Chapter 85: The Return of Intimidation

“Today, whoever comes, I will take them!” As he spoke, Shen Qingyun stepped forward, moving to meet the incoming spiritual lights.

As Shen Qingyun advanced, a figure from the opposing side also surged forward, moving with effortless grace and astonishing speed. In less than ten breaths, he had reached the center of the plain.

Gu Yang halted, his gaze meeting Shen Qingyun’s from afar, eyes burning with anger. He drew a deep breath and moved again, his steps swift as the wind, quickly arriving before Shen Qingyun. The two stood no more than a few yards apart.

They stared at each other, the atmosphere heavy and oppressive, fraught with an indescribable tension.

“Where are they?” Gu Yang did not look at Shen Qingyun, but glanced behind him, finding only the disciples of Bamboo Peak who had originally been in his team; the two others were absent.

Shen Qingyun’s expression remained indifferent, and instead of answering immediately, he asked, “Since you’re asking about them, does that not mean you were the one giving orders?”

Gu Yang raised his brows slightly and nodded. “That’s right—it was me.”

“You’re quite candid,” Shen Qingyun remarked, a bit surprised, clearly not expecting Gu Yang to admit it so readily.

“What’s there to hide?” Gu Yang smiled faintly and shook his head. “It’s not as if it’s something shameful.”

At this, Shen Qingyun frowned slightly. Not shameful? If such actions could be shown in public, then what in this world could not be? Seeing Shen Qingyun’s expression, Gu Yang sensed something was amiss and said, “Hand them over to me. We’re all from Bamboo Peak; I don’t wish to fight you.”

“Don’t wish to fight us?” Shen Qingyun let out a cold laugh, amazed at the audacity.

He sneered, “They came without so much as a word, and now you want to leave so easily? It’s not that simple.”

Gu Yang felt a sudden unease at Shen Qingyun’s words. He frowned and demanded, “What do you mean?”

“What do I mean?” Shen Qingyun replied coolly. “I should ask you—why did you send them to infiltrate my camp deep at night? If I hadn’t been alert, they would have succeeded!”

“What?” Gu Yang’s face showed shock as his brows knit together. “You say they infiltrated your camp, not entered openly?”

“What do you think?” Shen Qingyun retorted.

“Wait.” Gu Yang raised his hand to signal a pause, falling into deep thought. After a moment, he looked up at Shen Qingyun. “I sent them to find you, hoping you’d hand over the Ancestral Lotus. But they snuck in instead of coming openly?”

“What are you implying? That their actions weren’t your orders?” Shen Qingyun pressed.

“Yes and no.”

Gu Yang’s expression grew slightly bitter. He pressed his lips together and said, “I sent them here, but I didn’t order them to sneak in.”

Shen Qingyun regarded him calmly. Whether Gu Yang’s words could be trusted, he couldn’t say, but judging from Gu Yang’s expression, things seemed more complicated than they appeared.

Seeing Shen Qingyun remain silent, Gu Yang glanced at the disciples behind him and found they were all watching him. He paused, reckoning his own team would soon arrive, and spoke softly, “Fine, I’ll accept responsibility. Return the two to me, and I’ll give up on the Ancestral Lotus. Let’s focus on the trial again—wouldn’t that be better for everyone?”

“I still can’t let them go.” Shen Qingyun shook his head slightly.

Gu Yang’s brows drew together, his impatience evident. “Why not?”

“Because I killed them.” Shen Qingyun spoke, his tone as calm as if stating the most ordinary fact.

“What?!” Gu Yang’s face twisted in anger and disbelief, his furious gaze fixed on Shen Qingyun.

“You killed them?” The aura around Gu Yang surged, threatening violence.

“They infiltrated the camp, refused to reveal themselves when discovered. I deemed them intruders—was I wrong? I acted against intruders—was I wrong?” Shen Qingyun spoke calmly, facing Gu Yang’s barely restrained rage. “Moreover, one of my own was pierced through the chest by a sword, his fate still uncertain. Tell me—how could I possibly spare them?”

Shen Qingyun’s words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly pulling Gu Yang back from the brink of losing control. He stared at Shen Qingyun, the turn of events clearly beyond his expectations. He had simply sent the three to negotiate with Shen Qingyun, hoping to exchange for the Ancestral Lotus. Never did he expect things would escalate to bloodshed.

