Chapter 604 - 82: Someone from the Golden Crow

"Any last words?" Song Changsheng asked, his expression indifferent as he gently rubbed his fingers together.

Upon hearing this, the white-haired and white-bearded Foundation Establishment Cultivator fell to his knees before Song Changsheng with a THUD. He pleaded, "Clan Leader Song, if you must kill someone, kill this old man! They are just children! I beg you, Clan Leader Song, have mercy and grant them a path to survival. This old man guarantees they will never oppose the Song Clan again for the rest of their lives."

Song Changsheng’s gaze slowly swept over the young people. He finally let out a soft sigh and said, "Your guarantee... is worthless."

The moment his words fell, a ferocious look appeared on the Foundation Establishment Cultivator’s face. Wielding a short blade, he suddenly lunged, stabbing straight for Song Changsheng’s heart.

Song Changsheng merely gave him an indifferent glance. A vast surge of Mana erupted from his body, instantly shattering the man’s internal organs. He died vomiting blood.

Seeing the Elder who protected them fall, the youths’ faces filled with terror. They shrank back, scrambling away.

"I’ll leave your Divine Souls intact, so you can find a better life next time."

With those cold words, Song Changsheng extended his right hand and pressed down gently. In an instant, the heart meridians of all the Lieyang Sect disciples present were shattered, and they died.

After a quick check to ensure there were no survivors, Song Changsheng flew to the outside of the Lieyang Sect’s Scripture Pavilion.

Thanks to Wang Yuesong’s decisive command, over a hundred people had retreated with him into the Scripture Pavilion, using an Array to mount a desperate last stand.

Song Qingxing was tasked with leading Chi Huo Old Ghost, Song Changxue, Song Qingqing, and others to clean up the remaining enemies on the rest of Celestial Yang Mountain.

Meanwhile, Song Lutong led the remaining forces in surrounding the Scripture Pavilion. However, since Wang Yuesong was using the many Cultivation Technique Manuals inside as a threat, they dared not act rashly.

Song Xianming was also hesitating about whether to launch a full-scale assault. With their power, taking the Scripture Pavilion was not an issue, but the process would give Wang Yuesong and the others enough time to put the entire building to the torch.

Heart Method Scriptures are the very foundation of a sect and its most precious assets.

Without them, the spoils of this war would be greatly diminished.

"Grandfather, what is Wang Yuesong trying to do?"

Upon hearing this, Song Changsheng said in a low voice, "He wants to negotiate. His condition is to trade the scriptures in the Scripture Pavilion for a chance for the Lieyang Sect disciples to live."

"Hah. A clever little scheme," Song Changsheng sneered.

"So, in your opinion, should we agree to his terms?"

"Today, not a single Lieyang Sect disciple will leave Celestial Yang Mountain alive. It’s just a few Cultivation Technique Manuals. The Song Clan’s foundation is deep; we can afford to lose them," Song Changsheng said with disdain.

"Alright, then we’ll prepare to force our way—"

Before he could finish, a streak of light suddenly appeared in the sky above Celestial Yang Peak.

The newcomer was a man. He looked down on Song Changsheng and the others, his voice booming like a great bell, "Does the Song Clan truly intend to slaughter them all?"

"Has an Elder of the Golden Crow Sect graced us with his presence?" Song Changsheng stepped forward and cupped his hands in a salute.

"I am Chen Mingzhao of the Golden Crow Sect. Greetings, Clan Leader Song. I have long admired your heaven-sent talent, Clan Leader Song. Now that I finally have the fortune to meet you, I see your reputation is well-deserved."

To Song Changsheng’s surprise, this envoy from the Golden Crow Sect was unexpectedly friendly.

"You jest, Mr. Chen. May I ask what business brings you here today?"

Chen Mingzhao pointed a finger toward Wang Yuesong and the others in the Scripture Pavilion and said with a chuckle, "I have come on their behalf. The Lieyang Sect has indeed offended the Song Clan greatly in the past, but things have reached this point. Your anger should have subsided by now. I wonder if you would be willing to give the Golden Crow Sect some face and let this matter go?"

"Mr. Chen, the Song Clan and the Lieyang Sect have a blood feud that spans decades. Forgive me, but I cannot agree to your request," Song Changsheng’s expression turned cold as he flatly refused.

Chen Mingzhao’s eyes narrowed. "It seems Clan Leader Song has no intention of giving the Golden Crow Sect any face," he said softly.

At these words, the expressions of Song Lutong and the others changed abruptly. Offending the Golden Crow Sect was not something they wanted.

It was a moment of joy for some and sorrow for others. Wang Yuesong, as if he had just found a powerful backer, cried out, "Elder Chen, I beg you to stand up for my Lieyang Sect!"

