Chen Chao let Chen Wannian and his son head up the mountain first.
Chen Wannian did not know what this Lord Warden Commander was planning, but he did not object, he simply followed instructions.
On the way, seeing his son looking so excited, Chen Wannian grew a little curious and asked, “You trust him that much?”
Chen Lian nodded. “Lord Warden Chen is very straightforward. I don't think he would deceive us.”
Chen Wannian nodded as well and said, “That’s what I think too. But in this world, one must still be careful, don't trust others so easily, or one day you'll be left with nothing.”
Chen Lian smiled. “Father, you worry too much.”
Chen Wannian said nothing, only continued on toward the mountain with a heavy heart.
Because Windspirit Mountain was founded by itinerant cultivators, its layout lacked the rigid structure and rules seen in the orthodox daoist sects. Instead, it had a more casual feel. On either side of the mountain path stood many stone tablets, engraved with the nas of cultivators who had rendered great service to the mountain through the years. By now, Chen Wannian was more than qualified to have his na inscribed there, but as Windspirit Mountain had never favored him, it had never happened, which was also sothing Chen Wannian had long since co to expect.
Halfway up the path, a patrolling disciple spotted this martial artist, whose na was well known in the foreign lands, and called out with a smile, “Martial Uncle Chen, back so soon? Looks like things went smoothly!”
In truth, Chen Wannian had no formal master. He had started out as a nial worker and achieved everything by his own hand, but he was a Nepenthe martial artist after all. After stepping into the Nepenthe, Windspirit Mountain had reluctantly allowed him to be listed as a disciple under a deceased Nepenthe cultivator. That way, he at least had nominal mastership, and the other disciples had a proper title to address him with.
Chen Wannian smiled faintly and simply nodded, saying nothing more.
A few of the patrolling disciples knew that this Martial Uncle Chen had always had a good temper, so they boldly asked, “Martial Uncle, when will you teach us the thod for tempering the body? We want to learn too.”
Chen Wannian glanced at them and shook his head. “It's bitter work, there's no need. Just focus on mastering your daoist techniques. Don't think too much about other things.”
With that, Chen Wannian turned and walked toward the main peak without looking back. But after only a few steps, a middle-aged man appeared on the path ahead, his face ashen. When he saw Chen Wannian, he approached and scolded him in a low voice, “Chen Wannian, are you out of your mind?!”
Chen Wannian looked up, confused. “What do you an by that, Chief Enforcer?”
The Chief Enforcer lowered his voice and said, "You killed people from Lonely Moon Peak. Did you think others wouldn't know?"
Chen Wannian was taken aback. He had not expected the news to spread so quickly.
After all, it had not taken him much ti to return from that lonely mountain to Windspirit Mountain. If it was the lonely mountain that sent the ssage, it was possible. But logically speaking, once they knew Chen Chao's identity, they would not dare send a ssage so rashly.
After all, would such a small, insignificant sect dare provoke the Lord Warden Commander of Great Liang?!
But since the other party already knew, Chen Wannian had no intention of hiding it. Since Chen Chao had not given any special instructions, he spoke according to his own thoughts: "The people from Lonely Moon Peak wanted to kill . If I didn't resist, I would really have been killed by them."
The Chief Enforcer said angrily, "Foolish! You could've just driven them off, or let them bring you back to the mountain. Wouldn't our Wuwang Peak have stepped in afterward? Now that you’ve killed them, once this matter gets exposed, do you think you'll still have a foothold in Windspirit Mountain?!"
"But do I even have a foothold in Windspirit Mountain now?" Chen Wannian looked at the Chief Enforcer before him and sighed. He asked, "How is my wife?"
The Chief Enforcer suppressed his anger. "Your esteed wife is still fine for now. But once your matter gets exposed, I fear no one will be able to escape the fallout."
Chen Wannian said, "You promised before that you'd guarantee her safety."
"That was then, this is now. Don't you understand the situation? I still have to see if I can help cover this up for you."
The Chief Enforcer's expression was ugly. Chen Wannian was one of their greatest sources of support, not just because of his own cultivation level, but more because of the prestige he held on the mountain. s̈
If this matter got exposed, then all that prestige would beco aningless.
Chen Wannian frowned and said, "They were the ones who tried to harm . Can't I just explain the situation clearly?"
"You're really delusional. Lonely Moon Peak is directly under the Mountain Lord. Even if you had ten mouths, could you talk your way out of this?"
The Chief Enforcer's expression was ugly. At this mont, he even had the urge to kill Chen Wannian on the spot. Killing people from Lonely Moon Peak, if the other side took this chance to press the issue, then Chen Wannian this chess piece would be completely useless.
So much for the arrangent as well.
Chen Wannian remained silent.
