Chapter 340 - 160: Domineering

Liang Cheng looked at Gu Changge and suddenly smiled.

Then, without another word, he threw a punch.

Fist Intent surged, and Gu Changge’s expression changed.

Seeing this, Gu Tianya took a step forward. His Sword Intent flared, growing heavier and more focused.

He had heard that Liang Cheng had comprehended Blade Intent, but he never imagined the man had also comprehended Fist Intent.

’Such a genius!’

Even in the entire Penglai Sect, he could be called a prodigy.

But that was no reason for him to cause trouble on the Seventh Peak.

However, just as his fighting spirit soared, Liang Cheng suddenly retracted his aura and spoke directly.

"Tell me, if I really wanted to target Gu Changge, why would I go through so much trouble?"

After speaking, he turned to look at Gu Changge again.

"We are both disciples of the Penglai Sect. I have no desire to cause turmoil within our gates. So, if you still won’t admit it, I will give you only one choice."

"We fight on the Life and Death Arena. Your life or death will be your own responsibility."

Hearing this, Gu Changge’s face went pale.

The entire area fell deathly silent.

Gu Changge’s face shifted from deathly pale to flushed red, and then from red to an ashen blue.

His lips trembled, his gaze darted about, and his body shook slightly.

Finally—

"I... I..."

He lowered his head, his voice hoarse.

"I was the one who told Han Cheng..."

The crowd erupted in an uproar!

Gu Tianya stood frozen, staring at his younger brother in disbelief.

The surrounding disciples looked at each other and began to whisper amongst themselves.

"It really was him..."

"He started the trouble, then tried to blame the other party..."

"Senior Brother Gu has lost so much face this time, to have a brother like that..."

"I heard that Gu Changge wanted to join the First Peak before, but the Peak Master of Lie Mountain didn’t think he was worthy. It looks like he held a grudge and that’s why he targeted Liang Cheng."

At that moment, Liang Cheng spoke.

"The matter is clear. I originally came here seeking justice, but now I no longer wish to pursue it. Let’s leave it at that."

With that said, Liang Cheng strode forward, boarded the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle, and headed for the First Peak.

Liang Cheng’s move wasn’t about letting Gu Changge off the hook; it was to ensure Gu Changge could never recover from this.

Just as he expected, Gu Tianya closed his eyes.

He took a deep breath.

When he opened them again, his gaze was calm and devoid of emotion.

He turned, faced the depths of the sect gate, and bowed deeply.

"Disciple Gu Tianya requests the Peak Master’s judgment on how to handle this matter."

As soon as his voice fell, a deep, ancient voice slowly echoed from the depths of the sect gate.

"Bring him in."

...

The Cloud-Piercing Shuttle landed at the foot of the First Peak.

Liang Cheng landed with Ye Zhiqiu, Leng Feng, and Yun Jinghong, then stowed the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle.

"You three should return to the Outer Sect and rest for now."

Liang Cheng looked at them. "Properly digest what you’ve gained from Dragon Burial Island."

Ye Zhiqiu grinned. "Don’t worry, Junior Brother. We promise not to bring you any shame."

Leng Feng nodded silently.

Yun Jinghong gripped her sword hilt, looking as if she wanted to say more, but in the end, only managed, "Take care."

The three of them turned and walked down the mountain path toward the Outer Sect.

Just as Liang Cheng was about to return to his personal courtyard, he suddenly stopped.

Beside the mountain path ahead, a few Outer Disciples were discussing something in low voices, but their words carried clearly to his ears.

"Did you hear? Gu Changge of the Seventh Peak has been sentenced to five years of confinement and reflection, with all his Cultivation Resources suspended. That’s the treatment for a True Disciple!"

"Five years? How is that any different from being crippled?"

"I know, right? I heard the Seventh Peak even sent people to deliver five years’ worth of Gu Changge’s monthly allowance, converted into resources, directly to the First Peak. Now that’s what I call a sincere attitude."

"Tsk tsk, the Seventh Peak really gave the First Peak a lot of face this time."

"More than just giving face, this is them telling everyone that they’re impartial and don’t shield their own!"

"Liang Cheng really stole the show this time. With his Blade Intent and Fist Intent, he suppressed Song Que of the Second Peak so much he couldn’t even lift his head, and now he’s forced the Seventh Peak to bow its head and admit fault..."

Liang Cheng stood his ground, his expression unchanging, but inwardly, his heart tightened.

’The Seventh Peak reacted so quickly.’

’More importantly, they took the initiative to deliver the notice of punishment and compensation, taking such a low stance.’

’This wasn’t admitting defeat.’

’This was putting the ball in his court.’

On the surface, the Seventh Peak appeared magnanimous and fair, not shielding their own or covering up faults.

In reality, everyone would think that Liang Cheng had won and the Seventh Peak had conceded.

But what about Gu Changge?

He was only "confined for five years." His life was intact, his Cultivation was intact, and he would have a chance to make a comeback in the future.

Meanwhile, Liang Cheng became "the man who forced the Seventh Peak to bow its head."

He had gained fame and was in the spotlight, but this also caused more people to set their sights on him.

Those who were originally just spectators would now feel he was too sharp-edged and ostentatious.

