Chương 68: The Corpse Arrives

Qin Guiren had steeled himself for everything. Even if his Senior Brother struck him down here and now, he knew he would have no right to complain. I betrayed his trust. A quick death would be nothing but mercy… His Senior Brother treasured his son above all else, even the sect. And truth to be told, if not for his begging, he knew Ren would've never joined the Supreme Judgment Sect. So now, seeing Grand Marshal Wang's calm look and hearing his 'Oh…', Qin Guiren trembled. What do you mean 'Oh', huh?!

That's your fucking reaction to something this big? He felt like all the patience he nurtured in his years as Sect Leader crumbled in that very instant… No, no. It should be because he is so shell-shocked that he couldn't react. Yeah, that's it. It must be.

"S-Senior Brother?" he asked tentatively, not even realizing his voice cracked. Marshal Wang stared at him for a while. His face remained unreadable, and his gray eyes darkened into a storm cloud, with thoughts none could fathom flashing like lightning.

"So that's why you lot are waiting here for 'proof'," he muttered at last, tilting his head, brows furrowed, "instead of razing this wretched sect down. Because the old man thinks my son is dead and… got his body possessed?" He reached for his cup, swinging it idly for a lingering moment. Took a light sip, rolled it across his tongue, then closed his eyes and let out a deep, contented sigh.

"Ohh. This is a good tea," he uttered, a curve in his lips. A single bead of sweat slid from Guiren's brow to his chin, then down his neck as countless questions bounced back and forth in his mind. He opened his mouth— Marshal Wang's eyes met his, a golden gleam cutting through the storm.

"Have you all lost your minds?" A single question, something so simple— even insulting— came out. Yet Guiren felt like a Grand Destruction Cannon went off right beside his ears, a ringing echoing in his mind. His mouth remained open. This… … At the same time, in a faraway place. Ren had returned to the First Flash of Judgment, watching the city's night scenery fade away, eyes clouded. Father… he'd be sad if he knew his son died… right? He let out a deep sigh, his sight turning to the words carved into his being.

The last thing his soul brother left him. [Please protect and cherish, Ren.] I wish you were here, brother. I'm not sure I'm built for this… Right then, he felt the words warm up. It wasn't the usual, fierce burning, no… it felt like, reassuring? Ren let out a bitter smile. Even a lingering imprint left behind… tries to give me confidence now, huh? Thanks, I guess. … Qin Guiren's heart thundered over his ribcage. He forgot his dignity and shot to his feet, shouting with a trembling voice:"He… he is alive? Really?

Truly? He is… not possessed? Senior Brother, you really mean—" And… that gained him a slap, again.

"Why would I say something I don't mean, foolish brother?" Marshal Wang grumbled, the light fading from his eyes.

"Is this position cursed or something? Why does everyone who takes the helm turn into an idiot overnight?" Guiren ignored the jab, running a hand through his hair as he started pacing back and forth.

"Soul shock? Nope, it can't have such an effect on the body. Fiend attack? No, even their soul techniques couldn't result in something like this. No, no, it doesn't explain why his soul is at ill-ease within his body," he murmured to himself, but found no answers as expected. Why do I even bother? His head snapped up, and he stared at his Senior Brother sipping his tea, too pleased with life. Guiren put on a wicked smile.

"Senior Brother~""Fuck off." Guiren opened both hands, eyes widening as he was about to launch into a tirade, just like in the old days. The temple grunted in a low frequency. Marshal Wang raised a brow.

"You had to come," he murmured, staring deeper into the domain, "huh, old man?" The air folded into itself, the space cracking for a second before the temple trembled again. A phantom figure flashed over the temple, its deep gaze watching, countless soldiers already lined behind it. Its gaze met his Senior Brother, then it let the crack coalesce into a frail figure.

"Did you leave me another choice…" Ancestor Lin hissed through his clenched teeth, " unfilial disciple?" Guiren watched the two people he held most dear face each other without a word. His heart twisted into a knot, their silence a punch in the gut.

"Master," he whispered, voice coming out weaker than ever. Both pairs of eyes snapped to him, their pressure almost enough for him to bend his knees.

"Ren is alive," he said, this time with more strength behind it.

"My disciple is alive." His back straightened at last.

"He is—" The space behind him flickered as a purple haze materialized. A gaze passing through all the distance swept around. Old Void's presence covered the domain, and even the temple vibrated under the beast's might. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"This one stands by Junior Wang's conclusion," it said, its deep voice floating into the domain and booming.

