Chapter Forty-Five: The Summoning Order

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“Brother Yang Jian, please mind your words. If Wuyou truly knew the senior brother’s identity, how could he have struck him? Besides, I was right there at the time—what, do you not even believe me?” Liu Lanzhi could no longer hold back her indignation. Yang Jian, emboldened by his seniority, had become increasingly unreasonable.

“I fear some people are deliberately shielding that brat Che Wuyou. Who’s to say they aren’t his accomplices? After all, no one but you two saw what really happened, so you can say whatever you please. Moreover, when I was tending the wounds of the Xuanqing Sect people, I asked them myself.”

“They said the situation was chaotic and they were badly injured, so they didn’t notice the details. In fact, they said they were all behind the men in black and couldn’t see what happened at the front... If even they didn’t notice, why did you, junior sister, happen to see it so clearly? Is there some hidden reason here?” Han Feng interjected with a mocking tone. For reasons unknown, every time he saw Liu Lanzhi speak up for Che Wuyou, a wave of irritation would wash over him.

“You—” Liu Lanzhi was fuming, but found herself at a loss for words.

Yang Jian, seeing Han Feng so deftly take control, shot him an approving glance. “Junior Brother Han speaks the truth!”

He then turned on Liu Lanzhi, shouting, “Liu Lanzhi, just what are you and that brat Che Wuyou plotting together? You keep insisting that the senior brother ambushed you, that he meant to kill you. From where I stand, it’s clear you’re afraid of him taking your place as head of the family, so you conspired with this brat to kill him. As for those two from Xuanqing Sect, they’re likely your secret accomplices. Otherwise, you two alone would never have been a match for the senior brother.”

Liu Lanzhi’s face turned deathly pale with rage, her fists clenched tight. She was the victim, and yet with Yang Jian’s words, she suddenly became the villain. The audacity of Yang Jian to twist truth and lies in front of everyone—this was intolerable.

Seeing Liu Lanzhi’s silence, Yang Jian pressed harder, “What? Am I right? Have you nothing more to say?” His voice was loud and righteous, making his words sound convincing. With the senior brother dead and no way to verify the truth, everything depended on Liu Lanzhi’s word.

“Utterly absurd, preposterous beyond measure.” Che Wuyou, silent since their return to the Miao estate, finally spoke. He knew it was his turn to step forward—he couldn’t stand by as Liu Lanzhi was accused. A true man knows when to act.

At his words, all eyes instantly turned to Che Wuyou. Since when had he, of all people, dared to challenge his elders in the Miao family? Who had given him such courage?

It took Yang Jian a moment to react, unable to believe Che Wuyou’s newfound boldness. Was this really the same timid Che Wuyou who now dared to openly contradict him?

Yang Jian’s fury erupted. He strode forward and grabbed Che Wuyou by the collar. “Preposterous, is it? Who do you think you are? Who do you think you’re talking to? If you don’t explain yourself right this instant, don’t think Liu Lanzhi can protect you. I’ll cripple you myself, right in front of her.”

With a shove, Yang Jian sent Che Wuyou sprawling onto the ground. Since when did a mere servant like Che Wuyou dare to challenge him? The world was turning upside down.

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Che Wuyou was already gravely injured, and Yang Jian’s violent push struck him right at the wound. The pain nearly rendered him unconscious. Clutching his chest, he saw fresh blood seeping through his clothes. Gritting his teeth, he struggled to his feet—falling several times before finally standing tall, albeit unsteadily, swaying as if he might collapse again. But his stubbornness kept him upright.

Step by painful step, he moved forward, each movement labored yet resolute. At last, he stood in the center of the crowd, meeting their gaze without a trace of fear. He pressed his palms together in greeting, then gave Yang Jian a respectful bow.

Only then did he speak. “Senior Brother Yang Jian, since you say this matter is not absurd, let me ask you. My journey with Lanzhi was conducted in utmost secrecy—very few in our Miao family even knew. Moreover, the senior brother usually keeps to closed-door cultivation and rarely meddles in family affairs. So why did he suddenly appear at the Grand Canyon, dressed as a night stalker?”

“I am very curious as to why he was there. Did someone say something to him and lure him out? If that’s the case, then the one who did so is the true culprit behind his death.” Che Wuyou fixed Yang Jian with his gaze. “Senior Brother Yang, it isn’t so hard to find out who that person is, wouldn’t you agree?”

