Put away your magical powers now!.

Chapter 250 [Is that you, Miss Gu?] (6200)

Chapter 244 [Is it you, Miss Gu?] (6200)

Chen Yan followed Zhao Wuji to Jing'an Hall again.

However, the sheer scale of the event made Chen Yan's expression stiffen even before he reached the hall entrance!
Several officers from Xueya Pass, clad in leather armor, stood before the entrance to the hall, exuding a bloodthirsty and menacing aura.

On the other side, there were several disciples of the Heavenly Demon Yin Yang Joyful Union Sect—Chen Yan even saw Nangong Sheng!

There was also Jiang Mo, the inner disciple who had brought me back to the sect.

The two men stood outside the gate with several disciples. Nangong Sheng still had the air of a handsome man in ancient style, looking quite unrestrained and free. Jiang Mo, on the other hand, had a calm demeanor and a solemn face.

Are the inner disciples standing guard outside the gate?

That's quite a grand affair!

Chen Yan glanced subconsciously at Zhao Wuji beside him. Zhao Wuji was also shocked and whispered, "When Elder Qian sent me to fetch you a while ago, there weren't this many people..."

As he spoke, the guy couldn't help but stare at Chen Yan for a moment, then swallowed hard: "Junior brother, you're not some kind of great demon, are you? That's why they've put on such a grand show to suppress you, is it?"

Chen Yan rolled his eyes.

Nangong Sheng saw Chen Yan walking towards Zhao Wuji from afar, and gave Chen Yan a wink with a hint of a smile in his eyes.

Jiang Mo slowly walked up.

"Greetings, Senior Brother." In accordance with the rules of the Heavenly Demon Yin Yang Joyful Union Sect, Chen Yan, as an outer disciple, bowed first.

Zhao Wuji, who was beside him, then came to his senses and quickly bowed in greeting.

When they first met, this guy followed Jiang Mo around like a follower. Chen Yan thought he was Jiang Mo's subordinate, but after entering the sect, he learned that Zhao Wuji was in the Jing'an Hall, while Jiang Mo was an inner sect senior brother. The two had no superior-subordinate relationship.

Zhao Wuji acted like a lackey and lapdog in front of Jiang Mo simply because he could fawn over him.

"Junior Brother Zhao Shanhe." Jiang Mo glanced at the two of them, not even lingering on the sycophantic Zhao Wuji for more than half a second, before looking at Chen Yan. His expression and tone were very gentle, and he even smiled. "Speaking of which, you were brought into the sect by me. I didn't know you had such outstanding talent back then. Fortunately, Junior Brother Nangong Sheng had a discerning eye, otherwise I would have missed out on a talent."

"I dare not accept such praise from you, senior brother," Chen Yan replied steadily.

"I invited you here today because an inner sect elder inquired about the Gu family, and that nobleman from the Gu family also came to ask questions..." Jiang Mo said, turning back to look at the direction of the hall, and said in a deep voice, "Originally, if you were just a witness I brought back, I wouldn't need to explain anything to you."

But now that you are a disciple of my sect, things are different.

"When you enter, you must not be impolite. After all, you are an outer disciple of my Heavenly Demon Yin Yang Joyful Union Sect, and in front of the distinguished guests from the Gu family, you represent the image of my sect's disciples. When you are questioned, you must be tactful in your responses and must not speak or act rashly..."

Chen Yan raised an eyebrow and looked at Jiang Mo.

Nangong Sheng, standing nearby, chuckled and said, "Senior Brother Jiang Mo, you always speak in such a cryptic way. No wonder Uncle said you act like an old man."

As he spoke, Nangong Sheng walked over, waved his wide sleeves, and patted Chen Yan on the shoulder: "After all, you are a rogue cultivator. You have never seen such a grand scene, nor have you ever seen cultivators and nobles of such high status. Don't worry, don't be nervous when you go in. Senior Brother Jiang Mo is telling you these things because he is afraid that you are not used to the world and will lose your composure in front of nobles."

He paused, then chuckled, "There's another layer to it... To put it bluntly, this matter has nothing to do with our sect. The ship belongs to the Gu family, and that guy from the East Sea has nothing to do with us either. He also came off the Gu family's ship... From beginning to end, this matter has nothing to do with us."

