Chapter 89 : A Sect Elder's Accusation

"Hmph."

The man snorted coldly, a flicker in his eyes as he spoke. "Indeed, it is I."

Eternal Profound Chen's expression shifted slightly. His gaze swept over Ink Respect Lin standing behind Mordecai Lin before he asked, "While there is enmity between my Chen Clan and the Lin Clan, it is, in the end, a private feud."

"You, Senior, are a Violet Sanctum [the third major realm of cultivation, where one forms a spiritual core within their body] elder of the Verdant Sun Sect. Have you come today to interfere in the internal affairs of our Yu County?"

Mordecai Lin's face remained impassive. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back in the void, speaking with calm detachment. "I was raised within the Verdant Sun Sect. My Karma [the spiritual principle of cause and effect governing actions and their consequences] with the Lin Clan was severed long ago; I have no connection to them now."

"My purpose here today is not to trouble you on behalf of the Lin Clan, but for another matter entirely."

"Five years ago, the Soul Lamp [a magical lamp linked to a cultivator's life force, extinguishing upon their death] of my Verdant Sun Sect steward, Remaining Years Zuo, was extinguished. We searched for the culprit for years without success. However, I have now been informed that Remaining Years Zuo's Venus Severing Dust Blade [a named magical blade] is in your possession."

"Therefore, I have come under the orders of the Verdant 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 my sect's steward and seize his treasure?"

"So it is about that." Eternal Profound Chen let out a sigh of relief. "That Remaining Years Zuo had already fallen to demonic cultivation. He slaughtered over eight thousand members of my Chen Clan lineage." Access the full story on audio-novel-dot-com.

"Such a vendetta of blood and bone, a hatred that divides heaven and earth—if we do not slay him, our wrath shall never be quelled."

As his words fell, his gaze fixed unwaveringly upon Mordecai Lin: "For one so utterly bereft of conscience and humanity, surely the Verdant Sun Sect would not offer him sanctuary?"

"How could Remaining Years Zuo have committed such an atrocity, a deed that defies all heavenly principle and human decency?"

Mordecai Lin's pupils contracted slightly, a flicker of shock crossing his features.

Seeming to realize his momentary lapse, his expression hardened into solemnity. "Words alone are no proof," he declared. "Present your evidence."

Fortunately, the Old Patriarch had been meticulous, leaving no detail unattended. He had long preserved the evidence, using a magical treasure [an enchanted artifact used by cultivators] to record the ghastly scene of Pingling Town strewn with corpses, as well as the final words of Remaining Years Zuo.

Confronted with this proof, Mordecai Lin could find no further justification for intervention.

He let out a cold snort, his face turning stern. "Though Remaining Years Zuo committed an unspeakable evil, he was, in the end, a disciple of the Verdant Sun Sect. The treasures upon his person rightfully belong to our sect and should be returned."

Eternal Profound Chen could contain himself no longer, his expression darkening. "Remaining Years Zuo slaughtered eight thousand of our Chen Clan kin. The possessions he left behind are rightful compensation, owed to our clan by the blood debt he incurred."

"A fair point," Mordecai Lin conceded with a nod, clasping his hands behind his back. "However, the Metallic Gold Divine Thunder is a secret art of our Verdant Sun Sect, never to be transmitted beyond our gates. And the Venus Severing Dust Blade is one of our sect's three great Lifebound Magical Treasure [a magical treasure bound to its wielder's life force, growing in power with them]. Neither can be allowed to pass into outside hands."

"Very well. Hand over the Metallic Gold Divine Thunder [a divine thunder technique harnessing the power of metallic gold] and the Venus Severing Dust Blade [a legendary blade said to sever 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 Remaining Years Zuo's person were precisely the Metallic Gold Divine Thunder and the Venus Severing Dust Blade.

Surrendering these two items would drastically diminish the worth of Remaining Years Zuo's possessions. The other 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. He then turned to address Mordecai Lin.

"The Venus Severing Dust Blade and the Metallic Gold Divine Thunder... we can give them to you."

Mordecai Lin accepted the Venus Severing Dust Blade and the jade slip inscribed with the Metallic Gold Divine Thunder. After a brief inspection and a nod of satisfaction, he made to depart.

At that moment, Ink Respect Lin, who had been standing to the side, spoke up. "I have something to say."

All eyes turned towards him.