Those who were originally neutral would now feel he was unforgiving even when in the right.

And those who already held animosity toward the First Peak would be even more eager to find a chance to knock him down a peg.

With this move, the Seventh Peak had turned a passive situation into an active one.

It looked like they were admitting defeat, but in reality, they were holding his feet to the fire.

Liang Cheng took a deep breath.

’What a move.’

He lingered no longer and turned, heading straight for the main hall of the First Peak.

...

「Inside the Main Hall」

Lie Mountain was sitting on a cattail mat. In front of him was a tea table, upon which sat a Jade Box.

Seeing Liang Cheng enter, Lie Mountain beckoned him over with a wave of his hand.

"You’ve come at the right time."

Liang Cheng stepped forward and bowed. "Master."

Lie Mountain pointed at the items on the table.

"These are from the Seventh Peak. Take a look."

Liang Cheng picked up the Jade Box and opened it.

Inside were three stalks of Thousand Year Ganoderma, twenty bottles of Elixirs, and a piece of Star Meteorite Iron the size of a fist.

’The apology gift is quite substantial.’

Lie Mountain picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"What do you think?"

Liang Cheng said in a low voice, "Master, they took the initiative to send compensation and adopted an extremely humble stance. By doing so, they’ve made everyone think the Seventh Peak is magnanimous and fair, while I..."

He paused.

"...while I’ve become the one who forced the Seventh Peak to bow its head."

"Master, the Seventh Peak is holding my feet to the fire."

Lie Mountain suddenly laughed.

"Not bad."

He stood up and walked over to Liang Cheng.

"The fact that you can see this far shows you haven’t been swept away by the fame."

Liang Cheng lowered his head. "This disciple wouldn’t dare."

Lie Mountain waved his hand dismissively.

"That old codger from the Seventh Peak is a deep schemer. He loves playing these kinds of tricks—admitting defeat on the surface while secretly digging a pit for you, making it so that the more famous you become, the more enemies you make."

He paused for a moment.

"But—"

Lie Mountain raised his hand and shoved the contents of the Jade Box into Liang Cheng’s arms.

"Take all of it."

Liang Cheng couldn’t help but be taken aback.

Lie Mountain looked at him, his gaze as sharp as a blade.

"Do you think my First Peak is afraid of offending people?"

Liang Cheng shook his head.

Lie Mountain continued, "Do you think I’m afraid of you being too prominent?"

Liang Cheng shook his head again.

Lie Mountain slammed his hand on the table, and the teacup jumped three inches into the air.

"A disciple of me, Lie Mountain, should be sharp-edged and brilliant!"

"If Gu Changge dares to plot against you, you hit back!"

"If the Seventh Peak plays games, you take them on!"

"They want to hold your feet to the fire? Then let them!"

Lie Mountain stared at Liang Cheng and said, word by word:

"Remember, in the future, if anyone is blind enough to cross you, beat them to death."

"Just make sure you win."

"And if you lose—"

He snorted coldly.

"If you lose, I’ll go to the Seventh Peak and tear down that old codger’s hall!"

Liang Cheng stood rooted to the spot, a warmth spreading through his heart.

’The Li Shan Sword Saint truly lives up to his name.’

’What does it mean to be domineering?’

’This is what it means to be domineering.’

’No schemes, no beating around the bush.’

’Whoever dares to touch my disciple, I’ll hit them back.’

’Whoever dares to play tricks, I’ll meet them head-on with force.’

Liang Cheng took a deep breath and cupped his fists in a salute.

"This disciple understands."

Lie Mountain nodded.

"Good that you understand."

He sat back down on the cattail mat and picked up his teacup.

"Go on, then. Cultivate well. The matter with the Seventh Peak is over, but the number of people watching you will only grow. The more brilliant you are, the more people will want to knock you down."

Liang Cheng nodded.

"This disciple will remember."

He turned to leave, but Lie Mountain suddenly called out to him again.

"Wait."

Liang Cheng turned back.

Lie Mountain looked at him, his gaze profound.

"Regarding that matter with Gu Changge, do you think the kid was just that stupid, or was someone pulling the strings from behind?"

Liang Cheng’s heart skipped a beat.

"Master, you mean..."

Lie Mountain waved his hand.

"No proof, so no accusations. But remember this—"

He paused.

"That old codger from the Seventh Peak is not someone who bows his head easily."

A chill ran down Liang Cheng’s spine. He fell silent for a moment before nodding in acknowledgment.

"This disciple will keep it in mind."

Lie Mountain waved his hand.

"Go."

Liang Cheng put the Jade Box into his Storage Pouch, left the main hall, and walked on air back toward his personal courtyard.

Whatever the Seventh Peak’s scheme was, he would deal with it as it came. All he needed to do was increase his own strength.

As for now, with the large piece of Star Meteorite Iron his master Lie Mountain had given him earlier, plus the Star Meteorite Iron from the Seventh Peak’s apology, he could forge a new saber.

Ever since he had gathered his Blade Intent, the Zhenxian Saber had been struggling to withstand his full power. That being the case, he might as well take this opportunity to get a complete upgrade.

However, it was already late. He would head to the Penglai Sect’s Artifact Refining Hall tomorrow!