Chapter 47

Chapter 47

What kind of monster is this guy!

This question bubbled up in everyone's minds.

The Metaphysical Association was widespread across the country, and members from different regions were familiar with each other, but no one had ever heard of someone named Shen Wang.

"Shen Wang..." Repeating the name several times, someone pondered deeply and finally recalled where they had heard this name, "Aren't you, from the Tang family..."

"The Tang family?" The vice president's expression shifted slightly, saying, "If he is from the Tang family, that would be..."

"Wait, wait, wait." Shen Wang, feeling a headache coming on, quickly interrupted their speculations, "I have nothing to do with the Tang family, please don't associate us, thank you."

Fame brings trouble as surely as fattening a pig makes it ready for slaughter. Shen Wang thought, realizing that too much attention was not necessarily a good thing.

Chen Feng had stepped back when Shen Wang drew the Five Thunder Talisman, retreating into the crowd.

Before this, there was no one named Shen Wang in the metaphysical community, and he hadn't heard of any sects taking new disciples... In this case, Shen Wang could only be an independent practitioner.

Unaffiliated and unknown, carrying high-grade talismans from unknown sources.

Chen Feng thought he was an easy target, his schemes clicking away.

Just pin a false charge on Shen Wang, with a witness, and no matter how Shen Wang argued, without evidence to prove his innocence, he would have to bear the blame.

The method was simple and brutal, but effective.

But he never expected that these talismans weren't accidentally acquired by Shen Wang, but were self-made!

Drawing a high-grade talisman in front of everyone was a stronger rebuttal than any evidence! Like a resounding slap, landing squarely on Chen Feng’s face!

Qian Liangjun, that fool, hadn't gathered accurate information and dared to act recklessly. Chen Feng was annoyed, both at Shen Wang, who embarrassed him, and Qian Liangjun.

If it weren't for Qian Liangjun's foolish lure, I would never have rashly made a move!

In a flash, Chen Feng spoke loudly, "Qian Liangjun, Shen Daoist's talismans are his own creation, nothing to do with you. It seems you misunderstood him."

Misunderstanding... Qian Liangjun's face turned pale, knowing that Chen Feng was abandoning him, shifting the blame onto him.

Qian Liangjun felt bitter, only able to nod and bow apologetically, "Yes, yes, it was all a misunderstanding. I lost some talismans, and just happened to see Shen, Shen Daoist using them, so I misunderstood."

Stammering through his words, especially the term "Shen Daoist," which Qian Liangjun almost seemed to squeeze through clenched teeth, betrayed a deep-seated resentment.

"So that's how it is," Shen Wang feigned a sudden realization, his voice drawn out, "a misunderstanding..."

Everyone present had varied expressions.

It was apparent to anyone that there was more to the story, but given Chen Feng's high status in the Metaphysical Association and a powerful, influential master, no one wanted to risk offending an elder by speaking up for Shen Wang.

Despite the evident underlying issues, no one dared to confront the situation, preferring not to antagonize a senior figure for Shen Wang's sake.

Seeing Shen Wang's tone soften, Chen Feng and Qian Liangjun sighed in relief, "It's just a misunderstanding. There's no need to make a big deal out of it. An apology from Qian Liangjun should suffice..."

Shen Wang, a lone practitioner, understood the Metaphysical Association's control over the entire metaphysical community. Other than keeping the peace, what else could he do?

Pity filled the hearts of the onlookers as they sighed, sympathizing with Shen Wang.

Yet, Shen Wang smiled radiantly, "If apologies were effective, what would we need police for?"

"Right, since he's apologized, let's forget it, no harm done... Huh?!!" The crowd, initially trying to smooth things over, was startled.

Shen Wang declared, "You people from the Metaphysical Association dragged me here, threatened and beat me without a word. Although I might look unharmed on the outside, I've suffered severe internal injuries!"

"Not just that, but I've also experienced immense psychological trauma. If you don’t give me a satisfactory explanation, I might develop inner demons, and my spiritual path could be ruined!"

