Chapter 211: Troops March on Cangming

"Master Peng, what on earth could be so urgent that it's drawn you out?"

Seeing the white-haired Master Peng standing before him, Zhang Zhen's heart shot straight to his throat, his mind instantly racing through countless possibilities.

Bait!

He was certain now—Xu Jin, who had gone out today, was nothing but bait!

That so-called long visit to the Ying family mansion? It wasn't a visit at all—just a performance.

But this didn't make sense.

If this were merely an ambush to kill assassins, sending a few Xuezhengs—or even the Left and Right Jiujiu—would have been more than enough.

Yet the Grand Chen Dao Academy had deployed this ancient relic—so what kind of fish were they trying to catch?

Master Peng Tie Shan, twenty years ago, was a name that shook the world!

He had once served three Grand Masters of the Grand Chen Dao Academy.

It was he who carried back the corpse of the previous Grand Master, Pei.

Thirty years ago, he was already a Seventh-Rank powerhouse.

Since carrying back the corpse of the former Grand Master Pei twenty years ago, this old manager had rarely appeared in public.

But today—

A chilling possibility struck him, sending a cold rush from his soles straight to his skull, making him shudder violently!

Looking at the corpses in the distance, Zhang Zhen's fear intensified.

"What else could it be? You should know best," Master Peng said, staring at Zhang Zhen.

At these words, Zhang Zhen grew even more terrified. "Master Peng, after all these years, you still look as magnificent as ever!"

"Old, old! But you, boy, have grown fast indeed! Twenty years ago, when your Cangming Star Hall first settled in our Dachen Wan Yi, I recall you were just beginning your Star Casting, weren't you?" Master Peng sighed.

"Yes, but Master Peng, you haven't changed a bit!" Zhang Zhen, terrified and desperate, hurried on, "Master Peng, I'm just passing through—the Hall has urgent business. I must take my leave."

Zhang Zhen turned to leave, but Master Peng stretched out a hand to block him. "You brat, now that we've finally met an old acquaintance, aren't you going to let the old man reminisce about the past?"

"You're my elder, how dare I claim to be your old acquaintance!" Zhang Zhen panicked, yet dared not force his way out.

Master Peng wore a look of reminiscence. "Do you still remember twenty years ago, when your Cangming Star Hall first arrived in Wan Yi, and you were slapped during the imperial banquet?"

At these words, Zhang Zhen recalled an incident from twenty years ago.

Back then, he had achieved top-grade Star Casting in both the Middle and Lower Star Palaces, even nearing Jipin Star Casting—among the greatest talents in Cangming Star Hall, highly esteemed and powerful.

Youthful arrogance!

That's about the gist of it.

At the time, Grand Chen was a defeated nation—its Spirit Record Star Hall had been locked down by enemies—and Zhang Zhen's behavior had been brazen.

When the newly appointed Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao raised his cup in toast, Zhang Zhen sat there lazily, not rising—and was slapped by Master Peng. He remembered it for years.

Now, suddenly recalled, that moment replayed vividly, burning his face.

Back then, even younger, publicly slapped and scolded for disrespect and arrogance, he'd lost face utterly—he'd wanted to slaughter the entire Grand Chen Dao Academy.

Now, recalling it, a trace of resentment still rose.

Seeing this, Master Peng shook his head slightly. "Pity. Such a pity."

"Master Peng, what are you pitying?" Zhang Zhen was confused.

"I pity your stupidity. That slap twenty years ago didn't wake you up—you learned not a single lesson."

"Otherwise, you wouldn't be in this mess today!" Master Peng said.

Zhang Zhen's pupils shrank—he caught the key phrase: "this mess today!"

Realizing what it meant, Zhang Zhen shuddered violently. In the next instant, he abandoned all pretense with Master Peng, his feet erupting in starlight—he spun and tried to flee!

But the starlight had barely ignited when a golden rainbow slammed him back.

