GBP Chapter 216 The Sect is in Trouble
Chapter 216 The Sect is in Trouble
"You're foolish! Do you think you can rise to prominence by following Jia Sidao's orders?! Once the border falls, the Mongol army will surely sweep in, and you'll be the first scapegoat to be executed!"
"Do you think Jia Sidao will let you off the hook?!"
Lu Wenhuan glared with bloodshot eyes and shouted angrily.
Lin Ye frowned, no longer as relaxed as before. He seemed to have realized what was happening, but it was too late.
"You keep saying that you have never harmed the people, but do you know how many innocent people will be displaced and die in the war once the Mongol army marches in?!"
Duan Zhengchun looked coldly at Lin Ye and asked a question without expression.
Upon hearing this, Lin Ye collapsed to the ground, utterly powerless, his expression complex.
"Are you willing to atone for your crimes by performing good deeds?!"
After hesitating for a long time, Lü Wenhuan finally sighed helplessly and asked.
"willing!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Ye immediately answered loudly, his face revealing an unprecedented firmness.
"I don't agree."
But at this moment, Duan Zhengchun suddenly spoke up.
"Master Yin, this seems to be a matter within our military, and it's not appropriate for outsiders to interfere, is it?"
Lu Wenhuan frowned and asked slowly.
“A traitor is a traitor, regardless of whether he has committed any heinous acts. In that case, he should be killed as a warning to others!”
"Can General Lü guarantee that no brothers in his army died because of him when he feigned defeat and lost the city?!"
Duan Zhengchun turned to look at Lü Wenhuan, each word spoken with resounding force.
Upon hearing this, Lü Wenhuan fell completely silent, because he knew all too well just how brutal the Battle of Fancheng had been.
Many people died in that battle, and only one or two out of ten survived!
"Somebody come!"
After a moment's hesitation, Lü Wenhuan shouted loudly towards the outside of the tent.
Soon, two soldiers strode in from outside.
"Issue the order: Lin Ye colluded with treacherous officials in the court, deliberately suffered defeat, leading to the fall of Fancheng. His crime is unforgivable. He shall be beheaded and his head displayed to the public in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn!"
Lu Wenhuan spoke loudly, his face grim.
Duan Zhengchun's words had completely convinced him. He had originally planned to let Lin Ye atone for his crimes by dying on the battlefield, but upon further reflection, he felt that he had been too merciful.
If he wants to prevent such incidents from happening again, he must use swift and decisive measures to deter the entire army!
"I'm grateful for your help today, Master Yin."
After Lin Ye was taken away, Lü Wenhuan slowly stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Duan Zhengchun, and said something expressionlessly.
"It's just a little effort."
Duan Zhengchun returned the greeting with clasped hands and said casually.
"Now that the matter is settled, I will not keep you company any longer. There are still important matters to attend to in the army."
"If Master Yin is still worried, he can stay and oversee the execution."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lü Wenhuan left the tent.
It's clear that he doesn't like Duan Zhengchun, perhaps because of Duan Zhengchun's aggressive aura, or perhaps because Duan Zhengchun is someone he simply cannot understand or reach.
Duan Zhengchun did not stay behind; he immediately left the camp with Guo Jing, having achieved his goal.
Three days later, the reinforcements sent by the imperial court finally arrived in Xiangyang. The border war, which was originally thought to be over soon, did not continue to break out.
The garrison in Xiangyang was on the defensive and naturally wouldn't easily launch an attack, while the Mongol army seemed to have sensed something and showed no signs of moving their troops for a long time.
The border, which was originally tense, suddenly became peaceful.
...
Half a month later.
There had been no further disturbances on the border, but the Quanzhen Sect had run into trouble again.
Early that morning, Duan Zhengchun had just woken up in bed when Linglong pushed open the door and walked in.
Xiaolongnu and Gongsun Lü'e, who were standing nearby, were stunned for a moment and instinctively hid.
"what happened?"
"It's only your turn tonight, why are you in such a hurry?"
Duan Zhengchun rubbed his sleepy eyes and said jokingly.
"Sect Master, something happened!"
Linglong bowed respectfully and said with a somewhat solemn expression.
"say clearly!"
Duan Zhengchun frowned, immediately abandoning his nonchalant demeanor, and hurriedly pressed for an answer.
"News has just come in that Lin Zhiyuan and Xiao Shiqi disappeared suddenly while running errands down the mountain, and their fate remains unknown..."
Linglong's expression turned serious, and she immediately replied.
