Chapter 181: Killing Intent Soars to the Azure Sky

The sky cleared and sunlight broke through, flowers and trees exuding fragrance—

Jin Tingshan comprises thirty-six peaks, fourteen cliff ridges, nine abyssal caves, and twenty-two pools and waterfalls; it can truly be called a place of flourishing scenery and remarkable mountain beauty.

At this moment.

Within a palace-temple on the Ninth Peak, Stone Drum Peak, had gathered two or thirty inner disciples of the Changying Courtyard, all born into aristocratic clans.

These prodigies and talents, in the eyes of others, now sat with upright posture and solemn dignity.

Some wore unmistakable traces of worry upon their faces; some had flickering eyes and unsettled minds; others bore hints of displeasure in their expressions, yet concealed them so well that nothing showed.

But regardless of their demeanor.

Right now.

All these people kept their eyes fixed on their noses and their noses fixed on their hearts, motionless like clay statues of deities or sacred embryos in a temple.

The atmosphere in the hall grew heavy and solemn, so stifling that the drop of a needle could be heard.

Even several bright and beautiful maidservants, as they moved about pouring wine, acted with utmost caution, standing on tiptoe and striving to suppress the sound of their footsteps.

They feared that making even the slightest loud noise would provoke these wealthy aristocratic youths into displeasure, causing them to glare in anger.

If that truly happened.

Even being dragged outside the hall by several Yellow Turban Warriors and beaten to death on the spot would not be without precedent.

And as time trickled away bit by bit.

Finally.

After who knew how long had passed.

Suddenly, a low sigh sounded, slowly breaking the oppressive, eerie silence.

"It has been a full three double-hours since the message smoke was sent out... Not only has there been no reply in handwritten letter granting definite assurance, but not even a single servant has come to deliver a response."

"It seems Xie Tang and Xie Xie Huizhai will absolutely not come today; so be it, so be it."

"They have always relied on their high cultivation to look down upon us repeatedly with arrogance and disdain; with hearts not united, how can great matters be achieved? Their failure to come to Stone Drum Peak for joint deliberation may, unknowably, turn out to be a good thing."

At this time, two people sat at the head.

One was Wei Yang of the Fan Ye Wei clan, precisely the one who had just spoken first.

He possessed a face as smooth as polished jade, a nose like a hanging gallbladder, red lips and white teeth; his appearance differed from the common crowd, truly deserving the word 'handsome.'

His starry crown shone like the sun, and his demeanor resembled a divine sword flying through frost; such details need no further mention.

Especially the Nine Palaces Dharma Robe draped over his body blazed brilliantly like clouds and mist, its colors so dazzling they seemed to shoot forth, washing the four walls clean; gazing upon it for long made one's pupils feel as if pricked by needles, faintly carrying a stinging sensation.

As for the other person, he had green eyes and square pupils, radiating vigor and spirit, born with a truly extraordinary appearance.

He wore a brocade crane robe of blazing fire trimmed in black, bound with a lion jade belt, and on his feet were dry-yellow flying-phoenix shoes; his stature was towering and imposing, his presence overwhelming.

This person hailed from the Tianchi Jiang clan, named Jiang Jiang Tongyuan, the most outstanding among the current clan leader's great-grandchildren of the Jiang family.

In this great hall, altogether numbering two or thirty aristocratic youths, only Wei Yang and Jiang Jiang Tongyuan occupied the seats of honor.

Clearly, this indicated everyone's unspoken intention to regard them as leaders, obvious without needing words.

At this moment.

Hearing Wei Yang's long sigh.

None of the aristocrats in the lower seats spoke up to respond.

Only Jiang Jiang Tongyuan snorted coldly, saying with an expression of disdain:

"Xie Tang and Xie Xie Huizhai... it is just as well that these two did not come; if they had truly accepted the invitation, arranging the seating order would have been a thoroughly headache-inducing matter! Xie Xie Huizhai is indeed easygoing and of good temper, but that Xie Tang must be judged differently; I, Jiang Jiang Tongyuan, absolutely refuse to share a room with that little woman, sitting side by side!"

Upon hearing this, Wei Yang slowly shook his head without replying.

"Since the Xie clan's people are not coming, how we should proceed naturally rests entirely with the decision of our two worthy elder brothers; we shall follow their lead!"

From the lower seats.

