Chapter 194 - 192: The Domineering Shenxiao Sect

Chapter 194: Chapter 192: The Domineering Shenxiao Sect

Chen Yuan didn’t know if Qin Suguang would change in the future.

But right now, Qin Suguang was a bit dense.

"We are here to investigate Heaven Returning Pavilion, that’s right, but Brother Qin, think about it. What if we don’t find anything this time?

I’m an Inspector from Zhenwu Hall, you’re a Chief Constable of the Prefecture from the Six Gates, and we’re both prodigies on the Hidden Dragon Rankings. Are we really going to a wedding banquet without even bringing a gift?

If we don’t find anything, at least we won’t lose face. If we do, we can just take it all back, and then some."

Neither Chen Yuan nor Qin Suguang were nobodies. Showing up to someone’s wedding banquet without a gift would be quite embarrassing.

Unless they were certain from the start that Heaven Returning Pavilion was involved in something shady, then of course they wouldn’t need to bring a congratulatory gift. They could just make their move directly.

"I forgot about that."

Qin Suguang was suddenly a little embarrassed.

"Don’t worry about it. We have no prior dealings with Heaven Returning Pavilion, so any simple gift will do. I actually have a few suitable items right here."

Chen Yuan took a Golden Buddha and a golden Bodhisattva Statue from his Qiankun Bag.

Both were over two feet tall, weighed more than ten pounds, and were forged from pure gold.

Chen Yuan had forgotten which Sect or Family he’d wiped out to find these in their Treasure Vault.

He just figured that since they were pure gold, they were hard currency, so he’d tossed them into his Qiankun Bag.

"Thanks, Brother Chen."

Qin Suguang took the Golden Buddha, deeply moved.

Chen Yuan was here to help him with the investigation, yet he was the one providing the gifts.

Qin Suguang even made a silent vow then and there. ’I don’t have anything valuable to repay Brother Chen with, but if he’s ever in trouble in the future, I’ll do everything in my power to help him.’

After they presented the Golden Buddha and the golden Bodhisattva, a Heaven Returning Pavilion disciple recorded their identities, his expression turning a bit strange.

’Qin Province is quite far from Ning Province, and we don’t seem to have any dealings with Zhenwu Hall. Why would they send someone?’

’And Qin Suguang, the Chief Constable of Jieyang Prefecture, is known for being gruff and unsociable. Why is he suddenly being so considerate?’

Despite his confusion, both men were prodigies on the Hidden Dragon Rankings, even setting aside their official positions. He naturally wouldn’t dare to neglect them.

"From Zhenwu Hall, Chen Jiutian presents one golden Bodhisattva! From the Six Gates, Qin Suguang presents one Golden Buddha!"

After the announcement, the Heaven Returning Pavilion disciple immediately called someone over to lead Chen Yuan and Qin Suguang to a nearby courtyard to rest.

Hearing Chen Yuan’s and Qin Suguang’s names, the surrounding Jianghu people all turned to look at them—mostly at Chen Yuan, of course.

As news of the Hidden Dragon Rankings spread, Chen Yuan’s feat of slaying a Primordial Pill expert while at the Condensing Truth Realm had become known throughout the Jianghu, rocketing him to eighteenth place on the rankings.

Zhenwu Hall’s younger generation had been lacking for some time, so no one expected such a powerful young prodigy to emerge from their ranks.

Just as Chen Yuan stepped into the courtyard, he heard another announcement from outside.

"From the Murong Family of You Province, Murong Li presents one Gold-Eyed Fierce Stallion!"

Hearing this, Chen Yuan stopped short and looked back.

He hadn’t expected to run into someone from the Murong Family here.

Moreover, this Murong Li was the very disciple from the Murong Family who handled the matter of the Seven Kills Stele blood sacrifice in Lianshan City in the original story.

’Now, Heaven Returning Pavilion was suspected of being involved with the Red Lotus Sect’s blood sacrifice for the Seven Kills Stele. Murong Li had missed the Lianshan City incident but made it to this one. Is this guy really fated to be involved with the Seven Kills Stele?’

"Brother Chen, what are you looking at?"

"It’s nothing. Let’s go inside."

