Chapter 3662: Tang Chun‘s Small Gesture
In the Hidden Fog Sect, inner elders had the same status while the core elders were ranked. Not all core elders had the same status.
Tu Feng, the disciple who had come to the Hidden Fog Academy to extend an invitation to Duan Ling Tian join his master, was the disciple of the Hidden Fog Sect’s second core elder. The second core elder’s status in the sect was rather high even though he was not the strongest. There were many old core elders in the sect who were known as supreme elders as well, but they were not ranked.
“I understand,” Duan Ling Tian nodded and said with a smile, “Elder Tang Chun, in fact, there’s no need for you to explain this matter to me. I understand your situation. After all, from the sect’s point of view, I can’t compare to the Zhong clan.”
Upon hearing Duan Ling Tian’s humble words, Tang Chun shook his head and said knowingly, “Duan Ling Tian, you must be joking. I know the Zhong clan’s sudden change in att.i.tude earlier is definitely because of me. If I’m not mistaken, you must have a powerful supporter, right?”
In order to pacify Duan Ling Tian’s anger, Zhong Er, the Second Master of the Zhong clan, was even willing to kill his son. Even a tiger would not devour its cub. For Zhong Er to do something like that, he must be convinced that the consequences of angering Duan Ling Tian were not something the entire Zhong clan could bear. Otherwise, why would he resort to such a drastic measure?
Based on Duan Ling Tian’s cultivation base, it was clearly not enough to intimidate the Zhong clan. Hence, Tang Chun was certain that Duan Ling Tian had the support of someone strong enough to make the Zhong clan fear him.
Upon hearing these words, Duan Ling Tian only smiled but did not say anything else.
Tang Chun felt he must have guessed correctly after seeing Duan Ling Tian’s ambiguous reaction.
Previously, Tang Chun had a good impression of Duan Ling Tian, but he did not give Duan Ling Tian any special treatment. However, with this new discovery, he naturally did not dare to neglect Duan Ling Tian. How strong must Duan Ling Tian’s supporter be to be able to make Zhong Er kill his own son? He felt uneasy when he recalled his earlier actions that must have disappointed Duan Ling Tian.
Although Duan Ling Tian was polite to him, Tang Chun could keenly feel the sense of alienation from Duan Ling Tian. Hence, he tried his best to make up for his earlier mistakes. After all, there were only benefits to forging a good relations.h.i.+p with Duan Ling Tian.
Tang Chun said, “However, it seems like they were still determined to kill you even when they knew about your ident.i.ty. They must have cast a Formation that blocks communication. When they confirmed I was an advanced G.o.d, they must have planned to kill two of us. With the Formation, our deaths wouldn’t be traced back to them. However, when I revealed my true strength, they must have deactivated the Formation to call for help. That was when the Grand Elder of the Zhong clan, Zhong Tian Qing, sent me a message to ask me to show mercy by promising me benefits. Half of them should belong to you since I wouldn’t have gotten them without you.”
In other words, Tang Chun was trying to remind Duan Ling Tian that he was mostly alive because of him even if Duan Ling Tian had a powerful supporter. Then, he tried to make amends by offering to share the benefits he would obtain from Zhong Tian Qing with Duan Ling Tian.
Duan Ling Tian naturally understood Tang Chun’s meaning. He said with a smile, “I won’t forget Elder Tang Chun for saving my life. I’ll definitely return the favor in the future. However, there’s no need to give me half of what Zhong Tian Qing promised you. I believe the Zhong clan will prepare something valuable for me.”
Tang Chun no longer persisted once Duan Ling Tian refused him. After all, he was rather reluctant to part with Zhong Tian Qing’s promised reward as well. Although Duan Ling Tian was not as warm as before, at least Duan Ling Tian did not hold a grudge against him.
‘I’ll slowly mend our relations.h.i.+p after we return to the sect. It’s best not to push things too hard now…’ Tang Chun thought to himself. With that, he no longer said anything to Duan Ling Tian.