Hearing Shen Wang claim severe internal injuries, everyone's expressions turned bizarre.

On one side were the bruised and battered Chen Feng and company, and on the other, the unscathed and vigorous Shen Wang.

"How can you shamelessly claim to have internal injuries?" The crowd reproached with their gazes.

Hearing about the potential ruin of his spiritual path, they became even more incredulous: How could his path be ruined? The kind of ruin that comes from effortlessly drawing a high-grade talisman in one breath?

Chen Feng's master, sensing the tone, knew this matter couldn't end well.

His eyes flickered, and he decisively turned, slapping Chen Feng across the face, "You fool! Blindly trusting others, utterly foolish!"

Chen Feng's master didn't hold back, the slap causing Chen Feng's mouth to bleed. Swallowing the metallic taste, Chen Feng gritted his teeth and said, "Master's lesson is right. I shouldn’t have believed the slanderous words of a vile person, acting on my own to catch a villain, and misunderstanding a fellow Daoist."

Shen Wang was shocked; he never expected this master-disciple pair to be so shameless.

In front of everyone, the master disciplined his disciple, portraying his actions as 'good intentions to catch a bad person', merely deceived by a villain.

No wonder he's the master; such cunning to immediately extricate his disciple from blame.

Shen Wang narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze shifting towards Qian Liangjun.

Qian Liangjun was no fool. Hearing Chen Feng's words, his expression was despondent, his heart indescribable.

Chen Feng and his master were determined to make him the scapegoat. He had no choice but to bear the burden, lacking even the means to make a desperate stand.

Qian Liangjun knelt with a thud, pleading without hesitation, "Daoist Shen, I was wrong in this matter. I shouldn't have falsely accused you, please..."

In such a predicament, Qian Liangjun's only hope for mercy was Shen Wang.

Before Shen Wang could respond, Chen Feng's master's hand shot out like a claw, releasing a force directly into Qian Liangjun, "As a disciple of Qingcheng, you've violated our rules. I, on behalf of your master, expel you from our sect and revoke your cultivation. Henceforth, you must fend for yourself!"

Chen Feng's master moved so swiftly that no one could react in time. Qian Liangjun was already wailing on the ground, rolling in agony, tears slowly streaming from his reddened eyes.

Twenty years of arduous cultivation, all his spiritual power, gone in an instant.

Some turned away, unable to bear the sight.

No one had anticipated that Chen Feng's master would act so ruthlessly, mercilessly stripping Qian Liangjun of his cultivation.

The crowd felt a chill looking at Chen Feng's master again, avoiding his gaze, neither daring nor willing to look directly at him.

Shen Wang narrowed his eyes slightly and clicked his tongue, "Well, since you've put it that way, what can I do but forgive you, just like my father would."

Chen Feng's master laughed heartily, "Young Daoist friend is truly humorous and witty, a hero indeed in youth."

"However..." Shen Wang's tone shifted, "I've suffered severe physical and psychological trauma here. Aren’t you going to make amends?"

Chen Feng's master deftly passed the buck to the vice president, "I'm not in a position to decide that. Young friend, perhaps our vice president can address your concern."

The vice president, with a complex expression, looked at Qian Liangjun lying on the ground like a dead dog. After a long pause, he lifted his hand, signaling to the others, "Take him to the hospital."

That was the only thing he could do for Qian Liangjun now.

Fortunately, in this age of technology, the line between cultivators and ordinary people isn't so distinct. Even without cultivation, one can lead an extraordinary life as a commoner.

However, many cultivators believe themselves to be superior to ordinary mortals. Now, Qian Liangjun, stripped of his powers, had become the very thing he once scorned.

It was uncertain if he could withstand this blow.

As Qian Liangjun was dragged away, his face twisted in anguish, he looked dazedly at Shen Wang, a bitter regret welling in his heart: If only he hadn't listened to Tang Jiu, hadn't persistently targeted Shen Wang…

"Perhaps, he was still that lofty cultivator."