A heroic young man wearing a Jin Xia robe and a Zhengyang crown smiled and said:

"I wonder whether our two worthy elder brothers have already formed a definite plan regarding how to deal with that fellow named Chen Heng? To speak plainly, over these past few days, the elders of my clan have urged me several times, disturbing me so much that I cannot taste my food and find no peace day or night!"

Once these words were spoken.

Many among the aristocrats could not help but nod their heads, clearly feeling the same way.

Back then, Chen Chen Yushu, in order to advance his own Dao cultivation, relied upon a scripture called the Human-Rearing Sutra to secretly harm and kill many cultivators.

And these twelve aristocratic clans were the very first to suffer the brunt of it.

If one were to speak of hatred and grievance.

These aristocratic clans felt even deeper and heavier resentment than some of the Upper Truths of the Yu Yuchen Sect.

Over these years, figures such as Chen Yi and Chen Chen Yangsu suddenly died inexplicably outside the sect gates.

Or, like Chen Wei, who repeatedly vied for a position among the Ten Great Disciples but failed, always being knocked down.

Openly and secretly.

It always involved the handiwork of several aristocratic clans...

Aristocrats were mostly arrogant and flamboyant by nature.

Having suffered such a great loss under Chen Chen Yushu, if they did not retaliate in equal measure, repaying tooth for tooth and claw for claw, that would not be their true character.

Even when Chen Chen Yushu had first entered the Xiantianmo Sect and his footing was not yet stable.

Aristocrats cultivating within the Modaoliu Sect had secretly conspired together, intending to pull Chen Chen Yushu down and utterly eliminate him through thunderous and ruthless methods.

Unfortunately, their actions were not secret, and the information was accidentally leaked.

This maneuver.

Ultimately ended in failure...

Not only did they fail to eliminate Chen Chen Yushu, but instead, with piles of corpses, they built Chen Chen Yushu's reputation even higher and louder.

After this campaign, the scions of noble families within the Modaoliu Sect no longer carried their former arrogant and domineering air; gradually, they began to become cautious and circumspect.

At present, Chen Heng was situated within the Changying Courtyard.

No matter how deep the killing intent of those noble scions ran, or how much they wished to grind Chen Heng's bones to dust and scatter his ashes to repay the father's debts with the son's life, they absolutely dared not commit the great taboo of offending the world by making an open move.

Let alone that they did not wish to.

Merely the Ten Heavens, Ten Earths, Primordial Yang Treasure Pillar standing atop the main peak of Jin Tingshan was enough to extinguish most of their sinister and cunning thoughts; it was extremely difficult to shake!

If one wished to make a move against Chen Heng,

it could only be done through ghostly means in the shadows, stirring up wind and clouds.

And this duty,

naturally, had fallen upon the various noble disciples cultivating within the Changying Courtyard!

……

After the youth in the golden mist robe spoke, many of the noble scions also echoed him one after another, each voicing their opinions.

The hall, originally cold and silent, instantly became noisy.

Wei Yang, seated at the head, watched this scene with a calm expression, though a trace of helplessness flashed briefly in the depths of his eyes before vanishing in an instant.

Regarding matters of making moves against the offspring of Chen Chen Yushu, he actually had no desire to get involved, as these were not his own grudges.

But he was born of a noble family.

Since he had received numerous benefits from the clan since childhood, Wei Yang was no longer a free body able to act as he pleased.

When conducting affairs,

he inevitably had to be manipulated by the clan and heed the wishes of the clan elders...

"Xie Xie Huizhai, you clearly received a message via Dharma Smoke today yet deliberately did not come for a discussion; I presume you harbor feelings of unwillingness?"

Wei Yang sighed lightly, thinking to himself:

"But you are also one of the noble scions; even if your situation is slightly better than mine, you are ultimately still within the net. How long can this stubbornness of yours last?"

While Wei Yang's thoughts churned and the noble scions discussed heatedly,

Jiang Jiang Tongyuan, also seated at the head, had already grown somewhat impatient from listening.

He slapped the armrest and shouted in a low voice:

"This Chen Heng is merely a mere youngster; could it be that we truly have no way to deal with him? You are all of noble birth; why make such a chaotic mess here, merely boosting others' morale while destroying our own prestige? Listen well, I have a method!"

"We beg our worthy brother to impart his wisdom."

The crowd below first froze, then immediately cupped their hands and spoke in unison.

