Chapter 474: The Scheme

Chapter 474: The Scheme

October 29, 2024

A circle of torches had surrounded Su Chen and the three others.

The trio beside him were trembling, their minds clouded with fear.

When they came here, they had a hunch that it wouldn't be anything good.

But they never imagined they would be caught so quickly.

Upon their arrival at the Inner Mountain, they seemed to have received decent treatment at San Shan.

However, their true status in Yue Xi Mountain remained at the bottom.

"It's fine, it should be fine. We are valued by the Vice-Peak Master, and we are here to help him with a task," one of the disciples muttered to calm himself down.

These words were merely a way to reassure themselves.

Their hearts were filled with panic, and all they could do was try to soothe themselves as much as possible.

The four of them were surrounded, and the guards of Yue Xi Mountain held torches, illuminating the previously dim environment.

In the distance, four figures approached with casual strides.

As they drew near, the surrounding guards immediately made way, creating a gap in the circle.

Su Chen didn't recognize these four individuals, but they seemed to be high-ranking members of Yue Xi Mountain.

Their faces were cold, and they merely glanced at Su Chen and the others.

In their eyes, there was no doubt that someone else had instructed these disciples for tonight's events.

Su Chen and the three others were insignificant disciples.

"What do you all think?" the elder in the center hesitated for a while before finally speaking up.

The middle-aged man beside him immediately responded.

"Peak Master, the situation today should be clear.

Forgive my bluntness, but this must be the doing of Vice-Peak Master Wang, who sent people to steal the Yue Xi Seal Platform.

He is well aware that you intend to choose me as your successor.

After competing with me for so many years, how could he willingly let me take over?

By stealing the Yue Xi Seal Platform, he can delay these matters.

I, Meng Wang, have spoken to him several times, very sincerely, and even made promises.

But if Vice-Peak Master Wang continues to persist and use such sinister methods behind our backs...

Peak Master, I've done all I can.

This time, I don't want to tolerate it any longer.

Let's clarify everything at once."

This man introduced himself as Meng Wang, and he had just addressed the middle-aged man beside him as the Peak Master.

Su Chen looked at the three others beside him; their faces were deathly pale, devoid of any trace of blood.

They knew Yue Xi Mountain better than Su Chen.

The two speakers were the Peak Master of Yue Xi Mountain, the leader of this sect, and Meng Wang, the Vice-Peak Master of the second mountain.

Left behind today, the four of them were terrified, even fearful.

They could only hope that Vice-Peak Master Wang Tianming would come to their rescue.

But before them, these two individuals held positions no lower status than Wang Tianming.

Waiting for Wang Tianming was now pointless.

The Yue Xi Peak Master didn't respond to Meng Wang but turned his gaze to Su Chen and the others.

"Which mountain are you disciples from?"

Hearing his slightly aged voice, Su Chen looked at the three others, who eagerly answered, sharing their origins and mentioning San Shan and Wang Tianming.

Upon hearing Wang Tianming's name, the Peak Master sighed.

"Peak Master, the evidence is now conclusive, isn't it?

He planted spies among us to gather information about the Yue Xi Seal Platform's location in advance.

With new disciples joining the Inner Mountain recently, it's easier to hide among them."

Meng Wang's words left no room for doubt.

Hearing this, the Yue Xi Peak Master turned to the other two.

"Elders, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

The two elders who had accompanied them frowned and pondered.

"Let's call Vice-Peak Master Wang here and clarify everything openly.

As members of Yue Xi Mountain, let's not hide or conceal anything."

Hearing this, the Yue Xi Peak Master nodded.

They sat down in the courtyard, waiting for Wang Tianming's arrival.

On their way here, they had already sent word to notify Wang Tianming.

It wouldn't take more than half a day for ordinary disciples to travel from San Shan.

For someone as strong as Wang Tianming, it would be even faster.

Su Chen and the three others waited, and the Peak Master didn't ask Meng Wang any further questions.

They waited, anticipating Wang Tianming's arrival.

It was almost midnight when a commotion caught the Peak Master's attention. He stood up, knowing it was Vice-Peak Master Wang Tianming.

The Yue Xi Seal Platform was a symbol of the Yue Xi Peak Master's authority.

Every decree and document required the seal from this platform.

For a sect as vast as Yue Xi Mountain, this seal platform was not a core element.

It was the symbol of authority and leadership over the entire Yue Xi Mountain.

The Peak Master's personal strength and prestige were, of course, the most crucial factors.

