Meanwhile, Gao Wen hurried alongside his sister, Gao Shu, toward Wen Xiaoan’s courtyard.
Wen Xiaoan was the Vice Pavilion Master of Lingjian Immortal Pavilion and the head of the Punishment Hall.
With Shen Yuqing gone, she now had the greatest authority over the sect’s internal affairs.
Gao Shu anxiously knocked on the door.
“Xiaoan! Xiaoan, wake up!
Something has happened!”
Wen Xiaoan frowned, opened her eyes, and got up from her meditation cushion.
She impatiently opened the door, coldly glancing at her mother before shifting her gaze to her flustered uncle.
“What is it?”
“Gu Jinglan has been found!”
Before Gao Shu could speak, Gao Wen blurted out excitedly.
“A group of cultivators, at least at the Golden Core stage, attacked us.
They seem to be demon cultivators!
Just as we were about to capture him, they appeared and took him away!”
“Demon cultivators?”
Wen Xiaoan couldn’t believe it.
There weren’t many demon cultivators in Zhongzhou, and most of them were from Yunfu Mountain’s Penglai Island.
“Master Wen!”
Before he could finish speaking, a servant hurried over in a panic and said, “Master Wen, just now, a disciple from the sect’s teleportation array reported that the Penglai Lady took the sect leader’s seal and requested to open the formation for Penglai.
Do you know what’s going on?”
“The sect leader’s seal?”
Wen Xiaoan raised his voice and immediately realized, “Impossible! Senior Brother would never give her the sect leader’s seal!”
Saying this, Wen Xiaoan immediately tried to contact Shen Yuqing.
However, he quickly discovered that Shen Yuqing had gone to the Wuyou Secret Realm.
The Wuyou Secret Realm had no communication with the outside world.
She couldn’t contact Shen Yuqing.
As the vice master of the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion for nearly a hundred years, Wen Xiaoan had managed the sect alongside Shen Yuqing.
She had seen many storms and waves.
She paused for a moment and connected the dots.
Although she didn’t understand Jiang Zhaoxue’s motives, she could clearly sense that Pei Zichen and Jiang Zhaoxue were connected.
Gu Jinglan was captured.
Jiang Zhaoxue opened the formation…
“In the Wuyue Forest, did you encounter a white tiger?”
Wen Xiaoan suddenly realized something and turned to look at Gao Wen.
Gao Wen was stunned for a moment, then replied, “Yes.
How did you know?”
Wen Xiaoan closed her eyes, suddenly finding herself ridiculous.
The clues were so obvious. How had she overloo
ked them at the time?
She had always remembered that demon cultivators only revealed their true forms in front of their close ones.
But she had never thought that Jiang Zhaoxue might have someone close to her.
“Jiang Zhaoxue knows who opened the Nine Nether Secret Realm.”
Wen Xiaoan spoke with certainty.
Gao Wen was stunned and then hurriedly said, “How is that possible…”
“Her true form is a white tiger.
A blue-eyed white tiger!”
Wen Xiaoan couldn’t help but curse, “What a mess you all made! And now you’ve dragged me into it!”
“Xiaoan, Xiaoan, don’t be angry.”
Seeing her daughter furious, Gao Shu hurriedly said, “Just help your uncle this one time.
Just this once.
Think about how good your uncle has been to you.
He is your uncle, after all.”
Wen Xiaoan stood silently.
Seeing this, Gao Shu became angry, “It’s not even a big deal! You are the vice master of the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion.
Your uncle is a member of the Wen family.
If you can’t even deal with a wild brat from the mortal world, you’ve completely disgraced the Wen family!”
“Enough!”
Wen Xiaoan was annoyed by Gao Shu’s yelling.
Thinking about Shen Yuqing’s background an orphaned disciple from the mortal world she knew Shen Yuqing wouldn’t even bother to look at someone like that.
Even if he had talent, it wasn’t anything remarkable.
There were countless geniuses in the cultivation world.
One more or less didn’t matter.
Besides…
Wen Xiaoan pondered the relationship between Shen Yuqing, Mu Jinyue, and Pei Zichen.
Although Shen Yuqing had never shown anything openly, his care for Mu Jinyue was something she, as his junior sister, knew very well.
A beautiful female disciple…
If Shen Yuqing had feelings for her, then Mu Jinyue admired Pei Zichen.
If she killed Pei Zichen, it would remove a major obstacle for Shen Yuqing.
Wen Xiaoan thought for a while and then looked at Gao Wen.
“Are the disciples’ testimonies prepared?”
Gao Wen was taken aback but quickly replied, “It’s all arranged.
Everyone will keep their mouths shut for their own survival.”
“Mother, send the Wen family’s people to the mountain gate to stop Gu Jinglan.
Also, bring Pei Zichen out…”
Wen Xiaoan hesitated for a moment and then said, “Before Gu Jinglan arrives, force Pei Zichen to confess.
If he refuses, kill him.
When Gu Jinglan returns, he’ll be an accomplice.”
“What if we fail to stop Gu Jinglan?”
Gao Wen blurted out.