"Daoist Son Master Junyao is still alive in this world, and that Chen Heng is also a smart man; unlike Chen Chen Yangsu or Chen Yi who were frivolous, he merely holed up within Jin Tingshan without taking a single step away, making it extremely difficult to act against him. However..."

At this moment,

Jiang Jiang Tongyuan suddenly changed his tone and shouted:

"Since covert tricks will not work, let us emulate the methods of our clan elders! Just as they suppressed Chen Wei back then, we shall use overwhelming momentum to trip up that Chen Heng!"

"Overwhelming momentum?"

Wei Yang turned his head, looking at Jiang Jiang Tongyuan with his eyes, and asked.

"Wait... could it be that you intend to challenge Chen Heng?"

"Brother Wei is a smart man; indeed, you know me!" Jiang Jiang Tongyuan laughed loudly.

"You intend to spread rumors, inviting Chen Heng to duel on Bai Shi Peak? If nothing unexpected occurs, given Chen Heng's cautious and circumspect nature, he should not dare to accept.

In that case, once his reputation for cowardice spreads and we amplify it extensively, even if his reasons are understandable, he will lose immense face and dignity, making it difficult for him to establish himself within the courtyard in the future."

Wei Yang bent his finger and lightly tapped his own palm.

He thought for a moment and said indifferently:

"Although this is an old story from the time we dealt with Chen Wei, and the rule is clichéd, it is indeed effective..."

"Exactly, exactly! Chen Heng has been shrinking inside his meditation cell these past few days, never going out; it seems he is indeed cautious by nature and unwilling to court danger. But even if this move of mine cannot eliminate him instantly, it will at least thoroughly tarnish his reputation! It will make him too ashamed to remain on Jin Tingshan!"

Jiang Jiang Tongyuan laughed loudly, declaring in a clear voice.

"But you have forgotten one thing."

Wei Yang shook his head.

"What?"

"Even a rabbit, when cornered, will bite."

Wei Yang stated plainly:

"Judging from Chen Heng's recent behavior of staying indoors and venturing out rarely, he is no fool; how could he not know of your plan to tarnish his reputation? If he truly summons his courage and dares to ascend the mountain peak to duel, what will you do then?"

"If he truly has that courage, I will directly use covert tricks during the duel to cripple him!"

Jiang Jiang Tongyuan first froze, then sneered coldly.

"You? You cannot do it."

Wei Yang shook his head: "Both you and I are at the Purple Mansion cultivation level, while Chen Heng is currently only at the second stage of Foundation Establishment. There are laws and regulations within the courtyard that will absolutely not allow us to bully the small with the large; if this matter spreads, it will only bring shame upon our faces."

Before Jiang Jiang Tongyuan could speak,

Wei Yang extended a finger to point at the crowd below and said slowly:

"And if you are pinning your hopes on those people down there, I fear you will also miscalculate and fail to achieve complete success... They would find it difficult enough to defeat Chen Heng, requiring considerable bitter effort; wanting to deceive the Great Officer observing the battle and secretly cripple Chen Heng would be harder than ascending to heaven!"

As soon as this sentence was spoken,

many of the noble scions below immediately felt indignant and began to stir subtly.

"Why must Brother Wei look down on me so much?"

A few breaths later,

a young girl wearing a lake-green gauze skirt frowned and said:

"We all come from noble families; losing to someone with absolutely no—"

"Junior Sister, you are mistaken; he is by no means a person without foundation. The Tai Shi Yuan Zhen founded by the illustrious Fuchan Fuchan Laozu—could its reputation be undeserved?

If we speak solely of Dao foundations, I fear that among all of us present, not a single one can compare to him."

Before Wei Yang could speak,

Jiang Jiang Tongyuan, seated at the head, sighed first and said:

"However, when it comes to Dharma combat, what is tested are Dao arts, temperament, and experience... it is not merely a single Dao foundation that determines victory or defeat!

In my view, that Chen Heng still falls far short compared to you fellow disciples; if it were truly a life-and-death struggle, he, Chen Heng, would have no choice but to tie his hands and await death, absolutely no match for any of you!"

Upon hearing these words, the young girl wearing a lake-green gauze skirt finally relaxed her expression and slowly took her seat.

Several members of noble families who likewise wore expressions of indignation also slightly reined in their anger.

Seeing this, Wei Yang smiled lightly, neither affirming nor denying.

"I understand your concerns, Brother Wei, but I have long made preparations."

