Immortal of the Nine Realms-Chapter 1268: Just Cause for Action

Chapter 1268: Just Cause for Action
As one of the thirteen constellations of the Ancient Desolate Realm, the Nanqing Constellation had deep foundations. The Spirit God Sect, being a first-class power among the Nine Mortal Realms, naturally would have laid its arrangements within the Nanqing Constellation.
This time, the Duan Family’s active provocation reminded Fang Chen of the Spirit God Sect’s usual methods, yet upon closer thought, there were some differences.
First of all, Qingyuan Market had no mortals. At most, the Spirit God Sect might station cultivators here. It was unlikely they would cause trouble in such a place; cultivators could not afford to take on such karmic entanglements.
Xu Dongjiang gave a slight nod. "We must let the Ice God Sect know the cause of this matter, lest they think the Guangyuan Hall is intending to intervene."
Everyone smiled and nodded.
The Ice God Sect’s influence in Qingyuan Market was slightly weaker than that of Guangyuan Hall, so they were not worried about the Ice God Sect making trouble.
After all, offending Guangyuan Hall over a matter like this would bring them no benefits, only trouble.
While waiting for the Ice God Sect’s cultivators, Duan Feizhan chatted with Xu Dongjiang about affairs of Guangyuan Hall.
Everyone pricked up their ears.
As administrators of various levels within Guangyuan Hall, matters concerning their own interests naturally drew their attention.
Wei Chen and the others kept their eyes and mouths closed. They didn’t dare so much as look these figures’ way, much less pitch in, in any way.
Duan Tian’en, holding the severed head in his arms, noticed that from start to finish, Ancestor Duan Feizhan had not spared it a single glance.
Suddenly, he gained a faint understanding. That small realization sent a chill rising from the depths of his heart.
After about the time it took to drink a cup of tea, cultivators dressed in deep-blue robes filed in. Leading them was a middle-stage Dao Union Realm cultivator.
Everyone present had seen each other before and recognized him as Peng Cheng, an elder of the Ice God Sect.
"Fellow Daoist Peng Cheng, it’s been many years," Duan Feizhan said with a hearty laugh, rising and cupping his hands.
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Duan and Fellow Daoist Xu," Peng Cheng replied, returning the gesture.
He had already learned before coming that Duan Feizhan had advanced to the Ascension Realm.
Peng Cheng glanced at the severed head in Duan Tian’en’s hands and said, "I heard there was an incident at the foot of the mountain where a fiend injured someone. The attacker was Fang Wanli, an elder of Cangyun Sect. The slain Golden Core cultivator was Duan Tianfu, a member of your Duan Family."
Duan Feizhan smiled faintly. "It seems Fellow Daoist Peng has been briefed."
"I need to hear the full account... if you would?" Peng Cheng asked thoughtfully.
"Of course." Duan Feizhan glanced at Duan Tian’en. "Tian’en, tell the story from the beginning."
"Ah, yes..." replied Duan Tian’en, snapping out of his thoughts.
He composed himself, then said in a low voice. "Today we went down the mountain to attend the Qingyuan Market gathering. Because the streets were crowded, Tianfu accidentally brushed past a female Golden Core Realm cultivator from the Cangyun Sect. He apologized, but she didn’t accept his apology. She pressed the matter and refused to let it go.
“At first, the misunderstanding could have been cleared up with words, but then Lin Xiu from Gaohu Temple stepped forward to speak for the Cangyun Sect, berating Tianfu, and so the matter escalated. Later, an elder surnamed Fang Wanli from the Cangyun Sect came over. Bullying the young with his seniority, he first humiliated us, then directly struck Tianfu down..."
Anger rose on the Duan Family cultivators’ faces.
The Guangyuan Hall cultivators exchanged glances but said nothing. They were sure the matter was very different from Duan Tian’en’s account.
Duan Tian’en added, "Also, Senior Wei here tried to intervene, but that elder refused to give him any face. After we dispersed, Senior Wei personally escorted us back, fearing that they might attack us on our way back."
