The End of Qingyun
The plan was explained to Mu Chen.
The past few days, they had prominently flaunted the authority that Qin Yue had given him and offended all the other Elders of the Qingyun Sect completely. Qin Yue had shielded Ke Cangju's actions tightly and the other Elders are feeling very edgy. If the son of the last Sovereign stood forward at this moment, I believe the other Elders would jump at the chance to rally behind you to drive the Qingyun Sect in chaos. By that time, Qin Yue's time in the Qingyun Sect would be up.
Mu Chen grew more and more shocked the more he heard. He realized that the turmoil that had been brewing within the Qingyun Sect had been stirred up by these three youths singlehandedly. And if he was not wrong, the one making the decisions among the trio, should be Huang Huiwen, the youngest one among them!
He was able to pull off a plot on such a big scale at such a young age. Mu Chen could not imagine what kind of environment the lad had grown up in.
'For sure after we obliterate this clan as we hope, killing only the corrupt elders and inner disciples, we will spare the newcomer outer disciples as they have yet to commit atrocities. Heck, we just cleaned up the Hidden Cloud Peak too.'
Qiao Chu was the one who told Mu Chen what went on in Hidden Cloud Peak spanning years since Qin Yue's ascension to sovereign to the man's horror and disgust. How many promising youths were killed, used and discarded, just because they were good-looking?! Hah?!
And then, the actual pharmacist in the dastardly trio, wrote up notes to study as curriculum for the students of Hidden Cloud Peak that was now converted into healing against poisoning. The past few days, was dedicated to writing hundreds of notes for older disciples to copy and pass around, then a once-a-month identification test and written exam to determine promotion to Inner Disciple or not. Outer Disciples study herbs and raising herbs for harvest. Inner Disciples gets to make medicine, antidotes, and improve their spiritual skills. Passing Score? 100% in BOTH the 600-item identification test and 1000-item fill-in-the-blank test, and must be a Peak Red Level. And students taking exams, must be sleeveless to prevent cheating.
And even if they pass both exams but not enough spirit energy level, they are considered 'Having a lot of free time' that they must dedicate to forging their bodies and spirits.
And if they master the Inner Hidden Cloud Peak Curriculum, 'Ke Cangju' will then enroll them in other peaks of their choosing.
Even Mu Chen approved of the curriculum plan of Huang Huiwen. She would make a great elder one day!
'Little Wen is that strict!' Qiao Chu exclaimed. 'It takes at least four years to reach peak red! We ain't a weirdo like you!'
'Hey, refining pills and potions need a lot of energy you know!' Wuxie snarked. 'And who're you calling a weirdo?!'
'You!' Qiao Chu sputtered, 'You're a Blue Spirit and how old are you again?!'
'He's what?!' Hua Yao and Mu Chen cried in shock. Huang Huiwen is the youngest of them all and he's a Blue? Wuxie sighed and revealed her mid-level state.
'B-blue at what age...?' Mu Chen looked ready to faint. He was a Yellow for crying out loud! And someone younger is a blue! That kinda hurt his pride...
'...14 as of this early spring.'
'That's eleven months ago...' Qiao Chu whimpered, actually fainting, out of shock.
'Ara, he's out.' said Hua Yao dryly.
'Well...that's shocking and now I'm not surprised at how you kids killed Ke Cangju.' Mu Chen shook his head. 'He's way too powerful for that sinister old geezer.'
'Well, his power had little to do with that.' said Hua Yao. 'He can control poison at will, and shoved his own mixes as fumes down his nose.' he grinned. 'Let's just say how the poison messed with him is deserving of an ugly man in both face and soul.'
'So Elder Mu, after we kill the corruption, what will you do after you take over the sect?' Wuxie asked him. 'As you know, for the disease to end, infection must die for health to return. Under your leadership, there will be no more rot in Qingyun Sect and you'll have to start anew.'
'Mm...I'll do it.' Mu Chen swore. 'The Qingyun I loved when father was alive ceased to exist, when Qin Yue stole everything from us. Before Qin Yue happened, Qingyun Sect was truly worthy of respect then, and father was heavy-handed against immoral deeds.' he growled. 'And the elders sided with him when he became sovereign! I bet they learned the truth, but didn't do anything nor bothered anymore as long as it benefits them and gained access to wares through crimes and overcharging. Father would never have allowed it. He stuck by the true principles of Qingyun...'be thou for the people' and what have we become, when father let that snake in!' he cried in dismay.
'I'll come with you boys.' said Mu Chen. 'What do I need to do?'
'You're the final touch.' said Wuxie, taking out a gray pill. 'This is my Fake Illness pill. It will make your body physically feel very sick that you'll actually turn pale with dark circles under your eyes from stress, yet no damage within...and this one is the counter.' she took out a white pill. 'I made this pill for fun days after my fourteenth birthday, but I realized I can never sell it or teachers worldwide will kill me.' she said a tad mischievously, earning her exasperated looks.
'I can see that now...students faking illness just to get away from lessons, even parents will hate you.' Mu Chen deadpanned. 'Erase that formula from existence, please.' Wuxie giggled.
As she laughed, Hua Yao's inner cogwheels were turning.
