Monarch Night
Chapter 89 - 52 - s ’All matters can be decided on your own!

Chapter 89: 52 Chapters ’All matters can be decided on your own!

"I remember behind Lord Bei, it was our Vice Sect Master, Xiang Beidou? Ranked ninth on the Cloud Weapon List."

Yin Shen Palace said admiringly, "Master Xiang, he truly is a figure of the clouds."

Mu Lin Yuan replied very cautiously, "Yes, Vice Sect Master Xiang is our eighth Vice Sect Master. Naturally, he is high above, stationed in the clouds, overseeing the world."

While Yin Shen Palace could address him as ’Master Xiang’, Mu Lin Yuan had to add ’Vice’. A single word makes a big difference. It must also make Yin Shen Palace feel that way.

This is the intuition of an old Jianghu hand.

"Hmm, Lord Bei Mingxin and Vice Sect Master Xiang," Yin Shen Palace said, rubbing his temples, "I remember they have a teacher-student relationship?"

"The Sect Leader forgets quickly, not teacher-student but fellow disciples. In terms of seniority, Lord Bei is two generations lower than Vice Sect Master Xiang, belonging to the generation of a grand-disciple nephew. Both are from the original Xue Motian Sect."

Having said this, Mu Lin Yuan basically understood and started chatting, "And our Vice Sect Master Ren Zhongyuan, who is a disciple of Lord Bei’s sworn sister, makes him Lord Bei’s disciple nephew as well, following the same lineage."

"Hmm? Hmm. I remember something about that."

The voice of Yin Shen Palace took several turns.

Mu Lin Yuan said, "That’s exactly right, and the reason why the original Xue Motian Sect was destroyed was because they harmed someone they shouldn’t have killed. It was the Ningxue Sword from the three great leaders of the Guardians who personally took action, one sword per person, demolishing the Xue Motian Sect overnight. By the time Lord Duan arrived, Ningxue Sword had already left. Because of this, our Wei Wo Zheng Sect had a big fight with the Guardians."

"And... Vice Master Xiang and Vice Master Ren were survivors of that battle. It’s said that out of the tens of thousands of members from the Xue Motian Sect headquarters, including women, children, and the elderly, fewer than a hundred survived."

Mu Lin Yuan remembered well and continued speaking without stopping.

Yin Shen Palace did not interrupt.

He listened attentively all the way.

"Fewer than a hundred people survived; thus, their bond becomes very close,"

Yin Shen Palace said with a smile.

Mu Lin Yuan forced a smile, "Indeed, a sect of tens of thousands, destroyed overnight, leaving only these few; naturally, they would stick together and look after each other. For instance, when Vice Master Ren took office, even Lord Bei, residing at the headquarters, personally hosted a family banquet to celebrate, which is telling."

Yin Shen Palace sighed lightly, "It seems our Vice Master Ren has a deep foundation."

Mu Lin Yuan smiled, "Vice Master Ren’s foundation can’t compare with yours, Sect Leader. I heard our Grandmaster is now about to be promoted to the fourth position? If he moves up one more step, that would indeed be the peak!"

"The Grandmaster is indeed powerful and influential. But our branch has too many people; the Grandmaster may not be able to look after me. If we talk about close relations, it’s far less than the post-disaster survival bond between Vice Master Ren, Lord Bei, and Vice Master Xiang."

Yin Shen Palace expressed some emotional sentiment.

Mu Lin Yuan laughed heartily, "As far as I know, the Grandmaster holds you in special regard, Sect Leader. Everyone in the Main Sect knows this. It’s enough to prove that you, Sect Leader, stand out from the crowd; the cream rises to the top."

"The cream rises to the top..." Yin Shen Palace pondered, "...is the wind destined to topple it?"

Mu Lin Yuan immediately got a big fright and hurriedly said, "What you said, Sect Leader, about the wind toppling it, that only applies to a lone tree standing tall. But you, Sect Leader, have a deep foundation with countless predecessors supporting you in the clouds. No wind can touch you, especially since the Grandmaster is there to protect and ensure peace."

Yin Shen Palace’s expression was profound, "The Grandmaster protects, but we also have to make the Grandmaster proud."

"That’s essential!" Mu Lin Yuan hastily pledged loyalty, "Whatever the Grandmaster and Sect Leader command, even through a storm of swords and a sea of fire, I will not hesitate!"

"Lord Bei Mingxin’s promotion as altar master has been like the old saying, ’People aspire to rise, water flows downward.’ And our Grandmaster’s fifth position hasn’t changed in many years. Tell me, doesn’t the Grandmaster want to advance a position?"

Yin Shen Palace said.

"That’s inevitable."

Yin Shen Palace looked into Mu Lin Yuan’s eyes and said softly, "The Grandmaster wants to advance to the fourth position, and how can Vice Master Xiang not want to advance to the seventh? But can mere desire achieve that? Surely it requires someone’s support, right?"

"..."

Mu Lin Yuan dared not respond to this statement.

Yin Shen Palace paced two steps, then suddenly sighed heavily, "Old Mu, do you think I can trust you?"

Mu Lin Yuan stood up abruptly, "Sect Leader! Life and death together!"

Yin Shen Palace did not speak again, his mind whirring faster.

He compared Ren Zhongyuan’s activities over the past few years with the previous five years, ten years, fifty years, and then with the last hundred years.

His look steadily darkened.

Because he noticed a declining pattern.

