Chapter Forty-Two: Marching Forth to Demand Justice!

Fang Sheng and Li Guo’s eyes were filled with venomous hatred, as though poisonous snakes longing to devour Yang Nan alive. Yet when they were struck, they stood ramrod straight, and after the blows, dutifully replied, “Disciple admits his fault. Thank you, Martial Uncle, for your chastisement!”

Yang Nan smiled faintly. “Why can’t I hear you? Louder, please!”

Li Guo and the others flushed green and red with humiliation. The hatred in their eyes was so deep it seemed bottomless, yet they raised their voices and shouted, “Disciple admits fault! Thank you, Martial Uncle, for your chastisement!”

They could only stand there and let Yang Nan strike them, but he dared not use excessive force. Punishments must have limits; a few harsh words and minor chastisements were enough. Both Fang Sheng and Li Guo knew this, and so did Yang Nan.

Still, after such humiliation, who among them would dare to speak ill behind his back again?

Without authority, how can one uphold righteousness?

Now, Yang Nan no longer needed to suppress himself. Once he displayed his domineering nature, he held nothing back.

With hands clasped behind his back, Yang Nan gazed at the assembled disciples and said with a smile, “I have always resided in the Jade Purity Hall. If you are dissatisfied and wish to curse me, I would never hear of it.”

Seeing his ruthless methods and murderous air, none of the disciples dared utter another word. In unison, they answered, “We would not dare!”

Hunyuan stood on the side, delighted to see his Martial Uncle display such might and to witness these tactless fools so miserably beaten. Now that he had already offended the Li family, what did it matter if things got worse? He was now one of the Little Martial Uncle’s closest followers. Even if he left Spirit Beast Mountain, would the Li family cease their suppression?

Soon, Yuan Lan, the senior sister of the outer sect, separated the crowd and approached, bowing deeply to Yang Nan. “Disciple Yuan Lan greets Martial Uncle. I failed in my duty to discipline them. Please, punish me as well.”

Yang Nan waved her off, knowing full well: Yuan Lan, with her heroic and upright presence, though a woman, was as valiant as any man. Her position as senior sister was in no small part due to Yang Nan’s efforts. The Li family’s roots were deep; how could a mere outer sect senior sister control Li Guo?

“No need. I have already administered punishment. This matter has nothing to do with you. If I’m not mistaken, more people will arrive soon.” Yang Nan scanned the scene but did not see the former senior brother of the outer sect, Li Changqing, and immediately understood where Li Changqing had gone.

“You wish to seek reinforcements? Very well, I’ll wait here! If I do not establish my authority today, future troubles will abound. Better to overawe them now and spare myself needless vexation!”

Yang Nan lifted his gaze to the sky, calmly and leisurely awaiting the arrival of Li Guo’s reinforcements.

To cultivate the Dao heart is to face adversity head-on. If one flees in fear today, how can one meet greater challenges in the future?

To tread the path of the Dao requires the greatest resolve and courage.

As disciples of Kunlun, the word “fear” was not in their lexicon.

The disciples looked at one another, puzzled as to why Yang Nan, having struck his fellows, did not leave. Did he not know the Li family counted several inner sect disciples among their ranks, including a direct heir? Did this Little Martial Uncle truly intend to fight the Li family to the bitter end?

“Martial Uncle, perhaps you should rest for a while at Master Hu Yuan’s quarters?” Yuan Lan looked up at her Little Martial Uncle, who was far younger than herself, a surge of anxiety flooding her heart. Was he truly going to confront Li Yun head-on? Should conflict erupt among the inner sect uncles, would not the outer sect disciples suffer as collateral damage?

Rumor had it that Little Martial Uncle was backed by Ancestor Buxu, but the Li family’s power was even greater. When two fierce tigers fight, is it not the innocent rabbits who suffer most?

A sword light descended from the heavens. To Yang Nan’s surprise, the first to arrive was not Li Yun, but Ren An!

Ren An looked at Yang Nan with a wry smile. “Brother Yang, it’s been a long time.”

Yang Nan smiled mildly and cupped a hand in greeting. “How has Senior Brother been lately?” He smiled, but his eyes were razor-sharp. Today was the day he would strike back at the Li family. No matter who came, Yang Nan would not admit defeat.

Ren An, astute as he was, immediately realized Yang Nan intended to make a statement today. The Li family’s relentless pressure would drive even a saint to wrath. Was it truly necessary to suppress and ostracize someone just for offending a younger member of the family?

Had Yang Nan not been ruthless and decisive, he would have been forced from the inner sect long ago.

One cannot always yield—otherwise Yang Nan would never earn a place in Kunlun.