Currently, Deputy Peak Masters Meng Wang and Wang Tianming were vying for the position of the next Peak Master.

Although Meng Wang held the upper hand, it was merely an advantage, not an overwhelming dominance.

With the Yue Xi Seal Platform being stolen, this situation would inevitably delay Meng Wang's succession.

At least, it would postpone the time for Meng Wang to take over.

Since Deputy Peak Master Meng Wang had seized the opportunity, he naturally wanted to use it to completely suppress Wang Tianming and settle the matter once and for all.

In an instant, the guards holding torches stepped aside, clearing a path.

Deputy Peak Master Wang Tianming approached with a solemn expression, walking briskly.

"Peak Master, Deputy Peak Master Meng, Elders Wu and Xie." Wang Tianming greeted them with a bow, still maintaining the dignity of his superior position.

"Tianming, you already know why I asked you to come here, right? I've heard a lot of unfavorable news about you, but one must be cautious of what they hear and not believe everything." The Yue Xi Peak Master spoke with a hint of regret in his tone.

He was unwilling to see his subordinates fighting like this.

"It's fine for you to compete, but the dispute between Meng Wang and Wang Tianming has clearly gone too far."

Upon hearing this, Wang Tianming nodded calmly.

"Peak Master, I can explain the situation tonight. In the afternoon, I noticed some clues, and I've been dealing with them ever since. These four young people are indeed new disciples from the Three Mountains. I, Wang Tianming, do not deny that. But what happened tonight was not instructed by me. The one who truly instructed them was not me."

Wang Tianming's expression turned serious as he spoke with conviction.

He did not acknowledge Meng Wang's accusation at all.

Wang Tianming directly refuted the so-called solid evidence, turning the accusation back on Meng Wang.

This response was more of a counterattack than an explanation.

Wang Tianming's words, with their underlying meaning, directly pointed the finger at Meng Wang.

The Yue Xi Peak Master understood what Wang Tianming was implying.

Meng Wang, standing beside him, let out a light snort.

"Deputy Peak Master Wang's words are interesting. These few are disciples from your Three Mountains. If they don't follow your arrangements, do they follow mine? You should know that before they came to the Three Mountains, they were cultivating at Moonless Mountain. Isn't there some friendship between Deputy Peak Master Wang and Wu Changsheng, the Mountain Lord of Moonless Mountain?"

Hearing Meng Wang's words, Wang Tianming bowed to the Yue Xi Peak Master and continued, "In fact, we all know very well how this matter will turn out. If I, Wang Tianming, had intended to steal this object, I wouldn't have arranged for these few weak young disciples. I still have capable people under my command. Of course, no one would believe such an untenable reason. I have more direct evidence here. Bring the person up."

Wang Tianming instructed his followers, and a group of them quickly headed downhill.

Seeing Wang Tianming's reaction, Deputy Peak Master Meng Wang felt a sense of unease.

The situation tonight seemed to have directly involved him.

Everything was within Wang Tianming's calculations; his responses and handling of the situation were too smooth.

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Su Chen stood by, watching the unfolding drama. At this moment, the situation was gradually becoming clearer.

Next, Wang Tianming should call upon a crucial figure, most likely the Mountain Lord of Moonless Mountain, Wu Changsheng.

As expected, Wang Tianming's followers soon brought someone up the mountain.

This person must have been at the foot of the mountain, hence their quick arrival.

Upon seeing this person, Meng Wang's eyebrows furrowed.

The person before them was none other than Wu Changsheng, the Mountain Lord of Moonless Mountain. However, at this moment, Wu Changsheng looked somewhat weak, as if he had sustained a severe injury.

These injuries were clearly inflicted during his encounter with Su Chen.

But at this moment, everyone subconsciously thought that Wang Tianming was responsible.

If Wang Tianming and Wu Changsheng had some friendship, he shouldn't have struck such a heavy blow.

"Mountain Lord Wu, with the Peak Master here, let's speak the truth. If there's any deception, no one will be able to save you."

Wu Changsheng's face showed a hint of guilt, and before he spoke, he glanced at Meng Wang once more.

"This plot has been in the works for over two months. Everyone in Yue Xi Mountain now knows that Deputy Peak Master Meng is about to take over as the Peak Master. I thought that by befriending Deputy Peak Master Meng, my future would be better. So, I agreed to this plot."

With these words, Wu Changsheng truly muddied the waters.

Meng Wang, who had initially held the upper hand, began to feel slightly flustered.

"Wu Changsheng, when did I ever ask you to scheme such things?

