Supreme Master - Chapter 34: Setting the Trap

Translator – Misty

Chapter 34: Setting the Trap

“Hehe!”

Huo De stood up and poured a bowl of wine for Gu Qingfeng, grinning and saying, “It’s just a small favor I need from you.”

Gu Qingfeng shook his head, smiling slightly. From the moment he heard Huo De mention the welcoming feast, he knew things wouldn’t be so simple. Observing the table filled with delicious delicacies and the thirty-odd jars of Ice-Fire Brew, and seeing the humility on Huo De’s face, Gu Qingfeng understood that this favor was anything but small.

Of course, whether it was a small or big favor, if it was within his power, Gu Qingfeng wouldn’t refuse. After all, in his younger years, Huo De had helped him many times and even saved his life. How could Gu Qingfeng not help in return?

However, when he asked what the favor was, Huo De did not speak directly. Instead, he asked, “Gu lad, you’ve been in the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect for quite some time now, right? How do you think the sect compares to when you were a child?”

“It’s become much grander, with a stronger comprehensive strength,” Gu Qingfeng replied. “I heard there are more than ten thousand disciples in the Three Mountains, Six Halls, Nine Peaks, and Twelve Courtyards, and there are even twenty-four subordinate factions with countless members.”

Gu Qingfeng knew a bit about the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect from what he had heard from Ouyang Ye on the way. The sect had grown much stronger than it was five hundred years ago.

“Sigh.”

Huo De sighed, saying, “Young Gu, what you said is true, but… it won’t be long before our Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect is taken away by outsiders.”

Taken away by outsiders?
Gu Qingfeng didn’t understand.

“This matter dates back to the Catastrophic Calamity of the Heavens a hundred years ago.”

“The Catastrophic Calamity of the Heavens?” Gu Qingfeng’s eyebrows raised slightly. He picked up a spiritual fruit and began eating it, asking, “Wasn’t the Catastrophic Calamity supposed to have little impact on the mortal realms?”

“The Calamity itself didn’t destroy our world, but the aftermath was significant. During the calamity, the whole world was in chaos, with demons running rampant and various sects killing each other for resources. My fellow brothers and I fought desperately to protect the sect. Although we managed to hold on, our Sect Leader, Daoist Master Tu De, was gravely injured.”

“You mean Daoist Master Tu De was injured?”

Gu Qingfeng knew that Huo (Fire) De had four brothers, Jin (Metal), Mu (Wood), Shui (Water), and Tu (Earth), with Daoist Master Tu De, his elder brother, being the head of the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect.

“He was seriously injured, nearly losing his life, and has been in seclusion for a hundred years.”

“Oh? How is he now?”

Gu Qingfeng had a good relationship with Huo De, but not so with the other four brothers. He had numerous personal grievances with them, particularly with Daoist Master Shui De, who was involved in the separation from his beloved Hong Xiu.

“Although Sect Leader Tu De temporarily saved his life, his cultivation… is now ruined.” Huo De sighed again, drinking a mouthful of wine. “He spent his life working for the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect, and now, not only is his cultivation gone, but the future of the sect is also uncertain.”

“Why can’t the sect hold on? Are you brothers having internal conflicts?”

“It’s something like that. The Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect is facing internal strife and external threats. The internal trouble comes from Jin De, that ambitious fellow. Ever since Sect Leader went into seclusion, Jin De has been increasing his own power. Now, almost half of the sect is under his influence.”

Jin De?

Gu Qingfeng knew of him. In the past, when he was a menial worker in the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect, he had almost died at Jin De’s hands. He was aware of Jin De’s deep schemes and great ambition.

“Only I know about Sect Leaders ruined cultivation. But this can’t be kept secret for long. Over the years, Jin De has been trying by all means to make the Sect Leader relinquish his position.”

“He wants to be the Sect Leader?”

“In our Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect, it’s stipulated that the successor to the Sect Leader must be an Heir-Apparent Disciple. Unfortunately, all of Sect Leader disciples either died or were injured in the Catastrophic Calamity of the Heavens. The remaining ones have been crippled or harmed… Sigh! It’s all my fault…”

Saying this, Daoist Master Huo De shook his head in remorse.

Gu Qingfeng, having worked as a menial worker in the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect, knew that an Heir-Apparent Disciple, like a crown prince in a dynasty, was destined to inherit the position of Sect Leader. Usually, the Heir-Apparent Disciple is selected from the Sect Leader’s direct disciples. If the Sect Leader has no disciples, the selection is made from the direct disciples of the elders.

“So, Jin De wants his disciple to succeed as Sect Leader?”

“Yes!” Huo De nodded. “Jin De’s ambition is great, blinded by greed. If his disciple becomes Sect Leader, the future of our Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect is… ominous.”

