Volume Two: Troubled Times, Many Twists and Turns Chapter 132: Breaking the Rules, A Glimmer of Hope

It seemed impossible for the Hall Master to have merged with that soul; not only did it violate the laws of heaven and earth, but based on the cold-blooded way he had executed the man, it should have been inconceivable. Yet, for reasons unknown, the fusion had indeed occurred.

Chen Xin suddenly asked, "Do you know whose soul it is?"

"A man named Xiahou Zhi. He was once part of the Thunderous Hall and one of its three top experts. I don't know what he did, but the Hall Master, Wu Chengfeng, executed him personally."

"So, he was a subordinate of the Hall Master? And after the Hall Master killed him with his own hands, their souls merged? Could they be brothers or have some blood relation?"

"It’s unlikely they were brothers. Even if they were, history is full of treacherous subjects who murdered their own siblings or parents, and I’ve never heard of their souls merging. It’s almost impossible; if it were possible, our Taoist texts would have recorded it."

"However, I did hear Steward Yang mention something. He once caught Xiahou Zhi in Wu Chengfeng’s quarters. It wasn't long—he said a few words and left—but Steward Yang noted that it violated the rules of their Kaitian Sect."

"What kind of rules? Isn't it perfectly normal to go into a room to talk? How could that break any rules?" Chen San asked, looking puzzled. It was indeed a trivial matter.

"Every sect and mountain school has its own rules. The Kaitian Sect has one: all matters must be reported to a steward first. Apart from the stewards and their own parents, no one in the sect—not even wives, concubines, or children—is allowed to approach the Hall Master or the Sect Master directly."

"That’s so troublesome?"

"Yes. Only the Sect Master or Hall Masters can summon them, or perhaps during major sect assemblies, the members get a chance to see them. There is a reason for this rule, of course, but Xiahou Zhi broke it by approaching the Hall Master directly."

"Couldn't it be that the Hall Master summoned him? This sect is so strange... what an odd rule to have, breaking it just by speaking! Was Xiahou Zhi executed because he spoke to him?"

"That’s not it; that likely had nothing to do with it. I heard that when he was carrying out an assassination order, he killed one extra person. Other sects came to hold them accountable, and that was why the Hall Master had to execute him personally."

"And who was the extra person he killed?"

"Someone from the Profound Heaven Sect. The assassination order was for a merchant from the Western Regions. Why he was targeted, Steward Yang didn't say. The extra person was a warlock from the Profound Heaven Sect. They happened to be in the same room, so when Xiahou Zhi struck, he killed them both."

"Well, that’s fair, isn't it? An order from above—if that person was in the same room, killing them both is perfectly normal." Chen San maintained his effeminate demeanor, but Chang Yu was listening intently and ignored him.

"That may be so, but this is a matter that could be trivial or grave. On a small scale, killing an extra person during an assassination is no big deal; many factions believe in pulling out the weeds by the roots. But on a larger scale, it’s complicated. Since the victim was from the Profound Heaven Sect, it suddenly became a conflict between the Kaitian Sect and the Profound Heaven Sect. Naturally, they had to provide an explanation."

Chang Yu nodded. "That makes sense. My father used to say that some business deals aren't worth the trouble, no matter how much silver is involved. Business has its rules, and if you break them, you have to accept the consequences."

"The three major sects check and balance one another while also cooperating. When there is war or a threat from evil cults, they stand united, but usually, they fight tooth and nail for the top spot. Regardless, whether Xiahou Zhi intended it or not, he broke the rules between the sects. Once rules are broken, one must accept the punishment. There is nothing more to be said."

"Guessing back and forth won't solve anything! Who knows if he did something bizarre that caused all this? Why don't you dig up everything he did over the past few years? God knows how he ended up like this!"

Yang Chengzi frowned and shook his head. "That is precisely why I have such a headache."

Chen San laughed and said, "You’re just meddling! If you can handle it, then handle it; if it’s a matter of digging up old dirt, go find some immortal to help you. It’s true that Taoists can divine the future, but can you calculate how many grains of rice I ate today?"

Hearing this, Yang Chengzi grew agitated. "Oh! I’m only bothering with this because Steward Yang is the only one who can bring you back to your senses. Otherwise, I would have left long ago. Their souls are already fused; what kind of result can we even expect? You really are ungrateful, biting the hand that feeds you."

"Gross! You're the one who's a dog!" Chen San gave Yang Chengzi a playful, limp-wristed slap on the shoulder. Yang Chengzi nearly lost his temper and considered striking him down.

"Stop it, both of you. Young Master Yang is right. If this isn't resolved, I fear Steward Yang won't help you for nothing. If you keep acting so effeminate, I won't marry you. I'd sooner consider becoming your sworn sister!"

Hearing this, Chen San panicked. If Chen Xin didn't marry him, he would likely be a bachelor for life. He pouted, looking pitifully at Chen Xin, and reached out to grab her hand for comfort, only to have it slapped away with a look of disgust.

"Perhaps you should ask him directly," Chen Xin said, looking at Chen San and pinching his cheek. "Relying on guesses won't work, and even if you guess right, you’ll never know for sure."

Yang Chengzi shook his head again. "If I could ask him, I wouldn't be in this position. He has to be observed from across the room, and he can't even know he's being watched. Even if I asked him, he wouldn't tell me."

"That’s not necessarily true. You haven't asked, so how do you know he wouldn't say? Look, when you mentioned his father earlier, he was able to return to his original self. That shows that the Xiahou Zhi inside him isn't in total control. It might be that he is willing to be like this."

"That's right! Xiahou Zhi has almost completely fused with the life-soul. No, even now, if Xiahou Zhi didn't want him to come out, he wouldn't be able to! Yes, that's it! They are in collusion! Wu Chengfeng is doing this willingly!"

Chang Yu and Chen Xin nodded repeatedly. Seeing this, Yang Chengzi felt a glimmer of hope, but before he could rejoice, he frowned again.

"If he is doing it willingly, he is even less likely to tell me, isn't he? If it's voluntary, why would he tell me anything?"

The four of them were stunned, and a heavy silence descended upon them.

"It is not entirely impossible. He might still have a chance to speak."

As they sat in silence, Chen Wan'er's voice came from behind Chen San. Chen San turned, his wrist limp, wanting to say something, but Chen Wan'er said coldly, "Stop that effeminate act. Don't speak to me, or I fear I might lose control and kill you."

"How mean! It's not like I want to be this way!" Chen San pouted, turned back around, and began examining his nails with an indifferent air.

"Wan'er, ignore him. Tell us, where would this opportunity come from?" Yang Chengzi asked, his interest piqued.

"Ask yourselves: does Wu Chengfeng want to see Xiahou Zhi again?"

The question Chen Wan'er posed was something they hadn't considered, but when they thought about it, it was truly uncertain.

"It's hard to say. Who knows what their situation really is? If they have something to say to each other, they might very well want to meet," Chang Yu suggested.

"Whether they want to meet depends on whether that Hall Master can reach Xiahou Zhi. If they can already see each other, it's meaningless. But if they can't, as Sister Chang Yu said, perhaps the execution of Xiahou Zhi was too rushed, and there might truly be words left unsaid that need to be spoken face-to-face."