Chapter 00234: Pang Xiangxiang Speaks the Truth
# Pang Xiangxiang Speaks the Truth
Chapter 234
Novel: After the Myth
Chapter 234: Pang Xiangxiang Speaks the Truth
Following the normal procedures for a sect's engagement ceremony, the next steps would typically involve introducing the qualifications and achievements of the couple, followed by a discussion of their future aspirations, and finally, the exchange of vows between the two.
However, as Yi Jiang and Han Xiaonü walked to the center, before the presiding elder could speak, Yi Jiang stepped forward and knelt with a thud before the two sect leaders seated at the head of the hall—Qiao Sha, the sect master of the Desolate God Sect, and Liu Yinyu, the palace master of the Luo Shen Palace.
"Yi Jiang humbly requests the two elders to stand up for me," Yi Jiang pleaded.
Qiao Sha frowned.
He didn’t like Yi Jiang’s habit of disregarding priorities and proper decorum.
He was well aware that today’s main event wasn’t the engagement between Yi Jiang and Han Xiaonü.
There were far more important matters at hand.
Otherwise, even with his considerable influence, he wouldn’t have been able to gather so many people here.
Not even Ji Xinting, if he were here, could have invited figures like Yi Qianxing and Shi Qiuqiu.
Still, today was also an opportunity for Qiao Sha to bolster his own reputation, so he softened his tone and said, "Yi Jiang, today is not only a significant day for you and Han Xiaonü but also for our Desolate God Sect and the Luo Shen Palace. In front of so many esteemed guests, do not lose your sense of propriety."
On the other hand, Liu Yinyu, the palace master of the Luo Shen Palace, spoke indifferently, "If you have something to say, then say it."
"Yes," Yi Jiang responded and then continued, "My father was ambushed by a scoundrel from the cultivation world. I implore the two elders to stand up for me and bring this villain to justice, so he can no longer wreak havoc in the cultivation world and harm more people."
Yi Jiang’s words were clearly not the main point he wanted to make, but by bringing this up, he hoped to draw the attention of the two major sects.
Only then could he proceed to discuss the more critical matter—his bid to become the new sect master of the Moonlight Sect.
"Fellow Daoist Wan Dao was ambushed?" Qiao Sha exclaimed in surprise, his gaze shifting to Hu Wuxin, the alliance leader of the cultivation world’s sects, who was seated among the guests.
Hu Wuxin quickly stood up, clasped his fists, and sighed, "I only learned of this after arriving in the Ascension Realm and meeting with Fellow Daoist Pang Xiangxiang. I never imagined that coming to the Ascension Realm would mean parting ways with Brother Wan Dao forever. It’s truly heartbreaking."
"What exactly happened?" Qiao Sha pressed further.
Since his disciple had brought this up in front of so many sect leaders and guests, it was clear that Yi Jiang wanted to solidify this matter.
Although it felt a bit like forcing his master’s hand, Qiao Sha knew that Yi Jiang had played a crucial role in his rise to become the new sect master of the Desolate God Sect.
This disciple would still be of great use to him in the future.
Hu Wuxin, naturally, wasn’t going to fall for this trap.
He sighed again and said, "I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly upon my return. Alas, I have been quite negligent as the alliance leader. Every time I leave the cultivation world, something bad happens."
Anyone with half a brain could understand the underlying meaning of Hu Wuxin’s words.
He was subtly implying that he was, in fact, an extremely competent alliance leader.
Whenever he wasn’t in the cultivation world, trouble arose, but when he was present, everything was peaceful.
"Does anyone know the specifics of this incident?" Qiao Sha’s gaze swept over the sect leaders who had come from the cultivation world to the Ascension Realm.
No one stood up.
If even Hu Wuxin, the alliance leader, claimed not to know the details, who would dare to step forward and complicate matters?
"Elder Pang, you should speak. You’ve just arrived from the cultivation world," Qiao Sha’s gaze fell on Pang Xiangxiang.
Yi Jiang also bowed slightly to Pang Xiangxiang from a distance.
The news of the sect master’s death had been brought by Elder Pang Xiangxiang and Elder Gu Youchang.
Pang Xiangxiang stood up, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "This matter is quite lengthy, but I’ll try to keep it brief…"
To her surprise, Liu Yinyu, who had remained silent until now, spoke up, "No need to keep it brief. Speak in detail and tell the truth."
"Yes," Pang Xiangxiang responded and then began to speak slowly, "This matter started when some sects from the cultivation world went to the mortal world to recruit disciples. Ding Huan had no talent, so no sect took an interest in him. However, Ding Huan was determined to enter the cultivation world. He eventually found his way to the Jin family in Daye City and became a chef for Guan Wan…"
"Who is Guan Wan?" Liu Yinyu interrupted.
Pang Xiangxiang hesitated for a moment before answering, "Guan Wan is the young lady of the Jin family. She has a fondness for fine cuisine, so when she decided to enter the cultivation world, she specifically brought a chef along."
At this point, beads of sweat began to form on Yi Jiang’s forehead.
He wished he could rush over and cover Pang Xiangxiang’s mouth.
Why was she bringing up such irrelevant details?
But since his master, Qiao Sha, and the palace master of the Luo Shen Palace had instructed Pang Xiangxiang to speak in detail, there was nothing he could do.
"Hmph, this Guan Wan, a disciple who hasn’t even officially joined a sect, sure knows how to enjoy herself. Tell me, what is her background that she has such privileges?" Liu Yinyu asked with a cold laugh.
Pang Xiangxiang didn’t dare to look at Yi Jiang as she replied, "Guan Wan is the fiancée of the Moonlight Sect’s young master, so she enjoys certain privileges…"
Liu Yinyu’s gaze shifted to Yi Jiang, "You’ve got quite the nerve. You already have a fiancée, yet you’re engaged to my disciple, Han Xiaonü?"
