop me?” Shen Qingyun’s lips curled slightly. His words, though soft, carried undeniable dominance and confidence.

“Yes.” Chang Kong nodded bitterly. Even if he was reluctant to admit it, the truth was clear—if Shen Qingyun desired to leave, no one could or dared to stop him.

Silence descended again. Shen Qingyun said nothing, waiting for Chang Kong’s next words. He naturally did not believe this was a casual visit.

Chang Kong said nothing, but his eyes were complicated and shifting.

“Would that you hadn’t killed the Demon King’s offspring,” Chang Kong finally sighed after a long pause.

“It’s done. What use is regret?” Shen Qingyun replied. “Besides, a mere offspring of the Demon King—what harm is there in killing it?”

“You don’t understand how terrifying the Demon King is,” Chang Kong said, shaking his head.

Shen Qingyun did not respond, inwardly dismissing his words. Only those who have climbed the highest mountains understand the vastness of the world. On this boundless land of Divine Continent, what is a Demon King?

At some point, a bronze oil lamp appeared in Chang Kong’s hand, though the flame inside had long since extinguished.

“This is your life lamp, but it’s gone out.” Chang Kong said. “From the moment the flame was extinguished, you ceased to be a disciple of the Cangyun Sect. You have no ties with the sect anymore!”

With that, Chang Kong waved his hand, releasing three strips of spiritual energy that struck the binding immortal ropes imprisoning Shen Qingyun. The ropes were severed, breaking into three segments that fell to the ground. Shen Qingyun was free once more!

A flicker of confusion crossed Shen Qingyun’s eyes as he looked at Chang Kong, as if silently asking what this meant.

Meeting Shen Qingyun’s gaze, Chang Kong’s expression turned stern. “Shen Qingyun, to evade responsibility, you destroyed the sect’s spiritual binding ropes and broke the formation, injuring two steward elders in the process. You’ve fled the sect!”

Suddenly, Shen Qingyun understood—Chang Kong was creating an opportunity for him to escape.

A faint warmth touched Shen Qingyun’s heart. It was unnecessary, yet he was moved.

He cupped his hands in gratitude, then resolutely bypassed Chang Kong and headed for the Discipline Hall’s main door.

Chang Kong turned, watching Shen Qingyun’s retreating figure, murmuring, “The sect is powerless, unable to protect its own disciples. But no matter how powerless the Cangyun Sect is, no matter how powerless I am as your master, I will not stand idly by and watch my disciple suffer such injustice!”

“Go. The farther you go, the better!”

“If you grow strong someday, I hope you return once more, so this old man can see that today’s decision was not wrong.”

Shen Qingyun paused at the door, not looking back. “Master, keep my life lamp safe. One day, I will return to relight it.” With that, he stepped beyond the Discipline Hall.

“All right, all right...” Chang Kong nodded, moisture gathering in his eyes.

…

Looking back at the Discipline Hall, Shen Qingyun felt a deep sense of entanglement with the Cangyun Sect. He exhaled slowly, then turned and vanished like a ghost into the forest. In the vast darkness of night, he seemed to disappear entirely.

As he moved through the trees, his expression suddenly changed. Ahead, he sensed several auras approaching—ones he had never felt before, yet they did not feel completely alien.

“Could it be I’ve been discovered so soon?” Shen Qingyun thought, the lead presence drawing near.

“Who’s there?”

Shen Qingyun suddenly spoke, whether friend or foe, he had to ask first. Chang Kong, having allowed him to leave, had surely prepared thoroughly.

Whoosh!

The leading figure drew a weapon upon hearing Shen Qingyun’s voice. A gleam of cold light flashed as a sword beam shot fiercely toward Shen Qingyun.

The sword beam was sharp and carried a strong sword intent.

It was precisely this sword intent that told Shen Qingyun who the attacker was.

Shen Qingyun clenched his right fist, spiritual power surging to form a translucent spirit fist. With one punch, he shattered the sword beam, then relaxed his force.

Seeing his sword beam dispersed, the swordsman prepared to strike again. At that moment, Shen Qingyun spoke again, “Wait, it’s me!”

“Huh?”

The swordsman hesitated, lowering his sword halfway.

“Senior Brother Feng, what’s wrong?”

From behind, hurried voices sounded, and two figures swiftly approached.

“Nothing,” Feng Chuxun said calmly.

“Nothing, huh? You were about to strike hard just now, weren’t you?” Shen Qingyun smiled wryly.

“Oh? Senior Brother Shen?” The two figures behind Feng Chuxun exclaimed with surprise.

