WBICDPH Chapter 95

Chapter 95: A Clamor of Drums and Gongs

Before coming to Piaomiao Pavilion, Lin Jin had already prepared himself mentally. He knew this trip to the Sword Trial Assembly wouldn’t go smoothly. After all, his history with the pavilion was there—he was bound to be questioned or put in a difficult position.

But he hadn’t expected things to escalate to this extent.

At first, he thought the rumors ruining his reputation were just that arrogant “rooster” junior getting revenge, so he hadn’t planned to deal with them. Reputation didn’t matter much to him anyway, and rumors only got worse the more you tried to explain them—better to ignore them and let the wise see through it.

But now it was clear: without the tacit approval of Piaomiao Pavilion’s higher-ups, how could those rumors have spread so widely?

So what exactly was their goal?

Lin Jin didn’t have the original owner’s memories—he had too little information. Most things, he could only guess.

The key question now was: what kind of person had the original Lin Jin been?

Raised as a “furnace” for over a decade without realizing it—clearly foolish. Bullied by that rooster junior—clearly weak. Trusting his sect wholeheartedly—clearly naive.

And the Daoist Mushan before him had clearly grasped that perfectly. He had set the stage and was now ready to put on a show.

To outsiders, Lin Jin was an ungrateful traitor who had betrayed his master, while Mushan appeared as a loving teacher who harbored no resentment even after being wronged.

If all they wanted was to ruin Lin Jin’s reputation, they could have just exaggerated the rumors. There was no need to stage such a public performance. The fact that they had gone this far meant their goal went well beyond that.

Lin Jin guessed: first, they wanted to trick him into returning to Piaomiao Pavilion; second, they wanted to use this opportunity to humiliate Yanyu Mountain; third, they wanted to cement his image as a fickle opportunist, cutting off all his future options.

The fact that they dared to act like this meant they were confident—over ninety percent sure—that before Elder Liuxun returned, they could force him to turn back.

Unfortunately for them…

The soul inside this body had already changed.

They had laid out the board and calculated every move—but Lin Jin had no intention of playing along.

He was going to flip the table.

With that thought, Lin Jin clung to Mushan’s waist, crying his heart out, snot and tears everywhere.

He could feel Mushan’s grip on his shoulders tighten—clearly, the man hadn’t expected things to unfold like this.

He was getting nervous.

Pressing the advantage, Lin Jin wailed:

“Master—! Back then, I didn’t mean to betray the sect! I remember you said you were sending me to study at some immortal mountain, but halfway there, I suddenly saw demonic cultivators! Demonic cultivators! They were terrifying—they said they were taking me to Mingzhu Heaven, that I was a gift from Piaomiao Pavilion!”

“I was scared, Master—I was terrified! I ran for my life! Both those demonic cultivators and our own senior brothers and sisters were trying to capture me—I didn’t dare go back, so I fled all the way to Yanyu Mountain! It’s all my fault—I was foolish! I listened to nonsense! You love me so much, how could I ever doubt that you would deceive me and push me into danger?!”

Using Mushan’s sleeve, he wiped his tears and nose dramatically before continuing:

“Our Piaomiao Pavilion is strong! Oh—Master, I remember before I left, Mingzhu Heaven was already pressing at our gates. But after I left, they suddenly stopped attacking. Looks like our sect’s strength drove them away—not some kind of appeasement or offering…”

Before he could finish, a heavyset elder behind Mushan seemed to realize something was wrong. Glancing nervously at the surrounding crowd, he quickly stepped forward, pulled Mushan away, and tried to help Lin Jin up.

“That’s enough, child. Don’t talk about death. Your master cares deeply for you. Now that the misunderstanding is cleared, come back. As long as you return, we’ll forget everything. You’ll still be a disciple of Piaomiao Pavilion, and I guarantee no one will treat you poorly over this again.”

Hearing that, Lin Jin felt reassured.

Just as he’d guessed.

There was no way Piaomiao Pavilion would willingly give up a “furnace” they had cultivated for over a decade. Now that they had the chance, they would do everything possible to lure him back.

But going back was out of the question.

He just needed to refuse in a way that was justified—beyond reproach.

With that in mind, he shook off the elder’s hand and suddenly collapsed onto the ground.

