WBICDPH Chapter 104

Chapter 104: Dengwen Sword Pavilion

The moment the words “Dengwen Sword Pavilion” were spoken, most people didn’t react—but Mu Shan and the others from Piaomiao Pavilion were visibly shaken.

There was a reason for that. The Dengwen Sword Pavilion was a trial ground left behind by the pavilion’s founder, the Ancestor of Penglai. Within it was sealed his divine natal sword—Dengwen.

Since the founding of Piaomiao Pavilion, every generation’s pavilion master had to undergo the trial of the Dengwen Sword Pavilion and gain Dengwen’s recognition before they could officially inherit the position.

Dengwen wasn’t just a divine weapon, nor merely a symbol of authority—it was also the core of the Penglai Ten Thousand Flowers Formation, the great protective array of the Penglai Mountains.

This formation, created by the Ancestor of Penglai, was considered the strongest defensive array among all cultivation sects. Once activated, with Dengwen at its center, it could repel countless enemies.

Logically, with such a formation in place, Piaomiao Pavilion shouldn’t have been harassed so frequently by demonic cultivators. The problem was that Dengwen had yet to emerge—because the current pavilion master, Fang Yunzi, had never entered the Dengwen Sword Pavilion when she took her position.

These details hadn’t been fully explained in the original story, so Lin Jin didn’t know the exact reasons. What he did know was that in the original plot, the male lead defeated Xiao Yunkong and stood alongside the female lead, Jiang Xianrou, in the final match of the Sword Trial Tournament.

That match never concluded. The demons of Mingzhu Heaven, who had long been lying in wait outside Penglai, suddenly launched an attack, throwing Piaomiao Pavilion into chaos.

In the midst of the crisis, Pavilion Master Fang Yunzi emerged from seclusion and opened the Dengwen Sword Pavilion, asking Jiang Xianrou to enter and summon Dengwen.

The male lead entered the trial with her. In the end, Dengwen did not choose Jiang Xianrou—but instead extended its favor to the male lead.

He descended from the sky with Dengwen in hand, activated the Ten Thousand Flowers Formation, and annihilated the demons within the array. In a seemingly hopeless situation, he single-handedly minimized the losses.

Because of this, he earned the recognition of everyone present. Elders and disciples from various sects expressed their gratitude—especially Fang Yunzi, who, following the rule that whoever obtained Dengwen would inherit the pavilion, insisted on passing the position to him.

But the male lead refused. He had no desire to leave Yanyu Mountain or become a pavilion master. He politely declined, returned Dengwen to Jiang Xianrou, and accepted only an honorary title before continuing his carefree life.

This marked the beginning of the romantic arc between him and Jiang Xianrou.

After this battle, he gained both her favor and the full recognition of the cultivation world, launching his meteoric rise.

Knowing all this, Lin Jin immediately understood Jiang Zhenfeng’s intentions.

The current situation was chaotic—humans, demons, and a hidden traitor all entangled, with enemies lurking outside. By stepping forward now and claiming the role of the traitor herself, Jiang Zhenfeng had effectively cut off the real traitor’s path.

The true traitor had been forced into a corner. He couldn’t expose her lie, nor could he refuse her demand. After all, she had made it clear—if the Dengwen Sword Pavilion wasn’t opened, she would “slaughter Piaomiao Pavilion.”

With that threat hanging over them, even if Mu Shan resisted, the others would pressure him into compliance for their own safety.

In doing so, Jiang Zhenfeng could rightfully enter the Sword Pavilion and summon Dengwen. With Dengwen in hand, even if Mingzhu Heaven doubled its forces, they would still stand a chance.

It was a bold and dangerous move—one that required extraordinary courage.

As expected of Jiang Zhenfeng.

Events unfolded exactly as she had planned. After her declaration, everyone’s attention shifted from the “traitor” to Mu Shan.

When he hesitated, dissatisfaction quickly spread.

“What are you waiting for, Daoist Mu Shan?”

“That’s right! If opening the pavilion can avoid a battle, why not do it?”

“Exactly…”

Mu Shan wiped the sweat from his brow and forced himself to respond.

“What do you people know? The Dengwen Sword Pavilion can only be opened during the succession of a pavilion master! Who does Jiang Zhenfeng think she is? Even her master never entered—what right does she have?!”

More importantly, if she succeeded in summoning Dengwen, Mingzhu Heaven’s plan would be in serious trouble.

Jiang Zhenfeng’s gaze turned cold, and she let out a faint, mocking laugh.

“What am I? I intend to wield Dengwen, become pavilion master, and take control of Piaomiao Pavilion. Right now, all I want is authority. Unless you’re willing to sacrifice everyone here to protect your precious Sword Pavilion.”

Before Mu Shan could respond, the others exploded.

“Mu Shan! What are you hesitating for?!”