At this moment,

Jiang Jiang Tongyuan clapped his hand.

A somewhat perceptive servant boy immediately understood the intent and hurriedly ran out of the hall.

He looked at Wei Yang and said:

"I have kept a trick up my sleeve; just watch!"

"Oh?"

Wei Yang raised his eyebrows slightly.

Not long after,

that servant boy who had run out returned, bowing deeply and with utmost respect, ushering two people into the hall.

Mist and smoke drifted faintly within the hall, rising and sinking—

From a distance, the newcomers appeared to be two cultivators, one male and one female.

But as their figures drew closer,

before Jiang Jiang Tongyuan could react,

Wei Yang's countenance had already changed slightly; he abruptly rose from his chair.

"Jiang Jiang Daolian? Wang Jiao Dian? When did you two enter the Changying Courtyard?"

The servant boy who had guided them had already tactfully withdrawn.

Upon hearing this, the female cultivator merely smiled faintly but did not answer.

Only the male cultivator cupped his hands and spoke plainly, yet sparing his words like gold:

"The day before yesterday."

"The day before yesterday?"

Wei Yang felt a chill in his heart and could not help but frown.

"With my Jiang Daolian and Wang Jiao Dian here, what difficulty is there in crippling a mere Chen Heng!"

Jiang Jiang Tongyuan burst into loud laughter and looked at Wei Yang: "So, will this trick of mine prove effective?"

"... Naturally! Slaughter a chicken, yet use an ox-cleaver; how could it fail?"

After a moment of silence,

Wei Yang sighed.

Meanwhile, upon seeing the appearance of this man and woman, the many noble scions in the hall were also filled with surprise and suspicion, beginning to whisper among themselves.

"Enough!"

Jiang Jiang Tongyuan suddenly stood up and declared with a final, decisive shout:

"Ten days from now, Instructor Shen Yuan of the Hunsu Yuan Zhi will open a forum to expound the Dao and examine lessons at Zheng He Peak; all inner disciples must attend without exception! At that time, before all our fellow disciples, I will personally challenge Chen Heng! Let us see how he dares to refuse!

Until then, none of you shall provoke trouble without cause, lest word leak out and ruin my calculations!"

"Understood; we respectfully obey Xiao Xiao Shixiong's decree!"

The disciples exchanged glances, all cupping their hands in salute and responding in unison.

And among them,

a young cultivator wearing a silver crown likewise followed the crowd in paying respects,

yet in the depths of his eyes,

a fleeting trace of unusual color flowed past, profoundly meaningful.

As night fell,

at Jin Tingshan, Lingyin Peak,

the fires were cold and the lamps dim, the water vapor hazy—

Having received Hong Hong Guanshi's talisman message, Chen Heng, who had hurriedly returned from Qin Qin Wangfeng, had just stepped into his own refined cottage when several servant boys rushed forward to greet him eagerly.

"Chen Chen Langjun—"

"No need for excessive courtesy."

Chen Heng interrupted the several servant boys who were about to prostrate themselves, saying:

"Hong Hong Guanshi said that Xiao Xiao Shixiong Mi came looking for me, and that the matter is of great importance? He told me to return quickly?"

"Exactly, exactly."

"Where is Xiao Xiao Shixiong Mi now?"

"Young Master Mi is currently in the main hall drinking tea and waiting, while Steward Hong has been dispatched by Young Master Mi to another mountain peak; it seems there are urgent matters to instruct, requiring Steward Hong to handle them."

A clever servant boy rushed forward ahead of the crowd, speaking repeatedly.

"I understand."

Chen Heng nodded and strode toward the main hall.

The moment he crossed the threshold of the hall.

He saw a young cultivator dressed in purple robes, with a clean, fair face exuding an air of refinement, pacing back and forth within the room, appearing extremely anxious and unsettled.

"Greetings, Xiao Xiao Shixiong Mi Hui."

Chen Heng cupped his hands and spoke to the young cultivator.

"You're here! You've finally arrived!"

Upon seeing Chen Heng, Mi Hui could not help but be overjoyed.

He stepped forward, forcefully grabbing Chen Heng's sleeve, paying no heed to host or guest seating, and immediately began speaking a stream of words, his articulation extremely rapid.

Only after managing with great difficulty to clarify the beginning and end of the matter.

Did Mi Hui finally catch his breath, pick up the clear tea from the table, and drain it in one gulp.