From the days he's begun working with Huang Huiwen, his mannerisms astounded him.
He's highly suspecting her gender at this point. And that dumb idiot Qiao Chu hasn't seen things so...so...blatantly obvious?!
Perhaps Huiwen needs more lessons in how to be a proper male.
'Well, after becoming ill after leaving Hidden Cloud Peak, here's what's to happen...'
xxx
Mu Chen and Ke Cangju were opposing enemies for a long time. Ke Cangju would not allow Mu Chen to bring his disciple back so easily. Hence...he would have to pay a certain price. They needed to put on an act, and a complete act is required.
Little Lin had trouble bringing a very 'ill' Elder back home, though Mu Muchen took said pill five minutes away from home. That way, the trip won't be too hard for a little boy to carry a heavier, and ill man home. They deliberately stayed at Hua Yao's house till sundown, and the story was...
'Master saved me but he ended up taking the poison! This is all my fault!' Little Wen sobbed as the elder disciples helped their ill master up. He knew what was to happen if there was any hope in saving Qingyun Sect for his teacher to rebuild. Thus he had to play along.
'Take him to bed quickly!' the frantic seniors cried, flustered. 'Somebody make soup, too!'
Soon, a piece of news spread within the Qingyun Sect. Ke Cangju had gone to the Cloud Treading Peak and forcibly snatched a disciple. The Elder of the Cloud Treading Peak, Mu Chen, had then stormed into the Hidden Cloud Peak alone to save his disciple. Mu Chen had suddenly fell ill after he returned and his high fever had not subsided. Even Qin Yue had provided treatment but Mu Chen was still bedridden after three days, and was still in bad shape.
Falling into such a state after returning from the Hidden Cloud Peak. It was deemed to be obvious by the other Elders that Ke Cangju's proficient use of poison must have been the cause. Mu Chen and Ke Cangju had been bitter enemies for a long time and for Ke Cangju to allow Mu Chen to retrieve his disciple back to the Cloud Treading Peak, Mu Chen must have suffered under Ke Cangju's deliberate spitefulness and had poisoned Mu Chen, bringing about the sudden illness!
The other Elders had still been puzzled by how Mu Chen had managed to bring his disciple back before and the reason could not be any clearer now!
And the news brought the other Elders' fear and hatred for Ke Cangju to new heights!
No matter how much hatred Ke Cangju held for Mu Chen, Mu Chen was still an Elder of the Qingyun Sect after all, a respectable position they both held. But Ke Cangju had just gone ahead and poisoned Mu Chen without hesitation, showing scant regard for the revered status of being an Elder of the Qingyun Sect!
Even the Elders that had held no enmity towards Ke Cangju soon started to feel threatened by his tyranny.
Mu Chen had been poisoned by Ke Cangju openly, and the other Elders started to feel threatened of their own safety. Ke Cangju had already dared to take their disciples from them, what more atrocities would he do?
The Elders thought back on the chaos and fear that had spread before, the depressed and disappointed eyes their own disciples had shown them and their hatred for Ke Cangju started to brew and bubble.
An Elder had gone to the Cloud Treading Peak, bearing tonics as a gift, his face sorrowful in concern, on the pretense of paying a visit on the ill Mu Chen, but was actually there to find out what kind of torment Ke Cangju had put Mu Chen under.
Mu Chen had put on a pitiful face of helplessness and said weakly: 'Ke Cangju holds the Sovereign's trust strongly, while I am only an Elder in name with no authority. When he decides he wants to snatch my disciple from me, or anything else that he wants to do against me, there is nothing I can do but to tolerate and suffer under his oppression. The Sovereign himself stands behind Ke Cangju, what else can I do? Await death to claim me I suppose.'
Mu Chen's defeated words made the other Elder's heart wince, and told of the hopelessness of the situation.
At the same time, that brought up another question. The Elder suffering under the oppression this time was Mu Chen. But if Ke Cangju were to turn his eyes in their direction, they would obviously share the same fate.
By that time, must they be forced to swallow the oppression and be as helpless, falling prey to Ke Cangju's tyranny without a word of protest?
NO!
That cannot happen!
Alarm spread among the other Elders and the bells rang loudly. The Elders who had managed to calm the disciples regarding the previous incident started to feel the dangers looming.
Mu Chen's sorry plight relit the flame that threw chaos once again into the recently appeased few days of calm. The situation this time was more intense and spread greater fear into the people.
Qin Yue started to feel the heat and grew jittery. He sent people to the Hidden Cloud Peak to bring a message to 'Ke Cangju', telling him to stop and desist with the atrocities, and not to stir up any more turmoil.
The person who impersonated Ke Cangju disregarded the warning, tossing it into the wind.
Within two days from then, high upon the gates leading into the various peaks, a pair of rotted corpses were hung. Those bodies, were the bodies of the very same disciples taken away from the respective peaks by Ke Cangju and brought back to the Hidden Cloud Peak.
In hours, the bubbling pot of chaos within the Qingyun Sect blew up!
When the Elders saw the ravaged and gory bodies, their faces turned white!
'Ke Cangju, you bastard! I will not take this lying down!' The curses chorused throughout the various peaks at the same time!
