Chapter 2884 — The Questioning

"I see. But giving Wei Zhao a third-grade pill still sticks in my craw. Last time we only traded him a pill formula and it cost us so much..." Kang Jingming said with feigned regret. "How about this: we give him the pill openly, but secretly send men to take it back? That way the Young Sect Master loses no face, our Xuandan Sect suffers no loss, and my master gets his revenge!"

"What is this, Zhaoming? You think becoming my junior brother gives you the right to meddle in the affairs of the Xuandan Sect? Or are you scheming for my position?" Tianchan's gaze turned sharp and fierce as she watched Kang Jingming coldly, her voice dropping to an icy chill.

Beneath the cliffs of the Five Baleful Wilds, she had carried two third-grade Great Return Pills, and Wei Zhao had not secretly taken a single one. That Tianchan had now let Wei Zhao pass the trial was no more than what he deserved. How could she bring herself to rob him now?

"No... I..." Cold sweat broke out all over Kang Jingming at once. He realized he had indeed grown a little too pleased with himself, too eager for revenge, and had forgotten the strict rules of the Xuandan Sect. He might be Elder Ancestor Xuanchen's disciple, but how could that compare to Tiancan Bian?

"Elder Kang, I know you mean well for the Xuandan Sect—of course I do. But when our sect holds a trial and invites participants, we earn money and gain spirit herbs. Having reaped such benefits, if we then stooped to shady dealings behind the scenes, who would ever come to our trials again?" Tianchan's tone softened. "You may go for now. I will make the decision myself."

"Yes. Thank you for your understanding, Young Sect Master!" Kang Jingming wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said cautiously.

Kang Jingming withdrew from Tiancan Bian's room with care, his heart full of resentment. True, Wei Zhao had indeed obtained the trial's spirit herbs, but he had overrun the trial's time limit, and disqualifying him would have been perfectly normal—no one could have objected. So why would Tiancan Bian simply refuse?

At this thought, Kang Jingming resolved to go find Elder Ancestor Xuanchen again. Xuanchen loathed Wei Zhao; surely if Kang Jingming explained the reasoning, the Elder Ancestor would agree. Once Xuanchen spoke, Tiancan Bian would have no way out.

Arriving once more at the room where Elder Ancestor Xuanchen resided, Kang Jingming knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" asked Elder Ancestor Xuanchen.

"It is I, your disciple, Master!" Kang Jingming said cautiously.

"Kang Jingming? Why have you come back?" Hearing Kang Jingming's voice, Elder Ancestor Xuanchen was puzzled, wondering why he had returned after leaving.

"Master, there is a matter I wish to report to you. Do you have the time?" Kang Jingming stepped inside and asked, full of trepidation.

"Oh, out with it. You and I are master and disciple—if there is something to report, report it directly. No need to ask permission." Elder Ancestor Xuanchen waved a hand.

"Yes!" Kang Jingming nodded, startled and delighted at once. "It is like this: in this trial's results, Wei Zhao also passed. But I believe that since he came out last, he exceeded the twenty-day limit. Should we not disqualify him from the trial..."

"That matter you should raise with Young Sect Master Tiancan Bian, not with me. I may be your master, and Tiancan Bian's martial uncle, but I will not interfere in the affairs of another's sect," Elder Ancestor Xuanchen said with a wave of his hand. "For this, simply make the suggestion to Tiancan Bian directly. There is no need to seek my instructions."

"Master, I did seek instructions—but for some reason the Young Sect Master simply refused. With no other recourse, I came to you..." Kang Jingming gave a bitter smile. "Wei Zhao is our enemy. I was thinking of the sect's interests, but the Young Sect Master had his reasons too. He said..."

Kang Jingming did not dare sow discord; he simply told the truth, relaying Tiancan Bian's reasoning to Elder Ancestor Xuanchen.

"Oh, this matter. I will speak with him," said Elder Ancestor Xuanchen. Hearing Kang Jingming's explanation, he felt that though Tiancan Bian was acting for the reputation of the Xuandan Sect's trials, disqualifying Wei Zhao was also well founded—the man had after all overrun the trial's prescribed time.

"Master is wise. This matter—only you, Master, could raise it with the Young Sect Master," Kang Jingming said, overjoyed.

"Mm. Xiaotaohong!" Elder Ancestor Xuanchen then called out. A Heaven-Rank expert's voice need not be loud, yet its carrying power was immense; though Xiaotaohong was not at the door, she heard him all the same.

Xiaotaohong hurried over and asked cautiously, "Elder Ancestor Xuanchen, what do you need of Xiaotaohong?"

"Go and have Tiancan Bian come see me. I have a matter to discuss with him," Elder Ancestor Xuanchen instructed.

"Yes!" Xiaotaohong answered at once and turned to fetch Tiancan Bian.

Before long, Tianchan arrived at Elder Ancestor Xuanchen's room, and was somewhat surprised to see Kang Jingming there as well. She did not ask, however, only inquiring respectfully, "Martial Uncle, you sent for me. What is the matter?"

"It is like this: I had Kang Jingming go and ask you how Wei Zhao qualified as having passed the trial," said Elder Ancestor Xuanchen. He was no fool—he took all the responsibility upon himself and left Kang Jingming out of it entirely, saying only that he had sent Kang Jingming to inquire.

Tianchan was briefly taken aback that Elder Ancestor Xuanchen would personally look into this matter, but having long held high station, she swiftly thought of a countermeasure and explained unhurriedly, "Martial Uncle, Zhang Naipao, who returned together with Wei Zhao, also passed the trial. If Wei Zhao is disqualified, then Zhang Naipao's qualification must be revoked as well—and in that case, your side..."

"Oh? Zhang Naipao too!" Elder Ancestor Xuanchen said in sudden realization, nodding. "I understand. Tiancan Bian, you may go back. This matter is settled as it stands—they have all passed the trial."

"Very well, Martial Uncle." Tianchan nodded. "Then this disciple takes his leave."

"Mm, go about your business." Elder Ancestor Xuanchen said nothing further.

After Tiancan Bian had left, Kang Jingming was perplexed but did not dare to ask, only looking at Elder Ancestor Xuanchen with some bewilderment.

"Kang Jingming, the matter is not as simple as you imagine. Wei Zhao is nothing to worry about, but behind Zhang Naipao stands the Tomorrow Upon Tomorrow Sect. I will need to make use of them in the future; it is necessary to give them a few sweeteners at the proper time. To make an enemy of the Tomorrow Upon Tomorrow Sect over such trifles would cost far more than it gains," said Elder Ancestor Xuanchen.

"Yes! This disciple understands. This disciple thought too simply," said Kang Jingming, unwilling as he was.