He coughed several times, looked at Chen Heng, and said urgently:

"Chen Chen Shidi, this matter was told to me personally by a close friend of mine in secret; at the time when Jiang Jiang Tongyuan and Wei Yang were plotting, he was also present on the scene, so there is absolutely no mistake!

Things have actually reached such a state! So quickly, what is to be done!"

Mi Hui shook his head repeatedly:

"Chen Chen Shidi, do you have any plans in mind?"

"Ten days from now, the Hunsu Yuan Zhi of the Jing School, Shen Yuan, will open a dais at Zheng He Peak to lecture on the Dao and examine our lessons; all inner disciples must attend without exception... Could it be that these aristocratic families intend to make their move against me right under everyone's watchful eyes?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Heng was first slightly surprised.

Then he shook his head, merely responding with a smile.

He had not yet made a move, yet this group of aristocrats was already so impatient they could not wait to play their dirty tricks.

However...

This was actually fine.

At least he had heard the news early.

He could also make his preparations early, preventing those aristocratic families from seizing the initiative!

"Chen Chen Shidi, this is truly a major crisis now; how can you still have the leisure to smile? Do not take this lightly!"

Seeing Chen Heng's expression remain calm, Mi Hui could not help but become somewhat anxious.

"Xiao Xiao Shixiong, do not worry; even if they wish to contend with me using magical arts, they can only send out Foundation Establishment cultivators to act; they cannot use their cultivation base to suppress me," Chen Heng said.

"Foundation Establishment? Which of those Foundation Establishment cultivators from aristocratic backgrounds was not raised immersed in heavenly treasures, earthly materials, jade nectar, and immortal broth? Not a single one of them is easy to deal with!"

Mi Hui raised his voice, frowning deeply:

"Moreover, this time Jiang Jiang Tongyuan has specifically brought out Jiang Jiang Daolian and Wang Jiao Dian; these two—"

Seeing that Mi Hui still seemed poised to speak endlessly, Chen Heng shook his head and said slowly:

"Xiao Xiao Shixiong, there is no need for worry; I already have a plan in mind that can peacefully resolve this calamity."

"What..."

Interrupted, Mi Hui first stared blankly, feeling somewhat confused.

Then, thinking it over, an inexplicable look of joy spread across his face.

"I understand, Xiao Xiao Shixiong understands! Are you planning to go to the Upper Sect to seek aid from the Dao Son?"

Mi Hui laughed loudly and said, "In that case, this is indeed a brilliant stratagem! If the Dao Son is willing to act, what do these aristocratic scoundrels amount to, and what waves could they possibly stir up? Truly an excellent plan!"

"But to clean up a pack of swine and dogs, why disturb the Dao Son's tranquility? I wish for Xiao Xiao Shixiong to send out some message talismans on my behalf, preferably tonight—the sooner, the better!"

Chen Heng shook his head and said.

"Message talismans? To whom?"

Mi Hui looked at him in bewilderment.

"To those aristocratic families, to all the inner disciples, and also to the Upper Masters and various Great Officers of this Changying Courtyard!"

Suddenly, a fierce light burst forth from Chen Heng's eyes, coiling like dragons and snakes, its sharp intent blinding!

Stung by that gaze, Mi Hui found himself unable to look directly at him and involuntarily turned his body aside.

And at this moment.

He only heard Chen Heng's flat, unemotional voice continue to transmit:

"Ten days from now, after the dais lecture at Zheng He Peak concludes, I will personally challenge these aristocrats to decide life and death with them at Bai Shi Peak!"

Although the tone of this voice was flat, like an ancient well without ripples, yet at the very end of the sentence, it suddenly erupted with a surge of chilling, sky-high killing intent!

As if intending to shatter the dome of the sky, soaring straight up to the nine layers of the firmament, ceaseless and unending!

Mi Hui was so startled his eyes bulged wide, overwhelmed by the eccentricity and ruthlessness within them.

For a moment, he was speechless, unable to utter a word...

And at this time.

Outside the hall.

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning flashed across the night sky, rumbling and booming with tremendous, majestic force, as if intending to split mountains and crack stones, causing the birds, beasts, and hundred insects in the mountains, marshes, and vegetation to tremble in fear!

The servant boys standing guard from afar looked up at the sky, then panicked and shrank their necks backward.

"What a loud clap of thunder; it seems wind and rain are about to fall..."

He thought silently in his heart.

……

……

End of chapter.