Chen Yuan and Qin Suguang found a more secluded spot to sit. A disciple from Heaven Returning Pavilion immediately came over to pour them tea and serve some refreshments.

Just then, Chen Yuan suddenly felt a gaze fixed on him.

Chen Yuan looked up and saw that the ones staring at him were three Daoists.

Of the three Daoists, two were older and one younger. They had an extraordinary presence. The older ones were in their forties, the younger one in his thirties.

They wore Profound Black Daoist Robes embroidered with lightning patterns, sun, moon, and stars. They had Purple Gold Daoist Crowns on their heads, wore Cloud-Stepping Shoes, and carried Dao Swords on their backs, exuding a piercingly sharp aura.

Seeing Chen Yuan look back at them, the three Daoists walked straight toward his table.

All three had cultivation at the Peak of the Condensing Truth Realm, but the youngest Daoist was paradoxically the strongest.

He had a handsome, cold face and an air of aloof arrogance that warned others to keep their distance.

Furthermore, he made no effort to conceal the power fluctuations rolling off his body. They were incredibly solid and powerful, almost reaching the level of a Half-Step Primordial Pill Realm expert.

The young Daoist walked up to Chen Yuan, formed a Meridian Technique hand seal, and asked in a cool voice, "Are you Inspector Chen Jiutian of Zhenwu Hall?"

Chen Yuan raised an eyebrow. "I am. And you are?"

The young Daoist’s voice was laced with proud arrogance. "I am Zhang Zhilan of the Shenxiao Sect. My master is the Golden Feather Wanderer, Mo Shoucheng."

Seeing from Chen Yuan’s expression that he didn’t recognize the man, Qin Suguang quickly sent him a mental message.

"Brother Chen, that’s Zhang Zhilan. He was a prodigy on the previous Hidden Dragon Rankings. When he aged off the list, he was ranked thirteenth.

His master, the Golden Feather Wanderer Mo Shoucheng, is also an Elder of the Shenxiao Sect. He created the Golden Feather Thunder Sky Sword, a technique that can summon three thousand bolts of lightning, and is extremely famous within the sect."

Chen Yuan frowned slightly. ’Are they here because of Wen Cangyuan?’

He’d had no contact or dealings with the Shenxiao Sect; the only possible connection he could think of was Wen Cangyuan.

"Daoist Zhang, are you perhaps here to avenge Wen Cangyuan of the Thunder Shock Sect?"

A look of contempt crossed Zhang Zhilan’s face. "A conniving, thieving rat. Just mentioning his name disgusts me. Is he even worthy of my Shenxiao Sect avenging him?

Back then, an ancestor of my Shenxiao Sect was traveling the Jianghu when he was deceived by that Wen Cangyuan, who also stole the Shenxiao Evil-slaying Sword.

My ancestor thought he had carelessly lost the Sect’s Secret Technique, so he fell into a depression that hindered his cultivation. Despite his outstanding talent, he never advanced beyond the Primordial Pill Realm."

The surrounding Jianghu people who were listening in all had their lips twitch, their expressions strange.

A Primordial Pill Realm Martial Arts Grandmaster, regardless of whether they came from a Major Sect or were a Loose Cultivator, was a significant figure anywhere they went.

Yet, to hear Zhang Zhilan tell it, he ’merely’ stopped at the Primordial Pill Realm, as if it were nothing worth mentioning.

However, considering his identity, Zhang Zhilan’s words weren’t entirely arrogant.

As one of the Four Daoist Courts, the Shenxiao Sect had a considerable number of Primordial Pill Realm Grandmasters. If a Core Disciple from the Inner Sect failed to advance beyond the Primordial Pill Realm, it was indeed considered a shame.

Zhang Zhilan continued, "It wasn’t until you, Inspector Chen, killed that old bastard Wen Cangyuan and he used the Shenxiao Evil-slaying Sword that my ancestor finally had an epiphany. The one who had stolen his cultivation technique back then was none other than the seemingly simple and honest Wen Cangyuan, who had served him hand and foot.

By killing Wen Cangyuan, you, Inspector Chen, helped my ancestor get his revenge. It’s just a pity he couldn’t kill that beast himself."

Chen Yuan was about to say that he’d only killed Wen Cangyuan due to a conflict of interest, so there was no need for special thanks.

