https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-520-Inviting-Su-Chen-to-the-Qiu-Clan-as-a-Guest/12995450/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-522-The-Manor-Lord-s-Speculations/12995452/
Chapter 521: Wulan Manor's Accountability
Chapter 521: Wulan Manor's Accountability
December 15, 2024
Su Chen headed straight for the small city where he had previously collected his letters.
Messages from Zhu Ming Palace were regularly delivered to this location.
During this time, the disciples of Wulan Manor had also returned to their sect.
Che Yanchang and his group had been in low spirits throughout their journey.
Not only had they failed to accomplish their mission, but they had also disgraced the manor.
Setting these issues aside, their own mindset had undergone significant changes.
These once-confident prodigies had suffered a severe blow to their self-assurance.
Many of them were filled with anxiety and fear, their thoughts running wild.
Despite the presence of a Profound Realm warrior on their return journey, and the fact that they traveled as a large group, supporting and protecting each other, they should have felt safe.
Even if Su Chen had intended to target them, he wouldn't have chosen that moment.
Yet, the Wulan Manor disciples couldn't shake off their anxiety.
They walked as if Su Chen might suddenly emerge from hiding and strike them down at any moment.
This pervasive unease not only slowed their progress but also worsened the condition of the disciples.
Their complaints about Fan Chengyan grew louder.
Initially, they whispered and discussed in hushed tones, but as time passed, their voices rose, and they no longer tried to conceal their discontent.
Even if Fan Chengyan's trusted bodyguard heard them, they didn't seem to care.
Besides complaints, the most prevalent emotion was regret.
Many disciples regretted accompanying the group on this journey.
Had they not joined, they wouldn't be living in fear now.
Various factors contributed to the slow pace of the group.
By the time they reached their destination in Jin State, Su Chen was already close to his own.
Upon their return to Wulan Manor, the bodyguard, as Fan Chengyan's trusted aide, immediately went to report to her.
The general news had already reached Wulan Manor seven days ago.
Fan Chengyan was already aware of the final outcome.
The purpose of this report was not just to convey the result but also to provide detailed information and specifics.
In the courtyard, not only was Fan Chengyan present, but so were her two disciples, Sang Moyuan and Mo Liuzheng.
After being injured by Su Chen at the Xuan Ying Tournament, Sang Moyuan had likely received significant support from his family for his recovery.
Over a year had passed since then, and Sang Moyuan's injuries had healed considerably.
However, his martial arts cultivation still needed more time.
In the courtyard, the master and her disciples gazed at the bodyguard before them, their faces grave.
"Are you certain that Su Chen relied solely on his strength to defeat Liu Siyun?
Are you absolutely sure you didn't make a mistake?
He didn't use any underhanded tricks, did he?"
Fan Chengyan looked at her trusted bodyguard, and she believed what he said.
But the outcome was hard for her to accept.
Ever since receiving the news, doubts had lingered in Fan Chengyan's mind.
She had been waiting for their return to question them thoroughly.
Now that they were back, the result remained unchanged.
"Elder, I witnessed the entire process.
From what I saw, this Su Chen possesses some skill.
His foundation is solid, and both his blade technique and body technique are formidable.
It's hard to pinpoint which sect's technique he's using, but you can sense the intricacies within."
Fan Chengyan furrowed her brows and turned to him, "So, you're saying he genuinely outclassed Liu Siyun with his abilities?"
"Although it's hard to believe, in my opinion, that's the truth.
This Su Chen, if not dealt with swiftly, may become an even greater threat in the future."
Fan Chengyan's trusted bodyguard couldn't help but speak these words.
He went on to describe the situation in detail.
"Elder, Liu Siyun also suffered significant injuries.
From her moves, it didn't seem like she was intentionally holding back or trying to lose the duel.
Considering various factors, this Su Chen is truly extraordinary."
Fan Chengyan furrowed her brows and couldn't help but glance at Sang Moyuan.
At this moment, Su Chen's performance seemed entirely different from what Sang Moyuan had described.
