Chapter 406 - Xuan Wen Makes His Move (1/2)
The Sacred Order Tablet symbolised the highest authority within the Timeless Flame Sect, issued only by the Heavenly Flame Hall, the faction directly under the reigning sect master. In its presence, all sect members were to obey without exceptions.
For Old Zheng to have obtained the Sacred Order Tablet, it meant that the sect master himself had given the order.
”...Xuan Hao of the Timeless Flame Sect heeds the order and shall return at once,” Young Master Xuan Hao answered with a deep frown.
”Good,” Old Zheng nodded before putting away the golden tablet. Only then did Young Master Xuan Hao and Elder Renhao relax a little.
”What is going on here, Old Zheng?” Elder Renhao questioned. ”How did Young Master Xuan Hao end up being accused of such nonsense?”
”Please understand that I am not in the position to speak too much either. After all, I am just a messenger,” Old Zheng smiled wryly.
”Don't worry, Elder Renhao,” Young Master Xuan Hao said. ”I have no fault in this matter, so let's just go back and attend the trial. I believe in the Heavenly Flame Hall, and I am sure that I will not be punished for something I did not do.”
Elder Renhao sighed. ”I guess there is no helping it. Let us go.”
Indeed, no matter what misgivings they had, they could not disobey the order of the Heavenly Flame Hall. Doing so would just end up making the situation even worse.
”Brother Tianzi, I am afraid that I would have to return for now. See you back at the Timeless Flame Sect,” Young Master Xuan Hao said.
Lu Tianzi nodded. ”Let me know if you need any help.”
”Don't worry, the Timeless Flame Sect will not punish me without reason,” Young Master Xuan Hao replied with a smile before turning around. ”Let's go!”
With that, Young Master Xuan Hao, Elder Renhao, and Old Zheng left the Soft Stream Clan, heading back to the Timeless Flame Sect.
After being informed by the servants, Ruan Ling and Nanlan Qianxue quickly came out to meet Lu Tianzi, bringing Bo'er along with them. Not wanting to disturb the youngsters, Beishen Lengyang tactfully took his leave.
A day had passed, but Ruan Ling was still rather weak from having completely expended her Essence energy. However, she was all smiles when she appeared before Lu Tianzi. ”Thank you for coming all this way, Brother Tianzi!”
”Don't worry about it,” Lu Tianzi shook his head, then exchanged glances with Nanlan Qianxue with a smile. ”Something came up, so Brother Xuan Hao had to return first. We can meet up with him back at the Timeless Flame Sect.”
”He told me about it,” Ruan Ling said. ”Do you know what is so urgent that he can't even wait a few moments?”
Lu Tianzi immediately understood that even though Young Master Xuan Hao had informed Ruan Ling that he had to leave in advance, he did not tell her the reason to prevent her from worrying.
”I think I will leave it to him to tell you about it,” Lu Tianzi replied before turning towards Nanlan Qianxue. ”Are you all right?”
”Mm,” Nanlan Qianxue nodded. ”All thanks to Sister Ruan Ling.”
”That's good to hear,” Lu Tianzi said with a smile.
He could tell that both Nanlan Qianxue and Ruan Ling were injured, but such injuries would heal with time. The most important thing was that they were safe now.
”You are making it sound like I did everything,” Ruan Ling let out a self-deprecating laugh. ”If not for you and your friend, there is no way that we will be alive right now.”
”Oh right, Longshao Wenqin is in Eternal Flame City as well!” Nanlan Qianxue told Lu Tianzi after being reminded by Ruan Ling's words.
”Longshao Wenqin?” Lu Tianzi frowned. ”As in Longshao Wenqin from the Dragon Cauldron Kingdom? Is he the one who did this?”
”No. On the contrary, he helped us fend off the attackers,” Nanlan Qianxue shook her head. ”He suffered quite a few injuries in the process as well.”
”Is that so?” Lu Tianzi's frown only deepened. ”He coincidentally appeared just before you were attacked, and was willing to risk his life to help you out despite being enemies in the past?”
”Hey, hey, what's with that tone? Are you suspecting him of scheming against us?” Ruan Ling asked.
”He is an enemy. Is it any surprise that I think this way?” Lu Tianzi answered coldly.
”According to him, the Scarlet Moon Kingdom and Dragon Cauldron Kingdom entered a state of truce shortly after we left. That was before he knew when we left the kingdom as well, so I don't think he is lying,” Nanlan Qianxue gently tugged on Lu Tianzi's long sleeve. ”In any case, we will be meeting him tomorrow as a show of gratitude. Why don't you come along? You will be able to see for yourself then.”
”Tomorrow, eh? All right then,” Lu Tianzi agreed. ”If it really is as you said, then I guess I really have to thank him for keeping you safe.”
”Tch!” Ruan Ling rolled her eyes, while Nanlan Qianxue simply smiled in response.
***
When Young Master Xuan Hao returned to the Timeless Flame Sect, he headed straight to the depths of the sect grounds where the main faction of the ancient sect was based.
Heavenly Flame Hall.
A member of the Heavenly Flame Hall met them at the entrance, guiding them through the long corridors to finally arrive at a huge chamber. Pushing the door open, Young Master Xuan Hao could not help but feel surprised by what he saw.
A long carpet stretched from the door all the way to the other end of the chamber, where a grand throne was placed. Sitting on the throne was none other than Xuan Yongheng, sect master of the Timeless Flame Sect.
Of course, since he had come to the Heavenly Flame Hall, Young Master Xuan Hao had already expected the sect master to be present, so that was not surprising at all.
Instead, what caused him to feel uncomfortable was the huge showing apart from the sect master.
Standing by the sides of the aisle were numerous members who belonged to the upper echelons of the sect.
The members of the Heavenly Flame Hall, the leaders of the Red Cinder, Blue Ember, and Yellow Spark factions, as well as various elders belonging to each of the three factions. On top of that, there were also some prominent members of the younger generation.
It was no exaggeration to say that almost all the most important people within the Timeless Flame Sect were present!
There was only one person standing on the carpeted aisle itself – Xuan Junwei.
An oppressive silence filled the chamber, and everyone had solemn expressions on their faces.
”Xuan Hao of the Blue Ember faction pays my respect to Sect Master!” Young Master Xuan Hao made a formal bow.
”Mm,” Xuan Yongheng nodded in acknowledgement.