Chapter 44: The Reckoning Begins
Chapter 44: The Reckoning Begins
Meng Shu’s expression grew visibly agitated upon hearing Su Ming’s words.
All these years of events had unfolded before his eyes.
The despicable deeds committed by the Devouring Heaven Demon Lord had initially filled him with utter disappointment. Fortunately, he later witnessed Su Ming’s repentance.
Looking back now, those events took on a different meaning.
To claim that Sect Master Li Jianping hadn’t schemed behind all this would be utterly impossible.
“Young Master, I’ll go at once.”
After Meng Shu left, Su Ming immediately summoned his Battle Puppet as a precaution against Li Jianping’s desperate retaliation.
Then, he approached Luo Ningshuang and took her hand firmly.
“Things are about to unfold. No matter what happens, don’t leave my side. Understood?”
Su Ming and Meng Shu had never concealed their conversations from her, so Luo Ningshuang was well aware of whom Su Ming intended to settle scores with.
At the same time, she couldn’t help but feel frustrated at her own lack of strength, knowing she could only be a liability to Su Ming.
Meanwhile, Qin Kaiwu, who had been slumped on the ground, finally snapped out of his daze.
With a complicated expression, he looked at Su Ming, his lips trembling before finally uttering two words: “I’m sorry…”
“You were just another pawn in someone else’s scheme. But don’t think a simple apology will earn my forgiveness.”
“If you truly want to make amends, then help me take down Li Jianping.”
Qin Kaiwu was stunned for a moment before his expression hardened with resolve. “Understood.”
The things Li Jianping had done were far more despicable than even the worst scoundrels Qin Kaiwu had encountered during his travels.
“Esteemed elders and fellow disciples of the Three Saints Sect, I trust you’ve all witnessed today’s events.”
Su Ming channeled his spiritual energy, amplifying his voice to resonate throughout the entire sect.
“Li Jianping is a deceitful man who has schemed against me for years, even swindling away the cultivation resources my parents left for me… Today, I, Su Ming, will settle every debt he owes me from these past years!”
As Su Ming recounted the events of the past decade, the elders finally realized the truth.
No wonder the sect had been receiving a steady influx of treasures all these years—it turned out Li Jianping had been extorting them from Su Ming.
The thought that they, too, had benefited from those resources sent a chill down their spines.
Su Ming had remained silent all this time, but now that he was airing these grievances publicly, it was clear the reckoning had begun.
Fortunately, his target was solely Li Jianping, with no mention of the other elders.
Just as the three Star Realm peak elders were about to declare their support for Su Ming, Li Jianping—who had left earlier—suddenly reappeared.
Seeing the mastermind return, Zhao Xiuran immediately spoke up. “Li Jianping, after all the harm you’ve caused over the years, are you trying to drag the Three Saints Sect into ruin?”
His words echoed the sentiments of everyone present.
What right did the Three Saints Sect have to scheme against the children of two Heavenly Dao Realm sovereigns?
Yet Li Jianping’s response took them all by surprise.
“I, Li Jianping, don’t need any of you telling me how to act!”
His confidence was unshaken.
“I know you’re all afraid of Su Ming’s parents, but I’ve confirmed it myself—they’re in no position to protect him. They can’t even protect themselves, let alone spare a thought for this abandoned son!”
“Moreover, our founding ancestor has also ascended to the Heavenly Dao Realm. Why should we fear Su Ming?”
His words left everyone dumbfounded.
The Three Saints Sect’s founding ancestor had left the Heaven Primordial Continent less than a century ago—how could he have already reached the Heavenly Dao Realm?
“Since when does Li Jianping get to decide what’s true?” Zhao Xiuran retorted. “And even if our ancestor has reached the Heavenly Dao Realm, so what? You know as well as I do that he’s too far away to intervene. Right now, Su Ming has a Half-Step Void Realm Battle Puppet and his guardian. Who among us can stand against that?”
His words struck a chord with many elders, including two of the great elders, who now knew exactly where to place their allegiance.
Li Jianping swept his gaze over them, his confidence unwavering.
“I’ve already contacted our ancestor through a secret method. He will return within an hour!”
“When that happens, it won’t be Su Ming settling scores with me—it’ll be me settling scores with him!”
“Think carefully, all of you. Choose the wrong side now, and there’ll be no good ending for you in the future.”
With that, he drew his newly reforged Lifebound Flying Sword, clearly ready for battle at any moment.
BOOM!
The high walls of the elders’ hall were instantly shattered.
Su Ming strode in, hand in hand with Luo Ningshuang. Meng Shu followed, dragging Zeng Yuan behind him, while Qin Kaiwu—his expression conflicted—brought up the rear.
“Li Jianping, you’re absolutely right. Choosing the wrong side now will indeed lead to a terrible fate.”
“Seize him!”
At his command, the Battle Puppet lunged at Li Jianping.
Within ten breaths, the puppet had already knocked Li Jianping to the ground. Meng Shu moved swiftly, sealing the sect master’s spiritual energy before he could react.
The once-confident Li Jianping, who had just been urging others to pick sides, was now a prisoner in an instant.
Su Ming looked down at him and said leisurely, “I heard you have powerful backers? Someone at the same realm as my parents? Can they come save you now?”
The elders needed no further convincing about whose side to take.
“Elder Zeng Yuan, why don’t you tell everyone how Li Jianping conspired with you to frame me?”
“Don’t worry—I’m not a petty man like Li Jianping. I promised to spare your life, and I will.”
Hearing this, Zeng Yuan finally mustered the courage to confess how he had colluded with Li Jianping to harm Su Ming.
Qin Kaiwu, who had accompanied them, clenched his fists in silent fury. He could hardly believe his own master had sunk to such depths.
As Zeng Yuan laid bare the truth, the elders glanced at the defeated Li Jianping sprawled on the ground—their decision was already made.
At this point, not siding with Su Ming would be sheer idiocy.
Even if the Three Saints Sect’s ancestor truly returned in an hour and had indeed reached the Heavenly Dao Realm…
That was still an hour away. Right now, Su Ming could kill them with a mere flick of his finger.
“Su Ming, don’t get too cocky! Once our ancestor returns, you’re dead!”
“Let me go now, and I might put in a good word for you. Maybe he’ll spare your miserable life!”
Even lying on the ground, Li Jianping showed no trace of panic.
In his eyes, victory was still assured.
Once the ancestor returned, everything would change.
“The Three Saints Sect’s ancestor left the Heaven Primordial Continent barely a few decades ago, and you claim he’s already at the Heavenly Dao Realm?” Su Ming scoffed.
“How many years did it take you to reach the peak of the Star Realm? A hundred? Fifty? Li Jianping, use that pig brain of yours—do you really think your ancestor could reach the Heavenly Dao Realm in just a few decades?”