It was as if they were two unrelated individuals.
If her bodyguard's description was accurate, it would imply a terrifying conclusion.
It meant that Su Chen's improvement speed had far exceeded their expectations.
"Where is Sun Xuerong?
Why hasn't she come to report?"
"Elder Sun hasn't returned. She's searching for Su Chen's trail in Zhou Kingdom.
She won't come back until she finds him."
Upon hearing this response, Fan Chengyan let out a soft snort.
"At least she has some sense and knows that returning now won't bode well for her.
Previously, she boasted in front of Elder Fan Chengyan, claiming to know Su Zhen Fang inside and out.
Now it seems that she knows nothing about him.
Since he hasn't returned, let's not bother with her."
Fan Chengyan waved her hand, signaling for her trusted bodyguard to rest as well.
After a long journey, she was also tired.
Standing in her position, she knew how to win people over.
In the courtyard, only Fan Chengyan and her two disciples remained.
Glancing at Sang Mo Yuan, Fan Chengyan decided not to lecture him.
"It seems that this Elder is going to get scolded.
These recent events will likely affect many disciples in the Manor.
The Manor Master and the other Elders will probably place all the blame on me."
Hearing his master's words, Sang Mo Yuan stepped forward to respond.
"It's all my fault. If I had put in more effort initially and directly dealt with him,
we wouldn't be in this situation today.
It's all Mo Yuan's fault."
Fan Chengyan looked at Sang Mo Yuan, and this time, she nodded in agreement.
"In my opinion, you are indeed at fault.
But your mistake isn't that you didn't deal with him earlier.
Those circumstances were understandable, and no one could have predicted the future.
Your mistake is that your own power has been surpassed by Su Zhen Fang.
Do you understand?
Even with his erratic movements like a rat, he has caught up to you."
Fan Chengyan glared at Sang Mo Yuan, and she was genuinely angry about this.
Su Zhen Fang's current display of power had completely surpassed Sang Mo Yuan.
As a member of the Sang family and her disciple,
his advancement was even slower than Su Zhen Fang, a warrior from the Zhou Kingdom.
"A warrior's cultivation path cannot be taken lightly.
If you had continuously worked hard, you wouldn't be in this situation today.
Starting today, I will impose stricter requirements on both you and Mo Liu Zheng.
You will only have three hours of rest each day, and the rest of the time must be dedicated to cultivation."
Fan Chengyan's words left the two disciples embarrassed.
But this time, Fan Chengyan did not compromise.
"Look at yourselves; even cats and dogs could surpass you in your current state.
If you slack off now, you'll only embarrass yourselves later.
Do as you please, but remember, it's not just my reputation at stake.
Your sect will also suffer if you don't improve.
I'm not worried about that."
Fan Chengyan's words carried a hint of reproach.
Seeing this, Sang Mo Yuan and Mo Liu Zheng exchanged glances, their expressions turning slightly more serious.
"Master, rest assured. My brother and I will not disappoint you.
From now on, please guide us strictly."
Mo Liu Zheng's solemn response finally made Fan Chengyan feel a little better.
"If the two of you can learn from this and be stricter with yourselves,
then I don't think this incident is all bad.
Looking back, if even someone from a poor background like Su Zhen Fang can reach where he is today,
what excuse do you have not to strive harder?
Before entering the Profound Realm, the requirements for a warrior's talent and potential aren't that high.
Su Zhen Fang's talent is clearly average.
But he dares to strive and knows the importance of hard work.
He understands that the early bird catches the worm, and the fool must work harder.
That's why he has temporarily surpassed you talented disciples.
Let go of your arrogance."
Fan Chengyan was usually busy and rarely had such heart-to-heart talks with her disciples.
It seemed that this conversation was indeed effective.
"If I get the chance to confront Su Zhen Fang, I won't take his life right away.
Mo Yuan, I'll let you face him.
Until you can defeat him."
"If you don't want to lose face, work hard and improve your fundamentals.