"Regret, however, is the most futile of emotions."

Qian Liangjun was dragged out of the room, and soon, even his figure was no longer visible.

After handling other matters, the Vice President turned back to Shen Wang, asking calmly, "May I know, Shen Dao You, what we can do to make amends for the harm you have suffered?"

Shen Wang's eyes flickered, "We're all cultivators here, talking about money is too mundane, lacking in style."

The Vice President, seemingly enlightened, nodded, "Shen Xiao You is right, then what would you like?"

"For such a large organization, there must be a treasure vault or something similar. I don’t ask for much, just want to broaden my horizons."

The Vice President's forehead creased, he firmly refused, "Impossible! Only the elite members of the association can enter the treasure vault. You, an outsider, how can you be allowed? I won’t permit it!"

This reaction was within Shen Wang’s expectations. He tapped a stack of talismans in his hand, "What if I trade with talismans?"

"Talismans!"

The surrounding crowd gasped, their eyes burning with intensity.

High-level talismans are rare treasures, offering a lifeline in critical battles.

Lifesaving talismans are not to be taken lightly.

Even the Vice President couldn’t hide his eagerness, as well as other members of the Metaphysical Association. He cleared his throat, "I’ll trade ten talismans for one treasure of my choice."

"...” The Vice President gritted his teeth, "Deal!"

After all, there were plenty of items in the treasure vault. If Shen Wang, appearing unsophisticated, chose a worthless item, it would be a huge profit.

"Agreed, then why wait? Let's go now!" Shen Wang clapped his hands, eager to proceed.

The Vice President and Shen Wang left one after the other, leaving behind a crowd of onlookers in bewilderment.

"That's it?"

It seemed to be over, but with the Vice President and Shen Wang gone, Chen Feng and his master were still standing there.

After suffering such a loss, Chen's master and disciple might vent their anger on any bystander, leaving them with no place to seek justice, just like Qian Liangjun’s fate.

"Let's disperse, let's disperse."

The onlookers, not daring to stay any longer, quickly found excuses to leave.

After everyone had gone, Chen Feng looked up, his eyes dark with resentment, "Master, that Shen surnamed guy disrespects us. Shouldn't you take matters into your own hands and teach him a lesson?"

"How did I teach you before?" Chen Feng's master, usually smiling, now had a serious look. Normally amiable with laugh lines around his eyes, they now spread out flat, "You didn’t even properly investigate who your opponent was before rashly making a move."

Chen Feng sulkily explained, "I did investigate! He's the real young master of the Tang family, but they refused to acknowledge him and kicked him out... I thought he was just a discarded child of the Tang family."

He naturally assumed the talismans were taken from the Tang family.

"Isn’t the Tang family desperately trying to nurture a genius to revive their lineage? They had him but let him slip away," Chen Feng's master chuckled, "They’ll regret it so much when they find out the truth."

Chen Feng, not quite satisfied, protested, "He ambushed me and beat me severely. Am I supposed to just swallow this?"

His master, showing sympathy, carefully took out a small jade bottle from his pocket and handed Chen Feng a grey pill.

After swallowing, Chen Feng's facial wounds visibly healed rapidly. He was both surprised and grateful, "Thank you, Master, for your care."

"Chen Feng, you’re too impulsive. You still need to temper your nature," his master advised slowly, "Remember, a gentleman's revenge can wait ten years."

"Right now, the situation is not in your favor. You must learn to bend before you can rise again."

Chen Feng nodded, half understanding, "I get it, thanks for the guidance, Master."

Meanwhile, Shen Wang followed the Vice President to the Metaphysical Association's treasure vault, eager and restless before entering.

Once inside, he was hugely disappointed, "No way, this is it? These are the treasures of the Metaphysical Association?"

The Vice President's face darkened immediately.

Shen Wang continued heedlessly, "Isn't there anything better? Don't let me look down on the Metaphysical Association."