Chap 10 - Venerable Lord

The entire hall reverberated with a row of voices, resonating with a mix of respect and fear as they greeted the weak-looking old man perched upon the elevated chair, his chin resting in his hand.

The mere presence of this venerable lord emitted such a potent aura that it seemed to taint the air, rendering it stuffy, and causing beads of sweat to trickle down the foreheads of those gathered.

Bodies trembled with a sense of guilt, while minds were plagued by anxiety.

Elders, young disciples, and even the patriarch himself extended their cupped hands above their shoulders, bowing their heads in submission. Not a single soul dared to raise their gaze without a command.

With a nod, the venerable lord acknowledged their greeting. Yet, his piercing gaze remained fixed on a particular individual—an individual whose Qi seemed unstable, and whose attire exuded a splendor unmatched by the others.

The elders exchanged worried glances, their eyes darting between the venerable lord and the person under his scrutiny.

In this tense atmosphere, it became apparent that the one adorned in resplendent garments was none other than the patriarch of the Thousand Illusionary Sect—the same patriarch who had orchestrated the attack on Xia Wei.

Gritting his teeth, the patriarch suppressed his anger and spoke, his voice unwavering, "My apologies, respected venerable lord. May I inquire as to why you have summoned this girl?"

Relieved, the elders exhaled the breath they had unknowingly held since the patriarch had begun speaking.

They wore faint smiles, acknowledging their patriarch's wise decision—his choice to abstain from mentioning the demise of his daughter, and refraining from questioning the actions of the venerable lord's master.

"Please enlighten this humble mortal with your vast experience and boundless wisdom!" The patriarch's voice reverberated with strength as he shouted, cupping his hands and bowing his head in reverence.

Though his boldness might seem defiant to an outsider, in the eyes of an immortal, it was an expression of respect and submission.

"A valid inquiry, indeed. Allow me to clarify this misunderstanding," the venerable lord replied, his laughter brimming with delight as his pupils dilated upon observing this junior who remained respectful, even after his young master had taken the life of the patriarch's cherished daughter.

The path to Immortality demanded utmost control over one's emotions, and the venerable lord admired this junior's effort to restrain his anger.

"Restrain your imagination, dear patriarch. In truth, it was your daughter who attempted to poison my young master," the moment the venerable lord mentioned the patriarch's daughter, a momentary stiffness overcame the patriarch's body, only to be quelled by a calming breath.

The last few words, however, nearly prompted an immediate denial from the patriarch upon learning that his daughter had been the instigator. Yet, he managed to regain control, digging his nails into his palm to restore his senses.

His gaze locked with the venerable lord's, brimming with a blend of emotions, including lingering distrust.

However, upon careful contemplation, he realized there was no conceivable benefit for the young master or the venerable lord to deceive him. He began to question his initial judgment and arrived at a conclusion.

"Have you ever pondered why your daughter acted in such a manner?" the venerable lord, as if privy to the patriarch's inner thoughts, smirked and mockingly laughed.

"Surely, you must have realized. When a phoenix is raised in the heavenly mountains, nurtured with the finest Gu, would it even spare a glance for the insignificant worm crawling on the ground?"

The elders, grasping the implications of the venerable lord's words, delved into deep contemplation, seeking to comprehend the circumstances surrounding the patriarch's daughter.

"Forgive this mere mortal, venerable lord. My feeble mind struggles to grasp why my daughter would dare to harm your esteemed master, even with knowledge of his background," the patriarch inquired, his confusion palpable.

The elders, hearing the patriarch's question, nodded in agreement, their curiosity mirrored in their expressions.

The patriarch's conviction in his daughter remained unyielding as he defended her actions. He emphasized that her unwavering loyalty to the sect and her discerning character would have prevented her from engaging in any action that could jeopardize not only her own sect but also lead to its downfall.

The elders, standing on the sidelines, nodded in agreement, stealing glances at the venerable lord in anticipation.

However, they observed a gradual transformation in his countenance—a fading mocking smile, replaced by an expression of weariness and a gaze that seemed to amuse him, as if he were regarding a mere beast.

Recognizing this shift, the patriarch halted his praise and defense of his deceased daughter. The vast hall descended into an extended silence, broken only by the venerable lord's sigh.

"Instead of lingering in uncertainty, delve into the young lady's memories. I believe a picture is worth a thousand words," the venerable lord stated, his voice tinged with a yawn.

As if waiting for these words, Qian Ya was promptly brought into the hall, her soul extracted and manipulated to reveal her memories.

A minute passed, and the expressions of the elders morphed into profound shock, while the patriarch, who bore witness to these revelations, stared blankly at the image depicting his daughter.

Meanwhile, the once-bored venerable lord, now intrigued by the impending reactions, leisurely surveyed the hall with half-closed eyes. Yet, his gaze abruptly widened, a surge of astonishment coursing through him as he detected a familiar presence.