Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Just Like You

The eight halls within the sect each had their own designated areas. The Law Enforcement Hall’s headquarters was located on Heavenly Punishment Peak, near the five Inner Peaks. This peak had two summits, separated by a steep cliff, appearing as if it had been cleaved in two by a sword.

Legend had it that in ancient times, a Demon King fled to this mountain, only to be struck down by heavenly punishment. Thunderbolts, like a guillotine, descended from the sky, slaying the Demon King on this very peak, splitting the mountain in two. Hence, the peak got its name.

The Law Enforcement Hall’s presence here symbolized the sect’s laws and their divine authority, serving as a warning to all disciples.

Lu Chengfeng followed Li Qian all the way up Heavenly Punishment Peak. When they reached the mountainside, instead of continuing upwards, they turned into a canyon. Looking up, both sides were steep cliffs, with waterfalls cascading down, converging into a pool at the canyon’s depths.

Beside this pool, there was a thatched hut. In front of the hut, a figure in a straw raincoat was fishing by the shore.

The sun shone brightly, and the waterfalls roared like thunder as they plummeted from the cliffs, sending water droplets flying. Yet, the figure on the shore remained motionless, as if asleep.

Li Qian led Lu Chengfeng closer and bowed respectfully.

“Master, I have brought Junior Brother Lu Chengfeng.”

“Greetings, Grand Elder,” Lu Chengfeng also bowed.

The figure remained unhurried, his voice carrying a hint of laziness. “Qian’er, you may leave. Let Chengfeng stay with me for a while.”

Li Qian bowed and quietly retreated.

The Grand Elder then turned his head to look at Lu Chengfeng. His face was incredibly young and handsome, like that of a seventeen or eighteen-year-old youth. However, his long silver hair cascading over his shoulders added a touch of mystique.

Lu Chengfeng was stunned, mainly because he hadn’t expected the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall to look like this.

“Have a seat, child. If you don’t mind, would you like to join this old man in fishing by this waterfall and cold pool for a while?” the Grand Elder spoke, his voice gentle and without any hint of old age.

“As you wish, Master,” Lu Chengfeng replied without hesitation. Seeing a prepared straw raincoat nearby, he put it on and sat down on the ground.

He casually picked up a fishing rod placed beside him. Noticing there was no hook or bait, he didn’t mind and simply cast the line into the pool, pretending to fish.

“Hahaha, you’re an interesting young man,” the Grand Elder chuckled. “Don’t tell me you think I’m just putting on a show here?”

“Speaking of which, a big fish is coming. Let me show you my catch.”

As he spoke, he exerted a slight force with his palm, and the fishing rod lifted. A large fish, over two feet long, with silvery-white scales and a bright red tail, was pulled out of the water.

“A Cold-Scaled Firetail Fish! Haha, you’re in for a treat today.”

The Grand Elder skillfully flicked his fishing rod, and the fish landed precisely in the fish basket beside him.

“The pool beneath this waterfall is quite unique. It’s a natural cold pool. Legend has it that in ancient times, a Demon King perished here, and one of its ribs remains at the bottom of the pool, causing the waterfall’s water to become incredibly cold once it enters the pool.”

“It’s said that the firetail of this Cold-Scaled Firetail Fish is nourished by the Demon King’s blood essence. Not only does it have a unique flavor, but it’s also quite beneficial for cultivating inner energy. It’s a rare delicacy.”

Lu Chengfeng’s pupils suddenly contracted as the Grand Elder spoke. He noticed that there was no hook on the fishing rod either, but True Qi flowed through the fishing line, forming a translucent hook.

Such inconceivable control of True Qi was simply astounding. Unleashing sword Qi and projecting True Qi were two entirely different realms.

Moreover, manipulating True Qi with such finesse was truly a feat that defied nature. How could it not be awe-inspiring?

Lu Chengfeng now understood that the Grand Elder cultivated through this unique method. He sighed and said, “Grand Elder’s mastery is truly profound. This disciple is shallow-minded.”

“Haha, you’re an honest child,” the Grand Elder laughed. “But I suppose what you’re most curious about is why I asked you here, right?”

Lu Chengfeng replied frankly, “Indeed, disciple has that question. Please enlighten me, Elder.”

The Grand Elder cast his fishing line once more and sighed. “I presume you’ve started learning the ‘Five Elements Convergence Sword Scripture.’ What you may not know is that Xun Shuijing and I studied under the same master. We were both disciples of the previous Sect Master.”

“I was the second disciple under our master, and he was the fifth. So, technically, you should address me as Martial Uncle.”

Lu Chengfeng readily adapted and addressed him as Martial Uncle.

The Grand Elder spoke with a complex tone, “Junior Brother Xun was a prodigy, a once-in-a-millennium talent. Our master believed he would lead the Cloud Firmament Sword Sect to unprecedented heights.”

“Therefore, he was appointed as the Young Sect Master early on and was even granted special permission to study the ‘Great Five Elements Extinction Divine Light Sword Scripture,’ which only the Sect Master was allowed to comprehend.”

“Junior Brother Xun lived up to Master’s expectations. At a young age, his Sword Intent reached the heavens, and he was only half a step away from transcendence. He even created his own unique technique, the ‘Five Elements Convergence Sword Scripture.'”

“By establishing a foundation with the Five Elements Convergence Sword Scripture, comprehending the profound and obscure Great Five Elements Extinction Divine Light Sword would become much easier.”

“But unfortunately…”

Lu Chengfeng remained silent. He knew there must be many hidden truths behind Xun Shuijing’s death, with countless people involved. He wouldn’t speak carelessly at this moment.

The Grand Elder continued, “Back then, something happened to Junior Brother Xun. His whereabouts were leaked, and he was ambushed by experts from other sects. By the time Master arrived, Junior Brother had already fought to his death.”

“You must know, Junior Brother had already achieved a profound level of Sword Intent and had insights into the Great Five Elements Extinction Divine Light Sword Scripture. He was capable of dominating the world. Yet, those who participated in the ambush were all old monsters, the hidden pillars of their respective sects.”

“Some of them were even believed to be dead, but they suddenly appeared in the ambush.”

“That battle shook the heavens and the earth. Out of the twenty-three peerless experts involved in the ambush, twenty died on the spot, and only three managed to escape. One of them later succumbed to his injuries and died shortly after.”

Just hearing this, Lu Chengfeng could imagine how earth-shattering that battle must have been. The participants were all legendary figures from various sects in the Martial Worl, yet the outcome was so tragic.

“This was clearly a meticulously planned trap. The enemies had already set up a dragnet, waiting for Junior Brother to walk into it,” the Grand Elder said coldly. “Without an insider within the sect, this would have been impossible.”

“Unfortunately, after Junior Brother’s death, the sect was in chaos, and several elders lost their lives in the aftermath. To quell the unrest and turmoil, Master forcefully suppressed the matter.”

“As a result, even now, the name Xun Shuijing has become taboo, rarely mentioned among the disciples.”

He paused for a moment, then sneered. “But I’m not willing to let it go. I’ve been secretly investigating this matter all these years. Although the enemy is cunning, they can’t leave no trace.”

“I already have suspicions about the culprit, but I haven’t found any concrete evidence. I can only watch as the murderer roams free.”

“Just like you. Even if you killed Xiao Qi, without solid proof, what can anyone do? What can even the Law Enforcement Hall do?”

Lu Chengfeng’s heart trembled, a storm surging within him. But he maintained his composure on the surface. If it were just about Xiao Qi, it wouldn’t have alarmed the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall to meet him personally.

He was certain that the Grand Elder’s purpose for seeing him wasn’t simple.

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