200: Chapter 200: Willing to be a supporting character; loyalty to others is betrayal of oneself.

[Sect Master Ye Cang has ended his seclusion early.]

[The gates of the secret chamber atop Wendao Peak slowly opened, and the Spiritual Qi accumulated over three months poured out like mist.]

[Ye Cang wore a set of cyan Daoist robes; his face was thin, and his gaze was profound.]

[Two items were piled on his desk.]

[On the left was a thick stack of impeachment memorials from Feng Qingyang's lineage, each more vehemently phrased than the last.]

[On the right was Tangtang's message Jade Slip, containing only one sentence: "Designated by the Ancestral Master, the Lord of Destiny, do not doubt."]

[Ye Cang flipped through the memorials, then picked up the Jade Slip and glanced at it twice, remaining silent for a long time.]

[He summoned Ye Gucheng.]

[The Mountain Gate of the Ninth Peak was closest to Wendao Peak, so Ye Gucheng arrived very quickly.]

[He entered the secret chamber, performed a salute, and then sat opposite Ye Cang, expressionless.]

[Ye Cang did not engage in pleasantries, asking directly, "What do you think of this person, Chu Sheng?"]

[Ye Gucheng was silent for a moment before saying, "This boy is useful, but cannot be fully trusted."]

[Ye Cang asked why, and Ye Gucheng replied, "He has too many secrets. Even this old man's wentian sword bows its head when it sees those three swords of his."]

[Ye Cang nodded and asked no more.]

[He summoned Feng Qingyang.]

[Feng Qingyang arrived even faster, practically running inside.]

[He spoke as soon as he entered, his voice as loud as thunder: "Sect Master, this Chu Sheng stole a Spiritual Vein and has an unknown origin! According to Sect rules, his cultivation should be crippled and he should be expelled from the Sect! The Ancestral Master was momentarily blinded; we cannot follow him in his confusion!"]

[Ye Cang listened without speaking, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk.]

[Feng Qingyang spoke for another quarter of an hour, recounting everything from the first day Chu Sheng entered Wendao Palace to the last, describing every piece of 'evidence' vividly, as if reading a verdict.]

[After Ye Cang finished listening, he remained silent for a long time, then said a single sentence: "We shall discuss this further."]

[Feng Qingyang opened his mouth to say something, but seeing Ye Cang's profound eyes, he swallowed his words.]

[He performed a salute and turned to leave, his footsteps heavy, making the stone slabs thud.]

[Ye Cang summoned Chu Sheng privately.]

[A deacon knocked on the door of the bamboo house, saying the Sect Master requested his presence.]

[Chu Sheng put on his Daoist robes and followed the deacon along the long mountain path to the top of Wendao Peak.]

[The secret chamber was not large, containing a stone table, two stone chairs, and a piece of calligraphy hanging on the wall with the two characters for 'Wendao'.]

[Ye Cang sat on a stone chair, with a pot of tea and two cups placed before him.]

[Chu Sheng performed a salute, and Ye Cang pointed to the opposite chair, telling him to sit.]

[Chu Sheng sat down.]

[Ye Cang poured him a cup of tea; the tea was emerald green and fragrant.]

[Chu Sheng picked it up and took a sip; it was high-quality spiritual tea, sweet upon entry with a long-lasting aftertaste.]

[Ye Cang also took a sip, set down his cup, and looked at Chu Sheng.]

[There was no scrutiny or hostility in those profound eyes, only a kind of calm.]

["What are your plans for the future?" Ye Cang asked.]

[Chu Sheng set down his cup and said, "I am willing to assist Ye Wuhen and be a green leaf for Wendao Palace."]

[Ye Cang was stunned.]

[The hand holding his teacup paused for a moment, causing the tea inside to slosh slightly.]

[He looked at Chu Sheng as if looking at someone talking nonsense.]

[A 'Lord of Destiny' who had stolen a Spiritual Vein, struck the ancient bell, and been designated by the Ancestral Master, actually said he wanted to be a green leaf?]

