Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Interrogation

Page 1 of 3

In the heart of Mount Qiyun, atop Gentlemen’s Peak, stood the Grand Hall of Langhuan.

Within the hall, flames and incense flickered quietly atop the offering platform, wisps of smoke curling upward. Behind the platform, deep in shadow, a towering statue gleamed faintly with golden light, flanked by a crane and a deer on either side.

At the center of the hall sat the main seat, where a figure clad in white robes presided. Flanking him below on either side, three dignified individuals sat upright: Yan Dongjue, the “Ten Absolute Swords”; Qin Menglan, the “Lotus Immortal”; and Huichun Shan, the head of Longxiang Peak, known as the “Healer Saint.” These four governed the four principal peaks of the Hundred Flowers Sect, gathered now for reasons yet unknown.

A disciple, neatly dressed and handsome in Daoist attire, entered the hall and bowed respectfully. “Master, Eldest Brother Feng and Junior Sister Chen are waiting outside.”

“Mm,” replied the suave, youthful man in white—his beauty tinged with an elegant androgyny—as he nodded gently. “Let them come in.”

“Understood.”

Moments later, Feng Yiyuan and Chen Yuxi entered together, stepping across the threshold with solemn composure. In unison, they greeted, “Disciples Feng Yiyuan and Chen Yuxi greet the Sect Master.”

“Very good. Yiyuan, you two recount all you’ve seen and heard to your uncles and elders,” said Jun Wuji, esteemed and revered leader of the righteous path, opening his eyes with calm gravity.

Yiyuan spoke in a clear voice: “A few days ago, Junior Sister and I tracked the traces of Old Demon Yin. In the territory of Chen Prefecture, we encountered the Red-Haired Patriarch, a formidable demon cultivator. After several fierce battles, he escaped us. Today, at an icy cave outside Willow Town, we met Lin, Lin Feng, and Brother Mingxin from Futuo Temple by chance. The cave housed an ice wyrm beast, and when we arrived, four people were already engaged in combat with it. They were eventually defeated; the leader vanished, and we took over, slaying the beast. However…”

“However what?” Yan Dongjue interrupted impatiently.

“However, Brother Mingxin and I suspect those four belonged to the demonic faction. Furthermore, Junior Brother Lin managed to escape from Yin Zhaozong, which is highly suspicious. At Dawang Village, the two even addressed each other as grandfather and grandson. Also, in the icy cave, Lin disappeared for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea…”

Feng Yiyuan recounted the events in detail, leaving the three peak masters stunned. Silence descended upon the hall.

Jun Wuji nodded lightly and glanced at Yan Dongjue, signaling for him to speak his mind.

Yan Dongjue, dressed plainly in blue, pondered for a long while and asked, “Yuxi, is what Yiyuan said true?”

Chen Yuxi hesitated, glancing at Brother Feng. “Uncle, it is true.”

“Hmph!” Yan Dongjue was furious, his face darkening. “This Lin Feng, just now favored by your uncle, is now entangled with the demonic path—how could I tolerate this? And you two—when you encounter the demonic faction, you should eradicate them completely, not leave trouble behind!”

Feng Yiyuan and Chen Yuxi fell silent, heads bowed. In recent years, with the Sect Master in seclusion, internal affairs had been managed solely by Yan Dongjue—far more strict and demanding than the master himself.

Huichun Shan, head of Longxiang Peak, chuckled and shook his head. He appeared the eldest among the peak masters, though in truth was the youngest. Stroking his long beard, he laughed, “Brother Yan, Yiyuan’s claims are mere speculation, hardly proof. Yin Zhaozong’s theft of the Soul-devouring Ghost Grass is a grave matter. I suggest we summon Lin Feng to explain himself, rather than guessing blindly here. As for killing demon cultivators, one more or less makes little difference. If we shout ‘kill’ at every encounter…”

Yan Dongjue snorted coldly and fell silent.

Jun Wuji waved his hand. “Our brother speaks wisely. Yiyuan, go down the mountain and bring Lin Feng for questioning.”

…

At the meat bun shop beneath Tianmen Peak, Lin Feng and Du Songsong feasted joyfully. Under the table, Black Steed neighed contentedly, savoring a rare banquet. The White Jade Goldwing Sparrow perched atop the table, not only eating buns but sneaking sips of fragrant vinegar, its eyes darting mischievously.

“It’s been ages since I’ve tasted such delicious buns. Songsong, I owe it all to you this time, or else Black Steed would’ve starved,” Lin Feng said, grabbing buns in each hand and stuffing them down greedily.

Page 2 of 3

Du Songsong grinned widely. “So, any gains from this outing? Did you visit any towns?”

“Ugh, don’t ask. The lands around Mount Qiyun are wild for a thousand miles—no cities at all. I wandered three days before finding a small town. If only I could ride a sword, that’d be grand—a blink and I’d be hundreds of miles away.” Only with this close friend could he speak freely and relax.

“A small town? What’s it like? Bigger than Lotus Town?” Du Songsong looked expectant.

Lin Feng shook his head seriously, his face showing the relief of survival. “Lotus Town? It’s a bit bigger. You wouldn’t believe it—I didn’t have a single coin on me. Luckily, I met Brother Mingxin from Futuo Temple, or I’d have fainted from hunger.”