Within the Hidden Cloud Peak, Qiao Chu sat comfortably on the chair, his legs propped up nonchalantly. He looked at Wuxie, who was brewing tea while they enjoyed snacks of boiled, sliced lotus roots with miso piped into the holes. 'Little Xie, that was just too wicked. You would actually return those bodies back to their peaks. Once their Elders see them, they will surely be hopping mad!'
Their disciples were forcibly taken from them, and in a just a few days, those disciples taken from them turned up dead and were thrown at the foot of their respective peaks. What made matters really intolerable was, the bodies each carried a letter from Ke Cangju.
In the letter, only a few simple words were written. 'Your disciples have been rightfully returned. I'll be back for more!'
Those few words were downright arrogant and its message utterly despicable. The other Elders could not possibly remain calm after that, as even Qiao Chu had almost wanted to bash Wuxie up when he read the letter's contents!
That was just too much for anyone to take! The bodies of their disciples were already ravaged to such a pathetic state and Wuxie had the cheek to claim they were 'rightfully returned', and he'll be back!? Those words might just kill the Elders where they stood when they read the letter!
'Those people deserve everything we did to them.' Wuxie said softly. Besides the Cloud Treading Peak, the whole of the Inner House of the Qingyun Sect's disciples had been led to commit many atrocities under the rotted leadership from the top. The vanished villages, the missing villagers, were due to the actions of all those disciples. It was sickening to know from the boasts and revelations from the disciples of the Hidden Cloud Peak that all the females in the villages had suffered unspeakable horrors under the hands of the disciples as well while they carried out their mission, such was the cruelty of the disciples of the Qingyun Sect.
Not many things could stir up joy or hatred in Jun Wuxie in her past life, but one thing that she absolutely abhorred and despised, was the extent of crimes they'll go so far for.
'Heh heh, I am guessing, the time is nearing, that those Elders will go charging to the Sovereign and kick up a big fuss. And at that time, it will be time for us to reel in our nets.' Qiao Chu said, rubbing his hands in glee. It was both thrilling and exciting to be carrying out Wuxie's ploys. It was hard to imagine that the petite youth before them, who rarely did much, would be so meticulous and efficient when carrying out missions like this.
He would really love to open up Wuxie's head, and see what's really inside.
'Have the items been placed and set up?' Hua Yao asked from one side. He wasn't as unconcerned as Qiao Chu was. He knew the severity of the situation. If they failed to wipe out the enemy in one go, they would in turn be the ones who would die here.
'I had it all set up much earlier. Any task that Little Wen hands down to me, would be carried out to the letter.' Qiao Chu guffawed, thumping his chest confidently.
'Within three days, the Elders will make their move. Get Mu Chen prepared ready. I do not want any untoward incidents.' Wuxie said as she raised her head. After almost a month's preparation, it was time to pull in the net.
She would make the Qingyun Sect, pay for all their sins.
After being away for so long, she felt a tinge of homesickness.
Grandfather, Uncle...Brother Yao...
It was time to go home.
When the things here are all settled, she would make a trip back to the Lin Palace, before she would leave again to cultivate the elixir that Qiao Chu and Hua Yao wanted.
'Alright. I'll go to the Cloud Treading Peak tonight. I do not dare to step in there in the day as the disciples of the Cloud Treading Peak are currently dead against having any Hidden Cloud Peak disciples step into their territory.' Qiao Chu explained, scratching his head. Their alliance with Mu Chen was known only to the five of them. The disciples of the Cloud Treading Peak still thought that their Elder had suffered injustice in the Hidden Cloud Peak, and when they saw any Hidden Cloud Peak disciples, their faces turn to rage and they pounced on the Hidden Cloud Peak disciples without hesitation! So Hua Yao forbade anybody from going out since they started, and two strict disciples will ensure nobody goes out, nor will they get wind of all that happens outside.
In fact, they're so busy with studying to even bother with gossip outside in hopes of Promotion!
All the pieces were already set in place. They only had to wait for the storm to hit.
The moment finally arrived. Two days later, the edgy Elders could not contain themselves any further and had grouped and gathered themselves together to go up the Blue Cloud Peak, to fight for the injustice done upon their disciples.
They had been slapped across their faces and if they continued to swallow their pride and did not react, they would lose their positions as Elders in the eyes of their disciples of the various peaks.
All the other Elders moved together, and even the not fully recovered Mu Chen was dragged along. The lone exclusion was their target Ke Cangju.
Qin Yue was sitting in the main hall of the Blue Cloud Peak, and a splitting headache wrecked at him.
He had eleven Elders under him, and except for the recently deceased Jiang Chenqing and the culprit, Ke Cangju, who was wholly responsible for giving him this headache, all of them were presently here right before him!
The nine Elders sat on two sides of the hall, all their faces dark and gloomy.
Cai Zhuo, who was the oldest among them, and who commanded the highest respect, was the first to speak, his face face and he stood up unsteadily.
'My Sovereign, what is Ke Cangju up to? He claimed to be acting under your orders to loan a few disciples from the respective peaks to bring back to the Hidden Cloud Peak. We reluctantly agreed as it was after all your idea. But, what did he do after that!? The disciples that he had brought back with him have now turned up dead! Their badly ravaged bodies were even disposed of right before the gates of the various peaks!'
