Chapter Thirteen: Old Grievances

After the grand entrance ceremony to the Danxia Sect, Qi Fei’s name and his status as an outer courtyard herb-gathering boy swiftly spread throughout the sect. The matter of the Gathering Yuan Pill was known only to Qi Fei, the Sect Master, and the elders. Thus, all sorts of rumors began circulating within Danxia Sect.

Hearing these incredible tales, some disciples scoffed, others were amazed, and still others dismissed them outright. When word reached the outer courtyard that Qi Fei, a mere herb boy, had cultivated true martial energy and become a disciple under Elder Mo, it caused a tremendous stir.

The outer courtyard, set far from the sect’s main grounds in a secluded mountain valley, was home to those youths of ordinary talent, who, unable to gain the sect’s favor, survived by doing menial labor. Herb-gatherers and alchemy apprentices were nothing more than servants at the beck and call of the sect’s disciples. To these outer courtyard youths, the status of an inner disciple was powerfully alluring.

No one had ever entered the sect as an inner disciple from the outer courtyard before. Now, after half a year, Qi Fei returned to Cangyun Mountain, not only as a disciple under an elder, but having prompted the Sect Master and Grand Elder to break precedent and hold a grand entrance ceremony for him. Amid admiration and envy, the outer courtyard disciples privately speculated what fortune Qi Fei had encountered during those six months.

Everyone had their own thoughts. When Ma Deyuan, an outer courtyard disciple, heard the news, he was deeply troubled.

Ma Deyuan was the cousin of Ma Zhong, the outer courtyard steward. He had joined the outer courtyard over twenty years ago, and, relying on his cousin’s influence, bullied and exploited the other disciples, infamous for his misdeeds.

Last night, Ma Zhong was summoned by the Sect Master, who inquired whether a youth named Qi Fei resided in the outer courtyard. Ma Deyuan had not expected that this herb boy would now become an elder’s disciple. With a guilty conscience, he wracked his brain, trying to recall whether he had ever made trouble for Qi Fei.

Although Ma Zhong held authority in the outer courtyard, he was no match for the inner disciples, who possessed powerful martial skills. Now that this youth had gained such favor from the Sect Master, Ma Deyuan knew he could not afford to offend him. Ruthless as he was, Ma Deyuan could not remember every youth he’d wronged, especially one who had left the sect for over half a year. If he had offended Qi Fei before, he resolved to offer compensation and hope to avert disaster.

After Qi Fei became a disciple, Master Mo Zhanpeng led him to the courtyard where his disciples trained.

Mo Zhanpeng beckoned to a plain-faced, honest-looking young man in white. “Yifan, this is Qi Fei, my new disciple. You must have seen him in the main hall today. Qi Fei, this is your senior brother Jiang Yifan. Before you awaken your Martial Soul, Jiang will teach you the sect’s martial arts method, 'Qi Absorption Technique.'”

Mo Zhanpeng handed Qi Fei a thin manual of the 'Qi Absorption Technique.' After encouraging him, he left Qi Fei in Jiang Yifan’s care and departed hurriedly.

As soon as Mo Zhanpeng left, Qi Fei tucked the manual into his robes. Immediately, a dozen young disciples gathered around him, excitedly peppering him with questions about his entry into the sect.

Qi Fei, overwhelmed, could only shake his head and smile wryly. “The ten great sect rules are still fresh in my mind. The Sect Master has ordered me not to speak of last night’s events. I hope you all understand.”

Seeing Qi Fei invoke the Sect Master’s name, the youths lost interest and dispersed with dissatisfaction.

Jiang Yifan shook his head and said, “Don’t take it amiss, Qi. Many of these disciples only joined Master recently; they’re new to martial training and unsettled. Last night’s upheaval and today’s ceremony were sudden, so suspicion is natural. If the Sect Master hadn’t ordered you to keep silent, even I’d want to ask about the details.”

Qi Fei looked troubled. “If you wish anything of me, I will obey, but last night’s matter is truly difficult…”

Jiang Yifan waved his hand. “No matter. I was only making conversation. Besides, being an inner disciple is very different from the outer courtyard; you don’t need to be so reserved with your peers. Master is strict and intolerant of wrongdoing; if you remain overly humble, you’ll only displease him.”

Jiang Yifan’s words struck Qi Fei. He realized he had been too cautious. For an outer courtyard boy to suddenly become an inner disciple, it would be strange not to show some emotion. Acting too composed could attract suspicion. Suddenly, Qi Fei recalled Sect Master Zhao Jin’an’s weary look that morning and shuddered; perhaps his calm demeanor had already aroused the Sect Master’s doubts.

Qi Fei berated himself for his carelessness. If the Sect Master sensed he had hidden treasures besides the Gathering Yuan Pill, it would bring endless trouble.

His thoughts raced, and soon he devised a plan. Besides honoring the dying words of Blood Shadow True Lord, Qi Fei had an old grievance to settle in Danxia Sect.

He had intended to wait until his cultivation was stronger to secretly kill the villain. Now, seeing the Sect Master’s suspicions, Qi Fei resolved to take a risk and deal with the traitor personally. If handled well, he could not only settle his old scores but also, by committing a grave offense against the sect rules, divert suspicion from the Sect Master and elders.

With this in mind, Qi Fei’s expression turned grim and resentful. He said bitterly, “Senior brother, you don’t know how much oppression I and my companions suffered in the outer courtyard these years. Though I’ve entered the sect, I still worry I’ll encounter the same ruthless, unreasonable people here.”

Jiang Yifan frowned. “Is that so? Who was causing trouble in the outer courtyard? You should let Master handle it for you. Even if it’s Ma Zhong, the steward, Master will see justice done.”

Recalling his past hatred, Qi Fei’s face twisted with rage. “His name is Ma Deyuan, cousin to Ma Zhong, the steward. For years, he exploited the outer courtyard disciples, notorious for his wickedness. The small stipend we earned each month was extorted by him, and we called him 'King Ma of Hell' behind his back. Once, a friend who wandered with me and was lucky enough to be taken in by the sect reported Ma Deyuan’s evil to a senior disciple during herb gathering. But Ma Deyuan found out, bribed his way out, and my friend had his arms broken and died in pain days later. After that, no one dared report him again.”

Jiang Yifan’s face darkened with fury. “Outrageous! Come, I’ll take you to Master; he will make things right.”

In a refined bamboo pavilion, Jiang Yifan brought Qi Fei before Mo Zhanpeng. Qi Fei recounted Ma Deyuan’s misdeeds over the years.

Mo Zhanpeng, fiery and intolerant of evil, smashed the tea table in anger. “I’ve heard rumors of chaos in the outer courtyard, but to think such brazen villainy has occurred, besmirching Danxia Sect’s name. No wonder other sects like Xuanzhen Temple and Seven Absolute Gate are thriving, while our younger disciples dwindle. This is the root cause. We are a righteous sect, yet such absurdity exists in our own courtyard. I will report this to the Sect Master and Grand Elder and see that villain punished severely.”

Mo Zhanpeng was about to leave, but Qi Fei stopped him. “Master, please wait. You taught me that only those with steadfast resolve can awaken their Martial Soul. I beg you to let me handle this villain myself.”

Seeing Qi Fei’s determined expression, Mo Zhanpeng considered briefly, then took a token from his robes and handed it to Qi Fei.

“Take my token, and together with Jiang Yifan, capture the villain. The Sect Master and Grand Elder have not yet given orders, so remember—not to harm his life for now.”

Qi Fei accepted the token with both hands, and a wave of murderous intent surged within him; a fierce light flashed in his lowered eyes.