The Lay Flat Life: My Wife's Cultivation Makes Me Stronger - Chapter 95

Three days passed in a flash, and no one came to assassinate Han Feng.

According to rumors, the Ye family had been embroiled in heated internal disputes during those three days. They held endless discussions and sent numerous elders to other families and sect elders, bearing lavish gifts in hopes of persuading them to speak favorably on their behalf.

Finally, the day of the trial arrived. At dawn, countless disciples and elders gathered on the main plaza of Yin-Yang Peak.

Such a grand occasion usually only occurred annually during the ancestral ceremony. However, this year was different. This event was even more spectacular than any prior ancestral ceremony.

Not only had all the disciples and elders of the Yin-Yang Sect assembled, but representatives from the towns below the mountain had also formed a delegation. They had begun climbing the mountain the night before, determined to witness the sect’s punishment of the Ye family firsthand.

Moreover, other powers and sects had sent envoys to attend.

It was worth noting that even during the Yin-Yang Sect’s grand ancestral ceremonies, external sects and the royal court rarely sent representatives. Yet this time, they had chosen to come and observe the trial.

This demonstrated just how significant this incident had become.

Before the trial officially began and before the plaintiffs and defendants had even arrived, the first envoy from an external sect made their appearance.

The first to arrive was the envoy from the Xuantian Sword Sect.

The Xuantian Sword Sect was a sect of sword cultivators, focused on mastering the Dao of the Sword. Every disciple had a life-bound treasure sword that they nurtured from a young age, cultivating its spirit and achieving unity between sword and wielder.

As the most powerful of the four major sects, the Xuantian Sword Sect was unmatched in offensive capabilities.

The Yin-Yang Sect’s Sect Master stood on the plaza, greeting the visitors as the envoy from the Xuantian Sword Sect descended. With cupped hands, he said,
“Daoist Tianjianzi, it has been a while. I hope you’ve been well.”

Leading the Xuantian Sword Sect’s delegation was a lean middle-aged cultivator with a sword strapped to his back. His demeanor exuded righteousness. Following behind him were more than ten individuals, including both elders and disciples.

“Tianjian greets Sect Master Duanmu,” Tianjianzi replied with a slight smile, returning the cupped hands gesture.

Sect Master Duanmu responded politely,
“Daoist Tianjianzi, your presence at our Yin-Yang Sect is an honor and a privilege.”

“An honor, you say? We’re really here to witness your disgrace—oh, I mean, to observe how Sect Master Duanmu upholds justice. Perhaps we could learn a thing or two and implement stricter discipline in our own sect.”

“Did you just let something slip?”

“Not at all. You must have misheard,” Tianjianzi replied with an expression of calm righteousness.

He then gestured to a Qi Refining disciple standing behind him and introduced him to Sect Master Duanmu.
“Sect Master Duanmu, allow me to introduce you to my newly accepted personal disciple. He is only eighteen years old, possesses a Metal-Attribute Heavenly Spirit Root, and is blessed with an innate Sword Dao physique. He is a natural-born sword cultivator and has progressed rapidly.

His original name was Fan Jin, but after discovering his extraordinary talent, I personally renamed him Fan Jian, hoping he will remain dedicated to the path of the sword and cultivate diligently.

Haha, I hadn’t planned to bring him along, but he insisted on coming to see the world. He pestered me for three days before I finally gave in. I hope Sect Master Duanmu won’t hold it against him.”

Sect Master Duanmu’s expression darkened slightly. This show-off clearly came here to flaunt.

An innate Sword Dao physique? Why don’t we have such a good seedling in our sect…

Fan Jian, a handsome and exceptionally talented young man, stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said,
“Fan Jian greets Sect Master Duanmu.”

“Good, good. A fine young man. Please take your seats, esteemed guests from the Xuantian Sword Sect,” Sect Master Duanmu said.

The central plaza had been set up with numerous chairs, reserved for sect leaders, elders, and external envoys.

While this trial was ostensibly internal to the Yin-Yang Sect, the widespread attention it had attracted meant that other sects saw it as an opportunity to spectate and perhaps savor the Yin-Yang Sect’s embarrassment. Representatives from across the region had come to witness the spectacle.

The Yin-Yang Sect’s reputation had already taken a significant hit due to this incident.

—

Not long after, two more delegations arrived.

Representatives from Miaoyin Valley and Bloodcloud Palace arrived simultaneously, having crossed paths near the Yin-Yang Sect and decided to travel together.

“Greetings, Sect Master Duanmu.”

Leading the Miaoyin Valley delegation was a charming woman with an air of maturity. Her every smile and gesture radiated allure. The disciples accompanying her were all women, as Miaoyin Valley was a sect that exclusively accepted female disciples.

The leader of the Bloodcloud Palace delegation, however, was a gloomy-looking old man whose appearance alone suggested he was up to no good.

“Fairy Miaoyu, Daoist Jiaoluo, welcome to the Yin-Yang Sect,” Sect Master Duanmu said with a polite smile.

Fairy Miaoyu responded with a playful smile,
“It’s been a while, Sect Master Duanmu. When will you visit our Miaoyin Valley? Sister Qingxia misses you dearly. She’s been pining for you, unable to eat or sleep.”

The disciples nearby perked up at this revelation.

Wow, so there’s juicy gossip about the Sect Master? What a scoop! Let’s hear more!

Sect Master Duanmu’s expression turned awkward as he replied,
“Next time, definitely next time. Please, have a seat.”

“Don’t be so quick to dismiss me,” Fairy Miaoyu continued teasingly. “I’m here to ask on behalf of Sister Qingxia. Sect Master, you heartless man, how can you ignore her like this? That’s hardly in line with your sect’s teachings about cherishing Dao partners.

What’s this, Sect Master? Are you going to go against your own principles?

Maybe we should put you on trial during today’s proceedings as well. What do you think?”

“What have I done wrong? Alright, stop it already. The disciples are watching—aren’t you embarrassed? At your age, too,” Sect Master Duanmu said, hastily urging her to take her seat.

Fairy Miaoyu finally relented and sat down with her delegation. However, one of her younger disciples couldn’t take her eyes off Fan Jian from the Xuantian Sword Sect.

Her gaze wasn’t one of admiration but rather one of challenge and scrutiny.

Fan Jian, noticing her attention, returned the look with equal defiance.

Meanwhile, over at the Jiang family’s designated seating area, Han Feng, Jiang Surou, Wang Mian, and Zhang Xiu were enjoying the show, happily munching on the metaphorical popcorn.

Whenever Han Feng didn’t understand something, he’d ask Jiang Surou for clarification.

Jiang Surou explained,
“Our Sect Master lost his Dao partner early on and never remarried. Centuries ago, he developed a close relationship with Qingxia from Miaoyin Valley. They were very much in love, but due to their respective responsibilities—one leading the Yin-Yang Sect, the other leading Miaoyin Valley—they couldn’t be together.

Neither was willing to abandon their sect for the other. And since Miaoyin Valley doesn’t accept male disciples or elders, things were left unresolved.”

“Do the women of Miaoyin Valley not seek Dao partners?” Han Feng asked.

“They do, but their sect only accepts female disciples. Men can only enter as Dao partners, and even then, their status is relatively low. What man of ability would willingly accept such conditions?”

—

After sending off the Miaoyin Valley delegation, Sect Master Duanmu turned to greet the representatives from Bloodcloud Palace. However, Daoist Jiaoluo interrupted him bluntly,
“Old Duanmu, we’ve known each other for centuries. Let’s skip the pleasantries. I just have one question: when are you going to hand over that wench Si Yu to us?”