Wen Xiaoan turned to him and said calmly, “The more you want to live, the more he must die.
“Now that Jiang Zhaoxue is involved, we are riding a tiger and cannot get off.”
After making all the arrangements, Wen Xiaoan sent people to monitor the sect’s grand formation.
Jiang Zhaoxue waited for the formation to activate.
Before long, a dozen figures slowly appeared in the center of the array.
Leading them was a young man dressed in a moon-white robe, with a jade pendant on his forehead.
His entire presence was as cold as a snow-capped mountain.
His green eyes stood out among the group.
Upon seeing him, Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t hide her joy and rushed forward.
“Brother!”
“Mm.”
Jiang Zhaoyue’s gaze shifted slightly upon seeing Jiang Zhaoxue.
He first handed her a token and said calmly, “Talisman.”
Jiang Zhaoxue was momentarily stunned, then quickly took the token, suppressing her excitement.
“I knew you cared about me the most.”
Jiang Zhaoyue didn’t respond.
He just stared at her, observing for a long time as if he wanted to ask something.
However, when Jiang Zhaoxue looked up, he pressed his lips together and simply said, “Forget it.
As long as you’re home, it’s fine.”
Jiang Zhaoxue stiffened slightly, understanding his meaning.
She had stayed in Zhongzhou for over a hundred years, never mentioning leaving.
Now, she suddenly wanted to leave.
In Jiang Zhaoyue’s eyes, she must have suffered immensely.
Jiang Zhaoxue found it hard to explain and consoled him, “It’s not a big deal.
I’ll tell you the details later.
“For now, we should go to the back mountain and meet Elder Gu Jun.”
After briefly explaining the situation, she led Jiang Zhaoyue toward the back mountain.
Halfway there, Qingye suddenly stopped, as if listening to something.
Then his expression changed, and he hurried to Jiang Zhaoxue’s side.
“Lady Jiang, Wen Xiaoan has taken Pei Zichen to the Trial Platform.
What should we do?”
Jiang Zhaoyue immediately looked at Jiang Zhaoxue, knowing it must be something serious.
Jiang Zhaoxue was surprised by the news.
Then she quickly realized Gu Jinglan had people tailing him.
Now that they had taken Gu Jinglan, Wen Xiaoan was panicking.
If she was too slow, Wen Xiaoan would use this chance to kill Pei Zichen.
Although she doubted Wen Xiaoan could kill someone with the fate-bound Celestial Spirit Jade, she didn’t want to risk it.
She immediately turned to Jiang Zhaoyue.
“Brother, I won’t be going to the back mountain.
The accounts will be sent to you.
“Discuss with Elder Gu Jun on my behalf.
I have three conditions.
“First, I want money.
As much as possible.
“Second, I want to break my contract with Shen Yuqing and return to Penglai.
“Third,” Jiang Zhaoxue’s expression was serious, “I want to take Pei Zichen away.
“These three conditions each one is more important than the last.”
Jiang Zhaoyue frowned slightly.
“Who is Pei Zichen?”
“Shen Yuqing’s senior disciple.
A Heaven-grade Ice Spirit Root.
“I suffer fire poison every month, and he helps me suppress it better than anyone else.
“Use that as a reason to get Elder Gu Jun’s permission to take him.”
Jiang Zhaoyue gave her a deep look and asked, “Are you in love with him?”
Jiang Zhaoxue took a deep breath and firmly declared, “He is valuable!”
Without waiting for a response, she turned and left.
Pei Zichen lifted his gaze, his voice hoarse as he asked once again.
It was the question he had asked most frequently these past days.
Wen Xiao’an cursed him for being relentless and said coldly, “The Pavilion Master has gone out on urgent business.
Senior Brother has entrusted me with full authority over this matter.
If you have nothing to say, then just sign it.”
With a flick of his finger, Wen Xiao’an placed a sheet of paper in front of him.
Pei Zichen lowered his eyes to look at the paper and coughed lightly.
Gao Wen, seeing this, hurriedly said, “If you can’t sign, a fingerprint will do!”
Saying this, Gao Wen stepped forward to grab Pei Zichen.
Pei Zichen coughed and struggled, but Gao Wen tightened his grip on his arm and pressed down, lowering his voice.
“Sign it, and I’ll ensure your safety.
Don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!”
Pei Zichen gave him a cold look.
Unable to break free, he simply said, “I want to see my master.”
“The Pavilion Master won’t be able to help you!” Gao Wen cursed under his breath and pressed Pei Zichen’s hand harder onto the paper.
“Know your place and sign it already!”
“Let go!”
Pei Zichen resisted with all his strength, but he was too weak to break free.
Seeing this, Gao Wen turned around and shouted, “What are you all standing around for? Get over here and help!”
At his words, the surrounding people surged forward, pressing Pei Zichen’s hand onto the paper.
Just as they moved, a teasing voice sounded from above.
“Oh? Is this how the Punishment Hall conducts interrogations?”
The moment Jiang Zhaoxue spoke, everyone froze.
Pei Zichen looked up in confusion.
