Chapter Eighty-Eight: Coming to Demand an Accounting

Sophie returned to the academy and, without pausing for breath, told Tang Ze everything. Of course, Lin Xin, who had been watching Sophie’s every move all this time, also learned of the matter.

Wicked Night was gravely wounded and missing; more and more people had joined the pursuit. Each new piece of news struck Lin Xin like a barrage, until her mind seemed to grind to a halt.

I cannot sit here and wait. I have to find Wicked Night.

Back in the dormitory, Lin Xin shut herself inside. After receiving the report, Tang Ze immediately informed Liu Qing. Far away at the front lines, Liu Qing flew into a rage upon hearing it.

At that moment, Peng Lei and Xiao Xiao arrived together at Liu Qing’s residence.

“Master!”

“Grandfather! We heard something happened to Wicked Night. Hurry and save him! What kind of demon kills without blinking? What kind of monster eats human flesh? From everything we know about Wicked Night, this must be a frame-up!”

Liu Qing gently patted Xiao Xiao on the shoulder.

“All right, Xiao Xiao. I’ve heard everything. I was already going to the alliance to ask what on earth was going on, and then you came.”

“Master, I want to return to the academy for a while.”

Liu Qing looked at Peng Lei. “Peng Lei, you are the senior disciple. Stay out of this matter. Leave it to your master.”

Peng Lei clasped his fists and pleaded again and again. “Master, as for Wicked Night, there is nothing I can do. I only hate that I am too weak. I am going back for Lin Xin. She admires Wicked Night. I’m afraid...”

He did not continue, only stared fixedly at Liu Qing.

“Very well. You and Xiao Xiao return together. It is not safe here either. I fear someone may use you as leverage to force me to compromise.”

“Grandfather, if it comes to that, why not leave with us?”

Liu Qing smiled. “Silly child. Grandfather is fine. I want the alliance to give me an explanation.”

After seeing Xiao Xiao and Peng Lei off, Liu Qing went to the encampment of the Cloud Soaring Sect and raised his hand, striking toward the great hall. With a deafening boom, he alerted everyone.

“Who dares cause trouble here? Have you grown tired of living?”

At the sound, several figures flew to the entrance of the hall and rose into the sky.

“Liu Qing! Have you gone mad? If you do not give me an explanation today, do not expect to leave!”

Liu Qing said nothing. He drew his weapon and slashed again toward the hall, this time with all his strength.

“How dare you!”

Several figures joined forces and blocked the attack.

“Very well! Liu Qing, you’ve got guts! Open the formation and capture Liu Qing with full force!”

After that strike, Liu Qing stood sword in hand, watching as the surrounding disciples closed in. He let out a cold laugh.

“You want to capture me? Then today I’ll shed blood without restraint. I would like to see how many of your Cloud Soaring Sect are enough for me to kill!”

Another figure flew over.

“Liu Qing! My Cloud Soaring Sect has no grudge against you. Aren’t you going too far?”

“Not at all, no grudge whatsoever. Very well, no going too far. Ling Yun, you may ask your Cloud Soaring Sect how it has oppressed my Divine Wind Academy!”

Liu Qing pointed his sword at the crowd.

“Today, if you do not give me an explanation, then do not blame me for washing your Cloud Soaring Sect in blood!”

“Hmph! With us here today, do you think you can?”

“Li Mou! Don’t be so smug. In a one-on-one fight, which one of you is my match? I refuse to believe you will all remain together for life. Fine—if necessary, I can start by killing your ordinary disciples. Don’t believe me? Then we might as well try.”

“You!”

“Enough! Are you not embarrassed enough already?”

Ling Yun stepped forward and cupped his hands.

“Dean Liu, what exactly happened? I truly do not know. Could you please come to the great hall and rest for a moment? Allow me to investigate thoroughly, and I will give you an explanation.”

Seeing the sincerity on Ling Yun’s face, Liu Qing grew doubtful.

Could it be... that he really does not know?

Liu Qing put away his weapon and returned the salute. “Sect Master Ling, I see that you are also unaware. Very well, I will give you time.”

Ling Yun could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. “Dean Liu, please.”

“After you.”

Once they entered the hall, Ling Yun turned a grim gaze on Li Mou.

“Elder Li, when I was in closed cultivation, all matters within the sect were in your charge. Shouldn’t you tell me what is going on?”

Li Mou rose to his feet.

“Sect Master, that day Dean Xing of Fire Dance Academy came looking for me. He said that Divine Wind had produced a monstrous disciple who had repeatedly bullied and killed people from his Fire Dance Academy. Later, Xing Kai told me he had discovered in secret that the disciple called Wicked Night was cultivating demonic arts.”

“Then he could have asked the alliance to handle it. Why did you interfere? Why did you so aggressively surround my academy without informing me? How am I supposed to save face?”

Liu Qing slammed the table and rose in anger. Even Ling Yun glared at Li Mou.

“Today, if you do not give me an explanation, you will surrender your post as elder!”

“Sect Master, that day it was Elder Huang of the Alliance Elder Hall who ordered our sect to assist in the investigation. That Wicked Night, upon realizing the truth was exposed, fled southward. Along the way, he also killed every villager in the towns and villages he passed through. Dean Liu, you may investigate this yourself.”

Ling Yun looked at Liu Qing with a smile. “Dean Liu, this is all just a misunderstanding. Since that is the case, there is nothing to worry about. I think you should go ask the Elder Hall. During this time, my Cloud Soaring Sect will no longer take excessive part in matters concerning your Northern Theater.”

Hearing this, Liu Qing knew his purpose had been achieved. He stood up.

“Good. Sect Master Ling, remember what you said. Another day, I will come personally to apologize. Farewell.”

After escorting Liu Qing out, Ling Yun’s face darkened.