Chapter 89 : A Sect's Accusation and a Blood Debt

"Hmph."

The man let out a cold snort, his eyes flickering slightly as he spoke. "Indeed, it is I."

Chen Thalion's expression shifted subtly. His gaze swept over Lin Morwen standing behind Mordecai Lin, then he inquired, "While there is enmity between my Chen Clan and the Lin Clan, in the end, it is merely a private feud."

"You, Senior, are a Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within] cultivator of the Green Sun Sect. By coming here today, do you intend to interfere in the internal affairs of our Yu County?"

That Mordecai Lin stood impassively in the void, hands clasped behind his back, and spoke with calm detachment. "I was raised within the Green Sun Sect. My karmic ties with the Lin Clan were severed long ago; I have no connection to them now."

"My purpose here today is not to aid the Lin Clan in troubling you. It is for another matter entirely."

"Five years ago, the soul lamp [a magical lamp whose flame is tied to a cultivator's life force] of our Green Sun Sect steward, Zuo Yuannian, was extinguished. We searched for years but found no trace of the culprit. However, I have now been informed that Zuo Yuannian's White Metal Dust-Severing Blade is in your possession."

"Therefore, I have come under the orders of the Green Sun Sect to investigate this matter thoroughly."

As he spoke, a flash of icy intent passed through Mordecai Lin's eyes. "Now, tell me. How did you murder our sect's steward and seize his treasure?"

"So it is about that." Chen Thalion let out a sigh of relief. "That Zuo Yuannian had already fallen to demonic cultivation [a corrupt path that often involves sacrificing others for power]. He slaughtered over eight thousand members of my Chen Clan lineage." Read, share, and discuss at audio–novel.com.

"Such a vendetta of blood and bone, a hatred that spans life and death—if we do not slay him, our fury shall never be quelled."

As his words fell, his gaze fixed unwaveringly upon Mordecai Lin. "Could it be that the Green Sun Sect would shield such a deranged and heartless fiend?"

"How could Zuo Yuannian have committed such an atrocity, one that defies all heavenly principles and human conscience?"

Mordecai Lin's pupils contracted slightly, a flicker of shock in his expression.

Seeming to realize his momentary lapse, he composed his features into sternness. "Words alone are no proof. Present your evidence."

Fortunately, the Old Patriarch had been meticulous in his dealings. He had preserved evidence from the start, using a magical device to record the horrific scene of Pingling Town strewn with corpses, as well as Zuo Yuannian's final, damning words.

Confronted with this evidence, Mordecai Lin ultimately found no grounds to intervene further.

He let out a cold snort, his expression turning icy. "Though Zuo Yuannian committed unspeakable evils, he was, after all, a disciple of the Green Sun Sect. The treasures upon his person rightfully belong to the sect and should be returned."

Chen Thalion could no longer contain himself, his face darkening with displeasure. "Zuo Yuannian slaughtered eight thousand of our Chen Clan kin. The possessions he left behind are just compensation owed to our clan."

"That is also a valid point," Mordecai Lin conceded with a nod, clasping his hands behind his back. "However, the Metallic Essence Divine Thunder [a powerful thunder-based divine ability] is a secret art of our Green Sun Sect, never to be transmitted outside. The White Metal Dust-Severing Blade is moreover one of our sect's three great Life-Bound Magical Treasure [a magical treasure bound to a cultivator's life force], and cannot be allowed to fall into external hands."

"Very well. Hand over the Metallic Essence Divine Thunder [a powerful thunder-based divine ability] and the White Metal Dust-Severing Blade [a legendary blade capable of severing worldly attachments], and you may keep the rest as compensation."

Old Patriarch clenched his fist, a flicker of unwillingness in his eyes. The most valuable treasures on Zuo Yuannian's person were precisely the Metallic Essence Divine Thunder and the White Metal Dust-Severing Blade.

Surrendering these two items would drastically diminish the worth of Zuo Yuannian's hoard. The remaining items held little use for the two of them. In truth, their initial decision not to report the find stemmed from a desire to keep these very treasures for themselves.

Seeing the smoldering anger in Old Patriarch's heart, Eldrin Chen grasped his arm, giving a slight shake of his head. Then, he addressed Mordecai Lin.

"The White Metal Dust-Severing Blade and the Metallic Essence Divine Thunder... we will give them to you."

Mordecai Lin accepted the White Metal Dust-Severing Blade and the jade slip containing the Metallic Essence Divine Thunder. After a brief inspection and a nod of confirmation, he made to depart.

At that moment, Lin Morwen, who stood to the side, spoke up. "I have something to say."

All present turned their gazes toward him.