Cai Zhuo sighed heavily and his voice sounded all choked up as he said: 'Those disciples were lovingly and painstakingly nurtured by our own hands! But they had been turned into specimens of inhumane torture so cruelly by Ke Cangju! Those bodies which had belonged to our beloved and dearly missed disciples were then carelessly thrown before our gates and they were so badly ravaged that not a single one of them was whole! Those were disciples carefully picked and rightfully admitted into the Qingyun Sect! How could they be allowed to fall prey to cold blooded murder like this, and at the hands of an Elder of our very own Qingyun Sect yet!' he cried.
'Would this incident not chill the loyal hearts of our innocent disciples? What drove the final nail into the already bleeding hearts of our disciples? The audacity that Ke Cangju actually left a letter on those poor cold lifeless bodies disposed stating that our disciples had been rightfully returned, and he'll be back again! Sovereign! How could such treachery and atrocities be allowed to happen within our sanctimonious Cloudy Peaks under your glorious leadership!?'
Qin Yue held his head in his hands, his temples were being hammered. Never in his wildest dreams would he imagine that Ke Cangju would carry things this far.
It was no wonder the other Elders could gather themselves and stood together on this. The actions of Ke Cangju's were intolerable even in Qin Yue's mind.
Qin Yue knew Ke Cangju would kill those disciples. But killing them off and disposing the bodies right before the other Elders was too much and a big slap across their faces!
When Ke Cangju had merely taken the disciples, he was able to persuade and gradually appease the Elders that those disciples were in the Hidden Cloud Peak just to provide some assistance and would not be in any danger. Even if they were to die in the end, as long as the bodies cannot be found, they would not have any proof of the murder.
But Ke Cangju had done it this time!
He must have felt that life in the Qing Yun Clan was too peaceful!
He actually dared go up to each Elder and slap them across their faces!
This time, even Qin Yue did not know how to shield Ke Cangju. The situation before him was getting beyond his control as all the Elders were obviously burning up in rage. Their egos and standings in the Qingyun Sect have been pricked and challenged and they would not back down so easily this time!
'In regards to this matter, I will ensure you men will get a satisfactory answer. Go! Fetch me Elder Ke!' Qin Yue realized that if he continued to shield Ke Cangju further on this matter, the other Elders would begin to hold thoughts of rebellion in their hearts. He would just summon Ke Cangju here, and let him answer for his own actions, himself!
After a while, the disciples who were sent to the Hidden Cloud Peak brought Ke Cangju.
And following behind Ke Cangju himself, were two young disciples. The three figures stood defiantly just outside the Qingyun Sect's main hall!
Without any signs of guilt or fear, 'Ke Cangju' brought his disciples and appeared before the main hall.
One glance at them was all it took to make the other Elders almost jump up in anger. If it was not for Qin Yue's presence, they might have all charged at Ke Cangju and skinned him alive.
'Elder Ke, there is something we need to discuss today. Dismiss your disciples from here.' Qin Yue said, after clearing his throat. He thought that Ke Cangju was getting more and more overboard with his actions. Why would he bring disciples to a meeting between the Sovereign and the Elders?
'Ke Cangju' replied offhandedly: 'There is nothing they cannot hear, and since the Sovereign asked for my presence, here I am. As to whether I bring my disciples, that should not bother our Sovereign.'
With his arrogant reply, the faces of the other Elders turned a shade of purple and even Qin Yue was visibly angered.
'Ke Cangju' had brushed off Qin Yue's command before everyone and his tone had been highly arrogant, showing total disregard for Qin Yue's position and authority.
Qin Yue's face grew dark and if not for the evidence of wrongdoing held in Ke Cangju's hands, Qin Yue would have exploded there and then.
Qin Yue was forced to hold his anger down and proceed as though nothing is wrong.
'Elder Ke, do you know why I have summoned you here today?' Qin Yue made an effort to speak in an even tone.
'I know.' Hua Yao replied as he waved his hand dismissively and brought Jun Xie and Qiao Chu in while he sat down on a seat on one side, ignoring the fiery stares that the other Elders were throwing at him.
'If you know what this is all about, should you not give an answer to the accusations thrown at you today?' Qin Yue asked carefully. The chaos that rocked the Qingyun Sect recently reached a level never seen before. Not only the Elders, but even the disciples of the Inner House were fearful and anxious. Qin Yue had not expected things to reach such a level of unease and if he had known, he would not have agreed to Ke Cangju's request.
But it was too late to renege.
'Answer? What answer?' Hua Yao asked frowning. His stance defiant and conceited.
The corner of Qin Yue's mouth twitched, and the faces of the other Elders were angry and filled with hatred.
Cai Zhuo could not hold back and said: 'Ke Cang Ju, as the saying goes, our actions must never go past the line, and when we meet we'll still get along fine! But you killed the disciples taken from our various peaks, you will not leave without giving us a satisfactory reply today!'
Hua Yao stared at the aggressive Cai Zhuo and smirked. He raised his hand and pointed at Wuxie who was sitting beside him and said to the rest: 'You need me to answer for such a small matter? My disciple here will let you know what I have to say about it.' He laid back onto the chair after that, seemingly refusing to say anymore.
