Chapter 33: Escalation of Conflict

Chapter 33: Escalation of Conflict

The Enforcement Hall of the Lihuo Sect sat on the Main Peak’s flank, hidden behind the mountain’s curve. Only after circumventing half its circumference did the lacquered-black grand hall finally come into view.

Xiao Chen followed Elder Chen in silence, both escorted to separate small chambers within the side palace.

“Creak~” The door groaned open, releasing a wave of stale, decaying air. The room was cramped—its only furnishings a wooden table, two stools, and walls without even a single window.

An inner sect disciple placed two plates of peanuts and two jugs of wine before them. “Elder Chen, our accommodations are limited here. Please make do with this humble offering.”

Elder Chen chuckled, unfazed. “No need to worry, Xiao Chen. I’ve already sent word to my family.” He poured wine into two cups. “Before this jug runs dry, we’ll both be walking free.”

He fixed Xiao Chen with a steady gaze. “Now that you’re my disciple, as long as I refuse to comply, no one can touch you.”

Xiao Chen clasped his fists in gratitude. “Disciple thanks you for your protection, Elder. Your kindness will be etched into my very bones.”

Though the situation was absurd—imprisoned without cause—he resolved to keep matters clear. The Enforcement Hall’s injustice would be remembered, but so would Elder Chen’s righteous intervention.

The guards soon separated them.

Elsewhere, Elder Jiang had uncovered a glaring inconsistency.

During this year’s Servant Peak assessment, Xiao Chen had still been at Li Qi Stage One—a bottom-tier cultivator, barely above a common laborer. His future had seemed destined to stagnation, worse than many solitary cultivators.

Yet shortly afterward, he’d leapt to Li Qi Stage Four, his demeanor completely transformed. The once indifferent servant had become a relentless cultivator, abandoning his former habits of leisurely tea, strolls, and flower-gazing for relentless training.

This defied all logic.

Elder Jiang’s eyes gleamed with suspicion. If Xiao Chen was hiding something, Elder Chen—who had vouched for him—would share the blame. As an outer sect elder, poor judgment in personnel warranted removal from office.

Determined to gather irrefutable evidence—especially against the Chen family—Elder Jiang mobilized the entire Enforcement Hall. They launched a mass investigation, interrogating every disciple at the Servant Peak and Second Sub-Academy who knew Xiao Chen, then expanding to anyone who had merely seen him.

This sweeping action quickly spread Xiao Chen’s name across the Servant Peak and outer sect’s twelve sub-academies, even reaching the ears of inner sect disciples.

Within the Enforcement Hall, Wang Sanhu—a lowly guard duty officer—heard whispers of the crackdown. Ambition stirred in his chest.

For ordinary disciples, advancement required recognition. Wang had no connections to Elder Jiang, but today’s reassignments had left him guarding Xiao Chen alongside three others. This was his chance.

When a basket of fresh fruit arrived, Wang seized the opportunity. “Senior Brother, let me handle this.”

The senior disciple nodded. “Very well. Just remember to arrange it neatly on the plate.”

Wang paused. “By the way, how’s Xiao Chen faring?”

The senior shrugged. “Doomed, I’d wager. They’ve mobilized so many just for him. He won’t be leaving here.”

Eyes gleaming, Wang carried the fruit inside. He found Xiao Chen calmly pouring wine.

“About to die and still playing noble?” Wang sneered, suddenly kicking over the wine cup. “Stop pretending! Face the wall and reflect on your crimes!”

Xiao Chen’s gaze sharpened. In the Feihong Mountains, this man would’ve died in a single breath. Now, Wang felt as though a predator had locked eyes on him—his spine chilled, legs trembling.

Two more guards burst in at the commotion. “Stay in line, Xiao Chen!” one barked.

Empowered by backup, Wang’s voice grew shriller. “You dare glare at me? To the wall! Now!”

Xiao Chen stood slowly. A wise man avoids unnecessary harm. Here, in the Enforcement Hall’s domain, brute strength meant little without considering political influence. He’d let them strut for now—this debt would be settled later.

At that moment, chaotic footsteps echoed outside. The guards rushed out, leaving Wang hesitating between confrontation and curiosity.

As the door shut, figures arrived at the threshold. Xiao Chen glimpsed the dark-gold “Chen” insignia on their chests—the Chen family had come.

Just as Elder Chen had promised, his clan had arrived to demand his release.

Two Chen clan elders led the charge, flanked by dozens of disciples. “Release them immediately!” they demanded.

The Left-Behind Enforcement Hall disciples formed a human wall, while the Chen family applied pressure without outright violence—a tense standoff.

Elder Jiang soon arrived, eyes narrowing at the news. “Elder Chen,” he greeted, “why come in person?”

“Jiang Shiyou,” the clan elder replied coldly, “why detain my nephew Tianyang and his disciple without cause?”

“This disciple’s behavior is suspicious,” Jiang countered. “I act in accordance with sect law.”

“Then produce evidence!” the elder thundered. “Otherwise, we won’t comply!”

The gathered Chen disciples roared in unison: “No evidence? No compliance!”

Jiang’s mind raced. Without proof, the Chen family’s aggression weakened his position. Yet their urgency suggested he’d struck a nerve. In the current rivalry between the Chen and Jiang families, opposition only confirmed he was on the right path.

“Silence!” he barked. “Gathering here unlawfully—where’s your respect for sect law?”

A Chen youth drew his flying sword. “Explain why you’ve imprisoned our kin!”

Blades flashed as Chen disciples followed suit. “Give us answers!” “Free Elder Tianyang!”

Jiang’s nephew stepped forward, sword drawn. “Do you intend to kidnap someone from the Enforcement Hall?”

Jiang family disciples among the guards joined the confrontation, swords gleaming. The hall became a battlefield of drawn blades and rising tempers.

What began as a dispute over Elder Chen had erupted into a full-blown conflict between the Chen and Jiang families.

Ignoring the cold steel around him, Jiang Shiyou fixed the Chen elders with a stare. “What does the Chen family want?”

The clan elder’s voice was calm but firm. “We demand to know why you detain us. We seek justice.”

As swords trembled inches apart, a guard burst in shouting:

“The Grand Elder has arrived!”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end