Chapter Nine: Entanglement and Extortion

“Here to return the talisman?”
To his surprise, Chen Chang waved his hand and said, “No rush, follow me first.”
“Today’s ritual gathering is a rare occasion. Those coming and going are all senior brothers and sisters who have passed their first major trial, and we might even catch a glimpse of someone who has reached the peak of Qi Refinement... Do you realize how precious this opportunity is?”
Precious indeed—extremely so.
For the outer disciples at Chishui Cliff, passing the first major trial didn’t guarantee a glorious future, but it at least removed the fear of being demoted to menial or servile labor. Even if their progress lagged later, they could still manage to secure a steward’s post.
As for those who had completed Qi Refinement, they were but a step away from entering the inner sect, their status beyond question.
People like them, who lived with uncertainty each day, rarely had a chance to mingle with such figures.
Yet, the more extraordinary this was, the more suspicious Ying Chen felt.
His dealings with Chen Chang had been purely business; why would he be invited so warmly?
Suspicion flared, and he instinctively declined, “Thank you, senior brother, but I have urgent matters and really can’t spare the time.”
With that, not giving Chen Chang a chance to respond, he immediately produced the talisman arrow along with a spirit stone, ready to hand them over.
Chen Chang reflexively lifted his hand, but then drew back, not accepting them. Instead, he said earnestly, “Come now, junior brother, there’s no need for such formality between us.”
“How about this: if you come with me to the gathering, I’ll let the matter of the borrowed talisman arrow go without collecting the spirit stone...”
Ying Chen grew all the more suspicious at this, quickly shoving the items into Chen Chang’s hand. “No need, truly,” he insisted, abandoning any regret over the spirit stone.
Realizing he couldn’t persuade Ying Chen, Chen Chang grew anxious. Seeing Ying Chen turning to leave, he instinctively stepped in to block his way.
Ying Chen’s expression immediately darkened. Narrowing his eyes, he asked, “Senior Brother Chen, what is the meaning of this?”
Chen Chang stiffened, only then noticing the aura of spiritual energy emanating from Ying Chen—a shock. “Just a month ago, when he borrowed the talisman arrow, his cultivation was nowhere near this level. How has he progressed so quickly?”
Sensing trouble, Chen Chang hastily waved his hand. “Please don’t misunderstand, junior brother. Fine, I’ll tell you the truth.”

He gritted his teeth and confessed, “The talisman arrow I lent you—I actually borrowed it from someone else.”
Ying Chen’s eyelid twitched. So this short fellow, who entered the sect the same year as himself and was only of middling talent, never truly owned such a fine talisman. It was all a trick!
He realized he’d been drawn into something, though he still didn’t know what. He suppressed his irritation and listened.
Seeing his reaction, Chen Chang knew Ying Chen sensed the gravity of the matter. “The senior brother I borrowed the talisman arrow from—Senior Brother Yu—asked for it back the other day. I couldn’t refuse, so I told him it was you who had borrowed it.”
Ying Chen said coldly, “You lent it out, so what does that have to do with me?”
“What’s the use of saying that now?” Chen Chang pleaded. “The fact remains, you borrowed the talisman arrow. We’re in this together now.”
Seeing Ying Chen’s sour expression, he hurried to add, “But don’t worry—Senior Brother Yu is generous and won’t pursue the matter. He only asked that I bring you to meet him.”
Ying Chen was already considering how to refuse when Chen Chang saw through him. “To tell you the truth, even if you don’t come, I would have come looking for you. Refusal is pointless. If Senior Brother Yu summons you and you don’t go, that will only bring about real trouble.”
“Oh?” Ying Chen sneered. “Or perhaps walking into his lair is the real danger.”
“Nonsense!” Chen Chang’s tone rose, then softened. “Would Senior Brother Yu dare lay a hand on you? That’s strictly forbidden in the sect...”
“Forbidden?” Ying Chen replied coolly. “Only if there are witnesses, is it truly forbidden.”
Chen Chang’s eyes brightened. “Do you think I’m deceiving you? You’ll see when we go to the gathering—so many people will be present, there’s no cause for such worries.”
“Oh?” Ying Chen was a little surprised. Judging by Chen Chang’s demeanor, he didn’t seem to be lying. Could there really be a ritual gathering?
He fell into thought again. As he’d said, a forbidden act in full view of the sect had the authority of law.
Ying Chen had lingered here, exchanging so many useless words with this short fellow, precisely in search of a solution. If what Chen Chang said was true, he might as well attend.
After all, in every sense of reason, Ying Chen couldn’t be blamed for this mess—even if he were implicated, it would be better to first get a read on the other party and prepare accordingly.
He was inclined to go, yet seeing Chen Chang sweating in anxiety made him a little vexed. Turning the matter over in his mind, he suddenly conceived a plan.
He stood motionless, neither agreeing nor moving, merely feigning deep contemplation. His shifting gaze left Chen Chang thoroughly unnerved.

Afraid Ying Chen might become stubborn and flatly refuse, Chen Chang tried every gentle persuasion, but Ying Chen simply ignored him.
No matter what he said, it had no effect. Desperate, heat rising through his body, Chen Chang blurted out, “This is my fault—yes, it’s my fault!”
He quickly stuffed Ying Chen’s spirit stone back into his hand, then hastily pulled out three or four more spirit stones and a string of talisman coins from his own pouch. “Take these as my apology.”
“As long as you see this through with me, I promise you’ll be well rewarded afterward.”
Ying Chen’s cold indifference melted away. He accepted the spirit stones and talisman coins, nodding, “Very well, I’ll go with you.”
Chen Chang was dumbfounded, inwardly exclaiming, “This fellow changes face faster than the weather!”
Ying Chen, of course, had no idea what Chen Chang was thinking.
In truth, he hadn’t cooled his anger so quickly—but venting it would do no good. Better to pocket some benefits first, then stick to Chen Chang’s own words: “we’re in this together.”
He stowed everything away, lifted his chin, and said, “Lead the way.”
Chen Chang, though irritated by his commanding manner, had no choice but to comply. He slapped his waist.
A streak of sickly green smoke flew from his belt, transforming before their eyes into two fine steeds wreathed in ghostly fire, standing quietly before them.
Ying Chen’s eyes lit up at once. For travel, a ghost steed was far more valuable than a paper horse—not only much faster, but even capable of briefly galloping through the air. It was truly enviable.
Seeing his reaction, Chen Chang finally felt a measure of satisfaction and said, “After you, junior brother.”
Ying Chen nodded, mounted the ghost steed, then suddenly asked, “This is a fine mount, senior brother. Would you part with one for me?”
Chen Chang immediately saw black, regretting he’d ever summoned the ghost steeds—but it was too late!
With trembling hands, he plucked a piece of locust wood talisman from his belt and tossed it into Ying Chen’s arms. Without another word, he snapped the reins of his own steed. “Let’s go!”