That infuriated the other Elders!
They came here to settle scores with Ke Cangju, but he simply pushed his disciple to the front to answer for him. What did that mean? His disinterest and nonchalant attitude was the absolute worst!
Pushing a mere disciple forward to speak to the various Elders? What a joke! That was just pure disrespect! How could a lowly disciple answer or even discuss on an even level with the Elders!?
Wuxie was pushed into the limelight as she sat within the main hall, facing the unfriendly stares from all directions. She was nevertheless decidedly calm and her clear voice rang out within the hall.
'The various Elders want an answer, and an answer is what I would give. Elder Ke had acted under orders and every action he took was approved by the Sovereign. Moreover, Elder Ke's actions were not for his own benefit, but was for the revenge of the Eldest Miss and Elder Jiang.' Wuxie said slowly but clearly.
Qin Yue who sat grandly behind the seat of power grew more and more shocked as Wuxie spoke. His eyes stared in disbelief at the small figure who was seated beside Ke Cangju, who had spoken with a straight face, frankly and clearly.
That kid! Did he know what he was saying!?
Mu Chen had secretly taken in his antidote at this point incase things go dicey. He also took pleasure at the look on Qin Yue's face!
Qin Yue would never have expected that a lowly disciple from the Hidden Cloud Peak would dare reveal the secret deal he had made with Ke Cangju to the masses so easily! He must be tired of living!
Qin Yue panicked. If Wuxie was allowed to prattle on, things were bound to get ugly. But Wuxie did not give Qin Yue any opportunity to interrupt and continued quickly: 'The Sovereign had said, he wanted revenge for the Eldest Miss and Elder Jiang, and wanted Elder Ke to develop a new poison. Those disciples that we took were sacrificed to develop that new poison. It was just a few disciples, the Eldest Miss' and Elder Jiang's revenge would take precedence.' she spoke in the same manner as Hua Yao did. Utterly dismissively and uncaring. The way she spoke, she made it sound like Qin Yue was complicit with their actions!
Wuxie's words rang loud and clear in the ears of the Elders seated in the hall. She spoke without pausing, and the speed was neither too fast nor too slow, ensuring that every single word was clearly heard.
Qin Yue's face had turned bright red.
The expressions of the Elders turned to ones of shock as they stared unbelievably at Qin Yue, their eyes aflame.
The news of the demise of their Eldest Miss and Elder Jiang had reached the other Elders a month ago. They had thought that the doting father, Qin Yue, would have deployed the forces in revenge immediately but even after waiting for a month, there had been no action taken, and they had still thought that Qin Yue had totally changed.
But Jun Wuxie's revelation had made them realize that Qin Yue had not intended to spare the murderers, but was planning to make his vengeance more thorough and complete!
Qin Yue's thirst for revenge should not have concerned the other peaks, but who would have thought that Qin Yue would be so blinded by his desire for vengeance that he would disregard their interests and allow Ke Cangju to brandish the Sovereign's name and come humiliating the other Elders of the various peaks!?
Even if they had needed sacrifices to experiment the new poison, they could have easily used the disciples from the Outer House. Why did they insist on picking on their own disciples? It was clear that Qin Yue knew from the start what Ke Cangju was doing and he had indulged his malicious intentions. He claimed to be doing it for the revenge of Qin Yuyan and Jiang Chenqing, but his real intentions must have been only for Qin Yuyan alone and Jiang Chenqing was just a convenient excuse!
As the Sovereign, he acted only for his self interest and killed disciples of the clan. He had even disregarded the dignity and reputation of the Elders and allowed them to be freely trampled all over. That was most unbecoming of a leader!
The looks thrown at the Sovereign by the Elders were all filled with discontent, and were tinged with rage.
'What a brazen little kid! Stop with those lies! As the Sovereign of the Qingyun Sect, how could I allow myself to commit such atrocities which are by all standards beyond reason!?' Qin Yue was pale and he wanted nothing more than to throttle the little kid before him.
He might have consented to Ke Cangju's insidious request, but that was done in secret. If the Elders were to affirm that fact, that would be disastrous for him!
Qin Yue had always shielded Ke Cangju but he had done that discreetly all this time as well, and had put up a front of being fair and just, practicing impartiality.
He knew clearly, that certain deals sealed, cannot be allowed to be brought out into the open.
He had summoned Ke Cangju here today as he had thought Ke Cangju might be arrogant, but he was never dumb. To appease the situation, Ke Cangju would just have needed to perfunctorily apologize to the other Elders and with a few more words from the Sovereign himself, he would be able to diffuse the tension.
But who would have known exactly what had gotten into Ke Cangju today. He had brazenly not shown any remorse or guilt for his actions, and had instead shown utter contempt by shoving a mere disciple whose loose lips readily revealed every single detail of the secret deal made between just the two of them!
When did Ke Cangju become so dense!? Did he not realize the consequences!?
'Guards! Drag this liar spouting all these nonsense out of here!' Qin Yue did not want to hear another single word coming out from Wuxie, as that would only worsen the situation he faced at the moment.
