Chapter Thirty-Three: The Traitor Within

Slowly pushing open the weathered vermilion gates, Qi Fei stepped into the rear courtyard and immediately saw more than a dozen disciples of the Danxia Sect seated on the ground. These, he surmised, must be his senior brothers and the disciples under Elder Sun.

“Junior Brother Qi, you’ve finally arrived,” called out Jiang Yifan, a senior brother well-acquainted with Qi Fei. Seeing him enter, Jiang Yifan hurried over to greet him. “I heard you escaped from the Cliff of Reflection, gravely wounded. Judging by your complexion now, it seems your injuries are no longer serious?”

Qi Fei smiled faintly. “Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. My wounds are nearly healed and no longer matter.”

“That’s good to hear. Come, let me introduce you to everyone.” Jiang Yifan led Qi Fei to a stern-faced young man in white and said, “Junior Brother Qi, this is our Eldest Senior Brother. Eldest Brother, this is Junior Brother Qi Fei.”

The cold-faced Eldest Brother lifted his eyes slightly and spoke in a frosty tone, “Luo Dingshan. If you encounter difficulties in cultivation, you may come to me.”

Inwardly, Qi Fei thought this Luo Dingshan was a man with a cold exterior but a warm heart. After offering a respectful salute, he followed Jiang Yifan to greet the other senior brothers and the disciples of Elder Sun.

Recently, the sect had been thrown into turmoil, and every disciple’s thoughts were in disarray. After exchanging greetings with Qi Fei, each returned to their place on the ground.

A heavy atmosphere hung over the courtyard. Qi Fei found a quiet corner with Jiang Yifan and sat down cross-legged, a sense of unease rising in his heart. If Elder Yang Zheng, with the backing of the Xuanzhen Temple, succeeded in taking the position of sect leader on Qingyang Peak, even these disciples who had followed Master and Elder Sun down the mountain might waver in their loyalty.

Sure enough, after a moment of silence, a Danxia Sect disciple stood up, irritation clear on his face. “Today, Master and Elder Sun have summoned us, but for what purpose, I do not know. With Qingyang Peak about to appoint a new sect leader, if we don’t quickly devise a countermeasure, I fear there will be no place for us in these Cangyun Mountains.”

“Brother Zhang, don’t be anxious. Since Master and Elder Sun could lead us away from Qingyang Peak unscathed, they must have a plan to deal with that Xuanzhen Temple,” Jiang Yifan quickly offered comfort.

A hint of disdain flashed in the eyes of the young man named Zhang, and he gave a bitter laugh. “Brother Jiang, you make it sound easy. With just our few men, it’s hard enough to contend with the elders on Qingyang Peak, let alone the might of the Xuanzhen Temple. If Yang Zheng becomes sect leader, how are we to face his orders in the future?”

A glint of coldness flashed in Luo Dingshan’s eyes as he spoke harshly, “The sect leader’s whereabouts are unknown, and that traitor Yang Zheng has taken refuge with the Xuanzhen Temple. What right does he have to become the leader of Danxia Sect? Zhang Xuzhong, if you fear the power of Xuanzhen Temple and Yang Zheng, you’re welcome to go up Qingyang Peak and join them. Why disturb the peace here?”

At these words, Zhang Xuzhong’s face changed dramatically, and he flared up. “Eldest Brother, I’ve always respected you, but I never thought you’d say such things today.”

Luo Dingshan sneered, “On the day Master led us down the mountain, you were full of complaints. If your conscience is clear, why are you so agitated?”

Exposed by Luo Dingshan, Zhang Xuzhong flushed with anger. “Fine! I, Zhang Xuzhong, may be unworthy, but I’d like to see if you, Eldest Brother, are qualified to mock me. Let’s see what you can do.”

Luo Dingshan’s expression grew grave, and a fierce light flashed in his eyes as he slowly rose to his feet.

“Eldest Brother, Brother Zhang, Master and Elder Sun are still discussing strategy. You must not harm the harmony between us.” The disciples’ faces paled, and they stood up to intervene.

