Chapter 89 Qingyang Sect's Visit

"Hmph."

The man let out a cold snort, a flicker of movement in his eyes as he said, "It is I."

Chen Changxuan’s expression shifted slightly. His gaze swept over Mordecai (Person Name) to rest on Lin Moqin (Person Name) behind him before he spoke, “Although my Chen Clan bears enmity toward the Lin Family, when all is said and done, it remains a private grudge.”

"Senior, as a Violet Mansion elder of the Azure Sun Sect, have you come today to interfere with the internal affairs of our Yu County?"

With an impassive expression, Mordecai stood in the void, hands clasped behind his back, and calmly stated, "I was raised in the Qingyang Sect, and I have long since severed all karma with the Lin family. There is no connection between us anymore."

"I have come here today not to cause trouble for the Lin family, but for another matter."

"5 years ago, the soul lamp of Zuo Yunian, an elder of our Qingyang Sect, was extinguished. We searched for years but never found the killer. Yet now I'm told that Zuo Yunian's Taibai Severing Dust Blade has ended up in your possession."

"Thus, I have come under the orders of the Qingyang Sect to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter."

Mordecai said, a flicker of coldness flashing in his eyes, "Now tell me, how did you murder our Qingyang Sect's steward and seize his treasures?"

"So it was about this matter." Chen Changxuan breathed a sigh of relief. "That Zuo Younian has already succumbed to demonic cultivation, slaughtering over 8,000 descendants of our Chen Clan."

"Such an irreconcilable blood feud demands their deaths to quell our righteous fury."

As his words fell, his gaze fixed intently on Mordecai (Person Name): "Would the Qingyang Sect truly shield such a deranged and unscrupulous individual?"

"How could Zuo Yunnian commit such an atrocious act?"

Mordecai's pupils contracted slightly as he spoke with a trace of astonishment.

Seeming to realize his own impropriety, he composed his expression and declared, "Words alone are no proof. Bring forth the evidence."

Fortunately, the old clan leader had been meticulous in his dealings and had long preserved evidence. Using a magical artifact, he recorded the tragic scene of Pingling Town strewn with corpses and Zuo Yu Nian’s (Person Name) final words.

After reviewing the evidence, Mordecai ultimately had no justification to take further action.

He snorted coldly, his expression turning stern as he said, "Although Zuo Younian committed heinous deeds, he was ultimately a member of the Qingyang Sect. All his treasures should be returned to the Qingyang Sect."

Chen Changxuan could no longer restrain himself, his expression turning grim as he declared, "Zuo Younian slaughtered 8,000 of our Chen Clan members. The relics he left behind ought to rightfully compensate our Chen Clan."

"That is a fair point." Mordecai nodded, clasping his hands behind his back. "However, the Gengjin Divine Thunder remains an unshared secret of our Qingyang Sect, and the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss ranks among our 3 great Soulbound Magical Treasures. Neither can be permitted to fall into external hands."

"Very well. Hand over the Gengjin Divine Thunder and the Taibai Severing Dust Blade, and you may keep the rest as compensation."

The old clan leader clenched his fist, a flicker of reluctance in his eyes. The most valuable treasures Zuo Yunian possessed were none other than the Gengjin Divine Thunder and the Taibai Dust-Severing Blade.

Hand over these 2 treasures, and the value of Zuo Yunian's collection would be drastically diminished. The remaining items held little use for either of them. In truth, the very reason they had refrained from reporting these findings was their desire to keep these 2 artifacts for themselves.

Seeing the old clan leader was seething with anger, Eldrin quickly grabbed his arm and shook his head slightly before addressing Mordecai.

"I can give you the Taibai Severing Dust Blade and the Gengjin Divine Thunder."

Mordecai (Person Name) received the Taibai Severing Dust Blade and the jade slip inscribed with the Gengjin Divine Thunder. After a brief glance, he gave a nod and made to depart.

At that moment, Lin Moqin (Person Name) spoke up from the side, "I have something to say."

Hearing this, everyone couldn't help but look over.

Lin Moqin shot a glance at Eldrin, then said through gritted teeth, "The Chen Clan, showing no regard for the safety of Yu County, has maliciously seized our Lin Clan's Spiritual Apricot Mountain. I demand they return Spiritual Apricot Mountain to us."

