Bing Wushuang was somewhat relieved by this outcome. He had traveled a thousand li in high spirits to pledge his loyalty to Wei Zhao—if Wei Zhao had been done to death by that old fossil Chen Jiu, playing on his home-field advantage, that would have been a real mess.

Still, although Wei Zhao held the initiative, dragging things out in this deadlock was no solution either.

Bing Wushuang had made a point of inquiring about the One Step to Heaven Formation, and he knew full well how marvelous it was—even a Nascent Soul old monster might not necessarily break out of it. And while Wei Zhao was unfathomable, his depths impossible to plumb, one thing was certain: at least thus far, this Primordial Spirit body of his was still far from the Nascent Soul level, and breaking the formation would be harder than climbing to the heavens.

And without the certainty of breaking the formation, the initiative he held now was, in the end, nothing but a passing cloud.

Since he had come to the Northern Island Cangwu Sect, since he was here to pledge his loyalty, Bing Wushuang could not possibly just sit and wait, unmoved and inactive. If it came down to it and he never even got to see Wei Zhao's face, this whole trip would have been for nothing.

Forcing his way into the Ascending Heaven Cliff was the worst of all options, and Bing Wushuang had not considered seeking out Xin Yi'an either, for he did not know whether the man was one of Wei Zhao's own. There was only one thing he could do—go find Chen Jiu.

As a Nascent Soul expert, Bing Wushuang had no trouble seeing Chen Jiu. If Lu Ping'an dared to stall, a casual threat would be enough to force Chen Jiu to appear obediently—and in fact, no threat was even needed. Lu Ping'an himself had already gone dutifully to summon Chen Jiu out.

He was no fool. After his previous firsthand experience, Lu Ping'an knew well that he had no room whatsoever to bargain in this man's presence, for they were simply not on the same level. Whatever the man demanded, he need only comply obediently and let Chen Jiu deal with it; otherwise, if he truly acted on his own and provoked Bing Wushuang, then even Chen Jiu might not be able to protect him.

"You've been staying with us at the Northern Island Cangwu Sect these past few days, young friend Wuqing—have you found it to your liking?" Chen Jiu greeted him with a chuckle.

"Whether I like it or not is of no consequence. I came here to see your Grand-Uncle Master Taigu, not to sightsee and idle about." Bing Wushuang, as ever, gave no quarter.

"Heh heh, young friend Wuqing is indeed a man of true temperament, still speaking so frankly and forthrightly." Chen Jiu's laugh was awkward. Nascent Soul old monsters were the highest existence in the Little Jianghu of Taigu, and there was an established set of unwritten rules governing dealings among them—but alas, such things had no effect whatsoever on Bing Wushuang. To put it plainly, the man did not even know such rules existed. What could one possibly say to him?

"I'm not a man of smooth words. Elder Chen, forgive me. But there is one thing I must ask again: when will I be permitted to go to the Ascending Heaven Cliff?" Bing Wushuang asked once more.

"Did I not say last time? That depends on when Martial-Uncle Wei Zhao comes out of seclusion. This old man does not know what particular connection young friend Wuqing has with his venerable self, but he is, after all, the Martial-Uncle of our Taigu Cangwu Sect, and this old man must certainly think on his venerable behalf. I hope young friend Wuqing will be so good as to forgive this." Chen Jiu put on a posture of considering Wei Zhao's interests.

"Is that so? But why do I hear your Northern Island Cangwu Sect disciples whispering among themselves that Elder Chen and your Martial-Uncle Wei Zhao seem to be on less than pleasant terms—that even Vice Sect Master Chen Dongcheng, the one your Chen family prizes most, was taken in hand by Wei Zhao? I'm not mistaken, am I?" Bing Wushuang exposed it on the spot, without the slightest mercy.

"What? There's such a thing?" Chen Jiu feigned bewilderment at the words, and shot an unobtrusive glare at Lu Ping'an beside him. He had thought this personal disciple of his was a man of no small ability, fit for great responsibilities—and yet he could not even manage this trifling matter. A useless thing, nothing more.

Lu Ping'an smiled bitterly. These past days he had done everything in his power to keep the sect's disciples from coming into contact with Bing Wushuang, but he could not stamp out private gossip among the disciples. The disciples of the Chen family faction were one thing, but the numerous native faction would not be so obedient. With Bing Wushuang's abilities, so long as anyone was talking, he would naturally know it all clear as day. This matter simply could not be blamed on him.

But Chen Jiu's eyes were already glaring his way, and Lu Ping'an had no choice but to pick up the thread, likewise feigning confusion: "Surely not? The Supreme Elder and the Martial-Uncle have not yet formally met—but that is only because the Martial-Uncle has been busy in seclusion from the moment he arrived. They have not even laid eyes on each other; where would any conflict come from?"

"Then what about Vice Sect Master Chen?" Bing Wushuang watched the expressions on both their faces.

"Oh, Vice Sect Master Chen is not presently here. He has gone out on official business, so those rumors you heard must be someone's idle talk. The disciples below are forever babbling nonsense in private. You must forgive the poor showing." Lu Ping'an fobbed him off.

Bing Wushuang looked straight into his eyes, fixing him with a gaze that made Lu Ping'an not dare meet it at all, and slowly said four words: "You are lying."

"Ah?" Lu Ping'an started in alarm, then hastily forced a smile: "Elder Bing jests. Everything I have said is absolutely true—there is not a single word concealed."

Bing Wushuang said nothing. He was utterly certain the man was lying, but since the fellow was set on denying it tooth and nail, there was no way to call him out to his face—unless he found witnesses to confront him, or produced Chen Dongcheng. Unfortunately, neither was realistic.

"It seems the matter is all quite clear—nothing more than some disciples below wagging their tongues. Young friend Wuqing need not take it too seriously. Should there be any word of Martial-Uncle Wei Zhao, we will certainly notify you at the first moment. Please be patient and set your mind at ease." Chen Jiu finally spoke up.

Matters having come to this point, Bing Wushuang could hardly say more, and promptly turned and departed.

It was only long after Bing Wushuang had gone that Lu Ping'an finally let out a breath of relief. Somewhat worried, he said, "Master, this Bing Wushuang is not easy to fool. This disciple fears he will keep stirring up trouble. The crux is that he is a Nascent Soul existence—even if this disciple wished to stop him, I could not. If he truly does something outrageous, what then?"

"What then? Pass the order down—tell everyone below to shut their mouths for this old man. Whoever dares wag his tongue again, send him to see this old man." Chen Jiu gave a cold snort.

"But what about Xin Yi'an?" The Supreme Elder's personal command—from the Golden Core higher-ups down to the ordinary disciples of the entire Northern Island Cangwu Sect, whether of the Chen family faction or the native faction, in theory no one would dare defy it. But Xin Yi'an was a different breed. The fellow had plainly thrown in his lot with Wei Zhao, sharing his glory and his ruin alike—how could a single command from Chen Jiu possibly frighten him?