Chapter Forty-One: Trouble Arrives

In the blink of an eye, another night had passed. Shen Qingyun slowly exhaled a long, turbid breath. Before him, a patch of dried blood stained the ground. As for his cultivation, it had already fallen to the second level of Qi Refinement.

“One should never recklessly use powers beyond one’s own,” he mused with a wry smile. Everything he had relied on yesterday had far surpassed his current abilities. To be honest, it was almost a miracle that he managed to return to his cave alive.

“I still need to find some lower-level spells suitable for my present state. Otherwise, every move I make is at the level of divine arts or sacred tomes. If I use them too often, my body will be left weak and hollow.” After pondering for a moment, Shen Qingyun decided to visit the Library Pavilion to seek out a couple of spells to study.

But as soon as he stepped outside, he found two disciples clad in white robes standing on either side of his cave entrance.

The moment they saw him, they blocked his path and asked, “Are you the new disciple, Shen Qingyun?”

“I am. What business do you have with me?”

The two disciples wore cold, impassive expressions as one of them said, “As long as it’s you. Elder Wang has summoned you for a matter. Come with us.”

Shen Qingyun was taken aback for a moment, but quickly realized what was happening. Elder Wang—so, it was someone with the surname Wang. The answer was obvious.

“How quick to act. I haven’t even sought you out to settle the score, yet you’re already causing trouble for me,” Shen Qingyun thought to himself. He nodded to them and said, “Very well.”

...

Beneath an ancient pine on Side Bamboo Peak stood a refined pavilion—the residence of the steward elders. At the peak stood the master; directly below him were the steward elders. The hierarchy was clear: Xu Lingfeng was naturally the Peak Master, while a number of steward elders managed various affairs, forming a complete administrative structure.

Shen Qingyun was brought into a room within the pavilion, lavishly furnished, with the fragrance and smoke of burning incense curling through the air. The owner of this room clearly knew how to enjoy life's finer things!

After the two disciples had brought him in, they left. Before long, a man with steady steps entered—the hair and beard of the old man were snow-white, making them stand out all the more against his gray Daoist robe.

He did not spare Shen Qingyun a glance as he entered, heading directly for the chair at the head of the room. Only after sitting did he fix his gaze on Shen Qingyun and speak in a tone filled with authority, “Do you know why I have summoned you here?”

“Is it because I struck someone?” Shen Qingyun answered coolly. In truth, both sides were well aware of the answer.

“So, you’re not ignorant after all!” Wang Peike sneered. “It seems you anticipated what would happen today.”

“I wouldn’t say I was prepared—just that I had my suspicions.”

“Well, since you already guessed, that saves us both some trouble!” Wang Peike’s face turned cold. He barked, “Disciple Shen Qingyun, do you admit your fault?”

“What fault is there to admit?” Shen Qingyun had expected this situation. Since he had come, it was certain they would try to pin some fabricated crimes on him.

“What fault?” Wang Peike’s voice was icy. “First, you attacked your fellow disciples without cause. Second, you failed to show proper respect and greeting upon meeting me, an elder—an egregious offense!”

“Now, do you accept my judgment?” Wang Peike asked.

Shen Qingyun let out a disdainful laugh, showing not the slightest regard for Wang Peike. “An egregious offense—what a grand accusation that is!”

“Insolent!” Wang Peike slammed his hand down on the armrest, pointing at Shen Qingyun. “You dare speak disrespectfully to your elder—another crime added to the list!”

Shen Qingyun remained unmoved. He knew bringing him here was merely to pass judgment, and he himself was curious to see how far they would go.

Now he saw it clearly—nothing more than this.

“So, Elder, may I ask what punishment you intend to impose upon me?” Shen Qingyun’s tone was calm and composed.

“You are to be deprived of three months’ cultivation resources and must offer a sincere apology to Wang Can,” Wang Peike said, eyes fixed on Shen Qingyun. “Do you accept this punishment?” Inwardly, he thought, Without cultivation resources, you’ll soon be desperate.