“Ah… a master from Futuo Temple! And then? How did you meet Senior Feng Yiyuan and the others?” Du Songsong was determined to get the whole story.

“Oh, in the icy cave, Brother Mingxin and I went to deal with the beast. Coincidentally, Senior Brother Feng and Sister Chen arrived…” Lin Feng drank a bowl of hot porridge and wiped his brow, feeling thoroughly satisfied.

“What! Senior Brother Feng… Sister Chen?” Du Songsong exclaimed as if hearing something unbelievable.

“Yeah, they told me to address them that way. Don’t ask me why—I don’t get it either.” Lin Feng shrugged.

Du Songsong stared for a long while before finally saying, “Brother, you’ve made it…”

“Not at all. If I really made it, I wouldn’t forget you,” Lin Feng replied with a smile.

They chatted enthusiastically, when suddenly a sharp whistle sounded overhead. Feng Yiyuan descended, standing atop the Ziyang Sword.

“Junior Brother Lin, the elders wish to see you,” Feng Yiyuan said with a gentle smile, his robes fluttering, a presence that drew all nearby attention.

Lin Feng was astonished. Feng Yiyuan’s elders—weren’t those the legendary masters who showcased their powers at the alchemy festival?

He quietly wiped his mouth, climbed onto the Ziyang Sword with anxious heart, barely able to wave goodbye before vanishing in a flash of purple light.

“Lin, you’ve made it—don’t forget me,” Du Songsong murmured, gazing at the spotless sky.

Aside from Tianmen Peak, outer sect disciples rarely set foot upon other peaks of Mount Qiyun, let alone the lofty, cloud-shrouded Gentlemen’s Peak.

The peak was grand, its summit piercing the clouds, only half visible from the air—the upper part ethereal and elusive. Piercing through layers of mist, the Ziyang Sword descended upon a platform. Feng Yiyuan smiled, “This is Gentlemen’s Peak, presided over by our Sect Master. Above, flying swords are forbidden. Come with me.”

Mist drifted across the platform. A straight celestial staircase led deep into the clouds, endless, as if reaching the heavens.

Lin Feng exclaimed, following closely behind Feng Yiyuan, his unease growing stronger.

At the end of the hundred-step staircase, a vast platform unfolded, paved with jade, engraved with mysterious symbols forming an incomprehensible pattern. The plain, unadorned platform had nothing extra, lending it a profound grandeur. Ahead, a magnificent hall sat atop the peak, with celestial cranes and auspicious vapors sweeping through the clouds and vanishing into distant mountains. On either side of the hall, tranquil paths led behind, where the breeze carried the scent of iris, evoking the realm of immortals.

Amid the mist and clouds atop Gentlemen’s Peak, one felt no cold at all.

“Junior Brother Lin, the elders are within. Remember your manners,” Feng Yiyuan said with a smile.

Page 3 of 3

“Yes, Senior Brother Feng.” Lin Feng straightened his expression, though anxiety gnawed at him.

Crossing the vast platform, he soon saw the golden-roofed hall. Above the entrance hung a plaque inscribed “Langhuan Hall.” Beside the doors stood four young Daoists, eyes closed and meditative, as if absorbed in deep concentration.

Feng Yiyuan straightened his robe and addressed them respectfully, “Brothers, please announce our arrival…”

Before he finished, a gentle voice from within called, “You two may enter.”

Feng Yiyuan paused, then said solemnly, “Yes.”

Lin Feng followed him over the high threshold into the hall. Looking up, he saw the central figure, resplendent in white robes with a gentle smile, ebony hair flowing like a waterfall, skin smooth as jade, eyes closed in contemplation. This was the grand master, Sect Leader Jun Wuji.

Below him, two rows of eight large chairs were arranged. On one side sat Yan Dongjue and Qin Menglan; on the other, a kindly elder with a large gourd at his waist, whom Lin Feng did not recognize. The remaining chairs were empty, accentuating the daunting vastness of the hall.

“Hmph! No manners,” Yan Dongjue snorted, his voice ringing in Lin Feng’s ears.

Feng Yiyuan stepped forward and bowed. “Master, I have brought Junior Brother Lin.”

“Mm, you are Lin Feng?” Jun Wuji nodded gently, opening his eyes, their bright gaze piercing through, making Lin Feng’s breath quicken and mouth go dry.

“Yes, disciple Lin Feng, greetings to the Sect Master,” he stammered, nerves fraying.

Jun Wuji smiled slightly. “No need to be nervous. I have a few questions for you—answer honestly.”

Lin Feng’s heart jumped. He nodded hurriedly, “Yes.”

Jun Wuji nodded. “Where is Yin Zhaozong now? Is he alive or dead?”

Lin Feng glanced at those present, then raised his head. “I do not know, Master. When I left him, he was gravely wounded—he may not have long to live.”

At this, Yan Dongjue abruptly stood, eyes flashing sharply. “Nonsense! Let me ask you—at Dawang Village, how did you address Yin Zhaozong? If he was dying, why would he let you go so easily? If you cannot explain yourself, you will not leave Langhuan Hall today!”

Lin Feng was shaken, his body trembling, speechless for a moment as tension thickened in the grand hall.

Dear readers, don’t forget to bookmark, and cast your votes if you can!