Chapter 26

Hao Guanshi had already thoroughly investigated Zhang Yan's residence beforehand. After receiving the order, he led two subordinates to Star-Gazing Peak.

He had been in the Du family for a long time and had also practiced qi cultivation, but due to his limited talent, he could not open his meridians or break through the barrier. However, he was still capable of driving magical treasures.

He was originally a servant in the Du family. This time, he came to the Lingcang Sect's lower academy with the young master Du You, finally feeling that his time to shine had arrived. Now, he even had the opportunity to personally apprehend a new disciple, which made him quite pleased.

He arrived at the entrance of Zhang Yan's cave dwelling, did not announce his presence, and boldly pushed the door open, walking inside. He deliberately did not look at the people inside the cave dwelling with a straight face, and put on a show, saying, "Where is Zhang Yan?"

Zhang Yan was originally thinking about how to deal with Lin Tong, who had been stuffed into the tripod by Luo Xiao. Suddenly, he saw Hao Guanshi barge in as if no one else was there, and his expression immediately turned cold. He asked, "Who are you?"

Hao Guanshi put his hands behind his back and raised his head, saying, "Zhang Yan, I am the lower academy's steward. Today, the head disciple Du You has summoned all the disciples to the side hall for a meeting. Everyone has gone, but why haven't you? I have been ordered by the young master to bring you in for questioning. Why don't you kneel and confess your sins?"

Head disciple of the lower academy? Du You?

Zhang Yan felt a bit puzzled and immediately became alert.

It seemed that the situation in the lower academy had changed? He looked at the other party's posture and suddenly realized what was happening. He said with a cold smile, "Whether I am guilty or not is not the issue. I am a new disciple, and you, a mere servant, dare to come and apprehend me?"

"Stop talking nonsense. Will you tie your own hands or wait for me to do it?" Although Hao Guanshi held a magical treasure, Zhang Yan had a notorious reputation and his cultivation was far superior to his. Moreover, Zhang Yan's physique was imposing, so he was actually quite nervous.

Just as Hao Guanshi was about to raise the "Jujuzhi" (a magical ruler), Zhang Yan suddenly felt a chill run through his body, and a sense of extreme danger came from the ruler. The massive aura alone indicated that it was a powerful magical treasure.

Zhang Yan's expression turned serious, and he quietly reached into his sleeve, gripping something. This was a protective item given to him by Ning Chongxuan, and he didn't know how useful it would be.

Seeing that Zhang Yan was not going to comply, Hao Guanshi thought to himself, "You are seeking your own death, don't blame me." He raised the "Jujuzhi" and was about to strike, but before he could, his hand suddenly felt empty.

In the next moment, he was stunned to see a beautiful woman playing with the "Jujuzhi" in her hands.

Hao Guanshi was dazed for a moment before he came to his senses and shouted, "Give me back my magical treasure!"

Luo Xiao spat and said disdainfully, "You dare to call this crudely made magical treasure a 'magical treasure'?"

Hao Guanshi was furious and said, "You wench, I am the Du family's steward. Do you know who the Du family is, Du..."

Zhang Yan shook his head, not wanting to argue with him. He took two steps forward, grabbed his arm, and threw him out. Outside the cave dwelling was a walkway, and Hao Guanshi was terrified. Fortunately, Zhang Yan had controlled his strength, and he managed to cling to the walkway. Otherwise, he might have fallen to his death. The two subordinates quickly pulled him up.

After suffering this humiliation, Hao Guanshi dared not stay any longer and fled in panic.

Zhang Yan's expression darkened. Before he entered seclusion, he had heard from Ai Zhongwen that Zheng Xun had opened his meridians and returned to the family. Now, this Du You claiming to be the head disciple of the lower academy must have taken Zheng Xun's place.

He roughly guessed what Du You was up to. It seemed that without a震慑众人的实力或者身份终究不妥 (a震慑众人的实力或者身份 is a phrase that can be translated as "a power or status that can awe the masses," but it's a bit awkward in English, so I'll rephrase it as "a commanding presence or authority" for better flow).

He would have to use the item Ning Chongxuan gave him today.

Luo Xiao played with the "Jujuzhi" for a moment, then her eyes twinkled, and she giggled, seemingly having a mischievous idea. She lifted the unconscious Lin Tong from the tripod and stuffed the ruler into his sleeve.

Zhang Yan looked at her and asked, "What are you doing?"

Luo Xiao clapped her hands and said smugly, "If I'm right, this ruler is one of a pair. Just wait and see the show!"

Du You had been waiting for two hours in the main hall, growing impatient. Finally, the disheveled Hao Guanshi returned. As soon as he entered the hall, he prostrated himself and cried, "Young master, please forgive me. I was careless and lost the magical treasure to Zhang Yan. Please punish me."

Du You opened his mouth and was instantly furious, pointing at Hao Guanshi and shouting, "Nonsense! Zhang Yan is just a Foundation Establishment cultivator. My magical treasure can defeat anyone below the Ming Qi stage. How could he take it?"

Hao Guanshi looked miserable and said, "The magical treasure is good, but I didn't even get to use it before Zhang Yan took it..." He had wanted to say that a maid had taken it, but he feared losing face, so he changed his words.