Ren An had always been adept at reading the winds and never sided with the weak. Though Yang Nan was not especially close to Ancestor Buxu, in three years he had become a master of war; in less than a year, he had subdued the Seven Great Demon Kings and brought the Seventy-Two Demon Valleys under heel. Such decisiveness and ferocity could only call to mind one person—the Venerable Buxu!

If he were not the Venerable’s chosen disciple, how could his methods be so similar?

Today, Yang Nan was not only shadowed by Venerable Buxu’s reputation but also had the support of tens of thousands of demons from the Seventy-Two Demon Valleys, including many demon masters. He was no longer a powerless young priest, but a true master of a mountain.

With demon masters and tens of thousands of demon soldiers, plus the backing of the Venerable, he might not lose even to Li Yun! Would Li Yun dare risk the world’s condemnation to attack Yang Nan outright?

He certainly would not!

The only thing Ren An could do was stand beside this rising star of boundless potential, for the brilliance of this new star would illuminate him as well.

It was a gamble: victory would bring great fortune; defeat, only a slight loss of face. Why shouldn’t Ren An take the chance?

“Brother Yang, your meteoric rise has placed you far above your senior. I am both astonished and delighted!” With a glance, Ren An made his intentions clear, and Yang Nan understood at once that his shrewd senior was ready to place a heavy bet on him.

And indeed, an extra ally could only be to his advantage.

Yang Nan responded graciously, “You flatter me, Senior Brother. When you have the time, do come visit Spirit Beast Mountain. I shall lay out the red carpet.”

Ren An and Yang Nan exchanged a knowing smile; words were unnecessary. Soon, Li Changqing returned with reinforcements, and four streaks of light flashed across the sky. Three inner sect disciples and Li Changqing landed atop the Pill Hall, a place inner sect disciples rarely visited.

“Brother Yang, I am ashamed. My lack of discipline has allowed these wretches to speak such nonsense in public. Your lesson was well administered!” Sure enough, Li Yun arrived with a smile, apologizing repeatedly to Yang Nan as though unconcerned about Li Guo’s beating, even praising Yang Nan’s actions. He maintained the air of a refined gentleman, elegant and unruffled.

Yang Nan lifted his chin and replied coolly, “Senior Brother Li, you are too kind. If a son goes uncorrected, the fault lies with the father; if a disciple is unruly, the master is to blame. Do you not agree?”

What a joke! Was Li Yun here to thank him for beating his nephew? Yang Nan’s face remained cold; he was curious to see what this outwardly gentle, inwardly sinister senior would do next.

Li Yun seemed not to notice Yang Nan’s icy demeanor or his pointed question. Instead, he drew the inner sect disciples to his side and smiled. “Junior Brother, let us not mind those disappointing fools. You have not been long in the sect and may not know these seniors. This is Senior Fang Wen, Senior Yunlong, and Senior Jihan. You must have heard of Senior Fang Wen—he previously presided over Spirit Beast Mountain and the Seventy-Two Demon Valleys. Of course, Senior Fang Wen cannot compare to your prodigious talents…”

Sowing discord, are you? Yang Nan smiled faintly and bowed. “Your junior, Yang Nan, greets the three seniors.”

As fellow disciples, Yang Nan could not neglect the proper courtesies. Cultivators were like this: outwardly addressing each other as friends while, beneath the surface, ready to stab each other without hesitation. At the very least, one could not be faulted for a lack of decorum.

Fang Wen, broad-faced, raised his long brows and said coldly, “So you are Junior Yang? I heard you massacred the Seventy-Two Demon Valleys, killed the White-Striped Golden-Eyed Tiger, beloved pet of Ancestor Qingya, and turned the Soaring Snow Eagle and White Pegasus into puppets. Even Ancestor’s former steed, the Golden-Crested Roc, you wounded so grievously it fled for its life. The valleys ran red with blood and corpses piled high! Is this how you treat the Ancestor’s legacies? Is this how you respect your elders? This is nothing short of betraying one’s teachers and ancestors!”

“Enough!” Yang Nan’s voice thundered, startling the assembled disciples.

With scorn, Yang Nan replied, “Senior Fang, your accusations are unmerited! Tell me, did the Seven Demon Kings truly cherish their former ties? Did they still consider themselves the Ancestor’s beloved pets? Did they ever heed the Three Great Laws? How is it heartless to punish traitors to Kunlun? Pray tell, Senior Fang, what rule have I broken?”

Since Fang Wen had launched his offensive at once, Yang Nan retorted without hesitation.

The Seven Demon Kings were infamous, ruthless murderers—who did not know this?

Hearing this, the outer sect disciples all nodded in agreement. Could such vicious demons truly be considered ‘beloved pets of the Ancestor’?

