Chapter 28: A Reckoning for Li Shuang?
Old Hong?
All eyes turned toward the voice, curiosity rippling through the air like a blade drawn from its sheath. Lin Qing Ling raised an elegant eyebrow.
Had Meng Yi Fei not been dodging her presence, hiding as if avoiding an enemy’s sword? Why, then, had he suddenly emerged from concealment?
Ye Zhao Zhao quietly let out a breath of relief. The Sect Master’s sudden appearance drew everyone’s attention away from her, like a skillful distraction in the midst of battle. Perhaps, she could escape unnoticed.
But as she thought this, she turned her head and saw the shadow following Meng Yi Fei. Her heart clenched as tightly as a sword-grip, fear flickering in her eyes.
Hatred… Manager Qiu?!
Why had Manager Qiu come here? And why was he trailing behind the Sect Master?
Meng Yi Fei now spoke with a slender man clad in dark robes, presumably the mysterious “Old Hong.” Behind the two, moving steadily like a shadow, was none other than Manager Qiu.
Ye Zhao Zhao swiftly turned away, hiding her face from Manager Qiu’s sight, struggling to keep calm as her pulse raced.
She had worked with Manager Qiu for many years, but each time she appeared before him, she had disguised her face beneath a veiled hat, her true identity hidden like a blade in a sheath.
So…
Manager Qiu could not have come seeking her!
He surely wouldn’t recognize her!
Ye Zhao Zhao repeated these thoughts like a chant, yet unease still surged in her heart, trembling subtly through her limbs.
“Sect Master, it’s rare to see you grace us with your presence,” Lin Qing Ling remarked, her tone carrying a mocking edge like a hidden dagger.
Meng Yi Fei’s face flushed awkwardly. Clearing his throat, he replied, “Peak Master Lin, your words make it seem as if I’ve been deliberately avoiding battle. I assure you, my absence was purely due to a sudden illness.”
Fearing Lin Qing Ling would strike again, Meng Yi Fei quickly shifted the conversation. “Allow me to introduce my old friend. This is Hong Sheng, a Fusion Stage cultivator.”
Turning to Hong Sheng, he continued, “This is Peak Master Lin Qing Ling of Emotionless Peak, True Immortal Ling Xu of Spirit Void Peak, and Hall Master Pang Zhi Xue from the Enforcement Hall.”
The cultivators exchanged brief nods, greeting one another solemnly.
With Meng Yi Fei and Hong Sheng’s arrival, five Fusion Stage masters now stood gathered.
Beyond Nascent Soul Stage was Divine Spirit Transformation, and only after mastering this could one step into Fusion Stage. Meng Yi Fei, along with the leaders of Sword Sect’s peaks and halls, all stood upon this peak.
“Old Hong,” Meng Yi Fei asked, his voice full of curiosity, “now that you’ve come, won’t you tell me what brings you so suddenly to Spirit Void Peak?”
Meng Yi Fei and Hong Sheng had known each other for decades, their friendship forged through shared dangers and adventures in the Martial Arts World. Before becoming Sect Master, Meng Yi Fei had traveled widely, meeting Hong Sheng and forming an unbreakable bond in countless battles and shared cups of wine.
When Meng Yi Fei took leadership of Sword Sect, Hong Sheng chose not to join any sect. Instead, he became a Retainer for Spirit Artifact Pavilion, enjoying freedom while fulfilling only minimal obligations. This allowed him to live freely, close to Sword Sect, where they often shared tea and wine, reminiscing about the past.
After Meng Yi Fei spoke, Hong Sheng turned slightly, addressing Manager Qiu with a meaningful look. “Have you seen the one you seek?”
Though Ye Zhao Zhao had turned away, Manager Qiu’s eyes instantly pierced her disguise, like a sword finding its mark.
He also noticed Li Shuang, but bore no true grievance against her. It was he who insisted she participate in the blind box event—how could he blame her now?
And even if his heart had indeed filled with hatred toward Li Shuang…
What power did he have to strike at her now?
