The compartment that Zhao Qi was in rippled like the surface of the water when Yang Qing placed his hand on it as it cleanly opened up a pathway for him to pass through.

Zhao Qi who was busy admiring the subtleties of the compartment was surprised when it suddenly opened but calmed down once he saw it was Yang Qing.

“Sorry to keep you waiting cultivator Zhao Qi, there was something your sect master had to say and he couldn’t say it in front of others. What about you?” Yang Qing asked as he gave a polite smile.

“What about me what?” Zhao Qi asked with a puzzled expression.

“Do you have anything you want to say that you wouldn’t want to say in front of others? The Order ensures anonymity except in situations where it impedes the judgment of the case. So Zhao Qi do you have anything you want to share that you wouldn’t feel comfortable saying in front of your sect master?” asked Yang Qing.

Zhao Qi had a nigh imperceptible freeze in his pupils before they went back to normal as he let out a chuckle marred by pity, sadness, and a little anger.

“I don’t have much to tell though. I’m just a normal cultivator who got betrayed by a sect he thought was his home just because he wanted to ensure his cultivation journey ahead was a long smooth one.

Bit ironic isn’t it that the real reason I even insisted on sturdying up my foundations was so I could help shoulder the burden of the sect.

The sect master, the other elders and the senior core disciples may try to hide it but we can tell the sect isn’t in a good place with disciples being forbidden to leave the sect grounds, the constant joint combat training that have gotten too intense to just be a normal training.

It isn’t hard to guess that something is afoot and the only way someone like me can make a difference is by atleast making sure I’m not a burden and a sturdy foundation is the best and quickest way of ensuring that.

I was acting in my and the sect’s best interest but alas here I am. A core disciple whose on sect threw to the merchants as a piece of collateral to pay off a debt that the sect can clear at any time.

I wouldn’t have minded if they told me to work for it but the manner in which they did it….” Zhao Qi clenched his fists in anger as he quickly shook his head and a sense of defeated calmness filled his body.

Yang Qing stood silently as he waited for Zhao Qi to collect himself. Seeing Zhao Qi’s current mental state was one of the reasons he suggested to the sect master of the Yellow lotus sect, Han Qingling to disclose the truth of the matter to both Zhao Qi and Liu Yun.

The severe blow Zhao Qi experienced during the whole farce was not light in any way. From being a prized disciple to being treated as a scourge and worst of all his decision, the root of all this was done because he had been trying to find a way he could contribute to the sect.

Such a severe mental blow would leave an impact. In the worst case it may turn into a mental demon that may harm Zhao Qi’s cultivation journey no matter how firm his foundations were. If it really did happen then the Yellow lotus sect would be guilty of destroying one of their talented disciples with their own hands despite the well meaning intentions.

But if Zhao Qi did manage to overcome the hurdle his mental fortitude would grow and be sturdier thus making his journey ahead even smoother.

However, no matter how good or bad it would potentially turn out should things stand as they were, that betrayal would forever guide his decision-making even if he managed to overcome it.

….

“Is there anything else you want to add on or should I take what you said as your final and only statement?” Yang Qing asked.

“You can take that as my only statement. Coming here I didn’t expect to have any say on how this matter plays out. I’m just a foundation establishment pawn caught between two organizations out of my league.

I do feel sorry for the owner of the Mountain spring pavilion though. He treated me kindly when we first met despite him being ambushed by the elder saying I was the repayment for the debt.

Maybe being accepted by the Mountain spring pavilion in exchange for the debt being considered repaid in full wouldn’t be such a bad thing. It can’t be worse than where I am at with the sect,” Zhao Qi said as he sighed to himself.

“Things may not be bleak as you think Zhao Qi,” Yang Qing gently said. Zhao Qi only offered a polite smile in return thinking Yang Qing only said that to comfort him.

“Seems like he is here,” Yang Qing muttered to himself as his eyes twinkled.

Zhao Qi who was wallowing in self-pity suddenly shook almost as if he had heard something terrifying as his gaze shifted behind Yang Qing where another figure walked in.

The figure had on a black robe, was short and slender with silver hair tied in a half bun and matching sharp piercing silver eyes. He had a stern and calm-looking face. He calmly walked in with his hands behind his back and his eyes pinned on Zhao Qi whose skin had grown visibly paler since his appearance.

“Ol….I mean Supervisor Lei Weiyuan you’re here,” Yang Qing cupped his fists in greeting as a tiny bead of sweat trickled down from his head.

Lei Weiyuan ignored pretending he didn’t notice what Yang Qing almost called him as he stopped a few feet away from Zhao Qi.

“So are you going to come out fellow daoist or should I force you out? I would much prefer the former because from your connection to the boy it does not seem like you bare him any ill intent,” Lei Weiyuan calmly said.

“How..?” Zhao Qi stammered on hearing Leo Weiyuan’s statement. He walked backward in fear before he tripped and fell. 𝗼𝐯𝐞𝐥．𝐜𝐨𝗺

“Seems like I was too na?ve in thinking I could hide and go unnoticed beneath the gaze of the Order. Who would have expected that I would be in front of a palace stage kid with such monstrous foundations? I don’t think our legacy disciples reached that extent.

The continent doesn’t know the sleeping dragon they created when they decided to establish the Order.

I’m coming out,” A tired ancient-sounding voice sounded within the compartment before a grey fog was produced from Zhao Qi’s body that congealed together to form a grey translucent image of a medium-height and slender built old man.

His features got clearer and more defined with each second. With the last fog produced the old man’s figure finally stabilized into a ghostly white figure except he looked more lifelike so much so that it looked like if one tried to touch him they would be able to.

The old man had a free-flowing hair that reached his back and a long smooth beard that reached his chest and was tied into a small braid at the bottom. His hands and eyes were crystal colored as they reflected light every now and then.

His gaze turned in Zhao Qi’s direction who had a look of guilt as he stared at the old man.

“Grandpa Chao because of me…”

“Don’t worry too much about it child. What’s done is done. The situation couldn’t be avoided. When I agreed you come I came knowing full well that there was a chance that I would be discovered. Coming and dealing with the matter here was better than the alternative,” the elder gently said as he looked at Zhao Qi with the gaze one would give their grandchild.

The old man sighed as he turned to face Lei Weiyuan and Yang Qing. His gaze paused on Yang Qing briefly before it settled on Lei Weiyuan.

“Seeing judge Yang Qing here and the rest of his colleagues I can’t help but feel the Order has already approached the ranks of a Holy land.

That young lady Su Jinjing despite being at the core formation stage kept looking at Zhao Qi funny almost as if she felt something was off.

The young will soon surpass the old. If only…” his thoughts trailed off as a melancholic look showed on his face.

“That they will though there are some who need constant and firm pushes to get them there more than others,” Lei Weiyuan said as he threw a meaningful glance at Yang Qing who flinched instantly upon noticing the look Lei Weiyuan was giving him.

The old man lightly smiled on seeing their interaction.

“Might I ask for the fellow daoist’s name? My name is Lei Weiyuan and I’m a supervisor in the courts of the Order.” Lei Weiyuan asked. Though from the crystal-like hands and eyes he had an idea behind the old man’s identity.

“My name is Deng Chao though it’s been centuries since anyone called me by that name,” Deng Chao said with a tired sigh.