[He had originally thought Chu Sheng would fight for power and profit, demand more resources, a higher status, or even covet the position of Sect Master.]

[But Chu Sheng said he would 'assist Ye Wuhen'.]

[Chu Sheng gave a bitter smile and added, "I have no interest in the position of Sect Master.]

[I came to Wendao Palace to become stronger, not to be an official.]

[Besides..." He paused, "I am already one with Wendao Palace.]

[My Spiritual Vein is bound, and my cultivation is linked to the Sect's Luck.]

[If the Sect is strong, I am strong.]

[If the Sect is weak, I am weak.]

["I have no choice."]

[Ye Cang stared at him for a long time.]

[The candle flame in the secret chamber flickered, and the shadow of the 'Wendao' calligraphy on the wall wavered.]

[Ye Cang's fingers tapped lightly on the stone table—once, twice, thrice.]

[Then he spoke, his voice not loud but very clear: "You are smarter than I thought."]

[Chu Sheng did not speak.]

[He knew that this sentence was not a compliment, but an evaluation.]

[Ye Cang decided: Chu Sheng would retain the title of 'Lord of Destiny' but would not participate in Sect political affairs, focusing instead on Cultivating and preparing for the matter of the Seal.]

[He did not praise Chu Sheng to the heavens, nor did he trample him down.]

[He left a path for Chu Sheng, and also left a path for himself.]

[Chu Sheng nodded and agreed.]

[Upon learning of Ye Cang's decision, Feng Qingyang was furious.]

[He smashed the stone table in the secret chamber of the Thirteenth Peak, fragments scattering everywhere.]

[The Elders stood nearby, not daring to even breathe loudly.]

[Feng Qingyang's fists cracked loudly, but he did not dare to defy the Sect Master.]

[Ye Cang's decision was the Sect's decision.]

[He could be dissatisfied, but he could not disobey.]

[Ye Wuhen was called by Ye Cang for a talk.]

[Father and son sat in the secret chamber, face to face across a stone table.]

[Ye Cang looked at his son, his gaze containing expectation as well as worry.]

[Ye Wuhen had spent several years sweeping streets in the Northern Region; after returning, his cultivation had increased, but he still didn't say much.]

["This person, Chu Sheng," Ye Cang said, "can be associated with, but do not give him your heart."]

[Ye Wuhen looked up at Ye Cang.]

[There was a hint of confusion in those calm eyes: "Why?"]

["Because he is too smart," Ye Cang said. "Smart people will not truly attach themselves to anyone."]

["They will only believe that loyalty to others is a betrayal of themselves."]

["They will only attach themselves to interests."]

[Ye Wuhen was silent for a long time.]

[The candle flame in the secret chamber flickered, casting his shadow long against the wall.]

[Then he said one thing: "But he saved me."]

[Ye Cang sighed.]

[He knew Ye Wuhen's temperament; though the child seemed dull, he was clearer in his heart than anyone.]

[When he said "he saved me," it wasn't a defense, but a statement of fact.]

[Ye Cang said no more and waved his hand, letting Ye Wuhen leave.]

[In any case, he would be there to back everything up.]

[Ye Cang announced to the outside: For the Seal reinforcement ceremony, Chu Sheng would participate in his capacity as the 'Lord of Destiny'.]

[The news spread throughout the Thirty-Six Peaks; some were happy, while others were worried.]

[Elder Shen expressed support on behalf of the Eighteenth Peak.]

[Guo Qing expressed support on behalf of the Ninth Peak as well.]

[Feng Qingyang's lineage remained silent.]

[The outer Sect Disciples were talking animatedly; some said Chu Sheng was about to soar to success, while others said he would run into bad Luck sooner or later.]

[Three months later, at the Sealed Land.]

[He closed his eyes, recited the top-tier fortune from the Heavenly Secret Calculation in his heart, then opened his eyes and began to Cultivate.]