Chapter 7
News of Liang Chen's victory against Fan Wuyi spread like wildfire.
And like wildfire, it didn't take long before it spread to every nook and cranny of the sect.
It reached the ears of the outer sect's seniors before the sun had even set.
It reached the ears of the inner sect by the time the moon came to replace the sun on its shift.
And by the time most were retiring into bed, when the stars came out in their full force. The elders, deep in meditation in the mountains, had been informed.
Liang Chen knew that it was only a matter of time before he would be summoned, all he had to do now was to wait patiently.
The next morning, sect activities resumed as usual. Then a deep, clear voice broke the monotony of the day's activities.
"Outer Disciple Liang Chen. You are summoned to the Pavillion of Justice"
The outer sect disciples froze. And soon, more whispers began to spread through them.
"He's been summoned…"
"Fan Meng's going to have his head."
"Shit, I liked that kid."
"Maybe he'll be exiled to the wastes"
But Liang Chen didn't care. He wasn't fazed.
He wrapped the last bandage around his arm and pulled on a green outer robe. He adjusted the sheath of his new spirit saber, Whispering Gale, which he had gotten from defeating Fan Wuyi.
The Whispering Gale had changed form in Liang Chen's hands. It was a single-edged sword. The blade was slightly curved. The blade was about the same length as a longsword. It had a rectangular guard, a detailed grip inlaid with jade, and a spherical pommel.
When unsheathed an aura of wind surrounded it.
Another thing he had gained from defeating Fan Wuyi was a system ability called:
[The All-Knowing Eye: Passive System Trait Unlocked]
A divine sensory matrix fused into your soul.
All hostile, hidden, or subtle reactions within your sensory radius are automatically logged and interpreted.
The truth is not always spoken, but it is always shown.
Tier: Evolving
Current Rank: Mortal Insight
Functions Active:
— [Social Pulse Detection]
— [Intent Analysis]
— [Fluctuation Reading]
At first, he didn't understand what it meant.
That had changed the previous day.
He'd been limping to the supply hall. His arm still burned from where Fan Wuyi's dagger had carved it open. He wanted something simple, maybe fresh gauze, maybe some low-grade ointment that would at least sooth his pain .
But the moment he stepped inside…
[The atmosphere of the room has changed]
[Three disciples glance at you.]
[Huang Shi recognizes you. Social Pulse: Jealousy + Suspicion. Qi Flicker Detected.]
[Zhou Min sees your bandages. Social Pulse: Sympathy. Minor Intent: Offer assistance.]
[Lan Ke lowers his gaze. Hidden Pulse: Fear.]
Huang Shi stepped forward, smiling like nothing was wrong. His voice was bright, teeth gleaming, hands behind his back.
"Liang Chen! Word is you sent Fan Wuyi home crying. Didn't know you had it in you."
[False Praise Detected.]
[Intent Analysis: Probing. Planning confrontation within 3 days.]
[Microexpression: Tight jaw. Resentment stored in the lower gut.]
Liang smiled back.
"I didn't know either," he said flatly. "Want me to show you next?"
Huang Shi's grin faltered. His aura stuttered. He bowed slightly and backed away.
[Threat registered. Intent neutralized… for now.]
That was the moment Liang understood:
The All-Knowing Eye didn't just let him read people.
It made him unreadable.
He tugged his green outer robe over his shoulders and stepped out into the sunlight, which was already too bright for this kind of day.
Disciples stopped talking the moment he passed by.
[Yao Zhi avoids eye contact. Emotion: Envy.]
[Lu Yan whispers to friend. Pulse: Mockery layered over fear.]
Liang Chen walked calmly, his gaze was forward, his expression unreadable.
The Pavillion of Justice loomed ahead, a place where the elders would soon decide his fate. But he wasn't scared.
The Pavillion of Justice was a giant stone mausoleum. The stone was weathered and ancient. The mausoleum was also built with black-wood, giving it that ancient feel.
Two massive doors parted as Liang Chen approached.
And he stepped inside.
The vast chamber was shaped like a crescent moon. The floors were made of light blue marble. At the top, the roof was shaped like a cathedral, with stained glass depicting tapestries gleaming in the sunlight.
At the center of it all was the elevated dais.
Five elders sat in a semi-circle. Their auras were dense enough to suffocate lesser disciples.