A large group of surviving Lieyang Sect disciples also fell to their knees with a great RUSTLE, tearfully recounting the Song Clan’s various "atrocities" to Chen Mingzhao.

Song Changsheng’s brow furrowed slightly. ’Letting these people go wouldn’t be a catastrophic loss, but this is the Song Clan’s battle to establish its might. If it isn’t executed perfectly, the effect will be less than satisfactory.’

Just as Song Changsheng was pondering this, a voice like rolling thunder exploded across the sky. "The Lieyang Sect is colluding with Evil Demons! The evidence is conclusive! Are you sure you want to make excuses for people like them, Mr. Chen?"

Hearing the familiar voice, a look of pleasant surprise appeared on Song Changsheng’s face. He cupped his hands toward the sky and called out, "This disciple pays his respects to Master Zhan!"

Chen Mingzhao’s expression changed. ’Why is this brute here?’ he thought.

He couldn’t help but take a step forward and declare loudly, "Second City Lord, what was the meaning of your words just now? The Lieyang Sect colluding with Evil Demons is a major affair. Why does my Golden Crow Sect know nothing of it?"

"Knowing nothing is your problem. Since I dared to say it, I can naturally produce the evidence," Zhan Tianxia said, striding forward. His body was wreathed in crackling thunder, an intimidating sight to behold.

Seeing Zhan Tianxia speak with such conviction, Chen Mingzhao couldn’t help but feel a flicker of doubt. He shot Wang Yuesong a glare of pure disappointment before turning back to Zhan Tianxia. "In that case, please present your evidence, Second City Lord. If it is true, I will certainly not show any favoritism."

"Hmph. If you want to see it, then see it." Zhan Tianxia flicked his sleeve, and a dark red fruit peel appeared before Chen Mingzhao’s eyes.

With just a glance, Chen Mingzhao’s face changed dramatically. He cried out in alarm, "[Blood Garuda Fruit]! Where did you get this?"

Zhan Tianxia sneered. "This was found at the site where my martial nephew was ambushed. With this alone, the Lieyang Sect cannot escape suspicion!"

Chen Mingzhao’s expression was conflicted. He argued stubbornly, "Even so, that doesn’t prove the Lieyang Sect is colluding with Demon Cultivators. What if they were framed?"

"Mr. Chen, this [Blood Garuda Fruit] is used by Vast Sea. And it was Hex Tai who sought out Vast Sea. If the Lieyang Sect wasn’t colluding with Evil Demons, why would they be mixed up with him?" Song Changsheng said coldly.

"Hmph, even if the Lieyang Sect isn’t colluding with Evil Demons, just the fact that they’re involved with Vast Sea is enough for my Luoxia City to refuse to let this matter rest.

Mr. Chen, it would be best for your sect not to interfere in this matter. This City Lord shouldn’t need to elaborate on the complicated history between Vast Sea and Luoxia City, should I?" Zhan Tianxia stated bluntly.

"Second City Lord, is there truly no room for negotiation on this?"

"If you believe that colluding with Evil Demons is not a crime, Mr. Chen, then we can talk. Otherwise, it’s out of the question." Zhan Tianxia’s stance was exceptionally firm.

Chen Mingzhao’s face alternated between pale and livid. In the Daqi Cultivation World, colluding with Evil Demons was an unpardonable crime. To insist on protecting the Lieyang Sect under these circumstances would be extremely detrimental to the Golden Crow Sect’s public image.

After all, the more a sect prided itself on being part of the Righteous Dao, the more it cherished its reputation.

Besides, the Lieyang Sect had little value left. Making an enemy of Luoxia City for its sake was simply not worth it.

"What the Second City Lord says is reasonable. It was my failure to investigate thoroughly. For the Lieyang Sect to collude with Evil Demons is a crime that even death cannot atone for. I shall personally act to clean house!"

Chen Mingzhao practically spat these words out through gritted teeth.

Wang Yuesong was stunned. He never imagined things would develop to this point, that Chen Mingzhao, the man he saw as his savior, would suddenly switch sides.

"Elder Chen, we’ve been framed! My Lieyang Sect is an upright and honorable sect, how could we possibly collude with Evil Demons? This must be a forgery! Yes, a forgery! I beg Elder Chen to see the truth!"

"Shut your mouth! You still have the gall to call yourselves a righteous sect? You’ve brought nothing but disgrace to the name of righteousness!"

Chen Mingzhao flew into a rage. He thrust out a palm, and a giant palm imprint materialized in the air before crashing down, directly razing the entire Scripture Pavilion to the ground.

Thus, a great sect of seven hundred years was annihilated...

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