Hua Xianle

Chapter 27:

Qingheng-jun and Lan Qiren rushed back to Cloud Recesses upon hearing from Madame Lan that Xianle got hurt while dealing with the waterborne abyss. She also made sure to detain Su She to await his punishment upon hearing the detailed explanation from Jin Zixuan and Lan Wangji about his role in Hua Xianle’s drowning. The Gusu Lan Elders wanted to protest, saying their disciple would never do such a thing. However, they had no recourse after their own Second Young Master confirmed it. All they could do was stand back and watch, withering under the glares of Hua Xianle’s father.

It was to Hua Cheng’s dark countenance that the two Lans, Nie Bowen, and even Madame Jin were greeted upon their arrival. None of them blamed the man for his rage, all of them being parents themselves. All of them knew that were the positions reversed, they too would be out for blood.

“Lord Hua,” Qingheng-jun greeted politely, giving the man a formal bow.

Normally, he would have been a bit less formal since their children were close. He’d wanted to get to know the parents of the child that would inevitably become his son-in-law and had thus managed to form a friendship with both of Xianle’s parents. However, this was not the time for familiarity, not with the magnitude of the crimes committed.

“Qingheng-jun, welcome back.” Hua Cheng gave him a cold smile that made the Sect Leader shudder in instinctive terror. “I wish to discuss this matter in private if you would be so inclined.”

Qingheng-jun immediately complied, escorting the man to his private study. He took his seat and Hua Cheng did the same, his icy exterior never faltering.

“Lord Hua, let me start by saying that Gusu Lan takes full responsibility for this incident and swears to pay any reparations that you may require. I am appalled that one of my own disciples would do something so callous and dishonorable. I give you my word that they will be punished for this and I beg you not to allow this incident to strain the good relations your son has built with my sect.”

Hua Cheng let out a long breath, clearly forcing himself to relax. “I am glad to see that the tales of the Lan Sect’s righteousness were deserved. However, mere punishment will not be enough to quell my fury about this incident. My son went out of his way to save this Su She, only to have his kindness repaid with treachery. I will see him given a physical punishment, and then I demand that he be excommunicated from Gusu Lan with his core sealed.”

Qingheng-Jun winced at that, hand clenching beneath his desk. “Lord Hua, while it is well within your right to demand restitutions… to have the boy excommunicated is… and with his core sealed no less.”

“Sect Leader Lan, you must understand the implications of this disciple’s actions.” His tone was almost patronizing, and as cold as ice. “Su She willingly threw my son into the maw of a Waterborne Abyss, uncaring of whether or not he would survive. If he was willing to do this with a Young Master, one of higher standing than himself, then what is to stop him from allowing innocents to suffer to save his own skin? He will be a stain on Gusu Lan’s righteous reputation if you don’t act now.” 

Qingheng-jun had no argument for that. Frankly, if he did argue with it, he’d be going against his own teachings. Indeed, Su She was a liability to Gusu, and allowing such a cultivator to exist would only lead to more pain and suffering for the common people.

“Very well then, consider it done.”

Hua Cheng nodded, some of his frosty exterior thawing a bit. “I am glad to see you are a man of reason, Qingheng-jun. However, Su She is not the only blot on Gusu that needs to be discussed.”

“Another Disciple?”

“No, one of the guests who has been abusing Gusu Lan’s hospitality.” The frost returned to Hua Cheng’s voice with a vengeance. “Jiang Wanyin.”