It was Meng Yanhui, the Left Jiujiu of the Grand Chen Dao Academy, who had acted.

At the same moment, Master Peng sneered and brought down a massive palm imprint straight onto Zhang Zhen's head.

Zhang Zhen's eyes flashed with fury—a Sixth-Rank Star Artifact shot skyward, striking the palm imprint.

In the next instant, a small green bow appeared in Master Peng's palm, swelling instantly into a full moon as it drew—three green sparks coalesced and shot forth!

Shhh!

The moment the piercing sound rang out, the three green sparks struck Zhang Zhen's Sixth-Rank Star Artifact in rapid succession.

The green sparks exploded—Zhang Zhen's Sixth-Rank Star Artifact shattered into fragments.

Meng Yanhui's golden rainbow struck again; the palm imprint came crashing down from above.

To save his life, Zhang Zhen abandoned all restraint.

He unleashed three talismans in rapid succession—one of them, a Sixth-Rank Talisman.

The Sixth-Rank Talisman exploded, forcing Left Jiujiu Meng Yanhui to stagger back—his escape route opened!

Zhang Zhen's feet erupted in starlight—he lunged to flee.

Suddenly, a great mountain slammed into him, sending him flying back.

It was Liu Qingzhu who had acted.

Whip Mountain!

At the same moment, Master Peng drew his bow fully again.

The moment the massive green bow stretched open, Zhang Zhen felt it—a crushing, indescribable pressure enveloped his entire body!

"Spare me, Master Manager! Spare me!"

"I am the Dachen Star Lord of Cangming Star Hall! Kill me, and you won't be able to—"

Shhh!

The moment the piercing sound rang out, two gaping holes appeared simultaneously in Zhang Zhen's chest and head.

His starlight scattered—he plummeted to the ground.

Master Peng sheathed his bow, gazing at the green bow in his hand, slowly caressing it, filled with emotion. "Twenty years."

"The Qingyue Bow's divine might—I haven't seen it in twenty years," murmured Left Jiujiu Meng Yanhui, also moved by the sight of the Qingyue Divine Bow.

It was a top-grade Sixth-Rank Star Artifact. Twenty years ago, it had terrified the world under Master Peng's hand—now, it had reappeared.

But it also stirred Meng Yanhui's thoughts—today, only Master Peng's presence had made this possible.

Had it been only him and the two Vice Xuezhengs, they might not have been able to hold onto this Cangming Star Hall Dachen Star Lord.

But that was only natural.

Zhang Zhen was Sixth-Rank Mid-stage; Meng Yanhui himself was Sixth-Rank Yunlou Peak. He could defeat Zhang Zhen—but killing him was far harder.

Even with Liu Qingzhu and Shen Wei as additional Vice Xuezhengs, it still wouldn't have been enough.

Liu Qingzhu arrived, staring at Zhang Zhen's corpse—she was genuinely surprised.

She hadn't expected the old manager to kill this man.

As Zhang Zhen had said—he was the Cangming Star Hall Dachen Star Lord.

Killing others was one thing; killing him carried enormous risk.

Killing him was like slapping the entire Cangming Star Hall across the face.

As she hesitated, worried, Master Peng spoke: "Place Zhang Zhen's corpse beside those ten assassins. Don't move them. Seal this area. Then follow the Palace Master's orders."

As he spoke, Master Peng tossed Meng Yanhui a command token.

Inside the token were three orders.

Meng Yanhui glanced at it once—his face turned pale.

"Master Manager… are you certain this must be done?"

"Do otherwise? Should we go apologize to Cangming Star Hall for assassinating our disciples? Or hand over the culprits, like we did over a decade ago?" Master Peng sneered.

"The Grand Master has ordered it. Carry it out."

"Yes!"

After handing over the scene to Liu Qingzhu, Meng Yanhui instantly returned to the Grand Chen Dao Academy. Before leaving, he sent Xu Jin a starlight message: "Return to the Dao Academy at once!"

Xu Jin's shock was no less than his teacher Liu Qingzhu's.

