Chapter 95: The Catastrophe Drifting East

Jiao Yihan said, "Young friend, forgive my nosy question: how did you connect the Dragon Sacrifice Pond massacre with the Shangyu Chamber of Commerce affair? In my opinion, there is no connection between the two."

Liu Junhuai smiled and replied, "Allow me to explain to the senior. That very night, while standing outside the Shangyu Chamber of Commerce, I witnessed the black-robed figures arriving. I immediately concealed myself. I possess a cultivation technique that enables me to detect the auras of practitioners. Having met you once, even after decades of separation, I could still recognize you should our paths cross again. Recently, I visited the site of the Dragon Sacrifice Pond incident, where traces of many black-robed individuals lingered."

Jiao Yihan lowered his head and pondered for a long time before speaking. "Then I must ask the young friend to meet with the leader of my sect. He should hear the full account directly. This matter spans too wide a scope, and I truly cannot resolve it on my own."

Liu Junhuai thought to himself that this would indeed prove troublesome for the man, and it spared him from exposing his true intentions.

He then put on an expression of reluctance and said, "I trust the senior will understand. The young one harbors no interest whatsoever in the black-robed figures. I assume the senior is the master of Wu Shu. My boldness in seeking an audience stems from my desire to avoid entangling the sect with Yun Jizi over that affair. Wu Shu would face punishment within the Tianji Sect. As for the Shen Family matter, I must attend to it. To avenge my mother's killer, every obstruction must be eliminated. Should innocent lives among your sect be lost in the process, I accept full responsibility. This is merely a warning to the senior. My own master has strictly forbidden me from involving myself in the affairs of other schools and has particularly warned me against touching upon the Dragon Sacrifice Pond and Shangyu Chamber of Commerce incidents. Therefore, I will not disturb the sect leader of your honorable school, lest I incur his displeasure."

Jiao Yihan inquired, "May I ask from which lineage your sect derives?"

Liu Junhuai answered with guarded caution, "My master has decreed that nothing concerning the sect may be disclosed. I beg the senior's forgiveness."

Jiao Yihan grew anxious within. He knew Ye Qili's involvement had already leaked. The Tianji Sect might soon face annihilation. He could report the matter to the leader without harm, yet any inaccuracy would be catastrophic. He would insist on bringing Liu Junhuai before the sect head, allowing him to clear his own name and enabling the school to prepare countermeasures at once.

Liu Junhuai noticed Jiao Yihan still wrestling with his thoughts and subtly signaled Wu Wanren.

Wu Wanren conveyed inwardly, "Junhuai, for your sake I, your uncle Wu, have run myself ragged. The Tianji Sect now confronts a grave crisis, and as a member I must contribute my share. I believe you should simply travel there. A few words will suffice to clarify with the leader, and you will remain untouched."

Liu Junhuai replied with genuine reluctance, "Uncle Wu, I truly cannot consent. Leaking this information would implicate my own sect, and that is no trifling matter. Should my master deem any threat to the school to be occurring, every informant would be eradicated. Not just me, but all who know."

He leaned close and whispered into Wu Wanren's ear, "Uncle Wu, observe the late-stage Nascent Soul behind me. He is my personal guard. Within my own sect he ranks only at the middle level of power."

Jiao Yihan had clearly heard the final words and cast a fleeting glance toward Fang Keshan standing behind Liu Junhuai. His heart chilled. The Tianji Sect's foremost expert was the leader himself, who had only recently advanced to early Nascent Soul. This bodyguard of Liu Junhuai, already at late Nascent Soul and yet merely middle-ranked in his home sect, could not be provoked.

Jiao Yihan did not entirely trust the claim, yet the prolonged silence of the others, coupled with their evident respect for Liu Junhuai, struck him as genuine.

Wu Wanren said expectantly, "Junhuai, would this arrangement work? I will first consult my master regarding a method to maintain secrecy, then we may discuss further details. Use the interval to consider your conditions."

Liu Junhuai hesitated briefly, reflecting for a moment. "Uncle Wu, you should speak with my master first. To speak plainly, I truly wish to assist you, yet I face difficulties of my own." Having finished, he instructed Wu Shaoyuan to lower the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle and return to solid ground at the foot of a mountain.

Observing Wu Wanren escorting his own master out of the vessel, Fang Keshan smiled to himself. He then cast a barrier with a casual wave and said, "Junhuai, you handled that perfectly. It is wise never to appear before the Tianji Sect leader lightly. Take advantage of the moment to set conditions and reduce the risk of exposure."

Liu Junhuai chuckled. "In the end, the Tianji Sect leader heads an entire school. How could we possibly summon him to us? It seems we must still visit the Tianji Sect."

Bian Yanshan added, "Junhuai, ensure this performance is convincing. Let them understand you wish to avoid the mire. Alliance with other sects is their affair. To them you should merely appear to confirm the existence of the matter on your uncle Wu's behalf. Nothing more. The journey to the Tianji Sect will happen regardless."

