Chapter Fourteen: Chaos

On a dark and stormy night—when murders and arson are said to take place—a shadow slipped through the vast sky above the Boundless Sect, descending to the mid-slope of Handsome Peak.

After surveying the surroundings and confirming the path, Wan Yi transformed into a fleeting silhouette and silently approached the dormitory where the disciples of Handsome Peak rested.

Since Handsome Peak had been established only recently, it had not yet taken in many disciples. Given Lin Junxiu’s proud temperament, those with mediocre talent were simply unworthy of his attention.

Thus, over the decade since its founding, Lin Junxiu had accepted only three direct disciples—Zhu Peng and two others—while no other disciples from the inner or outer sect were admitted.

Normally, except for some menial disciples who came up the mountain for cleaning duties, no one else visited.

This rare solitude created the perfect opportunity for Wan Yi, allowing him to move unhindered all the way.

Reaching the perimeter of the dormitory, Wan Yi lowered his stance and slipped sideways into a thicket, narrowing his eyes as he carefully inspected the building.

Though called a disciples’ dormitory, it was modest in size—a two-story structure built with green bricks, bearing a slightly antiquated style.

At that moment, the second floor was brightly lit, with faint sounds of conversation drifting from the windows.

“Junior Brother Zhu, stop drinking. I know you’re upset, but drinking won’t solve anything! It’s just a menial disciple. Tomorrow, I’ll help you teach him a lesson!”

Hearing the voices, Wan Yi immediately guessed that the speaker was the Golden Core stage disciple under Lin Junxiu’s command.

Wan Yi recalled this man somewhat—if memory served, his name was Li Bin, a fledgling Golden Core cultivator.

At the same time, a mocking voice came through.

“You old Zhu, no offense, but you’re supposed to be the face of Handsome Peak. How could you let some dung collector beat you? From now on, let’s show some dignity as Handsome Peak disciples!”

At these words, Zhu Peng snapped angrily, “Zhang Yong, shut your damn mouth! Neither Master nor the senior disciple said anything, so who are you to butt in?”

From their tone, it was clear they had long been at odds.

Hidden outside the dormitory, Wan Yi thought to himself, “So, Handsome Peak’s disciples aren’t exactly a united front.”

A flicker of coldness crossed his face. “Good. All three of them are here, so I won’t have to trouble myself. Your whole family will leave this world together.”

Meanwhile, inside the room, Zhu Peng and the mocking disciple were arguing increasingly heatedly.

Nearby, Li Bin tried to mediate: “Zhang Yong, can you hold your tongue? Zhu Peng is upset. As fellow disciples, if you won’t comfort him, then at least don’t make things worse.”

Zhang Yong sneered, “Senior Brother, I don’t have such shameful comrades. Outsiders don’t know, but our brothers’ faces have all been lost because of this deadbeat!”

“Ah! Zhang Yong, how dare you humiliate me like this? I’ll fight you!”

“Junior Brother Zhu, stop! Don’t be impulsive!”

The next moment, the room erupted into a fierce fight, with the clatter of broken cups and overturned furniture creating chaotic noise.

However, the fight was brief. Within moments, Li Bin, with his Golden Core strength, subdued both combatants.

After scolding them, Li Bin shouted downstairs, “Send up a few men to clean this up!”

His command was answered by a menial disciple on the first floor.

Soon, several menial disciples arrived from below the mountain, bustling about busily.

Seeing this, Wan Yi thought, “The opportunity has come.”

He had been waiting, wary of approaching too closely lest he be detected.

The three inside were all powerful. Setting aside the two Foundation Establishment cultivators, Li Bin’s Golden Core power was formidable. At such a realm, divine awareness and senses were sharp; any sudden movement would be noticed.

Now, seeing his chance, Wan Yi tore off his night cloak, revealing the uniform of a menial disciple beneath.

He casually wiped some dirt from the ground onto his face and silently blended into the group.

Entering the dormitory’s first floor, Wan Yi carefully examined the structure, finally stopping beside a main supporting pillar.

Around him, the menial disciples were busy clearing trash from upstairs, paying no attention to him. He crouched low, hiding behind the thick pillar.

Concealing himself, Wan Yi focused his mind and retrieved a remote-controlled bomb from his storage pouch.

Selecting a perfect spot, he placed the ten-kilogram explosive carefully.

Meanwhile, the menial disciples finished their cleanup. Wan Yi, now carrying his pack, once more blended into the group and safely exited the dormitory.

Outside, Wan Yi slowed his pace. Initially at the rear of the group, he gradually increased the distance from the others.

After a moment, seeing no one noticed him, a faint smile curved his lips. He leapt upward, vanishing into the vast night sky.

Meanwhile, inside the main hall of the Boundless Sect’s principal peak, chaos had erupted.

All the leaders of the sect’s five peaks and six halls were present, except for the deceased Lin Junxiu.

The five peaks were: the Main Peak overseen by Sect Master Lin Qiaosheng; then Sword Peak, Alchemy Peak, Artifact Peak, and Handsome Peak, whose leader had just died.

The six halls consisted of: the Internal Affairs Hall, External Affairs Hall, Transmission Hall, Enforcement Hall, Formation Hall, and Elders’ Hall.

Within the grand hall, Sect Master Lin Qiaosheng sat solemnly at the head, frowning as he observed the restless crowd below.

Finally, he could no longer contain himself. He raised his hand to tap the desk and spoke in a deep voice, “Everyone, quiet!

You now know why I have summoned you all at this late hour.

What are your thoughts on the death of Peak Master Lin?”

His words fell, and the hall instantly fell silent.

After a moment, Wei Wuyai, the leader of Artifact Peak, stood and said, “Sect Master, in my view, there are three possibilities regarding Peak Master Lin’s murder.

First, another sect sent assassins to eliminate him ahead of the Hundred Sects Grand Competition in six months.

Second...”

Here, Wei Wuyai paused, scanning the faces in the hall before drawing a deep breath.

“The second possibility is that Peak Master Lin was too conspicuous in life. As the saying goes, the tallest tree catches the most wind. It is highly likely that enemies from the past were responsible.”

His words drew nods of agreement from many.

Even Lin Qiaosheng’s expression grew thoughtful.

Since entering the Imperial Realm, Lin Junxiu had been arrogant and overbearing. Not only was he disliked within the sect, but he also made numerous enemies outside.

If outsiders had come seeking revenge, the matter would be difficult to investigate.

At this moment, Zhao Tongzhou, head of the Enforcement Hall, asked Wei Wuyai, “Leader Wei, you mentioned three possibilities. What is the third?”

Wei Wuyai smiled faintly, glancing at Zhou Shuo, who had remained silent throughout, before replying, “The third possibility is that it was an inside job.”

Upon hearing this, and given the glance he cast, Zhou Shuo suddenly exploded in anger, pointing at Wei Wuyai and shouting, “Old fool, who are you insinuating?!”

To be continued...