Chapter Sixty Ends

However, the hope that had just kindled in his heart was shattered by Feng Chuxun’s sword. For he saw that Feng Chuxun’s blade did not falter in the slightest at his grandfather’s words.

Wang Peike, incensed, wrapped a pebble in spiritual power and hurled it forward.

A metallic clang rang out as the pebble deflected Feng Chuxun’s sword.

Feng Chuxun took two steps back, feeling a sharp pain in his palm. His gaze grew instantly cold.

Seeing the look in Feng Chuxun’s eyes, Wang Can was seized by terror. Just then, Wang Peike descended to his side, and Wang Can, as if finally finding his backbone, scurried behind his grandfather and shot Feng Chuxun a defiant glare.

Catching Wang Can’s challenging gaze, Feng Chuxun’s fury flared. He raised his sword and strode toward Wang Can.

Wang Can shrank further behind Wang Peike.

Wang Peike glared fiercely at Feng Chuxun, barking, “What do you think you’re doing?”

Feng Chuxun halted, his expression icy. “Does the Steward Elder also intend to meddle in matters between disciples?”

Wang Peike snorted. “You, as a senior disciple, would bully your junior with force. How could I, as elder, stand idly by?”

Hearing Wang Peike’s righteous words, many disciples around them inwardly scoffed. If your grandson weren’t involved, would you have intervened?

Still, they found it all rather novel. Who would have thought Wang Can would deliberately provoke the Sword Madman? Didn’t he know a tiger’s tail is not to be touched?

Wang Peike intended only to stop Feng Chuxun, for behind him stood Hong Feng as well.

He lowered his head in thought, then glanced at his grandson hiding behind him. He truly wished to ask Wang Can what on earth he had said in Feng Chuxun’s quarters to provoke this madman to draw his sword.

“Enough. Turn around and leave now, and I will not pursue the matter further,” Wang Peike declared.

“Grandfather!” Wang Can exclaimed in shock. How could it end like this? This madman had truly meant to kill him!

“Silence!”

Wang Peike shot him a glare. Wang Can shrank back, mumbling no more.

“Does the Steward Elder think I am so easily swayed?” came a voice, causing Wang Peike to narrow his eyes and look over. “What, do you intend to defy me?” he asked.

If Feng Chuxun dared, Wang Peike would have grounds to report him to the Disciplinary Hall.

“Your intentions?” Feng Chuxun’s tone was light, but his right hand tightened on his sword. “What intentions do you have?”

Wang Peike’s face darkened with anger. “Insolent! How dare you speak to me that way!”

Feng Chuxun lifted his sword calmly. “Speak to you that way? If you don’t step aside, even as Steward Elder, I will strike at you all the same!”

At these words, many disciples were secretly astounded. In half a year’s absence, Feng Chuxun had become even more heedless—daring to speak so to the Steward Elder!

Wang Peike was so furious he laughed. He glared at Feng Chuxun. “Today I will not step aside. Let’s see what you can do to me!”

With this, Feng Chuxun drew his sword, spiritual power swirling along the blade.

Wang Peike nonchalantly extended his hand, and a shield of spiritual energy appeared before him. Feng Chuxun’s sword struck the barrier—inevitably, yet to no effect.

Wang Peike sneered, “Pathetic. Without achieving the Spirit Manifestation stage, you will never know its terror! You could never break my spiritual barrier.”

Feng Chuxun’s eyes grew colder, and he struck again and again. Yet the shield remained utterly unmoved.

“Enough!” A chilling voice exploded in the air, resonating in both Feng Chuxun’s and Wang Peike’s ears, arresting their movements.

Feng Chuxun turned to see Xu Lingfeng standing upon a tree, his gaze indifferent as it fixed upon them.

Startled, Wang Peike hastily withdrew his shield and bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Peak Master!”

Xu Lingfeng said nothing, his eyes never leaving Feng Chuxun.

Feng Chuxun met his gaze for a long moment, then sheathed his sword and nodded. “Peak Master.”

Seeing Feng Chuxun speak, Xu Lingfeng’s expression softened slightly. “You’ve only just left the Reflection Hall. Do you intend to return so soon?”

Xu Lingfeng’s words answered the question lingering in many disciples’ minds. So, in the past half year, Feng Chuxun had been confined to the Reflection Hall.

“I do not,” Feng Chuxun replied with a shake of his head.

“Then behave yourself,” Xu Lingfeng said, turning his gaze to the deferential Wang Peike. “Steward Wang, involving yourself in disciples’ affairs privately, even raising a hand against them—how am I to handle this?”

Wang Peike trembled, hastening to explain, “Peak Master, let me explain, it was all because he—”

But Xu Lingfeng cut him off. “Enough. I have no desire to hear your explanations. Last time, I turned a blind eye, but if I do not discipline you now, will you come to see this Bamboo Peak as your private domain?”

Wang Peike was aghast. “I would not dare!”

“Wouldn’t dare?” Xu Lingfeng sneered. “As the Resource Hall Steward of Bamboo Peak, you have repeatedly overstepped your bounds. What is there you would not dare?”

He had long since investigated Wang Peike thoroughly, only lacking an opportunity to act. Today’s incident provided the perfect chance.

“In light of your many years of dedicated service to Bamboo Peak, I shall allow you to retire and live out your days in peace.”

At the mention of retirement, many disciples exchanged odd glances. Those at the Spirit Manifestation stage could live two centuries, and Wang Peike was not yet a hundred. In cultivation terms, he was still considered young. Now Xu Lingfeng was ordering him to retire!

Seeing Wang Peike about to speak, Xu Lingfeng asked, “Do you have an objection?”

Wang Peike opened his mouth, but in the end said only, “As you command…”

Behind him, Wang Can’s face was ashen. This sudden turn of events left him unable to accept reality. He could not understand why Xu Lingfeng had targeted his grandfather when all had seemed so normal.

Now, it was over. His pillar of support was gone…