To accuse him of scheming against Li Shuang was like striking at shadows—empty and groundless. He knew he stood on shaky moral ground. Should he dare to move against Li Shuang openly, the Sword Sect would surely cast him out without mercy.
From the very start, Manager Qiu had invited Hong Sheng to the Sword Sect for one purpose alone—Ye Zhao Zhao!
Manager Qiu’s piercing gaze settled on Ye Zhao Zhao, his teeth clenched with silent fury. He was no honorable martial hero himself. For years, he had chased after the clever tricks of Ye Zhao Zhao, blinded by profit and gradually letting go of moral discipline. Under Ye Zhao Zhao’s inventive tactics, the Spirit Treasure Pavilion’s branch had flourished, becoming famed for its prosperity.
Yet, wealth gained through questionable methods was like poison beneath honey—sweet yet deadly. Over time, the Pavilion’s once-honored name slowly began to corrode.
The blind-box scandal had erupted like thunder from clear skies, igniting anger among countless cultivators and shattering the pavilion’s precious century-old reputation overnight.
Now, Manager Qiu felt genuine panic. A hundred years of careful nurturing by the Spirit Treasure Pavilion, and he had single-handedly spoiled it!
If no scapegoat emerged, harsh punishment awaited.
He had no desire to fall into ruin himself. Thus, if anyone must bear the brunt, it had to be Ye Zhao Zhao!
“There she is,” Manager Qiu muttered darkly, nodding with grim resolution. He knew he was no innocent party. But in the ruthless rivers and lakes, survival required sacrifice. Today, he was here with one clear mission—to shift blame onto another.
[Ye Zhao Zhao, you won’t escape calamity so easily.]
“What exactly is going on here?” Meng Yi Fei’s curiosity burned brighter.
Hong Sheng laughed softly. “Sect Leader Meng, your Sword Pavilion disciples certainly possess sharp eyes.”
Meng Yi Fei frowned, sensing mockery in Hong Sheng’s words.
Just as Hong Sheng opened his mouth to explain, Chang Le An stepped forward with a smug grin. “What’s there to guess? Senior Sister Luo herself mentioned at the Enforcement Hall that she and Li Shuang had just returned from the Market. Isn’t Manager Qiu the overseer of the Spirit Artifact Pavilion there? Clearly, something troublesome occurred, prompting him to come looking for answers.”
As Chang Le An spoke, he shot Luo Ming Yue and Li Shuang a triumphant glance.
[Li Shuang, what trouble have you stirred up now?]
He was eager to watch her struggle out of this mess.
At Chang Le An’s words, Ye Zhao Zhao’s eyes flickered, her heart easing slightly.
Her first instinct had been guilty panic.
Yet, reconsidering carefully—
Li Shuang had exchanged merely five Mid-Grade Spirit Stones to win the grand prize worth a hundred High-Grade Spirit Stones. Surely Manager Qiu was here to settle that score!
Ye Zhao Zhao’s tense posture unconsciously relaxed.
Li Shuang turned calmly to Manager Qiu, her brows knitted lightly. “You’re seeking me?”
Regarding the Market matter, her conscience remained as clear as mountain water.
Should Manager Qiu persist in raising trouble, she would gladly face him head-on.
“If not you, then who else? Think carefully whether you’ve done anything disgraceful,” Chang Le An sneered.
Luo Ming Yue snapped irritably, “Manager Qiu, the shady dealings in your Market Pavilion are your own responsibility. Don’t even think of shifting blame onto Little Shuang!”
Lin Qing Ling stepped forward, eyes narrowed dangerously. “Explain clearly—what exactly happened?”
Before Manager Qiu could utter a word, Luo Ming Yue swiftly recounted the entire affair.
All those present quickly understood.
Lin Qing Ling’s voice was cold as frost. “Blind boxes? Gambling spirit stones? Clearly, your Spirit Artifact Pavilion resorted to dishonorable tactics. Little Shuang fairly won the grand prize. And now you’ve come to reclaim the Clear Heart Jade Pendant?”
Her piercing gaze pinned Manager Qiu in place.
Should he dare answer “yes,” she would not hesitate to show him the merciless edge of her sword!
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation