Chapter 16: Completely Unaware
“Yes, my father sent me to bring you a gift.” With a bright smile, Lin Yichen produced the ice blade.
Elder Chen, seeing this, remained cautious and did not immediately accept the gift; instead, he looked at Zhou Yichen with suspicion.
“Elder Chen, it’s like this: my father wishes to ask you for a favor. He wants you to deal with Lin Hao according to the sect rules,” Zhou Yichen said to Elder Chen.
Elder Chen was startled at heart—so this was all about Lin Hao?
He remained silent.
Zhou Yichen stepped forward with the ice blade and said, “My father told me, if you can help with this matter, this magical artifact will be yours.”
Elder Chen weighed the matter in his heart. He did not know Lin Hao personally and saw no reason to offend Elder Zhou over such a minor figure. His gaze lingered greedily on the artifact.
He nodded in agreement.
Lin Hao remained oblivious to the plot against him.
The next morning, men came to seize Lin Hao, saying he was to be taken to the Hall of Justice for punishment.
Lin Hao was shocked and struggled against their restraint, but barely able to maintain the first level of Qi Refinement, he could not resist.
He was dragged to the Hall of Justice and forced to kneel before the presiding elder.
Lin Hao looked up at the elder, his face flushed with anger. “Elder, what is the meaning of this?”
“Bold thief! You dared trespass in the inner sect and still question my intent? Of course you will be dealt with according to the sect rules,” Elder Chen declared with righteous indignation.
Lin Hao was furious.
Before he could speak, Elder Chen commanded, “Men, deal with him.”
According to the rules, Lin Hao’s offense required him to endure twelve strikes from twelve inner sect disciples. With his frail body, survival was impossible.
Thus, Elder Chen fulfilled the task set by Elder Zhou.
The twelve disciples of the Hall of Justice stood in two rows beside Lin Hao.
The leading disciple raised his hand, ready to strike Lin Hao’s face.
Seeing the blow descend, Lin Hao glared at Elder Chen, his eyes burning with resentment.
A tragic thought crossed his mind—was this the day he would meet his end?
Suddenly, from the sky, two words rang out: “Wait.”
A surge of spiritual energy intervened, blocking the blow.
Everyone looked up to see Qingyun, the sect master, appearing before them.
At the sight of Qingyun, the twelve disciples halted their attack and respectfully saluted him. “Senior Brother Qingyun.”
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Elder Chen’s expression changed; he had never expected Qingyun to come.
Qingyun, a favored candidate for the next sect master, spent most of his time cultivating or traveling. This was the first time he had ever visited Elder Chen’s domain.
Though Elder Chen was an elder, compared to Qingyun, a core disciple, he was insignificant and could not help but show respect.
He stood and addressed Qingyun, “Nephew Qingyun, I am enforcing the sect rules. Why do you intervene?”
Qingyun surveyed the scene serenely and replied, “I’d like to ask you, Elder Chen, which rule allows you to kill so recklessly?”
“This is an internal matter of the Hall of Justice. Outsiders should not interfere. This man trespassed the inner sect last night and must be dealt with according to our rules,” Elder Chen replied sternly.
In truth, Elder Chen held little regard for Qingyun, seeing him as similar to Elder Zhou. Especially in the Hall of Justice—a place where no disciple escaped unscathed—what did it matter if Lin Hao died? Would the sect master offend him for the sake of an outer disciple? Ridiculous.
But he dared not say this to Qingyun; though his face remained calm, he harbored resentment.
Elder Chen thought a few explanations would suffice for Qingyun to leave.
Unexpectedly, Qingyun approached Lin Hao and asked, “Is what Elder Chen said true?”
Lin Hao realized Qingyun was his only opportunity and replied with anger, “I did trespass last night, but I had a reason.”
“No matter the reason, you trespassed. Rules are for everyone, no exceptions,” Elder Chen quickly interjected.
Qingyun ignored him and asked Lin Hao, “I want to hear your reason.”
Lin Hao answered, “Senior Brother Qingyun, yesterday I was injured by a Yin-Yang Talisman in the arena and stayed home to recover. But at midnight, I was attacked by unknown assassins and fled for my life, which led me here. I had no choice. Elder Chen refused to listen and sought to punish me without explanation. I protest.”
