Chapter 197 — True Wrath
The Sword Questions the Heavens · Page 4 of 7
The black-haired elder addressed as Senior Brother Yang turned back and said to Su Wan, "Junior Sister Su, very well, calm yourself first. Tell me plainly what this is all about. You are ordinarily a cautious and gentle person—how is it that today you have done what even Junior Brother Buhui might not dare to do?"
Su Wan's face remained cold, but the light of the immortal sword in her hand slowly dimmed a little, and it no longer gave forth that deep, uncanny roar. Those around her breathed a quiet sigh of relief; when Su Wan had stood there holding the immortal sword just now, such was her intimidating air that the ordinary Qingyun disciples had truly been trembling with fear.
Su Wan looked at Elder Yang, the corner of her mouth twitching, and said with a cold smile, "What Buhui dares not do, I may not necessarily shrink from. I want to see Dao Yan. Call him out."
The several elders exchanged glances for a moment. Elder Yang coughed and said, "Junior Sister Su, our senior brother the sect master has been in seclusion many days, and it is truly not convenient for him to come out. Better first tell us what it is that has angered you so—and besides, what has happened to Junior Brother Tian? Why is he not with you?"
Su Wan's willow brows drew together, her clear loveliness sharpened by three parts fierce wrath, and she said loudly, "Is it not that your Peak That Touches Heaven has taken him prisoner!"
At these words the faces of Elder Yang, Elder Fan, and every soul high and low on the Peak That Touches Heaven changed drastically. Elder Yang said urgently, "Junior Sister Su, you must on no account say such things! Junior Brother Tian is the head of the first of the seven branches of Qingyun; in our Canglan Sect, save for our senior brother the sect master, Dao Yan, it is he and Senior Brother Zeng Shuchang who command the greatest esteem. And besides, we are all disciples of one school—how could there ever be any such thing as taking him prisoner? Impossible!"
Su Wan gave a cold laugh and said with stern resolve, "Do not imagine we are ignorant of what has befallen Senior Brother Dao Yan. It is precisely because Buhui knew what was at stake that he braved great peril and went up the mountain to counsel him. Yet from that trip there has been no word to this day. If I do not come to you to demand him back, whom else should I seek?"
Elder Yang was taken aback. Elder Fan, who stood nearby, suddenly turned toward Xiao Yichen and said, "Nephew Xiao, has Senior Brother Tian Buhui of Dazhu Peak come to Jietian Peak in recent days?"
Xiao Yichen shook his head blankly and said, "No, he hasn't. This disciple has always been in charge of the affairs of Jietian Peak, but in these past few months, Uncle Tian has never sent word that he intended to come up to Jietian Peak."
Su Wan glanced at Elder Fan and said coldly, "And what do you suppose he came here to do? Send a calling card, pay his respects to the mountain, and wait politely for tea?"
Elder Fan's old face flushed red, and he said nothing. Elder Yang had already turned to Xiao Yichen and said, "Nephew Xiao, since that is the case, go at once to the Ancestral Hall behind the mountain and inquire of the Sect Master. If possible, it would be best to invite the old gentleman here, so that we may all speak face to face and everything will be made clear."
Xiao Yichen hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Very well, I will go at once." With that, he turned and strode quickly toward the rear hall, hurrying away.
After watching Xiao Yichen's figure disappear, Elder Yang turned back and said with a smile, "Junior Sister Su, I know full well how deep the bond is between you and your husband, and that worry can upset anyone's judgment. Still, charging into the Yuheng Hall so recklessly this time was somewhat excessive, was it not?"