Lin Morwen fixed a venomous glare upon Eldrin Chen before declaring through gritted teeth, "The Chen Clan [the Chen family of cultivators], showing no regard for the safety of Yu County [a county within the cultivation world], maliciously seized our Lin Clan's Spiritual Apricot Mountain [a mountain imbued with spiritual energy, known for its apricot trees]. I demand they return it!"

"Hmm?"

Mordecai Lin's eyes flickered almost imperceptibly as he cast a glance at Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch, saying nothing.

Chen Thalion's temples pulsed with a visible vein, but he ultimately suppressed his fury, speaking through gritted teeth.

"I agree to this. However, evacuating our Chen Clan members from Spiritual Apricot Mountain will require time."

Before Lin Morwen could interject, Mordecai Lin cut him off. The Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual core] cultivator from the Green Sun Sect gave a curt nod. "You have seven days."

After the Green Sun Sect envoys departed with Mordecai Lin, Chen Thalion ground his teeth in bitter resentment.

"The Green Sun Sect has dealt us another heavy blow." Read the full novel exclusively on *audio-novel.com*.

"When you live under another's roof, you must bow your head," Eldrin Chen stated with calm acceptance. Having lived in this world for nearly thirty years, he understood deeply that might makes right.

Since the Green Sun Sect had dispatched Mordecai Lin, they were never going to leave empty-handed. That they could resolve this with material loss, averting greater disaster, was already the best possible outcome.

He looked at the despondent Chen Thalion and offered consolation. "Uncle, you need not grieve so deeply. The spirit vein at Spiritual Apricot Mountain has already degraded in rank; its value is not what it once was. As long as we successfully transplant the Spirit Apricot Tree [a spiritual tree bearing fruit that aids cultivation] back, we will not have suffered a true loss."

"As for the Metallic Essence Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique harnessing the essence of metal], I have long since comprehended it. In the future, we can go to Celestial Ruins Mountain and purchase a blank Divine Ability Jade Slip [a jade slip used to record and transmit cultivation techniques] to inscribe it upon."

Hearing this, Chen Thalion felt a measure of relief finally settle in his heart.

After its grade had fallen, the value of Spiritual Apricot Mountain had plummeted. It was too far from the Chen Clan and too close to the Lin Clan. Rather than expending great effort to garrison it, it was better to simply abandon it.

When the Lin Clan returned to Spiritual Apricot Mountain in jubilation, only to find nothing but a single First Rank High Grade Spirit Vein [a spiritual energy vein of the lowest major rank, but of its highest quality] remaining, one could only wonder what thoughts would cross their minds.

It was only the White Metal Dust-Severing Blade [a renowned blade said to sever even the finest dust], a masterpiece among Second Rank High Grade Magical Tool [enchanted artifacts of the second major rank and its highest quality], that was regrettably lost.

At the same time, Mordecai Lin flew off into the distance alongside the others.

That Lin Morwen looked at Mordecai Lin, seeming as if he still wished to say something, but was cut off by this Purple Mansion [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual mansion within] elder from the Green Sun Sect.

Mordecai Lin's expression turned slightly cold as he stated, "This is the last time. Go back and tell Lin Mordred that I am not your family's servant. I have no obligation to clean up your messes."

"This..."

"This junior understands."

Lin Morwen's complexion abruptly changed. After hurriedly offering an apology, he then fled in disarray.

After he had departed, a man standing nearby could not help but speak up. "Master, he is, after all, a member of your clan."

"From the moment they sold me to the Green Sun Sect when I was seven years old, they ceased to be."

Mordecai Lin shook his head, a trace of icy detachment in his gaze.

He began to form memories at six and was sent to the Green Sun Sect at seven. Having grown up within the sect since childhood, his memories of life in the Lin Clan had long since grown indistinct and blurred.

"In this matter, I should have recused myself," Mordecai Lin said suddenly. "Do you know why the sect assigned me to handle it?"

The others nearby paled slightly. "Could it be...?"

"The Ancestor is considering selecting one from among us Purple Mansion Elder to become his Personal Disciple and inherit his legacy. Those others are likely just waiting for me to make a misstep."

After speaking, Mordecai Lin cast another glance in the direction of the Chen Clan.

"In just over twenty years, the Beast Tide Calamity will erupt. When that time comes, Qing and Yang Provinces will bear the brunt of defending against the Earth Lion Demon King from Lion Ridge, and the pressure will be immense."

"The strength of the Celestial Python Demon King at Celestial Python Lake is no trifling matter either. We will need both Bianzhou and Celestial Ruins Mountain to hold it at bay together. Otherwise, we will find ourselves caught between two fronts."

"Yu County must not fall into chaos. It would be wisest for the Chen Clan not to act rashly." Official source: audio—novel.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.