The Path Toward Heaven

“It’s because…I can’t give it up!”

Zhao Layue lifted her head up and stared into Jing Jiu’s eyes bravely, saying, “I want to know who was responsible for the failure of Grandmaster’s ascension.”

Jing Jiu said, “Back when we were in Chaonan City, I told you that Lei Poyun sent the stolen Thunder-Soul Wood to the Sword Jail secretly to get that person out of there, having nothing to do with the ascension.”

Zuo Yi was a member of Bihu Peak, so he must have gotten involved in this matter.

Lin Huangyan found out that Zhao Layue investigated this matter through the Curtain Rollers and informed Zuo Yi, and the latter naturally wanted to kill Zhao Layue; but Zuo Yi was killed by Zhao Layue and Jing Jiu instead.

The clue leading to Bihu Peak was broken off after Zuo Yi’s death.

“I still don’t understand,” claimed Zhao Layue.

Jing Jiu said, “Lei Poyun died in the end. This kind of matter doesn’t need any proof.”

Zhao Layue asked, “Why can’t we use this clue to connect the matter to Fang Jingtian?”

“Fang Jingtian might have been involved in this matter; but his conversation with Lei Poyun would be impossible for anyone to know,” said Jing Jiu.

It was absolutely impossible to leave behind any evidence regarding the scheme plotted by two peak masters in secret.

Like Jing Jiu said earlier and before, there would be no way they could find any proof for the matter, and all they could do was to ask directly.

Who knew the secret? Only those who did the deed.

…

…

A sword light traveled at high speed on Liangwang Peak.

The disciples realized it was Jian Ruyun riding the sword, feeling astonished and wondering why their Fourth Big Brother was so anxious today, since he was well known for his self-control and calmness.

The sword light landed, and the disciples nearby approached Jian Ruyun in tandem. His black hair was matted slightly, and his sword robe was ruffled; it seemed that he came here in a hurry.

Jian Ruyun walked to the front of that manor cave, which was closed up tightly. The gloomy look on his face grew even worse.

A few small patches of green bamboo were planted outside the manor cave, which were moved here by Liu Shisui from Tianguang Peak.

He had already expressed his position clearly that he was unwilling to continue his study with Elder Bai Rujing. And he had been living on Liangwang Peak for the last few days.

Seeing Jian Ruyun’s look, the disciples felt ill at ease, wondering why Big Brother came here to seek out Liu Shisui. Back when they were at the Muddy River, Big Brother Jian and Liu Shisui had indeed had some conflict, but wasn’t that a show for the purpose of deceiving the Old Ones? Did these two actually have real grudge against each other?

Guo Nanshan, Gu Han and Ma Hua came over hurriedly after hearing the news. Seeing the chaotic scene outside the manor cave, Guo Nanshan furrowed his eyebrows. The other disciples left hastily as a result.

“What is going on?” Gu Han demanded.

“Rushan…is dead.”

Jian Ruyun’s voice trembled slightly, his eyes full of pain and regret

Guo Nanshan was quite shocked to hear the news, asking sharply, “What happened?!”

Jian Ruyun took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. “He was investigating the death of Senior Master Zuo Yi. As he had just gotten hold of a certain clue, he abruptly died in Qihai County.”

Thinking of a certain possibility, Gu Han asked while staring into Jian Ruyun’s eyes, “Who was the killer? Why did you come here to look for Young Brother Liu?”

Jian Ruyun’s face was so dark and gloomy, as if heralding a storm, and he said, “Just after he returned to the Green Mountain, I said that I wanted to ask him something.”

Upon hearing this, Guo Nanshan grew angry, but he restrained himself from reprimanding Jian Ruyun since he had just lost his younger brother and was grief-stricken.

Yet, Gu Han didn’t care whether Jian Ruyun was in grief or not, as he demanded icily, “Are you still suspecting Young Brother Liu? Do you even think the death of Rushan has something to do with him?”

Jian Ruyun stared into Gu Han’s eyes and said, “We all knew that Liu Shisui was not in his manor cave that night when Senior Master Zuo Yi was killed. If you don’t want me to ask him, then you tell me where he went that night.”

Ma Hua, who had been silent all this time, chimed in, “Young Brother Liu said back then that he went out to take a walk.”

“Who is he covering up for?” Jian Ruyun demanded in a trembling voice. “We all know who he went to see, and that person was Jing Jiu. He hadn’t gone to Shenmo Peak those last few days because he was afraid that his visit would raise suspicion; but he went there today. It’s because he knew he would be questioned tomorrow, so he went there hastily to make sure they would have the same statements.”

