Chapter 48: Li Jianping, You Died So Well!
Chapter 48: Li Jianping, You Died So Well!
The corpse of a sect master hanging in the sect’s central square would undoubtedly cause an uproar if word got out.
Especially when this was the sect master of the world’s number one orthodox sect.
Both instinctively assumed something catastrophic must have happened at Three Saints Sect.
Only now did they recall they hadn’t encountered any mountain-guarding disciples when arriving, and the sect’s protective formation had a gaping hole.
Jiang Wang stared at the corpse for a long while before confirming it was indeed Li Jianping’s body, then immediately turned to Liu Yueru.
Since Three Saints Sect and Jixia Academy held the top two positions among orthodox sects, and now that the number one Li Jianping was dead, wouldn’t it be perfect for number two Liu Yueru to join him?
At this distance and position, it was the perfect opportunity for a sneak attack.
If successful, the orthodox faction would lose two major leaders consecutively—wouldn’t that allow their demonic faction to march south and claim territories currently held by orthodox sects?
Thinking this, Jiang Wang began secretly gathering spiritual energy.
But just then, a group of Three Saints Sect elders in official robes emerged.
Liu Yong, the elder in charge of guarding the treasure vault, recognized them immediately and called out from afar:
“Isn’t this Palace Master Liu? Since you’ve come, why didn’t you notify us in advance?”
Faced with so many people, Jiang Wang instantly abandoned his plan to ambush Liu Yueru.
Among these elders were several at the peak of Star Realm—even if Liu Yueru died in the attack, he’d never escape Three Saints Sect’s retaliation.
Such an unfavorable trade of one life for another was naturally unacceptable.
“Elder Liu? What exactly happened here? Why is Sect Master Li’s body hanging there… has something happened to Three Saints Sect?”
At Liu Yueru’s question, the elders looked somewhat embarrassed.
After all, the situation—where their own sect master schemed against a disciple only to be killed by their founding ancestor—was rather difficult to explain.
As for why Li Jianping’s corpse was displayed here, that was entirely Qu Xiangyang’s idea.
“Such scum deserves to hang here exposed for seven days and nights as a warning!” were Qu Xiangyang’s exact words.
Everyone could guess the reason—to curry favor with Su Ming.
Considering even their founding ancestor deferred to Su Ming like this, what could they elders possibly say?
Moreover, subsequent investigations revealed Li Jianping’s underhanded dealings were truly despicable.
What kind of sect secretly raises death squads for no reason?
Finding new disciples was already becoming increasingly difficult generation after generation, yet Li Jianping had to stuff the ranks with expendable agents—utterly unreasonable!
Even if those death squad members received cultivation resources, wouldn’t they ultimately circle back into Li Jianping’s pockets?
Some elders who’d been friendly with Li Jianping initially felt indignant on his behalf, but after seeing the irrefutable evidence, they now only wanted to distance themselves from the former sect master to avoid tarnishing their own reputations.
“This is Three Saints Sect’s internal matter. If Palace Master Liu came to discuss business with Li Jianping, you may go to Chenyang Peak to seek Su—” Liu Yong almost said “Su Ming” but caught himself—“you may go to Chenyang Peak to seek Sect Master Su.”
Hearing “Chenyang Peak,” Liu Yueru felt a twinge of foreboding.
That was Su Ming’s residence—could this “Sect Master Su” actually be Su Ming?
If Su Ming had truly become Three Saints Sect’s leader, would the apology gifts she prepared even catch his eye anymore?
Jiang Wang reacted faster behind her.
He’d already heard from Chu Fan that Su Ming resided on Chenyang Peak.
“To think Three Saints Sect would hand over the sect master position to curry favor after Li Jianping’s death… Let’s see what happens if this ‘Sect Master Su’ gets injured by his own sect members.”
With this thought, Jiang Wang stepped forward and asked: “Honored Three Saints Sect elders, does anyone here know the master of this disciple—Ye Nantian?”
“Hmm? Isn’t that Chu Fan?” Elders who’d observed the Sect Grand Competition recognized him.
“It is Chu Fan! To think he survived being caught in spatial turbulence—Green Sun Peak is over there. Ye Nantian will be overjoyed to see him.”
Ye Nantian had been despondent ever since Chu Fan disappeared.
As for the other disciple Chu Yiyi… she remained imprisoned at Fiery Prison Cliff.
With his attention entirely focused on Chu Fan, Ye Nantian had practically forgotten Chu Yiyi existed.
After confirming Green Sun Peak’s location, Jiang Wang immediately led his group away.
He didn’t bother informing Palace Master Liu Yueru before departing.
But Liu Yueru couldn’t care less now—her only concern was whether visiting Chenyang Peak might cause problems.
So she asked again: “Elder Liu, is this ‘Sect Master Su’ you mentioned… Su Ming?”
Elder Liu nodded slightly.
“Then… what is Sect Master Su’s relationship with Luo Ningshuang?”
Her visit fundamentally concerned Luo Ningshuang’s situation.
If Su Ming and Luo Ningshuang weren’t particularly close, she needn’t worry too much.
But if they were deeply attached, her prepared gifts would be embarrassingly inadequate.
Recalling what he’d witnessed earlier, Liu Yong had his answer.
“Sect Master Su and Miss Luo’s relationship appears… extremely close.”
After all, everyone saw the young couple holding hands while returning to Chenyang Peak—could anyone claim they weren’t close after that?
Liu Yueru felt increasingly alarmed—Su Ming and Luo Ningshuang’s relationship exceeded her worst expectations.
“That cultivation-disabled waste Luo Ningshuang actually won Su Ming’s favor?”
“So Palace Master Liu, what business brings you here today?”
“There is a matter… Please inform Sect Master Su that I wish to meet him this afternoon.”
With that, Liu Yueru turned and left immediately.
With Su Ming and Luo Ningshuang’s changed statuses, she couldn’t possibly offer her originally prepared compensation gifts.
After careful consideration, only Jixia Academy’s Spirit Awakening Spring Water would suffice—a treasure comparable to the Three Saints Golden Lotus.
Liu Yueru’s abrupt arrival and departure left the Three Saints Sect elders bewildered, though they were relieved she hadn’t focused on Li Jianping’s corpse.
This was ultimately an internal disgrace—best kept private whenever possible.
As for compensating for Li Jianping’s lost combat strength? No need to worry.
Between Su Ming’s Half-Step Void Realm Battle Puppet and Meng Shu alone, they more than filled Li Jianping’s vacancy.
Not to mention their founding ancestor Qu Xiangyang had returned to Three Saints Sect.
Li Jianping’s death didn’t weaken Three Saints Sect—it actually enhanced their overall power.
Moreover, they no longer needed to fear accidentally offending Su Ming in the future.
With Li Jianping’s death, Three Saints Sect’s relationship with Su Ming had turned a new page.
Viewed this way, Li Jianping’s greatest contribution to Three Saints Sect occurred posthumously.
The elders gazed at his hanging corpse with newfound appreciation.
Li Jianping, you died so well!