"Daring to possess a carrier of Divine Might? A fool's errand." Time seemed to freeze as his Master frowned for a moment, then let out a deep, disappointed sigh.

"I should've never let you do that," he grumbled, his hawk-like glare piercing through Marshal Wang.

"I'd tear you apart with my bare hands," Marshal Wang growled in a low voice.

"You would have done that already if you could," Old Void said at the same time.

"But I stopped you, don't you remember, old friend?" His Master's face tightened, and even his chin trembled faintly. He didn't look at Marshal Wang or Guiren, no, his focus was only on Old Void. The air turned heavy. At last, his Master sighed once more.

"What does a mere beast know?" Guiren knew his Master thought this, but fortunately, the man didn't say aloud.

"The corpse arrived. Let's not drag this any longer," his Master said, his figure already melting into the air. Old Void disappeared too, not lingering around.

"Damned old fart."

"Ignorant fool." Guiren's ears trembled, though he couldn't react as the domain dissolved into nothing at the next moment. He had already returned to the terrace, and his Senior Brother was standing right beside him.

"My set…" he whispered, leaning closer, but was ignored. Shrugging in regret, Guiren glanced around. Besides his Master, an old woman with blue hair had appeared, standing behind the Sect Master of Azure, her expression solemn— the Ancestor Yue of Azure Sky. And the long-awaited coffin stood in the middle. It must be Demoness's work, Guiren thought, looking at the rough corners but neat runes. Only that little girl would do such a messy yet proper job.

Though I have to admit that she should focus on her carving besides her rune talent. Look at this abomination. Seconds passed amidst his thoughts until his Master faked a cough with a frown. At the same time, his Senior Brother subtly elbowed him. Oh. Guiren hardly resisted the urge to scratch his head and put on a steady expression.

"Then let us see," he said, ready to wave his sleeve.

"Don't create a suspense, Master Guiren." However, Yue Fa moved before him, taking everyone by surprise. He slapped toward the air, breaking the runes along with the lid. The corpse floated, and Guiren just barely caught something fading away beneath its eye. He immediately flashed forward. Both his Master and Senior Brother did, as well, their eyes solemn.

"That was…"

"Law-based marking, an advanced one even." Guiren started, his Master ending.

"Aha, just as I said!" Yue Fa jumped on the place, his face beaming.

"We, the Azure Sky, have no one like this! It must be a trick to pin the blame on us. Hahaha, I knew it, I knew it." Did he do it deliberately? Guiren stared at him with doubt. It doesn't matter. You dug your own grave, idiot. His aura erupted like a volcano.

"What is the meaning of this, Yue Fa?!" he growled, eyes darkened. The purple haze returned, this time in a lighter shade without the Old Void's support. The terrace trembled as if it couldn't handle its weight. The dwarf man flinched.

"I-I didn't expect… he'd be alive…" he murmured, lowering his head.

"Heaven's be my witness, I only thought those runes as to preserve it in the best condition…"

"Master?" Guiren turned to Ancestor Lin with questioning eyes. The old man was inspecting the corpse, checking under its tongue, and didn't spare a glance.

"He's saying the truth, but to make sure, we have to use Grand Scale. He destroyed an important clue after all." He pried open the corpse's eyes and added, "Your choices are getting degraded day by day, little girl Yue."

"The pressure… must've gotten into him. I offer my sincere apologies, Venerable Lin," said the old woman.

"Still, there's one thing he is right. You can check our ancestral records, there's no spiritual mark like this. Also, this token…" She grabbed toward the token, yet Marshal Wang snorted and caught it out of the air.

"I'll hold onto this one," he said, "since your side is so inept…" he paused, voice sharp, "I want some kind of guarantee until the investigation ends. Any objections?" His lips curled up as his expression turned impossible to read. Ancestor Yue's creases deepened, gritting her teeth. Yet when both Ancestor Lin and Guiren's eyes locked onto her, she nodded with a bitter smile.

"May I ask what kind of guarantee you are asking for?" Guiren's gaze passed between his Master's and his Senior Brother, but he didn't intervene this time. Eh, even if I did, he wouldn't care. He is as arrogant as his son. As if reading his thoughts, Marshal Wang threw an amused look at Guiren, then his hand slashed open the space.

"I heard," he answered in a relaxed tone, "Azure Sky's Sacred Tree has a foreseeing power. As my son has yet to regain his cultivation, there might be another assassination attempt. You wouldn't want to get blamed again, right? Why don't you lend it to my son as a precaution?"

