Escalating Tensions, the Chen-Jiang Dispute

The Li Fire Sect's Law Enforcement Hall stood atop the Main Peak, though it was hidden off to one side. One had to circle half the mountain before seeing the pitch-black hall.

Xiao Chen followed behind Elder Chen as they were escorted to two small separate rooms in a side hall.

"Creak~" The door opened, and a thick smell of decay immediately rushed out from inside.

Looking in, the room was incredibly cramped. Aside from a small wooden table and a pair of stools, there were only four walls—not even a window.

An Inner Sect Disciple brought over two plates of peanuts and two pots of wine. "Elder Chen, conditions here are limited. Please make do."

Elder Chen did not seem bothered in the slightest. Smiling cheerfully, he reassured Xiao Chen, "Don't be nervous. I informed the family before coming here."

"Before this pot of wine is finished, we'll both be out."

"Now that you're my disciple, as long as I don't agree, he absolutely won't be able to touch you."

Xiao Chen clasped his hands in thanks. "This disciple thanks Elder for your concern. I will forever remember Elder's great kindness."

Although the entire matter was utterly baffling and he had been locked up for no reason, one thing was one thing; debts of gratitude and grievances had to be kept distinct.

He would remember the Law Enforcement Hall's grudge for acting without distinguishing black from white, and he would also remember Elder Chen's kindness in stepping forward for him.

Soon after, the two were locked up separately.

Elsewhere.

Elder Jiang swiftly discovered a major point of suspicion.

During this year's Chore Peak test, Xiao Chen's cultivation had still been at the Qi Refining First Layer. Even on Chore Peak, that put him at the very bottom.

He belonged to the lowest tier of cultivators, the kind whose entire remaining life could be seen at a glance—worse off than many Rogue Cultivators.

Yet this chore worker with no hope on the path of cultivation had directly broken through to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer not long afterward, and even his mannerisms seemed like those of a different person.

Elder Jiang noticed that Xiao Chen, who had never taken the initiative to cultivate over the previous three years, had actually transformed into an Ascetic Cultivator after that.

He had completely abandoned his former way of drinking tea, taking walks, admiring flowers, and enjoying the scenery, seizing every moment to cultivate.

This was plainly abnormal!

A sharp glint flashed through Elder Jiang's eyes. If Xiao Chen had a problem, then Elder Chen, who had vouched for him, had to bear responsibility!

As an Outer Sect Elder, if he could not judge people clearly, then he should step down and yield his place to someone worthy.

In order to gather sufficiently strong evidence as quickly as possible—especially evidence pointing to the Chen Family—

Elder Jiang directly mobilized every disciple in the Law Enforcement Hall, launching a massive Grand Investigation.

Every disciple from Chore Peak and Branch 2 who knew Xiao Chen was questioned, and the inquiry then expanded to every disciple who had ever seen him.

Such a huge operation quickly spread Xiao Chen's name throughout Chore Peak and the Outer Sect's Branch 12. Even the Inner Sect Disciples had heard of it.

Within the Law Enforcement Hall, Wang Sanhu, who was responsible for guard duty, also heard of the vigorous Big Sweep outside.

He could not help but begin entertaining his own little schemes.

For an ordinary disciple like him, it was extremely difficult to rise up unless he could gain Elder Jiang's favor.

But he was merely a guard stationed in a side hall. Even if he wanted to curry favor with Elder Jiang, he had no way in.

Yet today, in order to improve efficiency, a large number of idle guards had been transferred out.

Because Wang Sanhu had no connections, he was instead left behind and became one of the four guards watching Xiao Chen.

This was an opportunity!

Seeing another basket of freshly washed fruit being delivered, Wang Sanhu hurried forward to take it. "Senior Brother, leave this sort of thing to me."

"You? Fine, then you can bring it in. Remember to put it on a plate."

"Don't worry, Senior Brother. I've always been quick with my hands. Oh, Senior Brother, wait a moment—what's the situation with that Xiao Chen now?"

The Senior Brother delivering the fruit did not actually know the specifics.

Still, he casually replied, "I figure Xiao Chen is finished. So many people went out earlier just to investigate him alone. Unless something unexpected happens, he definitely isn't getting out."

Wang Sanhu's eyes immediately lit up.

Taking the fruit basket, he used the chance to open the door and deliver it to catch a glimpse of Xiao Chen pouring wine.

At death's door and still unaware of it—he was actually drinking wine. Hmph!

Wang Sanhu set down the fruit, then suddenly sprang into action and kicked the wine cup before Xiao Chen flying.

"You're already here and still putting on airs. You think you deserve to drink? Get up and face the wall to reflect on your mistakes. Think carefully about where you went wrong!"

Xiao Chen's gaze sharpened as he looked coldly at Wang Sanhu.