And in the center of them stood Fan Meng.
The Law Enforcement Elder.
He was a man in his early fifties. He had dark greying hair with deep blue eyes that looked like they'd seen too much in one lifetime. He was dressed in dark green robes with golden vine embroidery.
The moment Liang stepped into the hall, Fan Meng's spiritual pressure descended like a boulder, pressing down hard, threatening to crush bones and organs alike.
Liang staggered for half a step, then straightened. He raised his chin and met the elder's burning eyes.
[Fan Meng's Killing Intent Detected.]
[Surface Emotion: Controlled Rage]
[Hidden Pulse: Grief, Denial, Shame]
[Intent Analysis: Seeking justification to punish you.]
He bowed.
"Outer Disciple Liang Chen greets the Pavilion of Justice."
Fan Meng scoffed immediately. "Spare the courtesies. We're not here to exchange pleasantries." His voice was filled with venomous intent. "You crippled my son. My only heir. He lies comatose in the infirmary with a severed arm and a ruined meridian!"
Another elder raised a palm. It was Elder Huo. A lean sharp nosed cultivator in red robes. "Elder Fan. Let the boy speak. You've made your accusation. Let's now hear the response."
[Elder Huo is interested in whatever you have to say]
[The other elders nod in agreement]
Liang Chen nodded once.
"Elder Fan is right about one thing. I did cripple Fan Wuyi," he said, voice even, unwavering. "And I do not regret it."
[Shock registered from Elder Huo.]
[Elder Bai's pulse flared. Emotion: Approval.]
"I acted in defense of another disciple, Elder. Jia Zhelan was assaulted in broad daylight. Stripped, humiliated, nearly—" He paused for dramatic effect. "—violated. And no one moved. No one helped. Not until I stepped in."
Fan Meng snarled. "You expect us to believe…?"
"I have witnesses." Liang's voice cut clean. "Over fifty outer sect disciples were there. Jia Zhelan herself. She bears the marks. She'll testify. And if that isn't enough—"
He reached into his robes and produced a jade talisman. It glowed softly with faint golden runes.
"A recording talisman," he said. "Borrowed from Elder Duan's lesson hall. It captured everything."
[The Elders silently commend your ingenuity]
Elder Huo accepted the talisman, waved a few fingers, and played back the image.
Fan Wuyi's voice blared.
"Let me remind you what happens to women who forget their place!"
Gasps echoed throughout the elders.
"You'll learn obedience the hard way."
Then the recording showed the humiliation. The assault.
And finally, Liang's arrival. His demand. The fight. The final slap.
The hall went completely silent.
[Fan Meng flinches. Microreaction: He didn't know.]
[Pulse Analysis: Rage now laced with confusion.]
[Elder Qiao Yun's expression hardens. Social Pulse: Displeasure.]
[Elder Ling Wu glances sideways at Fan Meng. Emotion: Doubt forming.]
"…it seems the truth is undeniable," said Elder Lei, the solemn-faced woman with her eyes closed, yet who always saw the most. "Liang Chen's actions, though violent, were not unprovoked. He protected a fellow disciple from grave harm."
Elder Yun nodded. "And it's not the first incident," he said, narrowing his gaze at Fan Meng. "Fan Wuyi was reported last month for assaulting three junior disciples. And yet those reports mysteriously vanished."
Fan Meng's face went pale.
"Do you deny it?" Elder Lei asked coldly.
"…No," Fan Meng ground out. "My son acted in disgrace. Liang Chen acted within reason."
Liang blinked. That was easier than expected.
"Then we are in agreement," said the Grand Elder, Tie Xuan, rising from his seat. "Liang Chen is pardoned. His actions do not violate sect law. Fan Wuyi will be removed from his position in the Sect Guard and placed under discipline."
The decree struck through the air like lightning.
Liang exhaled. Just a little. But then something unexpected happened.
"Liang Chen," Elder Lei added, standing. "For your righteous actions, your resolve under pressure, and your defense of the weak… we offer you something rare."
"A recommendation for Inner Sect transfer consideration."
Liang froze.
The Inner Sect?
Fan Meng's teeth gnashed together. "You'd promote him for assaulting my son…?"
Elder Huo smiled. "We'd promote him for reminding us what a real cultivator looks like."
And with that, the meeting was adjourned.