CHAPTER 53: CHAPTER 53: THE DISCIPLE DOES NOT DARE TO DISOBEY

Lu Chengfeng feigned ignorance and asked, "Why say such things, Great Elder? I have already heard Senior Brother Zhou Tong mention Xiao Qi’s death, but it truly has nothing to do with me. I hope the Great Elder can see clearly."

The Great Elder just smiled upon hearing this, letting the waterfall plunge into the pool, creating endless ripples, but his hand holding the fishing rod remained motionless, "Some matters within the sect require rules, require evidence."

"But likewise, sometimes, some things, for us people of the martial world, require no evidence."

"Just like I am certain that Master Xun was assassinated, Zhu Yuxian must have been involved."

This statement was truly like a thunderclap, causing Lu Chengfeng, a man of considerable shrewdness, to change his expression immediately, with surging waves in his heart, he blurted out: "How is that possible?"

"Exactly, how is that possible?" The Great Elder sighed in a leisurely tone: "The two of them were deeply affectionate as a married couple, joined as one. If Junior Brother Xun had become Sect Leader, she would have been the Sect Leader’s wife. No one would have thought she would participate in harming Junior Brother Xun."

"Back then, in order to uncover the rift within the sect, two elders from Profound Crane Peak died because of it, yet in the end, nothing was found."

"Ha, back then, everyone dared not continue the investigation. If it really involved Zhu Yuxian, it would be a huge scandal, bringing shame to the sect. Even if we dealt with her, it would cause a greater turmoil."

"She is, after all, the Young Sect Leader’s wife. The Young Sect Leader had just passed; forcing his wife to death along with him, how would the disciples see it? How would the world view it?"

The Great Elder’s tone was gloomy, occasionally letting out a cold laugh. "Though no evidence was found back then, it’s not like the upper ranks of the sect weren’t suspicious of Zhu Yuxian, but due to various concerns, the matter had to be temporarily suppressed."

"For all these years, I have been investigating in secret, and finally found some clues."

At this moment, Lu Chengfeng wished he could cover his ears immediately and turn around to flee. Being tangentially connected to the secrets and struggles at such a high level within the sect, someone like him, a mere True Disciple, would only get obliterated in such turbulence.

Moreover, the fact that the Great Elder suddenly called him here to casually reveal such a secret affair—what was the true intention behind it?

Just thinking about it sent chills down his spine; his mind raced with all sorts of thoughts, and he suddenly made a decisive move, standing up and saying resolutely: "Great Elder, please allow me to take my leave."

"I do not know whether this matter is true or false, and I have no intention to investigate. Master Zhu is my mentor, and whether emotionally or rationally, I should not listen to others’ slander of my master."

"I will consider today’s affair as unheard of. Farewell!"

It must be said that Lu Chengfeng’s action was extremely decisive, and what he said was reasonable. Seeing that the situation was not favorable, he withdrew immediately.

Unfortunately, since the Great Elder personally summoned him here, how could he possibly let him leave so easily?

"You little fellow, you really are slippery and clever."

"But this matter is of great significance, and you are a talent of the sect. This old man doesn’t want you to lose your life in confusion, which is why I called you here. Don’t fail to recognize good intentions!"

Lu Chengfeng was about to move when he felt an invisible pressure enveloping his body, making it impossible to move a fraction, but the pressure was fleeting, clearly just a warning.

His expression was uncertain, but in the end, he merely gave a dry laugh, turned around, sat down again, and said, "Then I will consider today merely listening to a story, and after today, I’ll forget it all."

The Great Elder couldn’t help but laugh twice, laughing and cursing: "You really are a slippery one, but suit yourself. Knowing some things, how to choose is up to you."

Lu Chengfeng made no comment, "Then I shall respectfully obey, and continue listening to the Great Elder’s story."

The Great Elder smiled, his eyes gazing at the bottomless pool, as the waterfall crashed from the cliff into the cold pool, producing a thunderous roar, echoing all around.

"At first, I couldn’t figure it out no matter what. Zhu Yuxian simply had no reason to betray Junior Brother Xun, to betray the sect."

"So for many years, I was half-believing, half-doubting, but until recently, I finally made a new discovery."

He paused slightly at this point, his tone turning cold, "If Zhu Yuxian was originally a spy from another sect, then everything makes sense."

Listening to this, Lu Chengfeng truly felt his scalp tingle, uneasy, just wanting to escape, but he could only continue listening.

He couldn’t help but curse inwardly, "Damn old thing, why drag me into these old grudges of yours? Truly despicable!"

At this moment, the fishing rod in the Great Elder’s hand suddenly twitched as if another big fish had taken the bait. He exerted force naturally with his wrist, lifting the rod, and sure enough, yet another two-foot-long Cold-Scaled Fire-Tailed Fish was hauled up.

"Haha, today seems to be a lucky day, catching two Cold-Scaled Fire-Tailed Fish in a row. Seems like you, little fellow, have some fortune!" The Great Elder threw the catch into the fish basket, a smile unconsciously spreading across his face.

"This is all thanks to the Great Elder’s skills. What does it have to do with me?" Lu Chengfeng was eager for this change in topic and quickly complimented, "If it weren’t for the Great Elder’s skills in Creation, how could such a big fish be pulled from this cold pool?"

The Great Elder merely smiled at this, "I know you’ve always had doubts, about why your master Zhao Changzhen’s death was wrapped up so hastily without any explanation."

"The reason is simple, because his death was likely personally caused by Zhu Yuxian."

Lu Chengfeng took a deep breath, finally suppressing all his smiles, turning to look at the Great Elder, asking somewhat stiffly, "Does the Great Elder have any evidence for this?"

"Evidence?" The Great Elder’s expression was intriguing, yet he continued, "For years I’ve been secretly investigating, but it wasn’t until recently that I discovered Zhu Yuxian had covert contacts with Zhao Changzhen."

"And Zhao Changzhen’s identity is even more interesting; he and Xiao Qi were both disciples of the Celestial Ghost Sect in You State, infiltrating the sect from Outer Peak disciples two decades ago, gradually becoming Outer Peak Elders."

"I was just about to follow the vine to uncover more details and clues, but then Zhao Changzhen was suddenly silenced."

"Who do you think did that?!"

Lu Chengfeng remained silent, refraining from speaking further. Just as the Great Elder had said, for people of the martial world, many things require no evidence.

"Xiao Qi was an Outer Peak elder within the sect, but he was a spy for another sect, harboring ill-intentions and committing many evil deeds, deserving his death long ago." The Great Elder said, "Moreover, he bore malice and murderous intent toward you, killing him was rightfully justified."

"But you acted without regard for the sect’s rules, to silence, killing five people including his disciples, concubine, and handmaidens. This violated our Law Enforcement Hall’s rules."

"I punish you with half a year of confinement on Bixiao Peak, do you accept?"

Lu Chengfeng only paused momentarily before saying, "Xiao Qi’s death was unrelated to me, but the Great Elder’s admonition, I dare not disobey, I am willing to be confined for half a year, to clear my mind and see nature."

The Great Elder could not help but laugh upon hearing this: "Truly teachable, go then!"