You have a close relationship with Wang Tianming, and what you did today is clearly helping him slander me!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Changsheng couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.

"I also hope that Deputy Peak Master Wang will consider our past friendship, but with these injuries I have..."

"Those who are on good terms with me should not strike so heavily."

Hearing this, Elder Xie, who was standing nearby, stepped forward to examine him.

Upon inspection, it was indeed discovered that Wu Changsheng's injuries were not light, and they were all fresh wounds.

Elder Xie frowned and nodded to the Yue Xi Peak Master, confirming that the injuries were indeed real.

"It seems that the injuries have even affected his foundation."

In the end, Elder Xie added another sentence.

This result made Wu Changsheng and Wang Tianming's words even more believable.

In this situation, the Yue Xi Peak Master couldn't help but frown and look towards Meng Wang.

Seeing this, Meng Wang became even more unsettled.

"Peak Master, I did not plan these things. I was framed in this matter.

I don't even know these four people."

"Use heavy torture on them directly to get to the bottom of this!"

After Meng Wang finished speaking, not only did Wang Tianming not object, but he also nodded in agreement.

"Peak Master, I also think we should use torture.

These young people won't be able to bear it, and they should reveal the truth.

Even if they can endure it, they should still be severely punished for what they did today."

At this moment, Su Chen and the other three had completely become disposable pawns.

Both sides surprisingly agreed on the punishment.

Wu Changsheng, standing among the crowd, had a faint smile on his lips, his gaze fixed on Su Chen.

He was proud, flaunting his methods.

In front of Su Chen, he had lost all face and even suffered injuries.

But now, in such a short time, he had taken his revenge.

In front of Wang Tianming, he bowed to the Yue Xi Peak Master, as he had more to say.

"Peak Master, as for the position of the next Peak Master, I have long since given up on it.

I have explained everything clearly to Deputy Peak Master Meng.

But at that time, Deputy Peak Master Meng readily agreed and even said that in the future, we should work together in unity to govern Yue Xi Mountain.

In reality, he wanted to drive me out and leave me no way out."

The inner conflict between the two Deputy Peak Masters of Yue Xi Mountain became even more intense as they listened to these words.

Su Chen looked at the three people beside him, and they all had a look of despair on their faces.

As ordinary disciples who had just entered the Inner Mountain of Yue Xi Mountain, they had been dragged into this dispute.

No matter the truth, the outcome would not be good.

The chances of even surviving were slim.

It was normal for their faces to show such despair.

After Deputy Peak Master Wang finished speaking, Meng Wang continued to deny and argue.

The entire situation, regarding the truth, had become completely chaotic.

Both sides found reasons and presented evidence.

They were both making valid points, but when Wang Tianming brought up Wu Changsheng, his words carried slightly more weight.

In the eyes of the two elders by his side, there was an added hint of suspicion towards Meng Wang.

With such ruthlessness towards Meng Wang, they couldn't help but wonder if they, as elders, would face the same treatment in the future if they encountered trouble.

The power struggle within the upper echelons of Yue Xi Mountain had always been restrained.

But today, this move seemed a bit too harsh, crossing the line.

After the argument, there was a moment of silence.

The only sounds were the crackling of torches and the suppressed breathing of the surrounding guards, who seemed to understand the seriousness of the situation.

In this situation, all eyes were on the Yue Xi Peak Master, waiting for his decision.

After a while, the sound of the night watch could be heard in the distance.

It was already 1 AM, and if they continued, the sky would soon brighten.

"It's too late today, let's all return for now.

We'll discuss this further after summoning the other elders at dawn."

Since the Yue Xi Peak Master had spoken, the others naturally had no choice but to comply.

After all, he was still the Peak Master.

"Peak Master, how should we deal with these four people?"

Deputy Peak Master Meng looked at Su Chen and the other three, his face filled with hatred.

He had already confirmed that he was framed and trapped, and he was seething with anger.

His expression naturally turned ugly.

Hearing this, the Yue Xi Peak Master turned his head to look at Wang Tianming.

Hesitating, he seemed to have thought of something.

"Tianming, do you have any objections to using heavy torture on them?"

Wang Tianming, when asked, did not hesitate at all and immediately shook his head.

"I'll follow the Peak Master's arrangements, and I, Wang Tianming, have a clear conscience."

Upon hearing this, the Yue Xi Peak Master turned around and took a few steps back.

"Since you both agree to use torture, let's interrogate them right here.

I, the Peak Master, also want to hear what they have to say."

After saying this, the Yue Xi Peak Master walked towards a guard.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end