Ink Respect Lin fixed a venomous glare on Eldrin Chen before declaring through gritted teeth, "The Chen Clan [the Chen family clan], showing utter disregard for the safety of Yu County [Yu County region], maliciously seized our Lin Clan's [Lin family clan's] Spirit Apricot Mountain [a mountain famed for its spiritually infused apricot trees]. I demand they return it!"

"Hmm?"

Mordecai Lin's eyes flickered almost imperceptibly. He cast a subtle glance at Eldrin Chen and the Old Patriarch, but said nothing.

The veins on Eternal Profound Chen's temples bulged faintly. He ultimately suppressed his fury, his words grinding out through clenched teeth.

"I agree to this. However, it will take time for the members of the Chen Clan to withdraw from Spirit Apricot Mountain."

Ink Respect Lin opened his mouth to speak further, but was cut off by Mordecai Lin. The Violet Sanctum cultivator from the Verdant Sun Sect gave a curt nod. "You have seven days," he stated.

After the Verdant Sun Sect members departed with Mordecai Lin, Eternal Profound Chen ground his teeth in bitter resentment.

"The Verdant Sun Sect has made us suffer another heavy loss." Join our community of readers at audio_novel.com.

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

Since the Verdant Sun Sect had sent Mordecai Lin, they were never going to leave empty-handed. To escape disaster by parting with mere wealth was already the best possible outcome.

He glanced at the despondent Eternal Profound Chen and offered consolation. "Uncle, you need not grieve so deeply. The grade of the Spiritual Vein at Spirit Apricot Mountain has already declined; its value is not what it once was. As long as we successfully transplant the Spirit Apricot Tree back, we will not have suffered a true loss."

"As for the Metallic Gold Divine Thunder [a powerful thunder-based divine ability], I have long since comprehended it successfully. In the future, we can go to Heavenly Ruins Mountain [a famous trading hub for cultivators] to purchase a blank Divine Ability Jade Slip [a jade slip used to record cultivation techniques and divine abilities] and inscribe it there."

Hearing this, Eternal Profound Chen finally felt his heart ease somewhat.

After its grade fell, the value of Spirit Apricot Mountain [a mountain known for its spiritual apricot trees] had greatly diminished. That place was too far from the Chen Clan and too close to the Lin Clan. Rather than expending effort and manpower to garrison it, it was better to simply abandon it.

When the Lin Clan joyfully returned to Spirit Apricot Mountain, only to find nothing but a single first-rank upper-grade Spiritual Vein [a vein of concentrated spiritual energy within the earth] remaining, one could only wonder what thoughts would cross their minds.

It was just that the Venus Severing Dust Blade [a legendary blade capable of severing worldly dust], a masterpiece among Second Rank High-Grade Magical Treasure [a high-quality magical treasure of the second rank], could only be regretfully lost.

"..."

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

The Ink Respect Lin looked at Mordecai Lin, seeming as if he still wanted to say something, but was cut off by this Violet Sanctum [the third major cultivation realm] elder from the Verdant Sun Sect.

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

"This..."

"This junior understands."

Ink Respect Lin's expression changed abruptly. After hurriedly offering an apology, he fled in a panic.

After he had left, 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 Verdant Sun Sect when I was seven years old, they ceased to be."

Mordecai Lin shook his head, a cold glint in his eyes.

He had begun forming memories at six and was sent to the Verdant Sun Sect at seven. Raised within the sect from childhood, his memories of growing up in the Lin Clan had long since faded into obscurity.

"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 Patriarch is considering selecting one from among us Elder of Violet Sanctum to become his personal disciple and inherit his legacy. Those people are likely just waiting for me to make a misstep."

Having spoken, Mordecai Lin cast another glance in the direction of the Chen Clan.

"In just over two decades, the Beast Tide [a periodic, massive invasion of demonic beasts] will erupt. When that time comes, the Green Sun Two Provinces will face immense pressure defending against the Earth Lion Demon King from Lion's Brow Ridge."

"The Heavenly Python Demon King from Heavenly Python Lake is no simple foe either. It will require the combined efforts of the Border Province and Heavenly Ruins Mountain to pin it down. Otherwise, we would find ourselves caught in a pincer attack from both front and rear."

"We cannot allow chaos to take root in Yu County. It would be wisest for the Chen Clan to refrain from any rash movements."

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