Du You cursed under his breath, "Waste of space." This Hao Guanshi was brought from the Du family and was not his favorite. Now, he found him increasingly annoying. He said with a stern face, "What use are you if you lose the magical treasure?"

Hao Guanshi's body trembled. He knew Du You's temper and what he was about to do, so he immediately cried, "Young master, please spare me..."

Before he could finish, a white light flashed in the hall, and with a "crack," his head exploded, and he died on the spot.

Du You extended his hand lightly, and a fluorescent, thin-as-a-silk jade ruler returned to his palm.

Lin Yuan, who was watching, was startled. Du You had more than one magical treasure?

Du You frowned and tried several hand seals, but the magical treasure did not respond. He thought it must be suppressed and unable to break free.

People can die, but the magical treasure must not be lost!

He sneered and said, "Zhang Yan, do you really think my magical treasure is so easy to take?"

The ruler in his hand was called the "Dingguizhi," and it was a pair with the "Jujuzhi." The main and secondary rulers could attract each other.

Du You silently recited a spell and said, "Go!" A white light shot out from his hand and instantly left the hall.

A moment later, two white lights returned to the hall and landed steadily in his hand, the pair of jade rulers.

He checked them and knew that the "Dingguizhi" had taken a life. He smiled and pointed to the two strongmen beside him, saying, "Go and bring Zhang Yan's body back."

The two strongmen nodded and left the hall.

Du You looked around and said slowly, "Fellow disciples, please wait a moment. Zhang Yan is so arrogant. As the head disciple of the lower academy, I will give you an explanation."

The twenty-eight disciples, including Lin Yuan, all looked down, and no one spoke.

Du You didn't mind. Once Zhang Yan's body was brought in, these people would know his capabilities.

The two strongmen returned quickly, about half an hour later.

Du You couldn't wait and asked urgently, "Where is Zhang Yan?"

The strongman replied, "Zhang Yan is outside the hall."

Du You nodded in satisfaction and said, "Bring the body in."

The strongman hesitated for a moment, then waved his hand, and two attendants carried a blood-soaked body into the hall. The person's head was smashed, and his face was unrecognizable.

The disciples shook their heads in secret. Although they all looked down on Zhang Yan's background, they still considered him a talented person, and his actions in the Earth Gate were admirable. They never thought he would die at the hands of a servant. It was truly a matter of bad luck.

Du You scanned the crowd and saw fear in their eyes, which made him quite pleased. He pointed at the body and asked in a condescending tone, "Is this Zhang Yan?"

Originally, he didn't expect an answer, but the strongman hesitated and said, "This person seems to be Zhang Yan..."

"Seems to be Zhang Yan?" Du You turned his head and stared at the strongman.

The strongman was startled. He had been present when Hao Guanshi was killed and stammered, "There is someone waiting outside, claiming to be Zhang Yan as well..."

Du You was furious and pointed at the body, saying, "That person is Zhang Yan, and this person is also Zhang Yan. How many Zhang Yans are there in the lower academy?"

A clear voice came from outside, "The person who was killed is Lin Tong, a junior brother of Lin Yuan."

"What?" Lin Yuan was stunned and then exclaimed, "Zhang Yan? How did you..."

A tall figure walked into the hall, and it was none other than Zhang Yan.

Lin Yuan's heart sank. Could the person who was killed really be Lin Tong?

Zhang Yan stood in the middle of the hall, his expression calm. He first bowed to everyone and then said, "I was talking with Brother Lin in my cave dwelling when a wicked servant came and said he wanted to apprehend me. Brother Lin was angry and argued with the servant. Unexpectedly, the servant tried to harm me, so Brother Lin took the jade ruler from the servant and put it in his pocket, saying he would return it to the owner later. But after the servant left, another ruler flew in and struck Brother Lin, causing his death."

He sighed, saying, "I have always admired Brother Lin's character. I never thought he would die at the hands of a villain. It is truly a pity."

Lin Yuan's expression was strange. He knew his cousin Lin Tong's personality, and most of what Zhang Yan said was not true. However, he could only tacitly accept Zhang Yan's version. Could he say that Lin Tong had seen the treasure and sought his own death?

After all, Lin Tong was his cousin. Even for the sake of his own face, he had to support Zhang Yan's story.

Thinking of this, he felt a bit uncomfortable.

"Are you Zhang Yan?" Du You had lost face twice and was now furious. He was called a "villain" by Zhang Yan, and his eyes turned red. He suddenly shouted, and two white lights shot out from his hands, heading straight for Zhang Yan.

Zhang Yan's eyes narrowed. Seeing the two rulers flying down, he waved his hand, and a green light shot out from his sleeve. In the air, there were two sharp sounds like metal breaking, and the two white jade rulers fell to the ground.

Lin Yuan was startled and exclaimed, "A spirit treasure?"

All the disciples were shocked. This was a spirit treasure with its own consciousness, far superior to Du You's magical treasures, which required hand seals to activate.

Today, Du You had used several magical treasures, which already impressed everyone. Now, Zhang Yan had a spirit treasure?

What is Zhang Yan's background?

Ai Zhongwen said this person was extraordinary. Could he really be a disciple deliberately hidden and cultivated by a noble family?

For a moment, everyone looked at Zhang Yan with complex expressions.

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