“Indeed, Ling Xiao, Su Ye, good to see you both,” Shen Qingyun grinned.

Feng Chuxun sheathed his sword and asked, “Out so late, you escaped?”

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that? Why are you out here at this hour instead of training or resting?” Shen Qingyun countered.

“To break you out.”

Three voices spoke simultaneously, each carrying a distinct tone.

“Break me out? Rescue me?” Shen Qingyun was incredulous. These three dared to storm the Discipline Hall itself—bold to the extreme. Yet, beneath his disbelief, he was touched. At least, in the Cangyun Sect, he was not without friends.

Feng Chuxun nodded. “They came to me today, saying you would be handed over to the Demon King tomorrow. The only chance to save you is tonight. I can come and go freely in the Discipline Hall, so I brought them along to help.”

Shen Qingyun sized him up, blinking once. “Fine, I’ll pretend to believe you.”

He smiled. “I appreciate your intentions, but you’ve seen the situation. I escaped on my own. Now, in addition to the crime of killing the Demon King’s offspring, I’m also guilty of fleeing to avoid punishment. I’ll be hunted sooner or later!”

“You’re different from us. You should go back. Don’t drag us down!”

Ling Xiao and Su Ye’s faces darkened. “Senior Brother Shen, how can you say that? We came to save you out of genuine concern. Whether it’s a burden or not, it doesn’t matter!”

“At worst, we escape together! We’ll grow stronger and come back. Let’s see who can stop us then!” Su Ye puffed out his chest, brimming with confidence.

Ling Xiao remained silent, but his gaze and demeanor showed he shared the same resolve.

Shen Qingyun could tell their intentions were sincere. While grateful, he also felt a touch of helplessness. It wasn’t disdain—if he were alone, escaping after being discovered wouldn’t be as problematic. But if he brought them along, what if something happened? They were outnumbered; he couldn’t protect them all.

“Ling Junior Brother, you’re not going to look after Junior Sister Wu anymore?” Shen Qingyun rubbed his forehead in exasperation.

“I am,” Ling Xiao replied. “But in my current state, she won’t pay me any mind. Like Su Junior Brother said, we’ll grow stronger and come back. Then, let’s see who stops me!”

Shen Qingyun: “... Then let’s go. We’ll talk after we’re out of the Cangyun Sect.”

Ling Xiao’s words left him momentarily speechless. But staying any longer risked being caught, and then there’d be no chance to leave.

…

Once outside the Cangyun Sect, Shen Qingyun looked up at the starry sky and breathed deeply. Suddenly, he felt much lighter. Was it because he no longer bore the title of Cangyun Sect disciple?

He looked down at Ling Xiao and Su Ye. “Junior Brothers Ling and Su, it’s time for you to go back.”

“Huh? Didn’t we agree to leave together?” Ling Xiao asked in surprise.

“I said after we left the sect. Now that we’re out, I’ve changed my mind.”

“How can you do this, Senior Brother Shen!” Su Ye glared at him, eyes filled with grievance.

“It’s not that—” Shen Qingyun was helpless. Don’t make it sound like I’m some heartless traitor.

“There’s a five-thousand-strong army of demon beasts at the sect’s outskirts, all at Foundation Establishment level. How do you expect to survive leaving under these conditions?” Feng Chuxun said calmly. As a true disciple, he knew far more than the other two.

They fell silent. Feng Chuxun pressed on, “Or are you expecting us to protect you while breaking through their siege?”

“This...” Ling Xiao and Su Ye exchanged glances and lowered their heads. “That’s not what we meant...”

“If that’s the case, then obediently go back. Focus on your training in the Cangyun Sect—that’s what you should be doing.”

Shen Qingyun looked at Feng Chuxun, surprised at how effortlessly he persuaded them.

Sensing the right moment, Feng Chuxun added, “It’s not like we’ll never see each other again. Train hard, and when you’re strong enough, you can come find us.”

“Besides, if you want to pursue Junior Sister Wu, you’ll need some advice. Junior Brother Su fits that role perfectly,” Feng Chuxun said, looking at Ling Xiao.

“Senior Brother Feng makes a good point,” Su Ye reluctantly nodded. Though disappointed to not accompany Shen Qingyun, Feng Chuxun’s words were true.

“Then we’ll head back.” Ling Xiao spoke, with Su Ye close behind, both reluctant to leave.

Watching them return, Shen Qingyun looked toward Feng Chuxun.

Feng Chuxun met his gaze calmly. “Why are you looking at me? I’m not leaving you until you master your Sword God Manual.”

Seeing Feng Chuxun’s unyielding stance, Shen Qingyun couldn’t help but smile wryly.