But Zhang Zhilan’s tone suddenly shifted as he said gravely, "After Wen Cangyuan’s death, the Secret Technique for the Shenxiao Evil-slaying Sword should have fallen into your hands, Inspector Chen, correct?

I must ask that you return my Shenxiao Sect’s Secret Technique and swear an oath to heaven and earth that you will never practice or use my Shenxiao Sect’s Secret Technique in the future."

Zhang Zhilan hadn’t come to thank Chen Yuan, but to demand the return of his Shenxiao Sect’s Secret Technique.

The Shenxiao Evil-slaying Sword was one of his Sect’s ultimate Secret Techniques. When they didn’t know where it was, they could let it slide that it was circulating outside.

Now that they knew who had it, how could they not reclaim it?

Chen Yuan looked at Zhang Zhilan as if he were an idiot. "I took this from Wen Cangyuan. Your Shenxiao Sect lost its own Secret Technique. On what grounds are you demanding it from me?

And you want me to swear never to practice or use it? Who gave you the gall to say something like that?"

Zhang Zhilan’s face darkened. "Chen Jiutian! I’m giving you an easy way out, don’t be shameless!

You’re a prodigy on the Hidden Dragon Rankings and an Inspector for Zhenwu Hall. That’s the only reason my Shenxiao Sect is giving you this much face.

Otherwise, if it were anyone else practicing our Sect’s Secret Technique, do you think we would even give them a chance to swear an oath?

Anyone who dares to practice my Shenxiao Sect’s Secret Techniques without permission will, at best, have their martial arts crippled. At worst, they will be executed on the spot!

Chen Jiutian, you should be grateful you’re not some nobody and that you have Zhenwu Hall backing you. Otherwise, your fate today would be very different!"

"What a joke!"

Chen Yuan sneered. "Everyone says your Shenxiao Sect acts tyrannically. Today, I’ve finally seen it for myself.

Wen Cangyuan used your Sect’s Secret Technique to reach the Primordial Pill Realm and stay there for decades, and you incompetents couldn’t even find him.

If I hadn’t forced Wen Cangyuan to use the Shenxiao Evil-slaying Sword, you fools would probably still be in the dark about who had your precious Secret Technique!

And now you have the nerve to demand it from me and force me to swear an oath? You’re not worthy!"

"You’re courting death!"

Lightning flashed around Zhang Zhilan’s body. The other two Shenxiao Sect Daoists also took a step forward, arcs of lightning erupting around them.

The martial artists watching this scene instantly grew excited.

’Who would have thought attending a wedding banquet would come with such a good show?’

They had understood the cause and effect from the conversation just now. Chen Yuan was indeed being wronged.

He didn’t steal the Secret Technique directly from the Shenxiao Sect. If Chen Yuan returned it, it would be out of kindness; if he didn’t, it would be his right.

If the people from the Shenxiao Sect were sensible, they could have offered to trade for it with another Celestial Level Technique or Secret Technique of equal value.

But to come demanding it so aggressively was truly overbearing. On top of that, they even wanted Chen Yuan to swear an oath not to practice or leak it. For a prodigy on the Hidden Dragon Rankings, this was nothing short of a humiliation.

But as one of the Four Daoist Courts, the Shenxiao Sect was immensely powerful, so it was natural for its disciples to be arrogant.

Additionally, the Shenxiao Sect practiced Thunder Techniques, and its disciples’ personalities were influenced by their cultivation, making them somewhat impetuous and short-tempered.

Zhang Zhilan himself was a prodigy from the previous Hidden Dragon Rankings, a man with the potential to step into the Primordial Pill Realm before the age of forty. His style of conduct was not surprising.

A flash of Evil Qi appeared in Chen Yuan’s eyes.

’The Shenxiao Sect was used to being tyrannical, but they had to pick their targets. Did they really think Chen Yuan was made of clay?’

"I’d like to see who’s really courting death!"

As his voice fell, the Celestial Blade was already unsheathed in his hand. A slash imbued with Killing Saber Intent and wreathed in monstrous Demon Flame shot forth.

Zhang Zhilan was tyrannical, but Chen Yuan’s strike was even more so!