A Chaotic World

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.

As the faction directly under the reigning sect master, it naturally occupied the best location within the sect grounds. Not just anyone was allowed to enter as they wished, and even someone like Young Master Xuan Hao had only entered no more than five times.

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.

"Come nearer," another man spoke from the side of the aisle.

"Yes, Elder Nanbu," Young Master Xuan Hao naturally recognised this man.

Elder Nanbu was the person in charge of disciplinary matters within the Timeless Flame Sect, known for being extremely strict with upholding the sect's rules. It was said that he would even call out the sect master if he thought that the sect master did something that went against the rules of the sect!

But it was also because of this consistency and integrity that he commanded great respect within the Timeless Flame Sect.

Young Master Xuan Hao walked forward and stopped beside Xuan Junwei, who never once turned to look at him since he entered the chamber.

"Do you know why you are here?" Elder Nanbu asked.

"I have heard about the matter from Old Zheng," Young Master Xuan Hao nodded.

"What do you have to say for yourself?" Elder Nanbu asked again.

"I did nothing of the sort!" Young Master Xuan Hao answered in a resolute tone. "I beseech the elders to investigate this matter and bring the truth to light!"

Elder Nanbu was not surprised by Young Master Xuan Hao's response, as though he had already expected as much. He looked at Young Master Xuan Hao and asked, "What do you know about the events that happened last night?"

"I heard that my friends were attacked by a group of unknown people," Young Master Xuan Hao answered.

"And you have no idea who attacked your friends? Not even a clue?" Elder Nanbu probed further.

"Please enlighten me, Elder Nanbu," Young Master Xuan Hao replied.

Elder Nanbu stayed silent as he looked into Young Master Xuan Hao's eyes. It was only after a good few moments that he finally replied. "They are members of the Jade Shadow Gate."

"The Jade Shadow Gate?" Young Master Xuan Hao frowned, and so did Elder Renhao who had returned to the sect with him.

Their gazes could not help but trail towards Xuan Junwei as they finally understood what was going on.

The Jade Shadow Gate was an influence subordinate to their Timeless Flame Sect, and specialised in assassinations. Within the Timeless Flame Sect, Xuan Junwei had always been the one responsible for liaising with the Jade Shadow Gate, and it was no secret that he was on good terms with them.

"You did this?" Young Master Xuan Hao asked coldly.

"Mind your words," Xuan Junwei answered without turning to look at him. "Even if I wanted to get rid of your friends, would I require help from others to do so?"

"Please allow me to say a few words," Elder Cuixiong spoke up at this point. "Junwei has always been a respectable member of the sect, and has treated Hao as a talented junior. In my opinion, this is all a big misunderstanding. There must be someone trying to pin the blame on him! Perhaps they could have posed as members of the Jade Shadow Gate on purpose as well!"

Xuan Junwei let out a faint smirk upon hearing his grandfather speak up for him.

That's right.

With his grandfather around, he had nothing to fear!

"Gate Master Shileng has already confessed to the matter," Elder Nanbu replied with the same calm voice as before. "Xuan Junwei took matters into his own hands, abusing the authority given to him as part of the Timeless Flame Sect to mobilise the Jade Shadow Gate. And the targets are the subordinates of Xuan Hao. These are his exact words."

"Gate Master Shileng said that?" Elder Cuixiong exclaimed in shock. "I don't believe it! Who was the one who questioned him?!"

He was still trying to think of ways to get Xuan Junwei out of this situation, but he never expected Gate Master Shileng to have already sold them out!

"It is me, Elder Cuixiong," Xuan Wen spoke up at this point, much to everyone's surprise. "I received reliable information that the Jade Shadow Gate has been mobilised against Hao's friends, so I immediately acted to investigate the matter. Gate Master Shileng was a tough nut to crack though, I spent quite a bit of effort before he finally admitted to the matter."

"Senior Apprentice Brother Wen?!" Xuan Junwei widened his eyes in shock, then gritted his teeth in rage.

He finally understood that he had fallen into the other party's trap this time.

Even Elder Cuixiong was taken aback for a moment before quickly regaining his senses. "Pardon me for being frank. It is not that I don't trust Xuan Wen, but he is still young after all. The implications here are far too heavy, and perhaps there is a chance that he has been tricked. I volunteer to question Gate Master Shileng once more and confirm the truth of the matter!"

Elder Cuixiong knew it was useless to confront Xuan Wen, so he turned around to address Elder Nanbu instead.

"Elder Cuixiong's concerns are valid, and we of the Heavenly Flame Hall are of the same mind," Elder Nanbu replied. "That is why we have interrogated Gate Master Shileng ourselves, and established that what Xuan Wen said is the truth."

"This..." Elder Cuixiong was stumped. Wasn't that a little too efficient?

"Elder Nanbu, please allow this junior to say a few words," Xuan Wen said.

"Go ahead," Elder Nanbu nodded.

Honestly, not many in the Timeless Flame Sect still saw Xuan Wen as a junior. Since he wanted to voice out his opinion, Elder Nanbu would naturally agree.

"This junior does not know all the facts, and therefore dare not step out of line to say who is right or wrong in this matter. But looking at how certain Elder Cuixiong is about the matter, perhaps he knows more than we do. Perhaps there really is someone plotting against our Timeless Flame Sect, wanting us to go against each other," Xuan Wen said. "Taking that into consideration, this junior would like to suggest that we do not make any hasty conclusions and allow Elder Cuixiong some time to investigate the matter. I will also personally assist Elder Cuixiong in doing so."

"Hmm?" Elder Cuixiong and Xuan Junwei could not help but feel surprised.

This Xuan Wen... was he with them or against them?

"However, this matter definitely involves the enmity between Hao and Junwei, so the two of them need to be separated and prevented from making contact with anyone else in the meantime. This is not a punishment, but a simple precaution to prevent them from interfering with the investigation," Xuan Wen continued. "At the same time, my Yellow Spark faction is willing to temporarily house Hao's friends since leaving them at the Blue Ember faction will only be inviting more unrest. I beseech Elder Nanbu to consider my suggestion."

Standing near the back of the chamber, Old Zheng smirked when he heard Xuan Wen's suggestion.

He understood that this had been his young master's goal all along.

It did not matter if Xuan Hao and Xuan Junwei ended up being punished in the end, because Xuan Wen had never been targeting them anyway. Instead, his target was the entire Blue Ember faction.

With both Xuan Hao and Xuan Junwei isolated, word would naturally spread about the mess that they had gotten themselves into. And that point, Xuan Wen would have all the freedom in the world to play his cards and bring their forces under his own control.

If Elder Nanbu decided to accept his proposition, then the Blue Ember faction would essentially be out of the race in the fight for the position of heir!