When you go in to be questioned, tell me what you know, and don't guess or make things up if you don't know.

This just happened to happen on our sect's territory. From the time it occurred until now, we've done our duty, shown sufficient consideration, and cooperated adequately with their family needs. But we're too lazy to get involved any further, and even less inclined to expend any more energy—do you understand what I mean?”

Chen Yan smiled.

That explains it all, I get it!
Jiang Mo's expression hardened, and he glanced at Nangong Sheng with some displeasure: "Junior brother, how can you say such things..."

"Alright, old man, I don't like your tendency to beat around the bush. What if misunderstandings arise if things aren't explained clearly?" Nangong Sheng seemed to have a good relationship with Jiang Mo, patting him warmly and laughing, "Junior Brother Shanhe is new to the sect and doesn't understand your personality. He might not be able to grasp what you mean. Wouldn't it be better if I explained things clearly for you?"

Jiang Mo blushed, coughed lightly, and looked away, saying, "Oh well, whatever you want..."

Nangong Sheng took a deep breath and looked at Chen Yan seriously, saying, "When you go in, pay attention. The one sitting in the main seat is the chief steward elder of the outer sect, who is in charge of today's questioning. And behind the hall... Elder Tie, the steward of the inner sect, is listening in. Elder Tie is in charge of criminal matters within the sect, and he is the most intolerant of any wrongdoing. Just tell me the truth, without any exaggeration or speculation."

Yes, that important person from the Gu family has also arrived and is listening in from the back of the hall.

Of course, these two are listening from the back of the hall and won't speak easily, but if they do ask you a question, you'd better be careful how you answer!

Chen Yan, on the other hand, looked relaxed and cupped his hands to the two inner disciples, smiling as he said, "Thank you for your guidance, senior brothers. I'll go in now."

Seeing Chen Yan's composed expression, Nangong Sheng's eyes showed even more admiration.

If it were an ordinary, low-level cultivator, the chance to meet an inner sect elder of the Heavenly Demon Yin Yang Joyful Union Sect, or to have the opportunity to meet a noble person from the Gu family... would probably be one of trembling with fear and trepidation.

My junior brother Zhao Shanhe, whom I admire, is indeed remarkable in both demeanor and character.

"Oh right, I've already read the notes on weapon crafting that you sent over before." Nangong Sheng said with a smile, "I've already instructed the instructors for the new disciples selection in the outer academy that if Nan Qiao doesn't perform at the bottom in the final selection, I will have someone recruit him into the weapon crafting hall."

As he spoke, he patted Chen Yan on the shoulder again: "Go in, finish your questioning, and come out early—I'll come to your courtyard tonight to have a drink with you when I have some free time. I heard you moved to that courtyard in the Southwest Cemetery, that place is nice. I'll bring a jar of good wine to you tonight."

Chen Yan said no more, nodded, and walked towards the main entrance of the hall.

Jiang Mo, standing behind him, looked at Nangong Sheng with a puzzled expression: "I didn't know that Junior Brother would admire this outer disciple so much... I've been curious about this ever since I heard that you made an exception to accept him into the outer sect. Junior Brother has always been proud and arrogant, and it's rare to find someone who can catch your eye."

"Old man Jiang Mo, you're always so proper in your words and deeds. How could you possibly understand the habits of us unconventional and free-spirited men?" Nangong Sheng chuckled. "Your manner of bowing to your master is so meticulous that you practically need a ruler to measure it. You wouldn't understand even if I told you."

·
As Chen Yan walked into the hall, he saw a row of chairs on each side.

There were three or four people sitting on each side, all dressed in the robes of outer sect elders—the Elder Qian from Jing'an Hall whom he knew could only sit at the very bottom, near the door.

However, the General Gu Jiu from the Gu family whom I had met before was sitting in the frontmost seat on the left.

Directly opposite the main entrance, in a chair, sat a man dressed in a black robe, with long, jet-black hair styled in a bun, a handsome face, and a long, flowing beard—a quintessential handsome middle-aged man in ancient costume.

He's probably the type who could be used as Zhuge Liang.

Chen Yan strode in, walked to the center, bowed respectfully, and said loudly, "Zhao Shanhe, a disciple of the Outer Sect's Weapon Refining Hall, greets all the elders!"