Upon hearing Lin Hao’s explanation, Elder Chen snapped, “Nonsense! What proof do you have of being attacked? I caught you myself last night; I saw no assassins, only you. You are making excuses. Hmph, you must not be tolerated.”
Qingyun listened, nodded, and said, “You do make a point, Elder Chen. However, I know Lin Hao’s situation well—I was present at yesterday’s arena. I believe he is not lying. Given that, I will take Lin Hao away. When he recovers, we will decide this matter.”
“Impossible!” Elder Chen’s eyes widened at Qingyun’s words.
If Lin Hao were taken away, Elder Chen would not only fail Elder Zhou’s task but Qingyun’s actions would undermine his authority—he could not agree.
But Qingyun was resolute. “Then I must take him today,” he declared.
He had no intention of further debate and issued a direct order.
Elder Chen’s face darkened. “Qingyun, this is the Hall of Justice. I welcome you for the sake of the sect master, but you have no authority here!”
Qingyun responded, “If I have no authority, perhaps this does?” He produced a token.
It was the Sect Master’s Token, which allowed the bearer to exercise the master’s power three times—a privilege granted to Qingyun as the master’s disciple.
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Elder Chen stared at the token. “Qingyun, are you sure you want to use the Sect Master’s Token for this boy?”
“Absolutely. May I take him now?” Qingyun replied, and with a wave of his sleeve, led Lin Hao away.
Elder Chen watched their departing figures in fury, then turned to the twelve disciples and barked, “What are you staring at? Get back to your duties.”
The entire episode left Elder Chen deeply humiliated—not only had Qingyun shamed him, he had failed Elder Zhou’s task as well.
His mood was gloomy and venomous.
He glared at Qingyun’s retreating figure and muttered, “Damn Qingyun, one day your master will no longer be sect leader. Just wait!”
Qingyun brought Lin Hao to the courtyard atop the mountain.
This courtyard belonged to the master of the Clear Wind Sect, perched at its highest point, symbolizing power and status.
As the master’s disciple, Qingyun was permitted to reside there.
The courtyard was arrayed with spirit-gathering formations and filled with spiritual herbs and flowers. Lin Hao felt his breath ease as soon as he entered.
Qingyun seated Lin Hao on a chair in the courtyard.
He sat down himself and checked Lin Hao’s pulse, frowning.
Lin Hao watched silently, his heart full of questions.
Since meeting Qingyun, Lin Hao felt Qingyun had always aided him—first stopping Elder Zhou, now rescuing him from the Hall of Justice.
He wondered what Qingyun’s intentions truly were.
Qingyun withdrew his hand from Lin Hao’s wrist and said, “The Yin-Yang Talisman is truly formidable. Your cultivation has regressed to this extent.”
“Yes, who would have thought the Clear Wind Sect harbored one so malicious?” Lin Hao replied with a mocking look at Qingyun.
Qingyun was not angered; he nodded and asked, “You’re right. So, what are your plans now?”
“Plans? What plans can I make? As a minor disciple of the Clear Wind Sect, now that my strength has fallen so far, I am at the mercy of others. But I am curious, Senior Brother, why do you help me time and again? What is your motive?” Lin Hao’s smile was tinged with bitterness and sarcasm.
“If I said I had no motive, would you believe me?” Qingyun replied with a smile.
“I’m not a three-year-old child,” Lin Hao retorted.
“Very well. Since you insist, I’ll tell you. My target is Zhou Yichen and his father. I wish to rid the Clear Wind Sect of these two cancers,” Qingyun solemnly revealed his purpose.
As soon as Lin Hao heard this, the system chimed in, “Reminder: One of your tasks is to eliminate Zhou Yichen and his father.”
The sudden system prompt startled Lin Hao.
But Qingyun’s goal happened to align perfectly with his own mission.
Lin Hao looked at Qingyun and said, “I can agree to your request. But what can you offer me in return?”
“Rest assured, since you’ve agreed, we are partners. I will support you, give you the power and status you need to confront Zhou Yichen and his father.”