The Evils of Society

Chu Jingchen's words were spoken not only for Gu Qingfeng to hear but also as a declaration to himself.

It was like a solemn vow, a tempering of his indomitable heart.

To give a simple analogy, it was like a student who always ranked second in the school suddenly announcing over the loudspeaker in front of everyone, "Next time, I will take first place!"

There's a world of difference between saying such words in your heart and declaring them publicly before the entire school.

To say it in front of everyone requires immense confidence and a clear understanding of the consequences—if he still came in second next time, he would be utterly humiliated.

It was a way of forcing himself into a corner, burning his bridges, leaving no retreat—only then could he hope for a miraculous turnaround!

At the same time, it was a test of his own conviction. "I believe in myself, so I dare to shout it for all to hear!"

This was precisely Chu Jingchen's state of mind.

His purpose in coming here was to say these words, to push himself to the limit and temper his unyielding spirit.

Gu Qingfeng looked at Chu Jingchen's radiant confidence and sighed softly.

Ah, this young man is still too naive!

Of all the people to show off in front of, why pick me?

Clearly, he hasn’t experienced the harsh lessons of life yet.

"Dear junior nephew, such ambition is a good thing. The Sword Sect needs spirited disciples like you. Young people should be bold—what’s the point of youth without audacity? Your uncle is truly pleased."

Gu Qingfeng spoke with a face full of warmth, his kindly smile resembling that of a grandfather watching his grandson vow to become an exemplary student.

Instantly, Chu Jingchen’s fiery spirit deflated, leaving him so frustrated he could spit blood.

I’m treating you as a rival, yet you act like an elder encouraging me?

What’s with that smug look of approval?!

The feeling was akin to the second-ranked student, having just vowed to take first place in front of the whole school, suddenly discovering that the top-ranked student had already been fast-tracked to an elite program!

Not only that, but the top student even returned to give a motivational speech, encouraging juniors to surpass him—instantly placing them on entirely different levels.

"Hmph! On the path of cultivation, strength reigns supreme. You merely got lucky to become the Sword Sect’s fourteenth-generation disciple. Stop putting on airs as an elder—you’re not worthy!"

Gu Qingfeng wasn’t angered. Instead, he smiled cheerfully. "Dear junior nephew, since you seem so fond of the green hat I gifted you, how about this? Kneel and apologize to your uncle, and I’ll let you leave."

Chu Jingchen’s face darkened with rage—he had almost forgotten he was still wearing that hideous green hat. The garish color was unbearable.

Without hesitation, he tore it off and threw it at Gu Qingfeng’s feet.

"Take back your worthless hat! Kneel and apologize? You think you’re worthy?" Chu Jingchen sneered.

Gu Qingfeng glanced at the discarded hat but made no move to pick it up. Instead, he sighed. "Ah, I gave you a chance, but you wasted it."

With that, he stepped on it.

One stomp, two stomps, three stomps...

He didn’t stop until the hat was thoroughly trampled into a filthy, tattered mess.

Chu Jingchen watched coldly, inwardly scoffing at what he assumed was Gu Qingfeng’s impotent rage.

Then, Gu Qingfeng pulled out a communication jade talisman and made a call.

Chu Jingchen frowned in confusion—until Gu Qingfeng spoke, and his expression twisted in horror.

"Help, Old Wei! Someone’s trying to kill me! They’re coming for the Sword Sect’s Imperial Disciple!"

"What are you doing?!" Chu Jingchen roared, his face paling.

Gu Qingfeng ended the call and said calmly, "Have you lost your mind from cultivation? Isn’t it obvious? I’m framing you, of course."

No sooner had he spoken than a terrifying aura erupted in the distance!

The heavens and earth trembled as if a monstrous force was awakening.

A streak of light shot down from the sky like a falling meteor.

BOOM!

The ground cratered from the impact.

Dugu Wei had arrived.

The moment he landed, he rushed to Gu Qingfeng’s side with a grave expression. "Junior Brother Gu, what happened? Who’s trying to kill you?"

Gu Qingfeng immediately adopted the demeanor of a pitiful, helpless victim, pointing at Chu Jingchen. "Old Wei, you’re finally here! It’s Chu Jingchen—he wants me dead!"

Dugu Wei froze, staring blankly at Chu Jingchen.

Chu Jingchen’s face twisted in fury as he hurriedly defended himself. "Sect Master, I didn’t—it was him—!"

Gu Qingfeng cut him off. "Old Wei, you have no idea! Chu Jingchen ambushed me, threw the green hat I kindly gave him on the ground, and stomped on it right in front of me!

He said, ‘Don’t think just because you have the Four Saint Bodies you deserve to be Imperial Disciple. If I hadn’t been in seclusion, the title would never have gone to you. You’re not fit to be my elder! If you know what’s good for you, stay out of my way—or you’ll end up like this hat!’"

"That’s a lie! I never—!" Chu Jingchen exploded in rage.

"Old Wei, look at him! That’s the exact same murderous expression he had when he threatened me!"

Dugu Wei’s face darkened like a storm. "Chu Jingchen!"

His thunderous roar made Chu Jingchen stagger back, his face ashen.

"Sect Master, I—"

"You’ve disappointed me!"

"Sect Master, I swear, I didn’t do it! Gu Qingfeng was the one who trampled the hat!"

"Insolent! Since when do you address an elder so disrespectfully? Junior Brother Gu may be a prodigy, but he’s only at the Earth Yuan Realm. How could he possibly snatch the hat from your head and trample it?"

"I—I—" For the first time in his life, Chu Jingchen experienced the cruelty of the world—like a mute forced to swallow bitter herbs, unable to voice his suffering.

"I threw the hat, but it was Gu—Gu Qingfeng who trampled it! He’s trying to frame—"

Seeing Chu Jingchen desperately trying to explain, Gu Qingfeng silently mouthed words behind Dugu Wei’s back—moving his lips without sound.

Dugu Wei couldn’t see, but Chu Jingchen caught every word.

"Idiot, I am framing you. What can you do about it? I gave you a chance to kneel and apologize, but you threw it away. Now you’re screwed, aren’t you?"

Chu Jingchen’s vision nearly went red with rage. He pointed a trembling finger at Gu Qingfeng and roared, "It’s all you! You set me up!"

Gu Qingfeng feigned terror, ducking behind Dugu Wei and quickly backtracking. "Old Wei, actually… I did frame him. Maybe we should just let this go."

Chu Jingchen’s eyes lit up with vindication. "Sect Master! You heard him! He admitted it—he framed me!"

"Chu Jingchen! Do you even respect me as your Sect Master?!" Dugu Wei bellowed.

"Junior Brother Gu, don’t be afraid. With me here, this ungrateful disciple won’t cause any trouble."

"Sect Master, I’m telling the truth—!"

"Silence! Disrespecting your elder, refusing to admit fault, and even daring to shift blame—do you want to be expelled from the sect?"

Chu Jingchen immediately clamped his mouth shut.

Gu Qingfeng glanced at Chu Jingchen, whose face had turned deathly pale, then at the furious Dugu Wei. Quickly putting on an air of impartiality, he stepped in to mediate: "Old Wei, I think expulsion from the sect is too harsh. Young people are bound to make mistakes. Besides, he only threatened me a little—he didn’t actually lay a hand on me. Let’s just settle this peacefully and have him kneel and apologize to me."

"Your Uncle Gu is being merciful! Get over here and kneel to apologize to him!"