"Elder, there’s been a misunderstanding. Guan Wan has long since fled the Moonlight Sect…" Yi Jiang panicked, deeply regretting that Pang Xiangxiang hadn’t lied, but he had no choice but to step forward and explain.
Liu Yinyu ignored Yi Jiang and instead said to Pang Xiangxiang, "Continue. Xiaonü, come sit by your master."
"Yes," Han Xiaonü, who had been standing silently in the center of the hall, quickly complied and sat down beside Liu Yinyu, visibly relieved.
Yi Jiang was average in both appearance and cultivation, only at the Qi Refining stage.
Why should she marry him? She had only agreed because her master had said it was one of the Luo Shen Palace’s options.
Pang Xiangxiang continued, "Ding Huan is quite a talented individual. When the various sects entered the Great Chasm Valley, most of them were either wiped out or only a few managed to escape. Yet, he managed to lead the Moonlight Sect’s members safely across the Great Chasm Valley…"
"Aunt Pang, half of the Moonlight Sect’s members died, and Elder Qu of the Twin Soul Sect was also ambushed and killed by him," Yi Jiang quickly interjected, seeing that Pang Xiangxiang wasn’t pinning the blame on Ding Huan.
Pang Xiangxiang, however, seemed oblivious to Yi Jiang’s intentions, "The reason half of the Moonlight Sect’s members died was because they refused to listen to Elder Gu and Ding Huan, insisting on following Steward Qiong instead."
"Is that so?" Qiao Sha’s expression darkened as he turned to Gu Youchang.
Gu Youchang quickly stood up and bowed, "Yes, that’s exactly what happened. If it weren’t for Ding Huan, I, Gu Youchang, wouldn’t be standing here today."
Even if Yi Wandao were still alive and standing here, Gu Youchang wouldn’t dare to speak ill of Ding Huan against his conscience.
"It seems this Ding Huan is quite capable for a mortal. Continue," Qiao Sha said, signaling Pang Xiangxiang to proceed.
Pang Xiangxiang then recounted how Ding Huan led everyone out of the Great Chasm Valley, then through the Lost Swamp, and finally how he fled after fearing that Steward Qiong would ambush him over a stalk of Condensing Star Bamboo.
Liu Yinyu snorted coldly, "The Moonlight Sect is indeed full of scoundrels. Ding Huan saved Steward Qiong’s life, yet instead of repaying the favor, Steward Qiong tried to kill him over a stalk of bamboo. How is that any different from a beast?"
Pang Xiangxiang continued, "After Ding Huan fled, over a year later, he was found by Elder Liu Yinzhu of the Purple Mist Valley…"
"Wait…" Liu Yinyu interrupted, "You said the elder from the Purple Mist Valley is named Liu Yinzhu? Do you have a portrait of her?"
Pang Xiangxiang quickly replied, "Yes, it’s Elder Liu Yinzhu."
As she spoke, she drew a faint image of a woman in the air.
Pang Xiangxiang’s abilities were limited, so the image was blurry and soon dissipated.
However, upon seeing the image, Liu Yinyu’s fingers twitched slightly, though she quickly regained her composure and said, "Her name is quite similar to mine. Continue."
Pang Xiangxiang, remembering that Guan Wan had been helped by Ding Huan, decided not to favor the Moonlight Sect, "Elder Liu Yinzhu invited Ding Huan to the Purple Mist Valley…"
She went on to describe how Ding Huan had lived in West Wind City, established laws, and how the Nine Sound Sect and the Purple Mist Valley had clashed, resulting in heavy losses on both sides.
With the Purple Mist Valley destroyed, Ding Huan and Elder Liu Yinzhu managed to survive and founded a new sect, the Blue Star Sect.
At this point, the sect masters of the Twin Soul Sect, the Moonlight Sect, and the Beast Taming Sect, along with over a dozen True Core cultivators and dozens of Foundation Establishment cultivators, joined forces to besiege the Blue Star Sect.
However, when they broke through the sect’s protective formation, they were all slaughtered.
Not only that, but their bodies were also nailed outside the sect’s gates by Ding Huan, the sect master of the Blue Star Sect.
"What a ruthless character," one of the sect masters from the Ascension Realm chuckled upon hearing this.
Liu Yinyu coldly stared at Yi Jiang, "Your Moonlight Sect’s sect master led a group to attack another sect’s protective formation, and when they were killed, you have the audacity to complain? Are you upset that they didn’t come to destroy your Moonlight Sect instead?"
Hearing this, Qiao Sha’s expression turned ugly.
Liu Yinyu wasn’t giving him, the sect master of the Desolate God Sect, any face at all.
He understood her meaning—since the marriage alliance had failed, the Luo Shen Palace no longer had any expectations of the Desolate God Sect, so she saw no need to spare his feelings.
Women, after all, were very pragmatic.
Yi Jiang’s face turned purple with frustration, "Elder Liu, Ding Huan seized the Purple Mist Valley and used underhanded tactics to kill my father. If such a villain is left unchecked, the cultivation world will descend into chaos!"
Liu Yinyu’s disdain grew even more pronounced, "Seized the Purple Mist Valley? Pang Xiangxiang just explained that the Purple Mist Valley was already destroyed. Moreover, when Ding Huan founded the Blue Star Sect, Elder Liu Yinzhu of the Purple Mist Valley was present. How does that equate to seizing the valley? It seems more like someone coveted the Purple Mist Valley and couldn’t bear the thought of it falling into the hands of a mortal, so they used this as an excuse to take it back, no?"
(End of Chapter)