Several Blue Cloud Peak disciples rushed immediately, but before they could even touch an edge of Wuxie's clothes, Qiao Chu met them head on in a flash and jumped into their midst. A mighty sweep of his long legs sent them all flying into the air just as they had entered!
Qiao Chu's ferocious attack sent the people in the hall into a frenzy!
Both of the disciples that Ke Cangju brought were both rather bold and they had created quite a stir!
One had revealed before everyone present of the secrets shared between Qin Yue and Ke Cangju without flinching and the other had just attacked disciples of the Blue Cloud Peak and the blow had thrown the disciples out of the hall!
Fighting in the Sovereign's hall, Qiao Chu was undoubtedly the first one to dare do it!
At that moment, Qin Yue blew his top! He stood up angrily and his finger was trembling as he pointed it at Ke Cangju and shouted: Ke Cangju! What is the meaning of those two scoundrels!? Do you still have any respect for me as the Sovereign!?
A revolt!
He has revolted!
Ke Cangju might have been arrogant all this time, but he had always still maintained a certain degree of respect for Qin Yue and knew where to draw the line. But now, 'Ke Cangju' had brought two of his disciples who had challenged his authority squarely, and Qin Yue could not hold his anger down anymore!
All Qin Yue wanted to do at that moment was to strangle 'Ke Cangju' to death!
Ke Cangju was sitting calmly at the side, looking at the fuming Qin Yue. He then said dismissively: 'My Sovereign, your anger is really uncalled for. It's just a few disciples that were blasted out of here. You were rather generous with the disciples of the other peaks before, so just injuring a few of the Blue Cloud Peak disciples isn't much. Moreover, as per your instructions, your own disciples were spared from the testing of the poison and had only suffered from a kick now, it's not that big a deal is it?'
If Ke Cangju had not spoken, the other Elders might not have been further inflamed, but those words told of Qin Yue's selfish and self centered mentality towards his own disciples.
You wanted revenge for your daughter, and needed to sacrifice the disciples of the Qingyun Sect. You then targeted our disciples from the various peaks but left your own disciples safely out of harm's way. The disciples of the various peaks were killed, their bodies ravaged, and Qin Yue wasn't much affected. The disciples of the Blue Cloud Peak got kicked once, and he jumps up in rage. Where was the impartiality?
The Elders of the Qingyun Sect knew more or less of Qin Yue's personality. They knew he was a hypocrite through and through and Ke Cangju's flaming words only made the Elders' eyes widen in astonishment.
So Qin Yue's indulgence of Ke Cangju's actions were not only for the revenge of Qin Yuyan but to use that as an excuse to undermine the positions of the Elders?
That thought sprouted in the minds of the various Elders and their dissatisfaction against Qin Yue suddenly grew to doubt and they became wary.
Qin Yue's face paled, and he stared at Ke Cangju thinking that Ke Cangju must have lost his mind! His words were about to make the whole situation blow up!
Gritting his teeth, Qin Yue still did not dare force Ke Cangju into a corner as Ke Cangju still held evidence that could bring him down from his seat of power.
Qin Yue had never been in such an uncomfortable position. The same Ke Cangju who had helped him usurp the position of the Sovereign of the Qingyun Sect before had today turned out to pose as his most hated but untouchable threat to him!
Taking a deep breath, Qin Yue pushed down the fury within, his eyes red from the effort, he finally said: 'Elder Ke, your two disciples were disrespectful before the Sovereign. According to the rules of the Qing Yun Clan, they must be punished.'
If he could not touch Ke Cangju, he would kill his disciples to appease his anger! Just to hit back at Ke Cangju.
Ke Cangju raised an eyebrow and looked at the quietly seated Wuxie, and his mouth curled into a smile. 'Sovereign Qin, are you sure you want to carry that out?' It seemed that Qin Yue could not hold himself back anymore.
Qin Yue frowned, a chill showing in his eyes.
'Of course.'
The incident today would need blood to be spilled to suppress it. Wuxie's words had made the secret between Qin Yue and Ke Cangju an open book for all to see. If Qin Yue did not do anything to show his authority, the other Elders might see it as weakness and exploit the fiery situation.
Only if the two Hidden Cloud Peak disciples paid in blood, would he be able to calm the chaos before him.
Firstly, it would show that Qin Yue did not show Ke Cangju any special favors or indemnity, and even the disciples of the Hidden Cloud Peak, who were under the protection of Ke Cangju, would be killed when wrongdoing was committed. There had been the deaths of disciples from the various peaks in this incident and killing the two Hidden Cloud Peak disciples would appease the other Elders' rage to a certain degree.
Secondly...
Those two scoundrels! One had a big mouth, and the other attacked his disciples. That had greatly challenged his dignity as the Sovereign and if he did not kill them, his position as the Sovereign would be greatly undermined today.
And there could be a third...
Qin Yue narrowed his eyes as he stared at Ke Cangju.
Thirdly, it was to knock some sense into this overly arrogant and overbearing Ke Cangju!
The few Blue Cloud Peak disciples got to their feet, their eyes tinged with fear as they looked at Qiao Chu. Qin Yue had already given his orders, and that had meant that Wuxie's and Qiao Chu's were to be rid of.