He saw Jiang Zhaoxue dressed in luxurious white robes embroidered with gold thread, seated atop a palanquin carried by celestial cranes.
She looked down at Gao Wen and him with a faint smile, scrutinizing them.
It took Pei Zichen a moment to recognize who had arrived.
It was his Master’s wife.
She looked just as he remembered always dressed in a way similar to Shen Yuqing, always trying to get closer to him.
Seeing her, Pei Zichen found it odd.
This Master’s wife of his usually kept to herself, only coming out when there was trouble.
What was there to stir up here?
As soon as he had this thought, he saw Jiang Zhaoxue step down from her palanquin and walk toward Wen Xiao’an with a smile.
“Wen Xiao’an, if the Punishment Hall relies on forced confessions to determine right from wrong, why don’t you just give me your seat? I promise I wouldn’t handle things this way.”
She was here for Wen Xiao’an.
Pei Zichen instantly understood.
A few days ago, Jiang Zhaoxue had already made a scene at the Punishment Hall, clearly having a conflict with Wen Xiao’an.
She had always disliked the women around his master.
This time, she must have had some falling-out with Wen Xiao’an, which was why she was tearing pretense apart in public.
Pei Zichen didn’t understand the complexities of their relationships, nor did he care.
Since it didn’t involve Shen Yuqing, he paid it no mind and remained kneeling in silence, listening to their argument.
Regardless of why Jiang Zhaoxue was here, her presence meant Wen Xiao’an wouldn’t dare act recklessly.
Pei Zichen felt a sense of relief for the first time since formally joining the sect.
For once, he was grateful for this Master’s wife’s presence.
He kept his head bowed, silent.
Jiang Zhaoxue deliberately walked past him.
Seeing him remain still, she cursed inwardly before stopping and looking at him.
With the same haughty tone as always, she asked, “Shen Yuqing’s disciple?”
“Yes.”
Pei Zichen’s voice was hoarse but full of respect.
“Disciple Pei Zichen greets Master’s wife.”
He had introduced himself to Jiang Zhaoxue more than once.
Yet every time she saw him, she always asked.
Hearing his weak voice, so different from the proud figure she had seen in the Wuyue Forest, Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart filled with anger.
But with Wen Xiao’an nearby, she kept her expression neutral, suppressing her fury.
With a smile, she said, “How could Ze Yuan’s disciple end up kneeling here, beaten like this?”
She turned to Wen Xiao’an.
“Wen Xiao’an, you wouldn’t be bullying one of Ze Yuan’s people just because he’s not around, would you?”
“You misunderstand, Lady Jiang.”
Wen Xiao’an’s sharp gaze swept between her and Pei Zichen as she replied coldly.
“He was deceived by demonic illusions and opened the Nine Nether Realm’s barrier, causing severe casualties among our disciples.
Senior Brother entrusted me to personally judge this case how is that bullying?”
“Then what exactly are you judging?”
Jiang Zhaoxue looked around.
“The ancestors established the Judgment Platform, requiring all inner disciples to be judged there before any punishment is carried out.
Yet I see no disciples here.
And just now, I saw you trying to force him to sign something.
Is this your idea of a fair trial?”
“You’ve never cared about sect affairs before. Why meddle now?”
Wen Xiao’an smirked.
“Or do you have some personal connection to this case?”
“Ze Yuan’s disciples are my disciples.
Naturally, there is a connection.”
Jiang Zhaoxue sensed the underlying meaning in Wen Xiao’an’s words but didn’t engage.
Instead, she brought the conversation back on track.
“But you still haven’t told me what exactly were you doing just now?
If this is a trial, where are the other disciples?”
“The case is simple.”
“That doesn’t mean you can ignore the rules.”
Jiang Zhaoxue’s words made Wen Xiao’an chuckle.
“Rules? You want to talk to me about rules?”
“Why not?”
Jiang Zhaoxue walked up the high platform.
She knew that without the order of the solitary Daoist, she couldn’t openly take Pei Zichen from Wen Xiao’an’s hands.
And since Gu Jinglan would be back soon, she didn’t intend to take Pei Zichen away just yet.
She pulled out a chair, sat down calmly, and propped her chin on one hand.
“As long as it makes Pavilion Master Wen uncomfortable, I’m happy to follow the rules.
Since we need a proper trial, let’s summon all the disciples.”
She flicked her finger, sending out a crisp chime a signal for the Judgment Platform’s assembly.
Gao Wen’s face changed, and he anxiously looked at Wen Xiao’an.
Wen Xiao’an suppressed her emotions and glanced at Jiang Zhaoxue.
There she sat, high above, smiling.
“Let’s determine right from wrong.”
Wen Xiao’an slowly smiled back.
“Very well.”
She ascended the high platform and signaled to the disciples beside her.
“Bring the evidence!”
The disciples immediately understood her intentions and withdrew.
Jiang Zhaoxue also glanced at Qing Ye and signaled silently.
The chess game had begun.
Realizing this point.
Pain spread through his entire body.
But he did not dare to stop thinking.
He clearly knew.
He had to keep thinking.
He could not escape.
She lied to him for the sake of that disciple.