"If Vice Master Xiang wants to advance, he needs people in his hand. And if Ren Zhongyuan becomes the Yixin Sect Leader, then he can coordinate from afar, given he’s also an authority down there. Ren Zhongyuan, he wants to be the Sect Leader."

Yin Shen Palace spoke with a serious face.

Yin Shen Palace confirmed this conjecture.

Everyone was a centuries-old fox, and once they had a suspicion, following that direction in the investigation usually wouldn’t be wrong.

Especially since these were people Yin Shen Palace had worked with for hundreds of years and he knew each one like the back of his hand.

"Ah?!"

Mu Lin Yuan almost shouted out loud.

But he quickly calmed down, his attitude becoming exceedingly firm: "Sect Leader, just command, what do I need to do!"

Yin Shen Palace nodded with satisfaction, "For now, keep it quiet. Just observe secretly, you need to do thus and so..."

Mu Lin Yuan listened carefully and then said, "Sect Leader, I still have to ask, this could shake the foundation of our sect, is the situation... real?"

Yin Shen Palace also thought cautiously and said, "Seventy percent."

"I understand."

"Go then."

Mu Lin Yuan left.

Then Yin Shen Palace frowned, thought for a while, then called several absolutely trusted subordinates to come, and arranged some matters.

He even made a high-profile appearance at the headquarters.

He even rewarded and promoted several experts from the War Hall.

His face was full of triumphant joy.

Just like before, he capriciously executed a Sect member.

Then, with his personal maid in tow, he returned to the great hall.

Yet he immediately instructed the maid to prepare some soup, then he himself retreated to his private study’s secret room.

He took out a Communication Jade.

And sent a message to Fang Che.

"Decide on your own in any matter."

After sending it, his eyes fixed on the Communication Jade.

On the other side, Fang Che received the message and immediately became suspicious.

These six words were not simple.

"Decide on your own in any matter."

The meaning was clear, from now on, whatever happens, decide on your own, don’t ask me anymore.

His first thought was: Could Yin Shen Palace suspect me?

Because of my current status, I was not in a position to "decide" anything yet.

What was my position in the Yixin Sect?

A mere nobody.

What could I decide on? I could decide when to eat or go to the bathroom.

Everything else required a report or awaited instructions.

Thus, this statement from Yin Shen Palace must have an ulterior motive.

Moreover, considering my last response: "I take my leave."

I had already taken my leave.

And yet you send me such a phrase, clearly there is an issue.

However, Fang Che then thought that Yin Shen Palace probably wasn’t suspecting him, as based on Yin Shen Palace’s nature, if they truly suspected him, his head would have already been kicked around like a ball by Qian Sanjiang or someone else by now.

Thus, this question became quite intriguing.

Fang Che’s mind raced, then he immediately formulated a perfect reply.

"Your humble servant dares not, Sect Leader’s words make your servant feel truly fearful and uneasy. From childhood, I have never been able to decide anything on my own, always obeying orders. I grew accustomed to obeying elders as a child and to obeying the Sect Leader as an adult.

For me to decide on matters feels inappropriate, and I have no confidence. Moreover, given my low status, I cannot be responsible for the consequences of any decision, and I dare not make decisions on my own. I am used to obeying the Sect Leader’s commands, and my master also advised me not to disturb the Sect Leader too much before he passed away. But whenever I don’t report a matter, I feel unsure, I just don’t have the capability. Please forgive me, Sect Leader."

Yin Shen Palace’s mouth revealed a hint of coldness.

And his gaze became threatening.

Fang Che’s answer was exactly the response he had hoped to see.

Sometimes, when he was in a good mood and gave others these words, most of the responses were more or less similar to Fang Che’s.

However, as Yemo was younger, his being even more hesitant was expected.

His eyes on Fang Che’s this time response, but his mind remembered what he had told Ren Zhongyuan before his last seclusion.

The same six words.

"Decide on your own in any matter."

But that time, Ren Zhongyuan had responded with only one word: "Okay!"

At the time, Yin Shen Palace hadn’t thought much of it, but the more he thought about it now, the more it felt wrong.

"What does ’okay’ mean? If he considers himself a subordinate, even if he doesn’t reply ’dare not’ or such, he should at least reply with a ’yes’ to indicate compliance, right?"

"But just an ’okay’? Is he implying he sees us on equal footing?"

Yin Shen Palace pulled up his conversation records with Ren Zhongyuan.

He sifted through them one by one.

The more he read, the angrier he became.

"So many things were done and then reported to me only afterward!"

"Ren Zhongyuan’s disloyalty is at least seventy to eighty percent!"

"This time, I will not be lenient."

"If Ren Zhongyuan is not disloyal, then consider it a cleansing of the Yixin Sect, restoring full control. Weakening Ren Zhongyuan’s power! If he really is disloyal, he can’t blame me for being ruthless!"

Yin Shen Palace quickly made up his mind!

He then sought out his communication with Yemo, and increasingly felt that Yemo’s reactions and replies were exactly what a truly fearful and cautious subordinate should exhibit.

"Excellent."

"But with Yemo, I can’t just focus on nurturing without precaution; I must also knock on wood when necessary. The situation with Ren Zhongyuan cannot happen again."

...

After replying, Fang Che in distant Baiyun State still felt something was off.

But what exactly it was, Fang Che, staring at these six words all night, had no clue.

"How strange!"

Fang Che scratched his head.

The only thing he could be sure of was: his reply was absolutely perfect!

"Now, all I can ensure is that even if there is a fire, it won’t reach me. But for me, that’s enough."