Wu Yaohan concurred, "Once the Tianji Sect accepts your account, forging alliances becomes inevitable. The more allies you gain, the safer you become. The flaw in your earlier promise lies in your handling of Cheng Kelai within the Shen Family. How will you interrogate him, and on what pretext? Public accusation of the Dragon Sacrifice Pond affair would be unwise."

Fang Keshan nodded. "Precisely. This would invite suspicion of drawing attention to ourselves. Our true aim is concealment. Your elder brother spoke of the Diverting Calamity Eastward technique—that is the crux."

Wu Yaohan interjected, "Should the Tianji Sect leader question why your presence was recorded at both the Dragon Sacrifice Pond and the Shangyu Chamber of Commerce, how will you respond?"

Liu Junhuai smiled. "Can the elders each speak in turn? My head feels as though it has been split by your clamor. Fear not; I have means to deal with Cheng Kelai. Having my silhouette at both scenes would actually strengthen my explanation. The Dragon Sacrifice Pond was mere passage, while the Shangyu Chamber of Commerce was for an auction. These are facts, nothing to conceal. What troubles them now is having you present. With your presence, they dare not silence witnesses."

Bian Yanshan laughed. "Junhuai is correct. They are consumed by urgency and have no patience for such trivialities."

As they conversed, Wu Wanren and his master concluded their discussion and began walking back. Fang Keshan lowered the barrier.

Upon re-entering the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle, Jiao Yihan said, "Young friend, does this solution suffice? It would still burden you to journey to the Tianji Sect and meet the leader. Let the rendezvous occur at Wanren's residence, so few will observe you. When facing the leader, the young friend need only repeat the conversation we have just held. Matters of the Tianji Sect's subsequent arrangements concern you alone. Even if they seek alliances with other schools, they must not implicate you."

Liu Junhuai feigned reluctance. "This differs in no way from our previous exchange! I fear only that my sect learns of the matter. Such a plan benefits neither me nor the Tianji Sect. Moreover, how can I be certain it will not draw me in?"

In truth, Jiao Yihan recognized that he and his disciple had produced no new solution beyond prior discussions. They could not summon the leader before the matter was secured. It would be unwise to proceed, and should the matter prove less grave than feared, explanations would be impossible.

Jiao Yihan's anxiety mounted, his gaze repeatedly drifting toward Wu Wanren.

Wu Wanren sensed the moment was nearly upon him and turned to Liu Junhuai. "Junhuai, you must help your uncle Wu in this. Worst case, my master and I may swear an oath upon the Heavenly Dao to ease your concerns."

Liu Junhuai sighed deeply. "Uncle Wu, words have reached this point. Further refusal would seem unfeeling. Shall we proceed thus? I will accompany you to meet the leader, but you must swear that our movements remain undetected, especially by Yun Jizi. The meeting with the leader shall include only the senior and myself—no third person. Exclude Wu Shu entirely. More than that, and I will not attend. Oaths are unnecessary; I trust the senior and your uncle. I merely fear excessive eyes and ears."

Jiao Yihan finally heard Liu Junhuai's agreement and released a breath he had been holding. "Young friend, let Wanren accompany you until nightfall before departure. I must return at once to prepare."

With that, he rose, bowed to Fang Keshan and the others, and took his leave.

Liu Junhuai turned to Wu Wanren. "Uncle Wu, this matter carries immense weight. Would excluding you from the arrangement cause offense? Our caution exists solely for safety. Even our greatest strength cannot oppose the entire cultivation world. Likewise, those black-robed figures dare not war against the whole realm. Thus my Diverting Calamity Eastward serves to thrust these associated schools into the forefront, allowing me to challenge the hidden powers while shielding our own lives."

Wu Wanren spoke with emotion, "Junhuai, cease these words. I know you act for my sake. In fact, even without my involvement, my uncle Wu has performed a great service to the Tianji Sect. My master just informed me that the leader has long borne resentment toward Yun Jizi. The vanishing of Mpomza and Atai's party first aroused his suspicion. Yun Jizi had been inseparable from those individuals prior to their disappearance. Moreover, Atai was suspected of colluding with a senior elder of the Tianji Sect to sabotage activities during the leader's advancement to Nascent Soul. Consequently, the leader held a grudge against Yun Jizi for a long time. Now the entire sect believes the leader to be implicated in the disappearances."

Fang Keshan listened with puzzlement. Why would Liu Junhuai suddenly speak of vanished people?

Liu Junhuai noticed the query in his eyes and recounted the events leading to the slaying of Atai and his companions, leaving the others stunned.

Bian Yanshan smiled. "I knew your strength within your own level was unmatched, yet I never imagined you could slay across realms. Now that you stand at Golden Core, may you dispatch Nascent Soul cultivators?"

Fang Keshan declared, "Without question. He captured a mid-stage Golden Core upon first entering Juechen Palace, when he was only late-stage Core Formation."

Wu Yaohan laughed. "This youth is a monster. When I met him, he was still Qi Condensation ninth layer. In less than two years, who would predict such monstrous talent?"

Liu Junhuai scratched his scalp. "We speak of grave matters, yet you drag me into every tale. A pack of idle old men!"

Laughter rang out, bright and unrestrained.