With his current strength, if this were the Flying Rainbow Mountain Range, it would take only one move to kill someone like him.

Wang Sanhu immediately felt as though a savage beast had fixed its eyes on him. A chill ran down his spine, and his legs went weak.

Hearing the commotion inside, two Outer Sect guards rushed in at once.

One of them directly pointed at Xiao Chen's nose and barked, "What are you trying to do? Behave yourself!"

Seeing fellow disciples enter, Wang Sanhu suddenly recovered his courage.

Thinking of how frightened he had been just now only made him more fierce and shrill. "What the hell are you looking at? Can't you understand 'face the wall and reflect'? Get your ass into the corner!"

Seeing that they were utterly unreasonable and seemed ready to act at the slightest disagreement—

Xiao Chen considered it, then rose to his feet. A wise man did not fight when the odds were against him.

After all, this was Law Enforcement Hall territory. Being able to fight was not enough; he had to take their backing into account.

He would let them strut and swagger for a while. He would keep this debt in his heart for now and settle it slowly in the future.

Just then, a burst of chaotic footsteps suddenly came from the Outer Sect, as though a large group of people had arrived.

The two guards immediately turned and went out to see what was happening. Wang Sanhu had originally wanted to teach Xiao Chen a lesson, but in the end, he decided to go outside and take a look first.

As they were closing the door, the people at the front had already reached the entrance.

Xiao Chen glanced over and saw a dark-gold Chen character embroidered prominently on the newcomers' chests. They were Chen Family members.

Just as Elder Chen had said, the Chen Family had sent people to vouch for them.

Two Clan Elders led the group, bringing a crowd of Chen Family disciples and demanding that the Law Enforcement Hall release them immediately.

At this moment, every disciple remaining in the Law Enforcement Hall rapidly gathered and formed a human wall to stop them from approaching.

The Chen Family members were only applying pressure, not truly here to make trouble, and so the two sides fell into a standoff.

Very soon, Elder Jiang outside received the news. After his initial surprise, he hurried back to the Law Enforcement Hall.

"Uncle Chen, why have you come personally?"

"Jiang Shiyou, you detained my Tianyang and his disciple for no reason at all. Isn't that inappropriate?"

"Uncle Chen, Tianyang Junior Brother's disciple has been acting abnormally and is under serious suspicion. I'm simply handling matters impartially. I hope you can understand."

"Handling matters impartially? Fine. Produce the evidence, and we will naturally abide by the Sect Rules. But if you have no evidence, then we will not agree."

The moment those words fell, the many Chen family members who had come along also raised their arms and shouted, "We won't agree! We won't agree!"

Jiang Shiyou narrowed his eyes, swiftly weighing the gains and losses in his mind.

If he allowed the Chen Family to continue making trouble, it would clearly be disadvantageous to him. After all, he did not merely lack evidence implicating Elder Chen—he did not even have a single piece of evidence that Xiao Chen was problematic.

But then another thought came to him. The Chen Family had rushed to his door in such a panic—did that not mean he was already close to getting hold of their weakness?

If Chen Tianyang had merely taken a liking to Xiao Chen, why would the Chen Family mobilize in such force, even going so far as to gather a crowd and cause trouble?

With the Chen and Jiang Families secretly competing in the current situation, the more the other side opposed him, the more it proved he was doing the right thing.

With that thought, Jiang Shiyou no longer hesitated and decisively shouted, "All of you, shut up! Gathering privately to assault the Law Enforcement Hall—do you still have any regard for the Sect Rules? For the sect?"

Among the crowd, a young man from the Chen Family drew his Flying Sword with a sharp shing. "You detained a Chen Family member for no reason at all. You must give us an explanation."

The many Chen Family disciples also drew their Flying Swords. "Give us an explanation!" "Release Uncle Tianyang!" "What right do you have to detain our people?!"

"Impudence!" Elder Jiang's nephew immediately stepped forward, drew his sword, and demanded, "This is the Law Enforcement Hall. Is the Chen Family trying to break someone out?"

Quite a few members of the Jiang Family were among the remaining Law Enforcement Hall disciples. Seeing this, they too drew their Flying Swords without hesitation and confronted them.

For a moment, swords were drawn and tension filled the Law Enforcement Hall.

The conflict had already spread from Elder Chen to the feud between the Jiang and Chen Families.

Ignoring the icy Sword Lights, Jiang Shiyou looked toward the Chen Family Clan Elders. "Uncle Chen, what are you trying to do? What is the Chen Family trying to do?"

Uncle Chen replied calmly, "It's very simple. We just want to know why the Law Enforcement Hall has detained people. We only want an explanation. We only want justice!"

Just as the conflict was about to erupt, a Law Enforcement Hall guard suddenly ran in from the Outer Sect.

He shouted, "The Grand Elder is here!"