Chapter Thirty-Two: Seeking Justice

“Shen—Shen Junior Brother, what are you doing here?” Ling Xiao exclaimed in surprise.

“If I weren’t here, how would I know what’s happened during my absence?” Shen Qingyun stood with arms folded, leaning against the mountainside.

At Shen Qingyun’s mention, Ling Xiao lowered his head again, falling silent.

“Silent again.” Shen Qingyun sneered, “Do you think silence can make everything as if it never happened?”

Seeing Ling Xiao’s fists clench, Shen Qingyun barked, “Tell me!”

Ling Xiao hesitated for a long moment. Shen Qingyun’s face remained impassive as he turned away, his voice cold: “I’m going to find Senior Brother Su!”

“No!” Ling Xiao suddenly looked up and called after him. “I’ll tell you…”

“Junior Brother Su…he was injured.”

Shen Qingyun’s brow furrowed, a hint of seriousness in his eyes. “Tell me everything.”

“I—” Ling Xiao’s fists tightened, his nails digging deep into his palms.

“Junior Brother Su was gravely injured because he stood up for me,” Ling Xiao said, a streak of crimson blooming in his palm, the pain making his hand tremble. “Yet I did nothing…”

“I met her again,” Ling Xiao said with a bitter smile.

Shen Qingyun raised an eyebrow; he knew exactly whom Ling Xiao meant.

Ling Xiao continued, “All I could think at the time was, if only I could pretend I hadn’t seen her. But my feet moved of their own accord, and before I knew it, I’d blocked her way!”

“When she was about to strike me, Junior Brother Su appeared. He shielded me from all her attacks. And I— I just watched, watched helplessly as he…”

Shen Qingyun fell silent.

This could no longer be called obsession or weakness; this was an illness.

“At first, I thought you were a man of deep feeling, someone worth befriending. But now I see I was wrong! Never have I made such a grave mistake!” Shen Qingyun’s laughter was mocking, aimed at Ling Xiao, yet also at himself.

Ling Xiao just stood there with his head bowed, no matter what Shen Qingyun said.

Shen Qingyun had no wish to speak further. He turned to leave. Just as he did, Ling Xiao called out, “Where are you going?”

“To get justice for Senior Brother Su. In my eyes, he’s far better than you! At the very least, he’s a good-natured fool…”

“I’m going too!” Ling Xiao declared.

“You?” Shen Qingyun turned slightly, a mocking curl at his lips. “And what use would you be? Better off venting your frustrations on this rock wall!”

Ling Xiao fell silent once more. Shen Qingyun said nothing more, turning and leaving.

Ling Xiao stared blankly ahead for some time. After a while, something new flickered in his eyes, and he started after Shen Qingyun.

On a side peak, nestled beside a stream, stood a courtyard. The sound of flowing water brought a rare tranquility to the heart.

This place had always been the gathering spot for Wu Xier and her followers.

Though the Cloud Sect officially forbade any unrecognized factions, there was no shortage of such groups—each centered around a leader, with many disciples following.

“Hah, these new disciples really don’t know their place, pestering Senior Sister Wu over and over again!”

“Honestly, that new disciple’s been lucky. Let off the first time, and the second time someone even took the beating for him!”

In the courtyard, disciples lounged in small groups, laughing and chatting. Their subject, naturally, was Ling Xiao and Su Ye.

Little did they know, Shen Qingyun had already arrived at the courtyard gate.

“So this is the gathering place for Wu Xier’s little clique,” Shen Qingyun thought, standing at the threshold and gazing at the plain wooden doors, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“Hey, you look unfamiliar. What’s your business here?” An inner sect disciple in white robes approached, eyeing Shen Qingyun suspiciously.

Shen Qingyun’s lips curled faintly. He had come here for this very reason.

“Oh?” The disciple raised an eyebrow in interest. “Are you here to join us, then?”

“No,” Shen Qingyun shook his head.

“Then what are you here for?” The disciple grew more puzzled.

“I’m here to get justice.”

The disciple couldn’t help but laugh at those words, his laughter harsh. Was this man mad? Coming here to get justice? Did he even know where he was? Only someone with true strength—or no sense at all—would dare come here for that.

Judging by Shen Qingyun’s unremarkable presence, it was clearly the latter.

“I really am here to get justice,” Shen Qingyun reiterated as the disciple’s disbelief lingered. Troubles seemed to come looking for him these days, and yet he remained so calm.

“Then tell me—what’s your name?”

“Very well.” Shen Qingyun nodded. “My name is Shen Qingyun.”

The disciple eyed him warily. “You’re Shen Qingyun—the one who ranks first on both lists? You don’t look it.”

Shen Qingyun clicked his tongue to himself. He’d intended to come cause trouble, but seeing things as they were, it seemed rash to make a sudden move.

“Come in, then,” the disciple said, “we’ll talk about your ‘justice’ later.”

Shen Qingyun nodded in agreement. With a creak, the wooden door swung open. All eyes in the courtyard turned to the entrance, but when they saw it was a familiar face, they broke into smiles.

“Zhan Yan, you’re late!” they called.

Zhan Yan, the disciple, spread his hands in mock frustration. “What could I do? You all had your fun fighting. I was left to clean up the mess and got an earful from the elder on duty!”

“Haha, we’ll buy you a drink later to make up for it! You’ve earned it!”

“You said it—I’ll remember that!” Zhan Yan replied with a laugh.

“Of course!”

Zhan Yan then stepped aside, revealing Shen Qingyun behind him.

Several disciples eyed Shen Qingyun, curiosity in their gaze. “And who’s this?”

Zhan Yan glanced at Shen Qingyun, shrugged. “No idea. Says he’s here to get justice.”

“Justice?” At that, a wave of laughter broke out, even harsher than before, thick with scorn for Shen Qingyun.

“Haha, then tell us—on whose behalf are you seeking justice?” one disciple managed, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes.

Shen Qingyun’s expression remained unchanged. “Have you all forgotten what you did today?”

“Today?” At his words, the memories came rushing back.

“You’re here on that new disciple’s behalf?”

Shen Qingyun nodded.

“If you don’t want to end up like that newcomer—flat on your back—then I suggest you turn around and leave!” one disciple sneered after sizing him up.

Shen Qingyun’s eyes cooled at the words. He took a step forward, his right foot stamping down. “Whoever laid a hand on Senior Brother Su today—step forward!”