Trying to pin blame on me? Impossible! You call them the Ancestor’s pets, I call them Kunlun’s traitors! Yang Nan’s dark eyes shone as he stared down these so-called senior brothers, refusing to yield an inch. These timely arrivals were clearly here with ill intent, and Yang Nan would not give ground.

To yield was to lose his place in Kunlun.

Fang Wen faltered, but Li Yun smiled and said, “Junior Yang, your view is somewhat biased. The Seven Demon Kings were indeed unruly and have killed, but to call them traitors is excessive. After all, they were the beloved pets of Ancestor Qingya over two thousand years ago—this much is indisputable.”

Li Yun clung tightly to the notion of ‘status.’ So long as their status was acknowledged, no matter the crimes of the demons, for the Ancestor’s sake, Yang Nan could not simply slay them at will.

“Whether they are or are not is not for you to decide, Senior Li.” Yang Nan’s smile was cold. He saw through Li Yun’s intentions at once.

With a wave of his hand, Yang Nan summoned the Golden-Crested Roc from the Realm of Rivers and Mountains. Facing the Roc, Yang Nan smiled coldly. “Roc King, why don’t you explain yourself? Did you intend to betray Kunlun that day, or did you wish to remain the sect’s slave?”

The Golden-Crested Roc, having just been tormented nearly to death by Wuyue, suddenly found himself surrounded by many Kunlun disciples, some with swords drawn, the tension palpable.

With a little thought, he understood the situation. But even if he denied it, would Yang Nan let him go? His fate would only be worse!

“Roc King, if you dare not speak, shall I summon the other four Demon Kings?” Yang Nan lightly stroked his fingers, his lips barely moving, but his face exuded a killing intent as cold as ice, chilling all who saw him.

It’s over—this young priest is truly formidable, the Roc thought, shivering in fear that the incantation would begin. He hastened to declare loudly, “That day, we Seven Demon Kings intended to leave Kunlun. Though Ancestor Qingya was our master, Kunlun Sect was not! We would not submit! Why should Kunlun’s disciples be our masters? Now that Lord Yang has subdued us, he is our master!”

His words were sincere. If Ancestor Qingya were still present, they would have accepted servitude, but for Kunlun to claim mastery over them simply by virtue of a name and to impose so many restrictions—what demon would yield?

Demons only submit to those who defeat them. When any Kunlun disciple could call himself their master, how could wild and untamed demons ever accept that?

Upon hearing this, Fang Wen’s face turned ashen. The label he wished to pin on Yang Nan would not stick. The Roc was right—by what right did Kunlun claim lordship over the Seventy-Two Demon Valleys? Was it merely because Ancestor Qingya hailed from Kunlun? Let us not forget, Ancestor Qingya also founded the Beast-Taming Sect; does that not make the Beast-Taming Sect even more entitled to the valleys?

Successive Kunlun sect masters knew that their claim was neither righteous nor justified, so they dared not deal harshly with the Demon Valleys. In truth, the masters cared little for a few demons, only feeling obliged due to the Ancestor’s legacy.

Though Yang Nan dealt harshly with the demons, he eventually gained the recognition of the Demon Kings. Now, the entire valley supported him—was that not proof enough?

Li Yun was inwardly disheartened. If he could not claim the moral high ground, it would have been better to do as Yang Nan did and deal ruthlessly with the Demon Kings. Who knows what benefits he might have reaped?

But only someone forced to the brink, like Yang Nan, would dare act so decisively. Who else would risk being branded a traitor to the Ancestor?

To disrespect elders and betray one’s teachers—who could bear such a crime?

Yang Nan smiled serenely. Even had the Roc not spoken, he could have called forth the Monkey King, the Flower King, or the Tree King to say the same. If Li Yun and the others hoped to saddle him with such a crime, they could think again.

To betray one’s teachers and ancestors—this was a crime unlike any other. Yang Nan had known from the start that confronting the Demon Valleys was a desperate, do-or-die gambit. If he triumphed, the Demon Kings would speak for him; if he failed, he would have to leave Kunlun.

Fortunately, the Roc had not anticipated that Yang Nan would dare act with such ruthless resolve.

This contest, Yang Nan had won by taking the enemy off guard.

But Li Yun was a man of many resources. He glanced at Yang Nan, a cold light flickering in his eyes, though his face remained smiling. “Junior Yang, the martial arts of our Kunlun Sect are wondrous indeed. It is common for inner sect disciples to spar and test their skills. If you are willing, would you not exchange a few moves with your senior?”

As he spoke, his gaze swept lightly past Ren An, a trace of a smile on his lips. If Yang Nan did not dare accept, would any Kunlun disciple ever respect him again?