He had discussed this fishing operation with the Grand Master, proposed a preliminary plan—but all the details were perfected by the Grand Master himself. Xu Jin had assumed they'd simply eliminate a few assassins and make the star hall that ordered the hit feel pain.

He never imagined they'd kill the Cangming Star Hall Dachen Star Lord, Zhang Zhen!

Something huge was coming.

Xu Jin had a gut feeling—something even bigger was coming.

After bowing respectfully to Master Peng, his teacher Liu Qingzhu, and Vice Xuezheng Shen Wei, Xu Jin immediately activated his movement technique and raced back to the Dao Academy.

Left Jiujiu had ordered him to return—he must return quickly!

Before Xu Jin even entered the Dao Academy, his Zhai Xing Token flashed violently.

Three flashes in rapid succession.

Emergency!

Xu Jin plunged his mind into it—military order!

Emergency troop assembly order!

All disciples registered in the Xunxingwei Military Corps must assemble at the Xunxingwei Camp outside the Dao Academy within fifteen minutes.

Latecomers: whipped!

Absentees: executed!

Xu Jin was registered in the Xunxingwei Military Corps—and held the rank of Deputy Director.

Xu Jin rushed back to his courtyard, changed into his Xunxingwei armor and uniform, then sprinted toward the Xunxingwei Camp.

And during this time, the Patrol Star Guard camp had already moved.

The Grand Dao Academy's Patrol Star Guard has one Grand Commander and two Deputy Commanders.

The Grand Commander's surname is Pei, name Ze.

At this moment, Grand Commander Pei was already beating the war drum in the central command tent to assemble the officers.

Amid the drumbeats, Fang Xuezheng was the first to arrive.

All Xuezheng and Deputy Xuezheng of the Grand Dao Academy hold military ranks, and their positions are not low.

After exchanging formal greetings, Fang Shi asked, "Grand Commander Pei, why this urgent military assembly?"

"By order of the Grand Master!"

Pei Ze lifted the command token before him, said no more, and Left Sacrificer Meng Yanhui had already changed into military attire and entered the tent.

Seeing Pei's demeanor, Fang Shi dared not act presumptuous—he could only take his place and wait in silence.

In the Grand Dao Academy, he was a Senior Xuezheng, a man of noble and pure status!

But inside this tent, he was merely a guard commander, bound to obey military orders.

Put bluntly, if he disobeyed, and Grand Commander Pei decided to execute him, even the Grand Master himself could not stop it.

Military orders are as firm as mountains!

This Grand Commander Pei had served ten years on the Star River battlefield.

When the hundred and eight drumbeats ended, a messenger stepped forward to report: "Report, Grand Commander: of the fifteen thousand Patrol Star Guards of Great Chen's Grand Dao Academy, nine hundred and seven are on official duty elsewhere; all others have assembled."

"Hmm."

Grand Commander Pei nodded, then immediately raised the command token: "By order of the Grand Master: First Patrol Star Guard, guard the Grand Dao Academy! Second Patrol Star Guard, patrol Wan Yi, assist the Imperial Guard in maintaining readiness!

Third and Fourth Patrol Star Guards, surround the Wan Yi Main Hall of the Cangming Star Hall! Fifth Patrol Star Guard, stand by for further orders!

"March out!"

At this order, everyone widened their eyes—especially the Senior Xuezheng, all stunned.

Surround the Wan Yi Main Hall of the Cangming Star Hall?

What are they planning?

Are they declaring war on the Cangming Star Hall?

Such a massive move!

How did we hear nothing?

Yet Left Sacrificer Meng Yanhui looked calm and composed.

Suddenly, several Senior Xuezheng, especially Fang Xuezheng, realized something.

A wave of dread surged in their hearts!

With the order given, Fang Xuezheng and the others dared not question it, no matter their doubts.

Xu Jin was among the troops.

Two watches later, the army completely surrounded the Wan Yi Main Hall of the Cangming Star Hall; inside, chaos erupted.