Those sitting on either side were probably just listening and didn't say anything, but Elder Qian looked at Chen Yan with a hint of goodwill.

The handsome middle-aged man in the center slowly spoke: "Zhao Shanhe."

The voice is quite pleasant; it's not the greasy, bubbly kind of voice, but rather has a touch of magnetism.

"Disciple is here," Chen Yan replied with a smile.

"I am Nangong Yuan, the chief steward of all the outer halls. You have only recently joined the sect and do not yet recognize me. I have summoned you here today so that I may question you personally."

The chief steward of all the outer halls—that must be the top leader of the outer sect.

It could be said that, apart from the inner sect of the Immortal Mountain, he was the largest among the outer sects on the ground.
That's quite a high status!
However, Chen Yan's heart skipped a beat. Nangong Yuan... someone with the surname Nangong? Is he a relative of Nangong Sheng?

Thinking of this, Chen Yan bowed again and said, "Greetings, Elder Nangong. I will answer your questions without reservation and without any negligence or concealment."

He had just stood up when he suddenly felt a jolt in his heart!
Because of the flow of vital energy, he clearly felt Elder Nangong squint at him and glance at him!
A glint of light flashed in his eyes, and a feeling of being enveloped by primordial energy magic immediately made Chen Yan's heart sink!
The other person is using magic to see me!
Moreover, because of the huge difference in their status, he didn't even need to hide it and openly cast spells on himself.

It's not the art of observing qi; it must be some kind of more advanced technique that can reveal a person's true nature!
Chen Yan's heart sank—his own shapeshifting ability...

The transformation technique of the white fox's inner core only works on cultivators below the Celestial Realm! Cultivators above the Celestial Realm can see through your true nature if they use magic to probe.

As a sect with a lineage passed down from a sage, the head of the outer sect must be at least at the Celestial Realm.

If he could see through his true appearance...

Chen Yan took a deep breath, having prepared some words.

After all... it's not a crime for a cultivator to change their appearance, is it?

I dislike my appearance and use magic to get plastic surgery. Is that wrong?

I have no connection to this case, and no matter how much they investigate, they can't find anything wrong with me. Changing my appearance is just a private matter.

With that in mind, he was already prepared to respond to the questions.

Unexpectedly, Elder Nangong Yuan, the leader of the outer sect, glanced at Chen Yan and then looked away with a calm and indifferent expression: "Since that's the case, then tell me the whole story again from beginning to end."

Chen Yan: ? ? ?
He won't expose my shapeshifting?
Chen Yan was suddenly filled with doubt.

He didn't believe that the head of the outer sect of a sect with a saintly lineage could be less than the Celestial Realm!

But if he saw through his true nature, why didn't he question it? Why didn't he expose it on the spot?
Why did he protect me?

Could it be that Nangong Sheng is putting in a good word for himself?
That doesn't make sense either. Nangong Sheng has never seen his true face and doesn't know that he used a shapeshifting technique.

Despite these doubts, Chen Yan remained calm and slowly said, "This disciple obeys."

He then recounted what he had seen and heard about the case.

After speaking, Nangong Yuan nodded and asked, "The thief we caught the other day, did you capture him yourself? I've read your account at Jing'an Hall. Did you know that thief before?"

Chen Yan calmly recounted how he met Donghai in Xitai City and then saw Donghai on the Gu family's cargo ship.

He had mentioned these things several times at Jing'an Hall, and when he did, he spoke of them fluently and naturally.

However, he kept Nangong Sheng's advice in mind, and his words were impartial and precise, never exaggerating or making personal guesses.

As he spoke, Chen Yan's gaze casually swept across the hall, and he saw that behind Elder Nangong Yuan, there was a screen behind him, and behind the screen was a door to an inner hall. Through the semi-transparent screen, he could see that the door behind it was open, and inside... there seemed to be a figure.

·
In the small room behind the hall.

One person sits on each of the two chairs.

The inner sect elder, Tie, had an old face and white hair and beard. Chen Yan's narration in the hall was clearly transmitted to the back of the hall, but he just closed his eyes as if he was dozing off and did not react at all.

Beside him, on the other side of a tea table, sat a general in leather armor, the very same nobleman from the Gu family, the garrison commander of Xueya Pass.