Qi Fei followed Jiang Yifan in rising, worry gnawing at his heart as he watched the two senior brothers on the verge of drawing swords. If even Master’s closest disciples were so unsettled, what hope was there for the outer sect? Had he not perceived this hidden danger in time, disaster would surely have followed.

Despite everyone’s attempts at mediation, Luo Dingshan and Zhang Xuzhong were set on their confrontation, forcing the disciples to scatter around the courtyard.

Zhang Xuzhong, well aware of Luo Dingshan’s prowess, dared not be careless. He drew his weapon, and in an instant, his spear traced a sharp arc through the air, thrusting fiercely at Luo Dingshan.

Luo Dingshan’s expression did not change. As the spear closed in, his sword flashed into a blur, instantly deflecting Zhang Xuzhong’s assault.

Zhang Xuzhong leapt high, unleashing a thunderous strike. The spear, like a venomous serpent, split into three cold rays aimed straight for Luo Dingshan’s face.

Luo Dingshan’s expression suddenly shifted. Qi Fei noticed, and so did Jiang Yifan and the others, their faces betraying shock and confusion.

Luo Dingshan dared not be reckless. He summoned his inner energy, and his sword became a streak of cold light, clashing fiercely with Zhang Xuzhong’s spear.

As sword and spear collided, a surge of searing force erupted in the courtyard with a deep, thunderous boom. Qi Fei, watching intently with his own energy flowing, quickly realized both men had cultivated the fierce and dominant Fire Martial Soul.

With their martial souls unleashed, spear and sword radiated dazzling flames. The courtyard burst with shifting sword shadows and the piercing whistle of the spear, the two men locked in an even struggle.

Just then, Mo Zhanpeng arrived at the sound and barked, “Enough!”

Fury burning in his heart, Mo Zhanpeng’s inner energy surged as he struck into the fray with his palm. Luo Dingshan and Zhang Xuzhong, seeing their master intervene, lost their composure. In a single exchange, both had their weapons knocked from their hands.

“Kneel!” Mo Zhanpeng’s veins bulged with rage, his whole body trembling.

Luo Dingshan lowered his head and knelt in silence before his master. Zhang Xuzhong, however, wore a strange expression, ignoring his master’s command.

Mo Zhanpeng turned to this rebellious disciple, his anger boiling over. “Wicked disciple! Where did you learn such vicious techniques?”

Zhang Xuzhong’s features flickered with uncertainty, but he answered slowly, “Master, though my methods are cruel, they surpass the mediocre martial arts you have taught. I advise you not to oppose Xuanzhen Temple, or you will court death.”

“You traitor! You have already betrayed the sect?” Murderous intent flashed in Mo Zhanpeng’s eyes.

Zhang Xuzhong remained calm, showing not a trace of fear. Facing the gathered disciples, he said coolly, “A wise man adapts to the times. Rather than struggling in the dying Danxia Sect, why not join Xuanzhen Temple? Though Xuanzhen Temple is Daoist, it has collected countless martial secrets over the years. If you submit, you will gain techniques far superior to those of Danxia Sect.”

Mo Zhanpeng, consumed by rage, forced a cold laugh. “Even with Xuanzhen Temple backing you, do you think you can escape the outer courtyard today?”

No sooner had he spoken than his disciples closed in, faces grim, surrounding Zhang Xuzhong. Only Qi Fei’s heart tightened, sensing that Zhang Xuzhong, so composed, must have another card to play.

Indeed, Zhang Xuzhong did not falter. Laughing loudly, he declared, “Master, you underestimate me. Without a way to escape, how could I dare act so brazenly before you?”

He drew from his robe a talisman glowing with a faint light. “I joined Xuanzhen Temple two years ago. With but a squeeze of this charm, the elders of Xuanzhen Temple on Qingyang Peak will know I am in trouble. If you kill me, you make an enemy of Xuanzhen Temple—and not even the Marquis Weiwu can intervene.”

Seeing the talisman in his hand, the hot-tempered Mo Zhanpeng dared not act rashly. The faces of the Danxia Sect disciples turned ashen. The name Xuanzhen Temple hung over them like a mountain, crushing all hope from their hearts.