But the disciples had been taken down with a single swipe of Qiao Chu's kick, and they were now gripped in fear.
The disciples wanted to arrest those two youths, but...
Those two were just too strong for them!
'Why are all of you still standing there! Get rid of the two of them right now!' Qin Yue shouted.
The several Blue Cloud Peak disciples looked at each other, grieving at their own helplessness.
'They're clearly smarter than you.' Wuxie drawled. 'They cannot take two of us.' she said arrogantly. 'They have grown quite...fat after all, if you get my drift.' Qin Yue went purple at her words and Mu Chen was struggling not to laugh. 'Wanna try to play with me boys? I can assure you I'm as sweet on you as my partner.'
They struggled for a long while, before they carefully took a step towards them.
However...
Wuxie vanished, and in an instant, the blur she once was zipped around, and many necks were twisted to death!
The disciples of the Qing Yun Clan were more inclined towards the practice of Medicine and were not highly skilled in their spiritual powers. The Qingyun Sect invited many strong expert exponents to serve as resident mercenaries to make up for that lack. The disciples' weak combat prowess were just pathetic before Qiao Chu and Wuxie's pair of fists.
After ridding himself of the weak and pesky disciples, Wuxie swept off the dust on his palms, and a smirk hung on her face.
Qin Yue's face was thunderously dark. He had not expected Ke Cangju's disciple to possess such strength. A group of his Blue Cloud Peak disciples were thrown out of the hall and knocked out in mere moments.
'Ke Cangju! Would you not rein your disciples in!?' Qin Yue screamed.
Ke Cangju stood up slowly and replied: 'My Sovereign, you were the one who wanted me to develop the poison, and you were the one who agreed to use the disciples of the other peaks to experiment the poison on, but now, you want to use my disciples' life to appease the outrage from the other peaks instead. I cannot find it within myself to agree to it.'
Qin Yue eyes bulged, staring at Ke Cangju unbelievably. He could not believe what he was hearing! He was pushing all the blame onto him!
Ke Cangju turned to the other Elders and said: 'Seek your justice from the head, the Qingyun Sect is led by our Sovereign and he calls the shots. If he did not agree, how would I be able to touch your disciples? Qin Yue was the one who gave me the orders, but now he wants me to shoulder the blame. I am unwilling and unable to shoulder such a big responsibility.'
Qin Yue was visibly trembling in rage by now and the Elders were absolutely furious. Ke Cangju was incorrigible, but his words made absolute sense. If he had not gotten Qin Yue's approval, he would not have been able to touch the disciples from the various peaks!
All this tragedy had started from Qin Yue and was possible only with his approval!
The dissatisfaction from the other Elders for Qin Yue had only been due to the favoritism and indulgence shown to Ke Cangju, but this day, it had ballooned to unseen before proportions!
Mu Chen stood up and said: 'My Sovereign, may I ask if we, the Elders of the various peaks acted inappropriately to make you raise your guard against us. If your intention is to diminish the powers and authority of the Elders, you would only need to issue a command and there was no need for such underhanded methods. You are the Sovereign and your word is law. Your word alone is enough to make the Elders disappear.'
Mu Chen's words struck a chord deep within the hearts of the Elders. His words reminded the Elders and reprimanded Qin Yue of his duplicity in this incident that brought about the deaths of their disciples.
Qin Yue's head turned to face another adversary, all bent on bringing about his downfall.
The other Elders were poked into action and they opened their mouths in chorus, throwing words of admonishment and reprimand at Qin Yue.
Who was Qin Yue? How the leadership of the Qing Yun Clan fell into his hands was not clear, but the various Elders had a very good guess at what had actually happened.
A man who lusted for power so badly, that he murdered his own Teacher. Such a man was definitely capable of making moves against his own Elders, to diminish their authority.
In moments, the main hall of the Qing Yun Clan exploded in anger as all the other Elders pointed their fingers at Qin Yue!
Qin Yue suddenly became their common enemy.
How Wuxie longed to do this once, to her own family of Xiao in her own world. But sadly, she would have to leave her will to the one who became Huang Beiyue wearing her body. At least she wished to witness what's rightfully-coming to them all!
Under the beration from all the Elders, Qin Yue burst out, and shouted at the silently observing Ke Cangju: 'Ke Cangju! As an Elder of the Hidden Cloud Peak, you instigated the other Elders against me! What is your real underlying motive!?'
Qin Yue was going mad, he knew Ke Cangju was not dumb enough to watch him go down in flames. He should know what he should do! Ke Cangju should know that if Qin Yue were not able to protect his position as the Sovereign through this, neither Ke Cangju would be let off easy by the other Elders.
The other Elders would come down just as hard on him!
Ke Cangju stood up slowly, and looked calmly at the fuming Qin Yue before he said: 'I have no hidden motives, but was just stating facts.'
Qin Yue clenched his jaw and said: 'What facts!? Why are you going against me!? Why!?'
'You should know that better than anyone.' Ke Cangju smiled sinisterly. 'I am merely explaining my actions on your orders, nothing wrong with that. So suddenly speaking the truth means 'going against you' now?'
He took out the doll Ye Mei created, and activated its magic. And conversation was all for everyone to hear!