“You couldn’t even defend your own sect, and now you’ve dragged us all here—are we supposed to die for your stubbornness?!”

“That’s right! Are we just props in your little show?!”

“Despicable!”

Surrounded by angry voices and facing Jiang Zhenfeng’s pressure, Mu Shan stood frozen, unsure what to do.

Then the young boy beside him spoke softly:

“Martial Uncle, if opening the pavilion can save everyone, why not open it? Didn’t the Ancestor leave Dengwen behind to protect this land and its people? If Senior Sister wants to try… why not let her?”

Mu Shan looked at him, startled. After a moment, he stiffly looked away.

Finally, he coughed and reluctantly took out a token.

“While Pavilion Master Fang Yunzi is in seclusion, I hold the authority of the pavilion. I should protect it to the very end… but since you’re threatening everyone’s lives, I have no choice but to comply. Just remember—you’ve wronged your master. And so have I.”

“Spare me the speech.”

Jiang Zhenfeng cut him off impatiently, snatching the token from his hand.

“You’re right—you’ve wronged her. I just hope your remorse isn’t empty words.”

With that, she turned and left without hesitation.

Lin Jin watched her go, pondering her plan—and silently hoping the “big black bro” would finally let him go.

But Xiao Lanqi showed no such intention. Still gripping his wrist, he suddenly wrapped an arm around Lin Jin’s waist and hoisted him up.

“Wait—what?!”

Lin Jin’s feet left the ground.

Hey! What are you doing?! Do your thing—why drag me into this?!

He shot a pleading look at Liu Xun, but she merely covered her mouth with her fan, deep in thought. When she met his gaze, she simply blinked, as if to say: Go ahead, I’ve got things handled here.

Lin Jin was on the verge of collapse.

As they flew into the air, a cool wind brushing past, Lin Jin glanced toward the horizon.

He noticed many figures gathered near the protective barrier of the Penglai Mountains, channeling spiritual energy to reinforce it. The barrier shimmered with a clear, radiant glow.

By revealing the demons’ plan in advance, Jiang Zhenfeng had robbed them of the element of surprise.

By forcing the traitor’s hand, she ensured defensive measures would be taken—even if only for show.

She had even arranged for others to strengthen the barrier ahead of time, in case things didn’t go as planned.

It seemed she had orchestrated everything from the very beginning.

She led them to a towering cliff at the edge of the Penglai Mountains—a jagged spire that pierced the sky, its peak hidden in clouds. Stones occasionally tumbled from above, making it a terrifying sight.

This was the legendary Dengwen Sword Pavilion.

It wasn’t a pavilion at all, but a sheer cliff face. The words “Dengwen Sword Pavilion” had been carved into it with sword energy long ago, now weathered and cracked with age.

They landed on a narrow wooden bridge halfway up the cliff. It creaked and swayed dangerously beneath their feet.

Lin Jin looked down at the bottomless fog below and quickly grabbed onto a cold iron chain for support.

“Senior Sister… if you’re entering the pavilion, why bring me along?”

“I didn’t touch you,” Jiang Zhenfeng replied coolly. “Ask the one who grabbed you.”

She paused, then added, “Besides, you’re safer here than back there.”

“Why?”

Instead of answering, she asked, “Do you know why Mu Shan was so certain that wasn’t Xiao Lancheng earlier?”

“Because he’s working with him?” Lin Jin guessed.

“No. Xiao Lancheng never shows his true face. The only reason Mu Shan was so sure… is because Xiao Lancheng was right beside him at the time.”

She turned to look at Lin Jin.

“Do you know what kind of being Xiao Lancheng is?”

“I… don’t.”

“A Hundred-Faced Heartbinding Fiend.”

Xiao Lanqi cut in lazily, explaining:

“It’s like a superior version of a mind-possessing demon. It can turn people into ‘shadows’—extensions of itself. It can take over bodies at will, undetected. He’s not strong physically, but his mind is terrifying. Manipulating people is his specialty.”

Lin Jin froze.

“You mean… that little boy was—?”

Xiao Lanqi nodded.

“If I hadn’t taken you away, you’d still be his target.”

Lin Jin fell silent.

Soon, Jiang Zhenfeng raised the pavilion token and struck it into the cliff.

A powerful force surged outward. The carved words began to glow, and a voice echoed from within:

“Who summons Dengwen?”

“Disciple Jiang Zhenfeng.”

“You are granted three trials. Do you accept?”

“Of course!”

Three beams of light shot out—into Jiang Zhenfeng, Xiao Lanqi, and Lin Jin.

Lin Jin blinked.

Wait… what?!

Before he could react, a powerful force dragged him toward the cliff.

“No—NO!!”

He clung desperately to the chain.

“I’m not from your sect! I didn’t agree to this!!”

But the force was unstoppable.

As he was pulled into the abyss, Lin Jin let out one final scream:

“HELP—!!!”