Rolling around, he cried out at the top of his lungs:

“Elder! I have no face to return! I’m useless! The sect treated me so well—fed me the finest herbs and elixirs for years—but I learned nothing! I’m still nothing but someone that Rooster Junior can bully! How could I possibly go back?!”

“Who are you calling a rooster junior?!”

The “rooster” couldn’t hold back anymore. His face flushed red.

“What, you are useless! Can’t people say it? You hogged the best resources for years and learned nothing! You fall over with a push and cry at the slightest scolding—why do you deserve Master’s favor?!”

“Enough!”

Mushan’s expression changed. The other elders also looked uneasy.

They had realized the problem, but it was too late.

The damage was done.

The crowd began murmuring.

For years, he had been fed the best resources—yet showed no progress. So weak he couldn’t even withstand a push?

That made no sense.

Even the best herbs were only supplementary—too much would destabilize one’s cultivation. What kind of master would feed a disciple like that constantly?

And if he truly had no talent, why keep investing in him? Why continue favoring him, even to the point of provoking jealousy and bullying?

Combined with Lin Jin’s earlier claim about being “sent away” only to be handed over to Mingzhu Heaven…

The implications were… unsettling.

Satisfied, Lin Jin continued flailing on the ground like a stranded fish, wailing:

“I’m useless! I’m useless!!”

“Useless my ass!”

At that moment, the person Lin Jin most wanted to see finally arrived.

Liuxun descended like a storm, her expression dark as thunder. She grabbed Lin Jin and hauled him up, pointing her fan straight at the elders.

“You old snakes—stop slandering him! Others might not see through your schemes, but I do! Lin Jin isn’t useless—let me make it clear: he’s a once-in-ten-thousand-years genius in talismans and formations! And yet his early years were wasted by you!”

“Liuxun, you shrew—stop spouting nonsense!”

Mushan snapped back, barely holding his composure.

“You stole my disciple and now slander me? Calling him a genius? I know his talent better than anyone! I raised him for years despite his lack of ability—that’s called genuine care! What are you, compared to me?!”

He spoke with confidence. After all, the “Huaiyu physique” was known to be incapable of cultivation. In his eyes, Liuxun’s claims were absurd.

“Ha!” Liuxun put her hands on her hips. “What am I? What are you? Want to settle this on the training grounds? Let’s go right now!”

Just as she was about to grab Mushan—

“Hey, hey—calm down!”

The others from Yanyu Mountain finally arrived. Jiang Lou rushed forward, blocking Liuxun.

“Enough, enough—everyone calm down. You’re all adults—stop acting on impulse.”

“Get lost! Who do you think you are?!”

Her voice nearly shattered his eardrums.

Once she finished, Jiang Lou quickly said:

“If this is about Lin Jin, let him settle it himself! Let him fight one match—that’ll prove everything. Whether he’s talented or useless, we’ll see!”

That brought everyone back to their senses.

All eyes turned to Lin Jin.

Under their gaze, Lin Jin pretended to hesitate—then nodded.

“I’ll follow the seniors’ arrangements.”

Jiang Lou let out a breath of relief.

“Then it’s settled. Enough of this farce. Lin Jin of Yanyu Mountain will fight the first match. Any objections?”

None from Liuxun.

As for Piaomiao Pavilion—they felt uneasy, but didn’t believe Lin Jin could have improved much in just six years.

Still, to be safe…

Mushan reached into a prepared lot-drawing box and pulled a slip.

“Lin Jin will face… Li Jingcheng of Qingxin Sect!”

Liuxun sneered.

She could tell at a glance—the drawer had been tampered with.

Li Jingcheng was a rising star. Not quite at the level of top figures, but still among the best of his generation.

Clearly, Mushan had picked someone he believed could completely crush Lin Jin.

But once the name was drawn, it couldn’t be changed.

And Liuxun wasn’t worried.

The crowd dispersed. Lin Jin stepped onto the arena under countless gazes.

Moments later, his opponent emerged.

A tall, broad-shouldered man with dark skin, thick brows, and powerful arms wrapped in bandages. He carried two massive axes, planting them into the ground like a wall.

Compared to him, Lin Jin looked like a fragile green sprout.

“Li Jingcheng, Qingxin Sect.”

The man glanced down at him, barely bothering with a courtesy.

“Lin Jin, Yanyu Mountain.”

Lin Jin returned the gesture properly.

“Please advise.”