At that moment, the rest of Gu Yang’s team arrived. Twenty-four figures stood behind him, their silent presence exerting enormous pressure on the disciples behind Shen Qingyun, further cementing their resolve to join Gu Yang. Such a powerful team would surely fare better in Ghost Valley.

“But that’s still no reason for you to kill them!” Gu Yang’s voice trembled, barely containing his fury.

“Does Brother Gu have a better solution?” Shen Qingyun asked.

Gu Yang’s gaze was icy. “They acted without my knowledge and caused disaster. What am I supposed to do—stand by and watch them be executed? No matter what, I’m their captain, their senior! Yes, they erred. As captain, I must take responsibility! They infiltrated your camp—I apologize here and now! If your wounded disciple needs compensation, name your price. I’ll make it happen, even if it costs me everything! But since you killed them, I demand an explanation—one that satisfies me!”

Shen Qingyun faced Gu Yang’s rage with unwavering calm.

After a moment, he let out a soft laugh. “Ghost Valley is full of spiritual herbs—why would I need your compensation?”

In that instant, Shen Qingyun’s eyes were cold, a faint violet light flickering within. “Those two broke into my camp, an act of invasion. As fellow disciples, they showed no restraint, leaving Bamboo Peak’s disciples in peril. This is a violation of the sect’s rules! As Bamboo Peak’s chief disciple, how could I condone it?”

“Since Brother Gu can offer no better solution, let’s wait until Ghost Valley’s trial ends. I’ll report this matter to the sect myself and let them give you a satisfactory answer!”

“What!” Gu Yang’s face showed shock again, then he angrily retorted, “Do you realize what will happen if you bring this to the sect? What consequences await you and me?”

Shen Qingyun remained indifferent. Of course he knew.

Whether it was his actions or those of Zhou Ze and the other two, both had crossed forbidden lines.

Gu Yang’s thoughts matched Shen Qingyun’s. When Shen Qingyun said nothing, Gu Yang shouted in fury, “They’re doomed, that’s certain. But you—do you think you’ll escape unscathed? If this blows up, not only will Bamboo Peak’s reputation suffer, but those backing them won’t let you off easily. Nor will Cangyun Sect!”

Gu Yang’s words struck like one mountain after another, weighing heavily on Shen Qingyun. Yet he merely replied, “If they won’t let me off, let them come. I have never feared!”

Gu Yang fell silent, his gaze fixed on Shen Qingyun.

They stared at each other, their eyes like blades clashing in the air.

“I’m already restraining my anger while speaking to you, and you know it, yet you persist. Do you truly want to resolve this, or are you intent on fighting me to the bitter end?”

Shen Qingyun gave no reply, only nodded quietly.

Gu Yang exhaled deeply and sighed. “Since you’re so obstinate, I cannot be blamed! Today, even if I have to seize them by force, I will take their bodies back!”

He shouted, “Everyone, since he refuses to see reason, strike!”

Boom, boom, boom...

At Gu Yang’s command, the twenty-four behind him unleashed the full force of their Foundation Establishment cultivation. Before this tidal wave of power, Shen Qingyun’s figure seemed as insignificant as an ant.

At the same time, the twelve Bamboo Peak disciples who had been with Shen Qingyun also released their own aura. Just as it seemed a battle was about to erupt, a voice rang out among the disciples behind Shen Qingyun: “Strike! Aid Brother Gu in subduing him!”

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingyun simply closed his eyes and released a quiet sigh. In his heart, he thought, “This is the moment I’ve waited for!”

“Only when you all make your choice, can I make mine!”

The pressure ahead was like a tiger, behind like a wolf—unstoppable.

The twelve Bamboo Peak disciples’ betrayal shifted the situation dramatically. Ling Xiao and Su Ye, witnessing this, instinctively moved to help Shen Qingyun, but halted mid-step.

They understood their own abilities well; any intervention would only worsen matters. Better to watch silently and trust Shen Qingyun.

Shen Qingyun was trapped between two overwhelming forces, far stronger than himself.

This battle was utterly unfair.

Gu Yang, though unsure what was happening—the sudden betrayal by Shen Qingyun’s former teammates—quickly realized and shouted, “Charge!”

As they surged forward and the pressure behind intensified, Shen Qingyun calmed his breath, his body radiating a faint, ethereal glow.

A voice, ancient and imposing, rumbled from Shen Qingyun’s throat.

“Sword God—Intimidate!”