Since the story had reached him, Wei Chen could no longer pretend to be mute. This was also an excellent opportunity, so he immediately rose and cupped his fist. "I did indeed witness it all with my own eyes, and it happened exactly as Fellow Daoist Tian’en has said."
At last, he understood why they had been so warmly received—it was to have them serve as witnesses.
This was clear exploitation, but Wei Chen was more than happy to comply. Befriending the Duan Family and getting acquainted with Xu Dongjiang of Guangyuan Hall would serve him very well. With his own backer working in Guangyuan Hall, this connection could prove useful in the future.
The more Wei Chen thought about it, the more eager he felt, so he added with some embellishment. "When I tried to mediate, Fellow Daoist Fang lashed out at me. Perhaps before the Cangyun Sect settled in Cangshan, they were accustomed to running rampant, and have simply brought that habit here."
Duan Feizhan sighed softly. "Fellow Daoist Peng, it’s not that my Duan Family is seeking trouble, but someone chose to establish dominance right on our doorstep.
"In this matter, my Duan Family must obtain a proper explanation. I hope you can understand, Fellow Daoist Peng. I invited you only so our actions would be justified. I don’t want anyone slandering us after this matter is dealt with."
"And how are you planning to proceed, Fellow Daoist Duan? If you could tell me first, I can be prepared," Peng Cheng said courteously.
"Slay the main culprit, and drive the rest out of Qingyuan Market," Duan Feizhan replied with a nod.
Everyone silently agreed. Once they were driven from the Qingyuan Market, the matter would no longer concern the Ice God Sect. At that point, even if the Duan Family slaughtered the Cangyun Sect down to its last disciple, it would not cause trouble in Qingyuan Market, nor would the Ice God Sect have reason to interfere.
Peng Cheng smiled at once. "Such a course of action is perfectly sound. When are you planning to act?"
"Since everyone is already here, why wait?" Duan Feizhan said.
Xu Dongjiang was the first to speak in support, smiling faintly. "I’ll join in the fun as well. I want to see what’s so special about this Cangyun Sect. They’ve just settled here, yet instead of keeping a low profile, they commit such an outrage. Perhaps they really do have some backing."
"Shall we first capture the people from the Gaohu Temple? To keep them from sending warnings?" Wei Chen suggested almost involuntarily.
Would sending warnings be of any use at this point?
Everyone understood perfectly well what Wei Chen was really after, but none of them cared whether it was useful or not. Since the Gaohu Temple had gotten involved, they might as well capture them.
Duan Feizhan gave a light nod, and a Duan Family cultivator flew off. In less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Xu Gaohu and four of his disciples were brought back, all looking bewildered.
When Xu Gaohu saw the scene before him, he gasped sharply. Spotting Wei Chen among them, he immediately understood what was happening.
"Xu Gaohu, I recall that many years ago, you served as a guest elder for my Duan Family, didn’t you?" Duan Feizhan asked, looking him over as if recalling the past.
Cold sweat poured down Xu Gaohu’s back, and he hurried to bow. "I did."
The Duan Family cultivators glared at him.
"You’ve eaten at my Duan Family’s table, yet you now stand with outsiders against us. How has my family wronged you?" Duan Feizhan asked with a mild smile.
Xu Gaohu trembled and blurted out, "There were... reasons. It was your Golden Core Realm disciple who first—"
"Enough! I didn’t bring you here to listen to that. Come along and see for yourself how this Cangyun Sect you’ve latched onto will be dealt with today."
Without another word to him, Duan Feizhan joined Peng Cheng and Xu Dongjiang, flying off toward Cangyun Sect. The rest followed closely.
Wei Chen came alongside Xu Gaohu, smiling with schadenfreude. "Brother Xu, you’ve picked the wrong side this time."
Xu Gaohu’s face turned deathly pale, but he said nothing.