Don't let even a small fry like him get the better of you."
As they spoke, a servant arrived in the courtyard with a message.
"As expected, the Manor Master wants me to go and speak with him."
Fan Chengyan looked at her two disciples with a hint of helplessness.
The three of them left the courtyard together.
The messenger who came to deliver the message was indeed from the Manor Master's attendants.
He was there to summon her to the side chamber for a discussion.
As for the topic of the discussion, the attendant did not reveal it.
Although unspoken, Fan Chengyan could guess what it was about.
It had to be about Su Zhen Fang.
"You two continue your cultivation. I'll go and talk to the Manor Master and the others.
I'll let you know the details when I return."
At this moment, the core Elders of Wulan Manor had not yet arrived.
After reaching the side chamber, Fan Chengyan was asked to wait on the side.
Hao Yuan, the Master of Wulan Mountain Mansion, was still in a confidential discussion with his subordinates.
Before he could finish his conversation, he summoned Fan Chengyan.
This revealed that the Master was feeling somewhat agitated.
After nearly an hour of waiting, Fan Chengyan finally met with the Master in the side chamber, accompanied by several other core elders.
It seemed that they had been discussing the situation with Hao Yuan.
However, Fan Chengyan was singled out and left alone.
This sense of isolation made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.
In the side chamber, including Master Hao Yuan, all six core leaders of Wulan Mountain Mansion were present.
"Elder Fan, have you learned the details of sending someone to Zhou Kingdom?" Elder Dong, sitting on the right, spoke first with a cold tone, making it difficult to discern his intentions.
"I have a general understanding. Master and elders, please speak frankly.
There's no need to hide anything. If there's any issue to address, blame me for it." Fan Chengyan's words carried a hint of complaint even before anyone could blame her.
Hearing her words, Elder Dong continued, "Every time Elder Fan causes trouble, she has this attitude.
But can this attitude evade accountability?"
This statement clearly implied that they didn't intend to let Fan Chengyan off the hook.
"Evade accountability? What am I evading? Is this entire matter solely my fault, Elder Fan?" Fan Chengyan's words carried a hint of anger.
"Is this matter something we can blame on us?" Elder Dong continued.
"I've told you before not to provoke the powers of Zhou Kingdom.
I've said it numerous times, and you promised to handle it properly. But in the end, what has Elder Fan done?
Setting those aside, let's talk about the recent incident.
That young man even challenged us, yet we still couldn't resolve the issue.
We lost face in front of other sect members.
Some sect leaders even sent letters to our Master, stating that Wulan Mountain Mansion lacks credibility and that they will reconsider their dealings with us.
Look at the mess you've made!" Elder Dong's words left Fan Chengyan at a loss for a response.
This situation indeed made her feel embarrassed.
Fan Chengyan, known for her domineering and arrogant nature, valued her reputation greatly.
But this incident had truly damaged her reputation.
"I've already scolded those responsible, and I'll find a solution," Fan Chengyan's attitude softened slightly.
With these facts, she had no grounds for argument.
"Find a solution? What solution do you have in mind, Elder Fan? The current situation is that the problem remains unresolved.
That Su Chen is still roaming outside, like an elusive ghost.
Who knows when he might strike us.
Look at the attitude of our younger disciples.
Many of them now refuse to go out for training.
They all stay within the mountain mansion.
Moreover, how can we restore Wulan Mountain Mansion's damaged reputation?
Reputation is easily tarnished, but rebuilding it is a Herculean task!" Fan Chengyan was left speechless by Elder Dong's words.
If Su Chen had been dealt with, it would have been easier to explain.
But the situation was complicated by the loss of reputation and the unresolved issue.
"For now, we can only shift the blame onto Sun Xue Rong.
She has a shallow connection with Wulan Mountain Mansion and is a martial artist from Zhou Kingdom.
We can say that she acted on her own accord, unrelated to us." When problems arise, someone must take the blame.
Sun Xue Rong, being self-aware, knew that she would ultimately bear the blame.
(End of Chapter)
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