Upon hearing this, Duan Zhengchun's face instantly darkened as he analyzed what ulterior motives were hidden behind this matter.
His first thought was that Lin Zhiyuan must have offended someone, but since returning to the mountain last time, Lin Zhiyuan had stayed in the Quanzhen Sect and never left the mountain, so it was obviously not Lin Zhiyuan's enemy.
Secondly, he was an enemy of the Quanzhen Sect. However, according to his understanding, the Quanzhen Sect had always kept to itself and never made enemies with anyone since its founding. Obviously, this point was also incorrect!
That leaves only one possibility: the other side isn't targeting the Quanzhen Sect or Lin Zhiyuan, but rather him!
His greatest enemy was only the Mongol Tartars!
However, in recent years, while traveling the martial arts world, he has offended some people to varying degrees. If those people want revenge, they are very likely to target the Quanzhen Sect.
After much thought, Duan Zhengchun realized that it was difficult to sort things out in a short time, so he decided to return to Zhongnan Mountain immediately and go back to his sect to investigate the situation in person.
The next morning, Duan Zhengchun set off again, leaving Xiangyang alone on horseback and heading straight for Zhongnan Mountain.
Given the ever-present possibility of a border war, she had Xiaolongnü stay behind as well. In the event of war, she would lead those who remained to join the Qingyi Guards in defending the last line of defense for the Song Dynasty alongside the Xiangyang garrison.
...
Seven days later.
Chongyang Palace.
Led by Hao Datong, Duan Zhengchun slowly arrived at the alchemy room in the backyard and met Qiu Chuji, who looked haggard.
Since Lin Zhiyuan and Xiao Shiqi went missing, he has been unable to eat or sleep, and has lost a lot of weight.
"Master Brother hasn't eaten or drunk anything for two days. You should try to persuade him."
After giving a word of advice, Hao Datong shook his head helplessly and silently turned to leave.
Duan Zhengchun slowly walked into the alchemy room. Looking at Qiu Chuji's haggard face, he couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache.
He seemed to empathize, thinking that when he encountered a crisis outside, his master must have been just as worried, perhaps even more so.
"Master..."
Upon approaching, Duan Zhengchun called out softly.
Upon hearing the voice, Qiu Chuji finally came to his senses and looked up in surprise at the suddenly appearing Duan Zhengchun, asking in confusion, "When did you come back? Who let you come back?!"
Because Duan Zhengchun was in Xiangyang during the Mongol army's invasion, he did not send anyone to inform Duan Zhengchun about the disappearance of Lin Zhiyuan and Xiao Shiqi.
What he didn't know was that Duan Zhengchun had been secretly sending Qingyi Guards to hide on Zhongnan Mountain to protect the safety of the Quanzhen Sect.
"How can I, your disciple, sit idly by when the Quanzhen Sect is in trouble?"
Duan Zhengchun smiled and spoke slowly.
"Border security is more important than anything else; you shouldn't have come back!"
Qiu Chuji shook his head and said with a solemn expression.
Duan Zhengchun smiled and said, "Master, don't worry. There has been no fighting on the border recently. How exactly did Zhiyuan and Xiao Shiqi disappear?"
Upon hearing this, Qiu Chuji shook his head helplessly and slowly said, "I don't know what happened either. I only know that they were kidnapped. As for who did it, although I have sent a large number of disciples to investigate, there is still no news."
"Hopefully, the person behind this has some ulterior motive, so that Zhiyuan and Xiao Shiqi won't be in mortal danger."
Duan Zhengchun slowly squatted down in front of Qiu Chuji and softly comforted him, "Master, rest assured, I have already ordered the Qingyi Guards to investigate closely, and I believe we will have results soon."
"No matter who the other party is, I will not let Zhiyuan and Xiao Shiqi get hurt!"
"Since we haven't found them yet, it means they're still alive. No news is good news!"
Upon hearing this, Qiu Chuji slowly nodded and murmured, "That makes sense, what you said makes sense!"
Duan Zhengchun smiled and helped Qiu Chuji up from the ground, saying softly, "So, Master, you can't afford to get tired before they return safely."
"I heard from Uncle Hao that you haven't eaten or drunk anything for two days in a row. How can this go on?"
"Come on, disciple, I'll cook for you and show off my skills."
As he spoke, Duan Zhengchun helped Qiu Chuji out of the alchemy room and headed straight for the kitchen.
"You can cook too?"
"Of course! I'll show you today!"
"Then I'm in for a treat..."