Guo Nanshan couldn’t stand this anymore and said sharply, “This matter indicates a master. You shouldn’t even mention it again without adequate evidence, and you are not allowed to investigate it on your own.”

“Does Big Brother want to use the status of the principal disciple to suppress my opinion by force?”

The look in Jian Ruyun’s eyes burned like fire. “I’d like to know who can suppress this matter any longer,” Jian Ruyun persisted, showing no intent of backing down as he stared Guo Nanshan. “I don’t care whether he is Senior Master or the hero of our Green Mountain. He has to pay for what he did, as long as what he did is wrong.”

Thinking of the Peak Meeting that would be held the next day, Guo Nanshan’s expression was grave.

As the principal disciple of the Green Mountain and the principal disciple of Liangwang Peak, he was undoubtedly the leader of the young generation on the Green Mountain.

However, it was obvious that this matter involved the masters of certain peaks, so there wasn’t much he could do about it.

…

…

The ocean of clouds had been scattered by the formation, and the morning sunlight shone through, making the green pines surrounding the stone platform look even more vigorous.

The Peak Meeting of the Green Mountain would take place in the Grand Hall at the foot of Xilai Peak.

This Grand Hall was usually used by the Green Mountain to receive the visiting guests of other sects.

The venue of the Peak Meeting of the Green Mountain was chosen mostly for the convenience of the elders of all the peaks.

They didn’t have to climb to the peak top; as such they wouldn’t have the feeling of difference between host and guests.

This was a significant meeting for the Green Mountain. No caretaker was present, and all the service was provided by the personal disciples of Xilai Peak.

Those qualified for the meeting were the peak masters of the peaks and elders. All of them could come to the meeting as long as they were willing to.

Apart from Guo Nanshan, who represented Liangwang Peak, the only young disciple in the hall was Liu Shisui, who was the target of today’s meeting.

The rest of the disciples of the Green Mountain were waiting outside the hall. Hundreds of them standing on the Ten-Thousand Pine Platform didn’t even make a sound.

Gu Qing, Yuan Qü and Xiao He stood in a corner in front of the hall, looking lonely in comparison to the crowd.

Shenmo Peak was the loneliest peak among the nine peaks of the Green Mountain, and this described both the demeanor of Shenmo Peak and the true description of the situation on the peak.

From the Immortal Jing Yang a couple of hundred years ago till this day, Shenmo Peak had nothing but a few people, and the only difference was that Shenmo Peak had five people instead of one person now.

The disciples of the Green Mountain were all well aware that the reason for today’s meeting was that Xilai Peak wanted to oppress Shenmo Peak.

They all naturally regarded Liu Shisui as a member of Shenmo Peak, and that vixen of Ying City had been staying on Shenmo Peak lately.

Many people thought that Shenmo Peak had no chance of withstanding the pressure. No matter how talented Zhao Layue and the others on the peak were, they had merely cultivated for a relatively short time and were in a lower Cultivation state, to say nothing of their resources.

To look at them at that moment, the group of Shenmo Peak seemed lonely and helpless.

Xiao He felt uneasy, lifting her head to take a glance at Gu Qing.

Gu Qing didn’t respond.

Yet, the crowd suddenly responded.

Yao Songshan and a few disciples of Liangwang Peak walked over and had some verbal exchange with Gu Qing.

Soon after, Young Sister Yushan of Shangde Peak also walked over, smiling shyly, not knowing what to say.

Yuan Qü gave her a small smile, meaning that he didn’t care whether she was the first one to stand out because he knew that she was a shy person.

More and more young disciples approached them, either talking to Gu Qing and Yuan Qü, or asking Xiao He about where she was from out of the pretended curiosity.

Lin Wuzhi didn’t go over, but he smiled, wordlessly, knowing these young disciples were expressing their support for Shenmo Peak.

Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue were still very young, which was both a bad thing and good thing.

As the youngest masters, they would draw many jealous gazes if their morals didn’t befit their status; fortunately, Zhao Layue had become the youngest one entering the Free Travel State in the Green Mountain history, and Jing Jiu’s reputation got even better even though his Cultivation state had stagnated for many years. As a result, the thoughts of jealousy and resentment had turned into those of admiration and affection.

Liangwang Peak used to be a place desired most by the young disciples, but many young disciples liked Shenmo Peak even more now.

The crazed supporters of Jing Jiu could even be found on Liangwang Peak, such as Lei Yijing.

If the trend continued its course, Shenmo Peak would have a tremendous influence on the Green Mountain in twenty or more years!

…