"Hmm?"

Mordecai’s eyes flickered almost imperceptibly as he cast a discreet glance toward Eldrin and the old clan leader, yet he remained silent.

Chen Changxuan’s temples bulged faintly with veins, yet in the end, he suppressed his rage. Through gritted teeth, he uttered,

"I shall grant your request. However, my Chen Clan requires time to evacuate all our members from Spiritual Apricot Mountain (Location)."

Lin Moqin was about to speak further when Mordecai (Person Name) cut him off. The Zifu elder of the Verdant Sun Sect nodded and declared, "You have 7 days."

After the members of Qingyang Sect departed with Mordecai (Person Name), Chen Changxian gritted his teeth in unwilling resentment.

"This damned Green Sun Sect has dealt us another heavy blow."

"1 must bow their head when under another's roof, that's all."

Eldrin spoke with utter calm. Having lived in this world for nearly 30 years, he had long since understood 1 profound truth: might makes right.

Since the Azure Sun Sect had sent Mordecai (Person Name), it was certain he wouldn’t return empty-handed. Being able to avert disaster by parting with wealth was already the best outcome.

He glanced at the disappointed Chen Changxuan and comforted him, "Uncle, you needn't be too disheartened. The spiritual vein grade of Spiritual Apricot Mountain has already declined, making it far less valuable than before. As long as we successfully transplant that spirit apricot tree back, we won't be at a loss."

"As for the Geng Metal Divine Thunder, I have long since comprehended it successfully. In the future, we shall go to Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) to purchase a blank divine ability jade slip and inscribe it therein."

Hearing this, Chen Changxuan finally felt a slight easing in his heart.

After its Spiritual Apocot Mountain (Location) grade had fallen, its value had greatly diminished. Located too far from the Chen Family and too close to the Lin Family, it was better to abandon it rather than expend effort and resources to station guards there.

By the time the Lin family returns to Spiritual Apricot Mountain (Location) with joyous celebration, they will surely be struck by mixed feelings upon discovering only a single top-grade rank-1 spirit vein remains.

It was a pity, however, that this Exquisite Blade of Taibai Severing Dust—a top-tier masterpiece among second-grade superior magical treasures—had no choice but to be sacrificed.

Meanwhile, Mordecai flew off into the distance alongside several others.

Lin Moqin gazed at Mordecai (Person Name), seemingly wishing to say more, but was cut off by this Eldritch Abode cultivator of the Verdant Sun Sect.

Mordecai's expression turned slightly cold as he said, "This is the last time. Go back and tell Lin Mocheng that I am not your house servant, nor am I obligated to clean up your mess."

"This..."

"I understand, Senior."

Lin Moqin’s expression shifted abruptly. After hurriedly offering an apology, he hastily took his leave.

After he had departed, a man nearby couldn’t help but speak up, “Master, he is, after all, your clansman.”

"From the moment they sold me to the Qingyang Sect when I was 7 years old, they ceased to be."

Mordecai (Person Name) shook his head, his gaze carrying a trace of icy intensity.

He began forming memories at age 6, and at 7, he was sent to the Qingyang Sect. Having grown up within the sect since childhood, his memories of the Lin family had long faded into obscurity.

"This matter is 1 I should normally recuse myself from," Mordecai suddenly spoke. "Do you know why the sect assigned me to handle it?"

The few people nearby slightly changed their expressions: "Could it be...?"

"The Patriarch is considering selecting 1 of us Violet Mansion Elders as his personal disciple to inherit his legacy. Those people are probably just waiting for me to slip up."

Mordecai (Person Name) fell silent, casting another glance toward the direction of the Chen family.

"In just over 20 years, the beast tide will erupt. By then, the 2 provinces of Qingyang will bear immense pressure defending against the Earthlion Demon King from the E'Lion Ridge."

"The Celestial Python Demon King (Demon Beast) from Celestial Python Lake (Location) possesses formidable strength as well. We'll need both Bian Province and Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) to jointly contain it, otherwise we'll find ourselves caught between 2 fronts."

"This Yu County must not fall into chaos. It would be wise for the Chen family to refrain from reckless actions."