Fortunately, they only surrounded—did not attack.

Xu Jin, hidden among the ranks, had gone from shock and confusion to admiration.

Combined with prior events, he now fully understood Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's strategy.

Put crudely, this was pure reverse accusation!

He lured and killed five fifth-rank Gathered Stars experts from the Cangming Star Hall, eliminated their chief Star Lord, then surrounded the Wan Yi Main Hall of the Cangming Star Hall.

But only surrounded—did not attack!

Xu Jin guessed that Great Chen's Grand Dao Academy's formal accusation had already been sent to the Cangming Star Hall.

Xu Jin was right.

The Cangming Star Hall had received Great Chen's Grand Dao Academy's accusation.

The accusation was brief and clear, yet fiercely threatening.

When the Cangming Star Hall's Star Lord received the accusation, he flew into a rage and hurled the document at Seventh Elder Huang Kejia's face.

At the same moment, an emergency high-level meeting was convened in the Cangming Star Hall's Star Absorption Tower's Cangming Realm; Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's furious accusation now glowed on the star screen.

Three points only.

First: Explain why the Cangming Star Hall's Great Chen Main Hall openly dispatched elite Star Hall experts to assassinate Great Chen's gifted disciples!

Second: Explain why the Cangming Star Hall's Great Chen Star Lord Zhang Zhen openly assassinated Great Chen's Grand Dao Academy gifted disciple—otherwise, Great Chen will treat this as an open declaration of war!

Third: If the Cangming Star Hall fails to respond within six hours, Great Chen's Grand Dao Academy will utterly destroy the Cangming Star Hall's Great Chen Main Hall and report this matter to the Star River Battlefield Marshal's Office!

These three demands nearly drove the Cangming Star Hall's Star Lord mad.

When did Great Chen's Grand Dao Academy dare question the Cangming Star Hall like this?

But after glancing at the detailed event records appended to the document, the Star Lord fell silent.

The document included a jade tablet recording of the assassination attempt on Xu Jin, along with the full resumes of the five fifth-rank Gathered Stars experts from the Cangming Star Hall who carried it out.

Every detail of their lives, from birth to their rise within the Cangming Star Hall, was laid bare.

This left the Cangming Star Hall's elite utterly speechless.

If it were one or two, they could shamelessly deny it—claim the men had defected, been expelled, or were spies from another faction.

But five men, each holding key posts within the Cangming Star Hall's Great Chen Main Hall!

To deny them all would not only fail—it would shatter the internal morale of the Cangming Star Hall.

These men died for the Star Hall, and now you deny them, smear their names?

Who would ever dare serve the Star Hall again?

And Zhang Zhen!

Seventh Elder Huang Kejia now wanted to drag Zhang Zhen out and flay him alive.

How stupid are you!

You wanted to earn merit by arranging an assassination? Fine.

The assassination failed? Also fine.

Assassinations are never guaranteed to succeed!

But why did you personally go to carry it out?

That breaks rules and invites taboo!

At the very least, when the assassination failed, you should have destroyed the others' bodies and fled immediately!

Some things can be done—but not openly!

Once exposed, you become a public enemy.

You, Zhang Zhen, not only went yourself—you were caught red-handed!

You delivered ironclad evidence straight to their door!

You're only hurting your own side!

If Zhang Zhen were here, he'd scream his innocence.

He was only observing, hoping to offer backup if needed.

He never expected Great Chen's Grand Dao Academy had the audacity to kill him outright and frame him!

He's dead—where can he go to plead his case?

In the Cangming Realm, the matter left the Star Lord utterly humiliated. He slammed the document onto the table before the elders: "Handle it. I don't want the Star River Battlefield Marshal's Office sending me another document!"

After speaking, the Star Lord left immediately.

Only Seventh Elder Huang Kejia and the other elders remained, staring at each other in silence.

To resolve this, they must swallow their pride.

(End of Chapter)