Dressed in military uniform, with a tall and straight figure and a full head of black hair, he neatly tied it into a high ponytail.

A silver mask covered his face, revealing only his eyes, which were deep and focused as he listened to the sounds coming from outside.

The nobleman of the Gu family suddenly focused his mind, a trace of energy flashing in his eyes, and his divine sense was released towards the outer hall.

The elder Tie, who was standing nearby, immediately sensed the magic of the nobleman from the Gu family beside him. He slightly opened his eyes and said calmly, "General Gu, are you worried about my sect and want to personally examine this person?"

The nobleman of the Gu family remained silent. A few seconds later, he withdrew his divine sense, but his brows furrowed slightly.

(How come... it's not him? Hmm... thank goodness it's not him. That makes sense, how could he possibly come to the Realm? Come to think of it... the name Zhao Shanhe is just a coincidence.)
Thinking of this, the nobleman of the Gu family seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and the expression on his face behind the silver mask had involuntarily relaxed.

"Nothing else, just take a look for yourself, don't worry."

The noblewoman from the Gu family spoke softly, but her voice was clear and sharp.

If Chen Yan were here, upon seeing this noblewoman from the Gu family, the garrison commander of Xueya Pass, he would probably run up and call her "little sister"!

Gu Qingyi, Gu Xiaoniang, a noblewoman of the Gu family, and the general of Xueya Pass! At this moment, she was sitting in a chair, casually glancing at Elder Tie next to her, and calmly picked up the teacup beside her and took a sip of tea.

Suddenly, as if she remembered something, she put down her teacup, her lips moved slightly, but silently.

·
Inside the hall, Chen Yan's narration was coming to an end. Gu Jiu, who was sitting in the front left seat, suddenly became serious, as if he was listening intently to something. Then, he nodded solemnly.

Before Chen Yan could finish speaking, Gu Jiu coughed and said, "Wait a moment."

Chen Yan immediately shut his mouth and looked at Gu Jiu: "General Gu, do you have any questions?"

Gu Jiu said calmly, "What you said is all recorded in the previous transcripts and files, and it is exactly the same as what you said. If there is no difference, there is no need to repeat it."

"Yes." Chen Yan smiled and nodded: "It's just that what I said was the truth. The first time, the second time... every time I was questioned, I said the truth, which is why it matches the record."

"I wonder what General Gu wants to ask?"

Gu Jiu glanced at Nangong Yuan.

Nangong Yuan smiled faintly: "Gu Jiu, ask whatever you want. Since we're asking questions today, the Gu family can ask any questions they have on the spot. My sect's disciples will answer to the best of their knowledge."

As he spoke, he glanced at Chen Yan: "Zhao Shanhe, General Gu has a question for you. Answer truthfully."

"Yes." Chen Yan nodded.

Gu Jiu looked at Chen Yan, sized him up, and then smiled, "This is the second time I've asked you a question. Don't be nervous. I just suddenly remembered some questions I was curious about..."

He paused, then slowly said, "You said before that you returned to the Western Frontier from Snow Cliff Pass—you attained enlightenment and became a cultivator at Snow Cliff Pass, and you also participated in hunting down the ferocious beast tribe outside the pass, right?"

Chen Yan nodded: "That's right. General Gu asked me about it last time, and I answered truthfully. I did go out of the pass to hunt and earn some jade money, but I'm not very skilled and I'm not very brave, so I don't dare to go out of the pass too often."

"Yes, I did mention it last time, but I want to ask you... I've read what you said about your background. You were registered as a cultivator in the Xitai City government. Counting the time you were registered, you must have experienced that great battle with the Beast Clan before you returned to the Western Frontier from Xueya Pass, right?"

Chen Yan's heart skipped a beat.

However, his expression remained unchanged as he slowly said, "Indeed, this disciple has also experienced it."

"Hmm, I wonder if you were inside or outside Snow Cliff Pass during the great battle?"

Ok?
I didn't ask that question last time.

Chen Yan glanced at Gu Jiu subconsciously. This burly, fat guy looked calm, but his eyes were fixed on him.

Emmm...

We can't say we're in the city!

Because I was not inside the pass during the war, I didn't know what the situation was like inside the pass when the ferocious beast tribe attacked the city, or how it was controlled. If the other side asked me a question about a detail that I couldn't answer, I would immediately be exposed.