"That—" Yue Fa opened his mouth, only to shut up under Ancestor Yue's scornful glare.

"That's a little bit too extreme, right, Grand Marshal? We can certainly lend a fruit of our Sacred Tree for the sake of the Bearer of the Judgment, but getting the whole tree…" she trailed off as a phantom temple materialized behind Marshal Wang.

"What a mere fruit amounts to in front of the Masters?" Ancestor Lin rubbed his white beard. A phantom depicting a crimson-scale rose, the sect-protection Artifact Scale of Wrathful Judgment manifesting itself. A bloody smell wafted through the air, and even Marshal Wang's pupils widened for a split second.

"Your Azure Sky treats us as beggars?" The color drained from Ancestor Yue's face. An Azure Sky phantom flared as if in reflex, yet all it could do was tether and flicker. Guiren watched, his heartbeat slowing down, then opened his mouth.

"We, as the Supreme Judgment Sect, have shown you courtesy throughout this matter." Taking a step forward, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. A moment later— His eyes snapped open, sharp and sudden, like a sword leaving its sheath. A dragon's primal roar tore through him. The haze exploded along with the space! Unlike the domain phantoms, the dragon uncoiled behind him without restraint, cutting off the soft moonlight hitting the terrace.

"But if you intend to take our respect as weakness," Guiren said, tone emotionless.

"You're mistaken." He stared at the dwarf, the dragon's abyss-like eyes following. Yue Fa shriveled, his shoulders tightening as if an invisible mountain was pressing down on him. He tried to resist, his face twisting, yet the moment he did, the dragon puffed out a hot breath, its whiskers trembling. The pressure spiked tenfold in an instant, the sheer weight of the insignia forcing him to bow down. And beside him, even as a half-step Ascendant, Ancestor Yue's face went deadly pale.

You know the consequences of refusing now, right? Guiren said no more. Although it wasn't easy, she still could stand her ground against the Ascendants' threats. But against the whole Supreme sect? Only another Supreme has the right to negotiate. Biting her lower lip, Ancestor Yue suddenly turned to her right.

"Lady Lifen, what's your take on this?" The beautiful woman rolled her eyes.

"The Judgment Sect is a bit too overwhelming today, don't you think so, dear?" she answered, her eyes locked on Guiren.

"To demand the Sect's foundational treasure outright?"

"Let them thank I am pressed for time and not going to bother outright erasing them from the face of this earth," Marshal Wang snorted. Her laughter rang like silver bells.

"Your anger is justified, Grand Marshal. If the same happened to our Eldest, we'd do the same," She said, turning to Ancestor Yue.

"If it were for someone else, I'd only laugh. But if it is Young Master Ren?" A faint smile bloomed on her lips as she suddenly turned her head. Guiren's skin prickled under her provoking glance.

"Our Empress Sect agrees."

"That's the right decision," Marshal Wang's smile widened.

"Guiren should've said yes much earlier." Lifen chuckled, putting one hand over her mouth. Her crescent eyes narrowed in amusement, while Guiren snorted, avoiding her intense gaze. Fortunately, something to watch appeared. Marshal Wang didn't wait for Ancestor Yue, and he directly reached into the space. The slash widened under their eyes as a massive tree, trembling in distress, was pulled out by a colossal hand phantom. The roots resisted, its bark cracking and creaking. Deep-blue essence began to ooze forth.

Guiren couldn't help but smile. Under the hand, the tree's cyan canopy steadily compressed, shrinking into itself. The body followed, and even the roots couldn't stand much before they were ripped off from the ground. In the end, everything condensed, and only a small core seed was left behind that flew to his palm. Right at that moment, Ancestor Yue coughed up blood. Her face went deadly pale, and if Yue Fa hadn't caught him, she would've collapsed"I'm leaving, then," Marshal Wang said.

He didn't even spare another glance at the despairing Yue Fa and Ancestor Yue. Instead, he first stared at the Guardian Elder, subtly nodded, then patted Guiren on the shoulder.

"Take care of the rest— properly. There's no need to bother my son with such matters. Let him focus on regaining his power." He transmitted his voice. And Guiren nodded heavily.

"Don't worry, Senior Brother," he transmitted back.

"I won't make the same mistake again." Taking a deep breath, he added inwardly. And those who dared to touch my disciple… The anger buried in grief flared to life at last, a drop of crimson blending into his eyes. I'll find you, whatever it takes.