CHAPTER 52: CHAPTER 52: JUST LIKE YOU

The Eighth Hall each have their own distinct location within the sect, and the Law Enforcement Hall is situated near the Celestial Punishment Peak of the Inner Five Peaks. This peak has two summits with sheer cliffs in between, looking as if it were split in two by a sword from afar.

Legend has it that during ancient times, a Demon King fled to this place, and the heavenly punishment descended upon him. Lightning, like a guillotine, fell from the sky, beheading the Demon King atop this mountain, even splitting the peak in two, hence the name.

The Law Enforcement Hall’s location here also signifies the sect’s laws and Heavenly Might, serving as a warning to the sect’s disciples.

Lu Chengfeng followed Li Qian up the Celestial Punishment Peak, stopping at a mid-mountain path to veer into a gorge. Lifting their gaze, they saw cliffs on both sides with waterfalls cascading down, forming a pool deep in the gorge.

Beside this pool stood a thatched cottage, with a figure in a straw raincoat fishing by the shore.

Basking in the sunlight, the waterfalls roared down the cliffs like thunder, casting waves and spraying water, yet the figure remained motionless as if asleep.

Li Qian led Lu Chengfeng closer to the person and respectfully clasped his fist in salute, saying, "Master, I have brought Junior Brother Lu Chengfeng here."

"Disciple greets the Great Elder," Lu Chengfeng took the initiative to greet.

That person, in a languid tone, said, "Qian’er, you may retreat. Let child Chengfeng accompany me here."

Li Qian retreated quietly after saluting.

Only then did the Great Elder turn to look at Lu Chengfeng. His face was incredibly youthful and handsome, like a seventeen or eighteen-year-old youth, but his shoulder-length silver hair added a touch of eeriness.

Lu Chengfeng was taken aback, mainly not expecting the Great Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall to appear so.

"Sit down, child. If you don’t mind, join this old man here by the cold pool and fish for a while, shall we?" The Great Elder spoke gently, devoid of any trace of age.

"I shall obey." Lu Chengfeng was straightforward, noticing a prepared straw raincoat nearby, he put it on and sat down on the ground.

Taking a fishing rod placed beside him, he observed that it lacked a hook or bait, yet he cast the line into the pool, feigning fishing.

"Hahaha, you are an interesting child," the Great Elder couldn’t help laughing, "Do you think I am just putting on a facade here?"

"Lo and behold, as a big fish is about to arrive, let me show you my catch."

As he spoke, he exerted slight force on his palm, the fishing pole suddenly raised, and out came a large fish over two feet long with entirely silver scales and a bright red tail from the pool.

"Cold-Scaled Fire-Tailed Fish, Ha! You are in for a treat today." With a precise flick of the fishing pole by the Great Elder, the fish landed accurately into the basket beside him.

"The pool water under the waterfall is peculiar, naturally a cold pool. It’s said that during ancient times, a Demon King fell here, leaving a rib behind in the depths of the pool, making the waterfall water turn intensely cold upon entering the pool."

"This Cold-Scaled Fire-Tailed Fish’s fiery tail is said to have been nourished by the Demon King’s blood essence, not only possessing a unique flavor but also aiding inner strength cultivation significantly, extremely rare."

Lu Chengfeng’s pupils abruptly constricted while the other spoke, as the fishing rod emitted True Qi from its silk line, forming a semi-transparent hook.

This kind of incredible True Qi cultivation was simply astounding, cutting out Sword Qi and emitting True Qi across the body were fundamentally completely different realms.

Moreover, controlling True Qi with such meticulous precision, it’s like claiming the Creation of Heaven and Earth, how could one not be amazed?

Only then did Lu Chengfeng know the Great Elder practiced in this manner, sighing, "Great Elder’s work astounds heaven and earth, it’s I who am shallow-minded."

"Haha, you certainly are honest." The Great Elder laughed, "However, perhaps you are most curious why I summoned you here?"

Lu Chengfeng admitted, "Disciple does indeed have this question, I beg the Elder to clarify."

The Great Elder continued holding the fishing rod down, sighed, "I imagine you are beginning to learn the ’Five Elements Returning to Origin Sword Scripture’, aren’t you? You likely don’t know that Xun Shuijing and I trained under the same Master, both pupils of the previous sect leader."

"Under the Master, I ranked second, he was fifth; you ought to call me ’Elder Brother’."

Lu Chengfeng smoothly echoed, promptly calling out ’Elder Brother’.

The Great Elder spoke with complex emotions, "The Fifth Junior Brother was exceptionally gifted, Master once said he possessed the most exceptional potential over a millennium, certainly capable of leading our Yuncang Sword Sect to unprecedented heights."

"Thus he was promptly assigned as Young Sect Leader, breaking tradition and permitting him to study the ’Great Five Elements Extinction Divine Light Sword Manual’, reserved for the sect leader alone."

"Junior Brother did not disappoint Master’s high expectations, achieving Heaven-Reaching Sword Intent in his youth, only a half-step from the Path of the Celestial Human, and he developed the ’Five Elements Returning to Origin Sword Scripture’ himself."

"If one could establish it on the ’Five Elements Returning to Origin Sword Scripture’, it would make the profound ’Great Five Elements Extinction Divine Light Sword’ much easier to comprehend."

"Regrettably..."

Lu Chengfeng remained silent, knowing there were deep secrets tied to Xun Shuijing’s death, unsure of how many people were involved. He refrained from speaking.

The Great Elder continued, "Years ago, Junior Brother suddenly encountered trouble, his whereabouts exposed, attacked by other sects’ experts. Before Master arrived, Junior Brother had already died fighting."

"Understand, Junior Brother had achieved Heaven-Reaching Sword Intent and was studying the ’Great Five Elements Extinction Divine Light Sword Manual’, capable of traveling freely across the world. But those involved in his assault were domain-supporting old relics of various sects, hidden giants of the martial world."

"Some were thought dead by the world, yet suddenly appeared in the attack group."

"That day’s battlefield transformed the winds and clouds, among the twenty-three sages engaging in the attack, twenty were killed on the spot, only three fled. One died soon after due to severe injuries."

Lu Chengfeng knew from the words the battle was strikingly intense. Those participating were supreme experts from all sects, but the outcome was tragically grim.

"Clearly, it was a meticulously set trap, enemies had already woven a Heaven and Earth Net, just waiting for Junior Brother to fall into it." The Great Elder spoke coldly, "If there weren’t spies within the sect, this wouldn’t have been possible."

"But alas, after Junior Brother’s demise, chaos erupted within the sect, several elders perished amid the turmoil. Master suppressed the issue to quell internal disorder and upheaval."

"Resulting in Xun Shuijing’s name becoming a taboo, with few disciples ever knowing."

He paused slightly here, smirking, "But I am unwilling, having secretly investigated for years. Although the enemy is cunning, they inevitably left some traces."

"I’ve long suspected the perpetrator, yet never found solid evidence, only watched as they lived free."

"Just like you, having killed Xiao Qi, without concrete proof, what can outsiders do? What can the Law Enforcement Hall do?"

Lu Chengfeng’s heart was tumultuous, overwhelmed by surging waves, yet outwardly maintaining calm. If it was solely Xiao Qi’s case, the Law Enforcement Hall’s Elder might not have seen him.

He already ascertained, the opponent’s intention in seeing him was undoubtedly not straightforward.