Chaos ensued as all elders turned on Qin Yue as intended.
While they did so, Mu Chen secretly disappeared, a signal for Wuxie to let out her poison as Hua Yao and Qiao Chu are conveniently gone as well.
A colorless, odorless breath of death, made its way to all elders, and for Qiao Chu to set off the poison in all peaks, where all Inner Sect Disciples resided. Only the Outers were spared.
xxx
'Its all over.' said Mu Chen wistfully as he looked at the sky somberly. 'Its all thanks to you that my nightmare is over.' he told the boys. 'When I was young Huang Huiwen's age...father passed away and all this began. It has been eighteen years since.' he said sorrowfully. 'I have brought shame upon my father by my own powerlessness. And suddenly, heaven graced me with you three. I don't know how on earth I can thank you, other than restoring Qingyun's true nature. That we are for the people, not for our own greed.' he said. 'But what brought you three to do this?'
'We were initially two sides.' said Hua Yao, changing back. 'Qiao Chu and mine's goal...and Huang Huiwen's were different.' he said. 'She wants revenge, and two of us want a map in Qin Yue's possession.'
'Qingyun Sect's crimes are endless so I'm stumped...'
'They threatened to defile my father's slumber and body for a stupid piece of funeral jade he possessed.' said Wuxie coldly. 'My family and I won't let that happen. At the time, we cannot win against Jiang Chenqing, so poison was the only way to win against him while Qin Yuyan was pitifully easy, no wonder she needed a lot of bodyguards.' she snorted. 'We watched her and Qin Yue poison Bai Yunxian to death. Watched Qin Yuyan poison our corrupt Emperor and Second Prince, the only good thing she did for our Qi Country, enabling the oppressed and poisoned Crown Prince to take reins.'
'Poisoned?'
'Our bastard former emperor and his favorite second prince paid the sect half our royal treasury to Qin Yue to poison crown prince after the queen's death.' Wuxie explained. 'Half our treasury aside, many corrupt officials also abused national tax money too, so we're super poor unknown to our people.' she said unhappily. 'If possible, we'd like that money back from Qin Yue's coffers. Arrange a meeting with Mo Qianyuan regarding this matter. He is now our Emperor after I cured him from Maihui Poisoning. You'd like him. In fact, he reminds me of you...both in circumstances in life, and personality.'
'Ah...'
'Anyway Huang Huiwen, be honest with us, really.' Hua Yao told her. 'You're a girl shacking up with boys for revenge.' he said. 'If not for your manners, I wouldn't have figured that out.' he snorted. 'You need Manly Lessons from Ye Mei, perhaps.'
'Wait-WHAT?!' Qiao Chu squawked, eyes popping. 'Little Wen!' he cried in shock.
Wuxie took out some needles and poked her throat in the right places. Her adam's apple is gone and her neck lost centimeters in width. Then she pinched her nose hard and with a yank, revealed her true face, her torn fake face in hand. She has the face of a beautiful young girl with rosy skin and lips.
'WHOAAAA?!' Qiao Chu and Mu Chen howled in shock. Even Hua Yao did a double-take as Ye Mei showed up, luggage in hand.
'My lady, time to go home.' he said softly.
'I am Jun Wuxie, the only miss of Lin Palace.' Wuxie bowed gracefully. 'I will keep the promise between us in exchange for our cooperation, so come and visit me there!' she chimed with a smile as the pair vanished in a black aura.
'I'm shocked! I'm shooooocked!' Qiao Chu was hysterical. 'Huang Huiwen? Jun Wuxie? What? Whaaaaat?!' Hua Yao smacked him in the head to shut him up.
'It makes sense now.' Mu Chen said in a long-suffering voice. 'The two families of Mo and Jun are the founding families of Qi Country, founded by her grandfather Jun Xian, and the Founding Emperor Mo. They are equal in status that the Juns are nobles in mere name only, but power that of royalty.' he explained. 'No wonder she knows about the treasury!'
'Well, we be raiding Qin Yue's residence for that map we wanted, as well as ingredients for an Elixir Jun Wuxie promised us.' said Hua Yao. 'If you'll excuse us.'
'Yes. I need to tell my disciples everything as well...and round up the new recruits. As promised to all of you, the evil will be released as soon as you boys hand me concrete proof you possessed regarding the treachery over the years. We will meet up at Cloud Treading Peak.'
Needless to say, all of them are very, very busy.
Through Ye Mei's sorcery, they safely went home, and barely brushed by trouble.
xxx
A pair of men stood outside the Qingyun Sect, standing on a higher peak than even Blue Cloud Peak.
'It disappeared.'
'Whaaat?! What do you mean it's gone?!'
'Gone as in long gone you fool. Whoever it is must have died or someone got ahead of us.'
'Dammit! We lucked out with one in this Lower Realm and our prize snatched!' his companion whined.
'Well, we're not the only ones in pursuit of Plant Spirits.' the first sighed. 'Just move on.'
xxx
Lin Palace...
'I'm home!'
The family was relieved she came home as it means she succeeded.
'Tell us how it went, Wuxie!' said Jun Qing. 'We must have a lot to talk about!'
'Yes!'