“Haven’t you taken any disciples over these years?”

“You know me, lad,” Huo De replied. “I’m not one to teach disciples. As for Mu De, let’s not even mention him – he’s always been in league with Jin De.”

“What about Elder Shui De? I remember he’s no ordinary person…”

Due to his history with Hong Xiu, Gu Qingfeng harbored deep resentment towards Shui De, but he had to admit that Daoist Master Shui De was proficient in cultivation, ability, and foresight.

“That traitor, Shui De!”

Mentioning Shui De, Huo De became instantly furious, coldly snorting, “Jin De may be ambitious, but at least he hasn’t betrayed the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect. That mongrel Shui De, however, has allied himself with the Jiu Hua Alliance!”

“The Jiu Hua Alliance?”

Gu Qingfeng shook his head, unfamiliar with this alliance.

“When the Catastrophic Calamity of the Heavens occurred, our Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect and a few other sects formed the Jiu Hua Alliance to fend off demonic cultivators. It was agreed that the alliance would only defend against external threats and not interfere in sect affairs. But after the calamity, with the resurgence of resources, the alliance’s role began to change, gradually meddling in sect matters…”

“The alliance, though ostensibly uninvolved, has been covertly supporting that mongrel Shui De. With the alliance backing him, he’s been thriving these past years, cultivating quite a power base.”

After taking a swig of wine, Huo De continued angrily, “Since our Sect Leader went into seclusion, Jin De and Shui De have been openly and secretly fighting for the Sect Leader position, turning our Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect into a den of strife. If Jin De’s person becomes Sect Leader, the sect will become his personal playground. If Shui De’s person takes over, then our Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect will no longer be itself…”

Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng almost understood the situation. Holding his wine cup, he teased, “What, do you want me to kill them both?”

“Kill them?”

Apparently not expecting such a suggestion from Gu Qingfeng, Huo De hesitated, then gave a bitter smile, “I wish, but killing them won’t solve the root problem… It would only cause more chaos. After all, the entire Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect, including the Twelve Courtyards and twenty-four factions, are under their control. Besides… we are still brothers, after all. If they are unkind, I cannot be unjust…”

“If killing isn’t an option, how can I help?”

“This…” Huo De seemed hesitant, then stood up to pour another cup of wine for Gu Qingfeng, chuckling, “Gu lad, can you help me take back the position of Sect Leader?”

“Take it back?” Gu Qingfeng’s brows furrowed. “I’m not a disciple of your Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect, how can I take it?”

“That’s just a word from me.”

“And then?”

“Then, once the situation stabilizes, if you want to be the Sect Leader, you can be. But I know you won’t want to, so I will choose a disciple of good character to succeed as Sect Leader.”

“I see…”

Sitting in the chair, Gu Qingfeng crossed his legs, sipping his wine, and after pondering for a moment, he shook his head, “Huo De, you saved my life, and I owe you one. I would do anything to help you, but… if it’s for the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect, sorry, I can’t help you there.”

“What!”

Huo De stood up, his eyes wide in shock, “Why can’t you help?”

“Why? Haha!” Gu Qingfeng poured himself another cup of wine, his smile tinged with sarcasm. “How did your Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect treat me back then? I joined with excellent results, only to be turned away, barely accepted as a menial worker. Then, for beating an inner sect disciple, I almost died here. And Hong Xiu – how Shui De humiliated me then. As for your Sect Leader, I knelt before him for days, and he didn’t even spare me a glance. And now, you want me to help you take back the Sect Leader position? Are you serious?”

“All those things happened so long ago; why do you still hold onto them?”

“Nonsense.” Gu Qingfeng snorted coldly, retorting, “I’ll never forget what happened during those years in your Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect. You ruined the best years of my life, and even now, it makes me furious. Let me tell you, Huo De, if it weren’t for your sake, I would have wiped your Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect off the map long ago!”

“You!”

Huo De, momentarily speechless with anger, pointed at Gu Qingfeng, fuming, “You think that after you became famous, our Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect had it easy? Everyone knew you were once a menial worker with us, mocking us as blind. Our sect, once the foremost in the Qingyang region, fell into decline in just a few years…”

Bringing up the past, Huo De was filled with resentment, accusing Gu Qingfeng, “That’s not all. Do you know that after you left, Fatty Wang and his Crimson Heaven Sect nearly destroyed us several times?”

“If it weren’t for you, would our Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect have fallen? Without the fall, would we have been bullied during the Catastrophic Calamity of the Heavens? Would my Sect Leader have been injured? Would we have formed an alliance with other sects? The current state of our Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect is all because of you!”

“Don’t talk nonsense.” Gu Qingfeng waved his hand dismissively, sneering, “That’s your own doing. It has nothing to do with me!”

(End of Chapter)