…
In the Zhong clan’s estate.
The Zhong clan was in chaos after Duan Ling Tian left Skywind City for the Hidden Fog Sect.
In the Zhong clan’s ancestral hall, Zhong Ke Qi’s corpse was placed on a small white bed. He was surrounded by Zhong Da, Zhong Er, Zhong San, and Zhong Si, the masters of the Zhong clan.
“Qi’er, the clan will never forget your sacrifice. Your selfless act will be recorded in the books. Our clan wouldn’t have been able to survive that disaster if it weren’t for you,” Zhong Da said in a low voice as he looked at Zhong Ke Qi. His voice echoed in the hall.
“Second brother, I’m sorry for your loss,” Zhong San said grimly as he patted Zhong Er’s shoulder in an attempt to comfort Zhong Er.
“Rest a.s.sured. I’m fine. Qi’er’s sacrifice isn’t in vain. He saved our clan,” Zhong Er said. His body trembled as he tried to suppress his emotions.
“Second brother,” Zhong Da said, “I’ve activated the Formations in the ancestral hall. No one will be able to hear anything in here no matter how big the commotion is. There’s no need for you to hold back. You can vent your emotions here.”
As soon as Zhong Da’s voice fell, the hem of Zhong Er’s robes fluttered as Divine Energy surged violently from his body.
The furniture in the hall shook violently as the Divine Energy raged in the hall.
Then, Zhong Er fell next to Zhong Ke Qi’s body. His eyes flashed with killing intent as he cried out, “Qi’er, I’m sorry I can’t avenge you! I’m useless!”
Zhong Er continued to cry until his voice turned hoa.r.s.e. When he finally calmed down, he said with a smile, “Eldest brother, don’t worry. I’m fine now.”
“That’s good.” Zhong Da patted Zhong Er’s shoulder and nodded. “We believe Qi’er understands you. If Qi’er had a choice, I believe he would sacrifice himself to save our clan as well.”
Zhong Er suppressed the bitterness that rose in his heart when he heard these words. No one knew his son better than him. Zhong Ke Qi would never sacrifice himself for the clan’s sake. Given a chance, Zhong Ke Qi would definitely choose to save himself. This was the reason he had decisively killed his son. He was afraid he would be soft-hearted and unwilling to act if his son had a chance to plead for his life.
“Eldest brother, I’m fine. The loss of a son can be replaced with another. However, it’ll be the end if the clan is wiped out,” Zhong Er said as he forced a smile on his face, “Anyway, Duan Ling Tian is clearly extorting our clan. What kind of gift should we prepare for him?”
Zhong Er’s expression darkened briefly before it returned to normal.
Zhong Da sighed. “It’d be easier if he had told us what he wanted. I’ve spoken to the Grand Elder before coming to the ancestral hall. He said to give Duan Ling Tian half of the divine stones, divine artifacts, divine pills, divine fruits, and divine gra.s.s we have. He’s aware of what happened in the Zhou clan’s auction house and suspects Duan Ling Tian is from an emperor-rank force.”
The brothers were reluctant to give Duan Ling Tian half of everything the clan owned but changed their minds immediately when they heard Duan Ling Tian was likely from an emperor-rank force. Losing material possessions was nothing compared to losing their lives.
“Eldest brother, I have no objection to that,” Zhong San was the first to say.
“Me too.” Zhong Si nodded.
“I trust the Grand Elder’s judgment,” Zhong Er said.
“Second brother, the Grand Elder told me to inform you that he’ll be investigating Duan Ling Tian’s background after Duan Ling Tian joins the Hidden Fog Sect. There’s nothing we can do if he’s really from an emperor-rank force. However, if that’s not the case, the Grand Elder will get back what’s rightfully ours!” Zhong Da said.
Zhong Er’s eyes glinted as he said icily, “If he’s not from a powerful force, I’ll personally crush his bones and tear him into pieces!”