“You—” Yang Jian faltered, feeling a pang of guilt. He had been the one to inform Senior Brother Yang Cheng, seeing it as the perfect chance to eliminate Liu Lanzhi. Just that morning, he had watched Che Wuyou and Liu Lanzhi head toward the canyon. If he stationed someone there, the problem would be solved once and for all.

Though Che Wuyou hadn’t said it outright, the threat was clear. Yang Jian felt both anger and fear—Che Wuyou was no longer the pushover he used to be.

“Enough!” A cold, commanding voice cut through the tension—Miao Shilin had finally spoken. He cast a meaningful glance at Che Wuyou before saying, “Let the matter rest here. No word of this is to leave this room. I do not wish for this to escalate, nor for anyone to mention it again.” His aged eyes swept over the gathering, heavy with fatigue, and without another word, he departed in silence.

The disciples, seeing their master leave, were about to disperse when Han Feng spoke. “Wait, I have an announcement for everyone.” The crowd looked at him in confusion—what could he possibly have to say? Usually, it was Junior Sister Liu Lanzhi who handled family business, as their master had already chosen her as his successor. Why was Han Feng making the announcement this time? Could it be the master had lost faith in her, or was he grooming Han Feng instead?

Han Feng, enjoying their surprise, smiled modestly and said, “This time, the Grand Elder of Xuanqing Sect, Master Zhang Wanli, has personally issued an ‘Immortal Summons.’ He has invited all alchemists in Jizhou capable of refining yellow-grade pills to Miao Family Village for trials in ten days’ time. Naturally, there will be rewards. Whoever takes first place will receive a lower-grade treasure weapon from Xuanqing Sect. Even those who don’t win but can refine a yellow-grade pill will be handsomely rewarded with precious herbs.”

The crowd’s breath caught in excitement—a treasure weapon! In the cultivation world, weapons are ranked as magic tools, treasure weapons, spirit weapons, and immortal weapons, each with low, medium, high, and supreme grades. Ordinary disciples rarely ever saw a treasure weapon, let alone owned one.

Even a low-grade treasure weapon was beyond their reach; only great cultivators at the Core Formation stage wielded such items. That Xuanqing Sect would offer such a prize was extraordinary. If one could obtain it, their strength would soar dramatically.

But why was Xuanqing Sect doing this? Even if they were wealthy, there was no need to be so extravagant. Many disciples cast questioning glances at Han Feng—if he was the organizer, perhaps he knew more.

Sure enough, Han Feng grinned mysteriously. “This is actually confidential, but since we’re all fellow disciples, I suppose it’s all right.” He lowered his voice. “Xuanqing Sect’s princess, Zhang Qing, was secretly brought into Miao Family Village yesterday afternoon by their sect master Zhang Yuan.”

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“What? Is that true?”

“Why would they send their own princess to our Miao Family Village?”

“Could it be that Princess Zhang Qing has taken a liking to Senior Brother Han Feng?”

“...”

The crowd kept their voices low. Han Feng, seeing their reactions, was quite pleased with himself. He looked around with a self-satisfied smirk. “Alas,” he sighed, “Zhang Qing may harbor some affection for me, but my heart is wholly devoted to the immortal path—I’ve never given thought to such worldly affairs.” He gazed up at the sky, affecting an air of ethereal detachment.

Seeing the disbelief on everyone’s faces, Han Feng finally put away his smile and spoke gravely, “In fact, Zhang Qing suffered severe internal injuries and urgently needs healing. That’s why their sect master brought her here, hoping our master could save her. But our master is advanced in years and cannot be certain of success. Both he and Master Zhang agreed that if a Great Rejuvenation Pill could be refined, Zhang Qing’s life could be saved.”

“But the Great Rejuvenation Pill is extremely difficult to refine, and each attempt would cost a fortune—Xuanqing Sect doesn’t have the resources to waste on several failures. Besides, no one in Jizhou has ever claimed to be able to refine such a pill with certainty, even after all these years. So Xuanqing Sect decided to issue the Immortal Summons, offering a treasure weapon as a reward, all in the hope of saving their beloved princess.”

Han Feng paused before continuing, “Master hopes all our fellow disciples will sign up enthusiastically and bring honor to Miao Family Village, making our name known through this Immortal Summons.”

At last, the crowd dispersed. Yet Yang Jian felt a strange unease. Could it be that the master truly favored Han Feng now? The eldest brother and Liu Lanzhi had fought to the bitter end for the position of family head, and now the eldest was dead—had the inheritance fallen to Han Feng instead? He could not accept it.