At that mont, footsteps echoed along the mountain path. A group of cultivators appeared at the end of the trail, looking down at Chen Wannian from above. Soone shouted in rage, "You killed soone and still dared to co back? Chen Wannian, do you really have such guts?"
Chen Wannian's expression was dark.
The Chief Enforcer on the side remained silent as well.
Sure enough, this matter could not be concealed. Lonely Moon Peak had already learned of it so quickly.
A group of people quickly approached this section of the path and surrounded Chen Wannian. The one in the lead cupped his hands toward the Chief Enforcer and said, "Chief Enforcer, this man killed a disciple of our Lonely Moon Peak. I'm going to take him back to the peak for questioning."
The Chief Enforcer furrowed his brows slightly. Though he was reluctant to clash with Lonely Moon Peak, after thinking for a mont, he still said, "You say Chen Wannian killed soone, do you have any evidence?"
The people from Lonely Moon Peak sneered. "Forget about evidence for now. Let's first ask Chen Wannian, did he do it or not?"
Chen Wannian said nothing.
The Chief Enforcer said coldly, "Everything must be based on evidence. If you can't even produce that, and still dare to spout nonsense here, does Windspirit Mountain have no mountain rules anymore?"
His words indeed stumped the group for a mont. But soon, an aged voice rang out, "You've been Chief Enforcer for long enough, are you still eyeing the Mountain Lord's seat?"
An old man whose beard and hair were white stepped forward. He looked calmly at the Chief Enforcer, though there was a weight of unquestionable pressure in that pair of eyes.
"Martial Uncle."
Seeing the man, the Chief Enforcer cupped his hands in greeting. Though the two were not disciples of the sa peak, in terms of seniority, the old man was naturally his martial uncle.
"You still know to call martial uncle? I thought the people of Wuwang Peak have stopped being disciples of my Windspirit Mountain."
The old man glanced at the Chief Enforcer and said coolly, "I want to take him away. Do you have any objections?"
The Chief Enforcer was silent for a mont, then ultimately shook his head, not daring to say anything, and stepped aside.
The old man said nothing more and just waved his hand.
The other disciples of Lonely Moon Peak stepped forward, intending to take Chen Wannian away.
Chen Wannian suddenly spoke. "Is Martial Uncle going to take to Lonely Moon Peak to be killed?"
As he spoke, Chen Wannian stared straight at the old man, with no trace of his forr respect. There was only a cold, emotionless gaze.
The old man looked indifferently at Chen Wannian and said calmly, "Once the matter is thoroughly investigated, if it has nothing to do with you, there will naturally be nothing more to say. But if it does, then it will be handled according to the mountain's rules."
The old man narrowed his eyes. Earlier, he had planned to control that woman, but ultimately found that was nearly impossible. Wuwang Peak kept too close a watch, there was simply no opportunity to act.
Since that was the case, if they could not have Chen Wannian, then they would destroy him.
Chen Wannian said calmly, "Even if this disciple is to be interrogated, I'll not go to Lonely Moon Peak. Being questioned here at the main peak is the sa!"
Going to Lonely Moon Peak ant a private interrogation. At that ti, no cry for help would be answered, no appeal would be heard.
Since that was the case, then going to the Lonely Moon Peak was a certain death sentence.
The old man replied coldly, "Chen Wannian, that is not up to you."
Chen Wannian muttered to himself, "All my life, I have risked life and death for Windspirit Mountain, and all I've received in return is suspicion and suppression. Since that's the case, what use do I have for the status of a Windspirit Mountain disciple?"
As Chen Wannian spoke, his aura suddenly surged at this mont too.
"I, Chen Wannian, am no longer a disciple of Windspirit Mountain henceforth!"
Chen Wannian abruptly raised his head, his eyes filled with killing intent.
The old man sneered coldly. He was not worried about other things, his only concern had been that Chen Wannian might have the protection of the mountain's disciples. But now that he was rebelling against Windspirit Mountain, that played right into his hands.
It ant Chen Wannian would never have a chance to clear his na.
The Chief Enforcer flew into a rage. "Chen Wannian, what are you saying? Are you abandoning your wife and child?!"
Things had escalated to a point far beyond his expectations, which was also sothing that he could not accept.
Chen Wannian said nothing, only that his aura burned hotter and hotter.
Just as the old man was preparing to act, a disciple ca rushing up the mountain, panting for breath. "Reporting to Chief Enforcer, soone has co to the foot of the mountain, seeking an audience!"
The Chief Enforcer was in a fit of rage and snapped irritably, "Not seeing anyone!"
The disciple glanced cautiously at him and whispered, "That person said, if we don't receive him, he'll force his way up the mountain."
The Chief Enforcer frowned. "Who the hell has such gall? Is he tired of living?!"
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