A soft chuckle escaped Shen Qingyun’s lips, making Wang Peike frown. “What are you laughing at?” he demanded.

“I merely find your methods rather crude, Elder,” Shen Qingyun replied, his gaze brimming with obvious disdain, which sent Wang Peike’s blood surging with rage, his face flushed red.

“Insolent!”

“So many words, and all you can say is ‘insolent’—how dull,” Shen Qingyun tilted his head. “Or is ‘insolent’ the only word you know?”

“Very well, very well…” Wang Peike gritted out. “Since you are so defiant, then I—”

But before he could finish, a disciple hurried in—it was one of those who had brought Shen Qingyun here.

“Elder Wang, the Peak Master is here!”

“What!” Wang Peike was startled, his expression shifting rapidly. What was the Peak Master doing here at this hour?

Another disciple quickly followed, bowing his head respectfully. “Elder, the Peak Master has asked for you by name!”

Wang Peike shot to his feet and stared at Shen Qingyun for a long moment, then shook his head, dismissing the idea as impossible. Shen Qingyun was only a newly joined disciple—how could he have drawn the Peak Master’s attention?

“Keep an eye on him. I’ll go see the Peak Master,” Wang Peike ordered before leaving. But just as he stepped outside, he saw Xu Lingfeng approaching.

For a moment, Wang Peike was flustered, but he quickly composed himself, stepped forward, and bowed respectfully. “Peike greets the Peak Master!”

Xu Lingfeng’s expression was inscrutable as he nodded indifferently, betraying none of his thoughts. The more enigmatic Xu Lingfeng appeared, the more uneasy Wang Peike became. Forcing himself to remain calm, he asked, “What brings the Peak Master here at this hour?”

“This place is still part of Side Bamboo Peak, is it not? As the Peak Master, am I not permitted to visit?” Xu Lingfeng replied.

“No, of course not. It was I who misspoke,” Wang Peike hurried to correct himself.

Xu Lingfeng gave a cold snort. “Now that you’ve seen me, shouldn’t you invite me to your quarters to sit for a while?”

Sweat beaded on Wang Peike’s forehead, but he hesitated, not responding. He dared not—there was too much in his room that he could not allow the Peak Master to see.

“I’m afraid…it’s not convenient…” he stammered.

“Not convenient?” Xu Lingfeng sneered. “And why not? Have you something to hide in your room?”

“No, no, that’s not it…” Wang Peike gritted his teeth. “I am in the midst of interrogating a disciple. It would not be suitable for the Peak Master to witness.”

Since it was bound to come out, better to admit to a little, in hopes of deterring Xu Lingfeng from entering his quarters.

“Oh?” Hearing this, Xu Lingfeng’s smile deepened, but it only grew colder.

“Interrogating a disciple?” he said icily. “Such matters are always the responsibility of the Disciplinary Hall. For Elder Wang to conduct interrogations in private—how bold you must be! Do you take me, your Peak Master, so lightly?”

“I would not dare,” Wang Peike replied, bowing even lower.

Xu Lingfeng swept his sleeve and turned away, coldly commanding, “Deliver the disciple to the Disciplinary Hall. I will wait for you there.” With that, he strode off.

Once Xu Lingfeng had departed, Wang Peike finally let out a long breath. No matter what else happened, as long as Xu Lingfeng did not enter his room, all was well. As for Shen Qingyun, he would have to send him to the Disciplinary Hall for now…

Still, Wang Peike wondered to himself—why was it that, barely after bringing Shen Qingyun here, Xu Lingfeng arrived?

He shook his head, brushing aside the absurd thought. How could the Peak Master possibly concern himself with a new disciple?

But what he did not know was that Xu Lingfeng had come precisely because of Shen Qingyun. Upon receiving word, Xu Lingfeng had come straight here. Shen Qingyun had never lacked for attention…