You could say you're outside the Great Wall...

I had admitted to myself before that I was a coward! So after a few hunting trips outside the pass, I was too scared to go again!
Chen Yan's thoughts raced like lightning, but he made a decision in an instant.

"Reporting to General Gu, I left Snow Cliff Pass and returned to the interior of the pass before the Ferocious Beast Clan attacked the city."

"Oh?" Gu Jiu was taken aback, not expecting Chen Yan to say that.

"At that time, the garrison in Xueya Pass was being mobilized very quickly, and the number of times the Benlei cavalry went out to sweep across the snowfields was becoming more and more frequent. Everyone in Xueya Pass knew that war was about to break out."

This disciple is not skilled in combat, and is also less courageous than others, so... seeing that war was about to break out, I wanted to avoid it, so before the siege and the sealing of the pass, I..."

Well, Gu Jiu was helpless.

Although the other party claimed to have experienced major battles, saying they had experienced them did not necessarily mean they had actually fought in the battlefield.

Before the war broke out and the city was sealed off, quite a few people left Xueya Pass and entered the inland area.

However, Gu Jiu's expression shifted slightly, and he shook his head, saying, "That's strange. You admitted that you're timid and not good at fighting. But just a few days ago, you fought a fierce battle all by yourself in the courtyard and defeated that Donghai?"

Chen Yan remained calm, only offering a wry smile: "General Gu, I am indeed timid and dare not take the initiative to fight, and I do have a fear of the strong and want to avoid battle."

But... the reason I captured Donghai that day was because he happened to be hiding in my yard and I ran into him. I was caught off guard and couldn't just surrender and wait to die, could I?
I had no choice but to fight him to save my life. Though I'm a coward, when cornered, I had no choice but to fight back!

Gu Jiu's expression was strange: "Oh?"

At this moment, Elder Qian, who was sitting in the lower seat, suddenly spoke up.

"General Gu Jiu".

"Hmm? Elder Qian, please speak." Gu Jiu smiled at Elder Qian.

Elder Qian's expression was calm as he slowly said, "This Zhao Shanhe is indeed rather daring... well, a bit cautious."

That day, when he captured Donghai, and our Jing'an Hall disciples went to carry him away, we saw that Donghai's entire body was covered with... dozens of binding talismans...

After the people were brought back, a careful check revealed that there were a total of fifty-six sheets.

At the time, my disciples were all remarking that the junior brother who captured the East Sea was perhaps a little too... well, a little too cautious.

Upon hearing this, Gu Jiu looked at Chen Yan with a strange expression, but the doubts in her heart dissipated.

Right.

When ordinary cultivators fight with people, after defeating them, they simply throw out a binding spell or talisman.

After knocking the person down, he threw out fifty-six talismans in one go!

Damn, how scared are they?!

It's like killing someone and then fearing they'll revive, so you immediately stab the corpse fifty-six more times?

It does fit the mindset of a timid, honest person who is cornered and then fights back while still feeling fearful.

Chen Yan felt a secret sense of relief.

Sure enough, it has to be one of our own! After all, Elder Qian has dealt with me a few times, and I have always treated him with great respect. That's why he spoke up for me.

Gu Jiu sighed: "Okay, I have nothing more to ask."

Nangong Yuan looked at everyone, then at Chen Yan, and then he slowly stood up, turned around to face the screen behind him, nodded slightly, and said slowly, "Elder Tie, General Gu, the outer sect Jing'an Hall has finished questioning. Do you two have any further instructions?"

The hall was quiet for a while. Elder Tie didn't say a word, but a high-pitched and clear voice came from inside.

"We are deeply grateful for the fact that this matter has troubled your sect for so many days."

As these words fell, all the elders present rose and bowed to the inner hall. Nangong Yuan smiled and replied, "I dare not accept such politeness from General Gu. Our sect and the Gu family are both leaders of the righteous path and are of the same blood!"

Seeing that all the elders were agreeing, Chen Yan, who was standing in the center, stared wide-eyed!

He couldn't keep his composure any longer and instinctively craned his neck to look into the inner hall.

That voice, that high-pitched, thin voice!

Holy crap! I'd recognize him even if he were ashes!!

Is that you, Miss Gu?!

(End of this chapter)