Chapter 36: Framing the Innocent

He himself was only in the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm, yet Ye Fan had already reached the Great Circle of the Nascent Soul. One must understand that after entering the Nascent Soul realm, every minor breakthrough brings a massive surge in power. Moreover, Ye Fan’s cultivation was currently three minor realms higher than his own!

"W-wait!"

"Wait for your grandfather!"

With a sudden dive, Ye Fan arrived instantly in front of Zhou Xu and, without giving him a chance to react, slapped him hard across the face.

"Smack!"

A crisp, resounding sound echoed out, and Zhou Xu was sent flying backward by the force of the slap. Before he could even hit the ground, Ye Fan flashed behind him and slammed a fist into his back. There were no flashy techniques, just raw, brutal force. Ye Fan’s figure darted back and forth, while Zhou Xu was tossed around like a sandbag. His screams were incessant, and the scene was truly gruesome.

After a full ten minutes of beating him, Ye Fan finally stopped, feeling satisfied.

"It seems disciples of the Nether Sect are nothing special after all; though, you are quite sturdy!"

Ye Fan clapped his hands, looking down with disdain at Zhou Xu, who was sprawled on the ground with only a breath left in him. Chu Zhongtian and the others watched the scene, staring at each other in shock. They had wanted to intervene while Ye Fan was beating Zhou Xu, but they were kept in check by four demigods. Anyone who dared to step forward would surely be killed on the spot.

By now, Zhou Xu’s face was swollen like a pig’s head, and he had countless fractures all over his body. Not only was standing impossible, but even speaking was a struggle.

"Y-you... how dare you..."

"I... I am a disciple of the Nether Sect, a top-tier power in the Central Plains. Offend me, and you will die a miserable death!"

Ye Fan ignored Zhou Xu’s feeble warning entirely. He walked up to him, bent down, and snatched the storage pouch hanging from his waist.

"I remember telling you to compensate the Lingxiao Sect for the damage to our reputation. But since you wouldn't listen, I had to take matters into my own hands."

As he spoke, Ye Fan opened the pouch. He took a look inside; it contained some high-quality pills and about twenty million spirit stones. The powers in the Central Plains were indeed wealthy; even a mere disciple possessed such resources. No wonder so many cultivators would break their heads trying to join those factions. However, to Ye Fan, these items were hardly enough to fill the gaps between his teeth.

"What was your name again? Zhou Xu, right?"

"I’ll begrudgingly accept these items as my spoils of war! However, the compensation for the Lingxiao Sect's reputation is a separate matter. How about this: I’ll give you time to crawl back and gather some more heavenly treasures to send over to me to cover the rest of your debt!"

At these words, Zhou Xu nearly choked on his own rage. Since joining the Nether Sect, when had he ever suffered such humiliation?

"You... you are courting death!"

"Boy, just you wait! The next time we meet will be your end! I will make you wish you were dead!"

Ye Fan couldn't be bothered to listen to his nonsense. He walked away boldly with the storage pouch in hand, and no one from the Linghan Sect dared to stop him. After Ye Fan left, Zhou Xu immediately pulled out a sound-transmission jade slip.

"Master! Master, save me!"

"That little beast Ye Fan beat me half to death and stole my storage pouch. He even threatened that you, Master, would have to personally bring him resources as compensation. He even said... he said that one day, he would make us all kneel and submit to him!"

Zhou Xu lay on the ground, pouring out his grievances and framing Ye Fan with numerous fabricated crimes. Upon hearing this, the old man surnamed Zhao was so furious his beard bristled. He had thought Zhou Xu alone would be enough to kill Ye Fan, not expecting the boy to have such capability. Most importantly, Ye Fan’s arrogant remarks showed he held no respect for him at all.

"Disciple, focus on healing your wounds; leave this matter to me. I will have your senior brother handle it. When the time comes, I will teach that little beast what it means to know one’s place—some people are not to be trifled with!"

...

At nightfall, the severely injured Zhou Xu was in his room healing. He had been badly beaten by Ye Fan and would not recover anytime soon. Meanwhile, Chu Zhongtian was holding a meeting with the elders in the main hall.

"Sect Master, I feel that what Zhou Xu did was not enough," said the Great Elder of the Linghan Sect.

"What do you mean by that, Great Elder?" asked Chu Zhongtian, confused.

"Sect Master, our goal is not just Ye Fan, but the entire Lingxiao Sect. If they leave after just killing Ye Fan, we will be the ones to suffer in the end. We must incite the full fury of the Nether Sect against the Lingxiao Sect. Why don't we go all the way and simply... take care of Zhou Xu?"

Chu Zhongtian immediately understood the Great Elder’s implication. His expression froze, and he remained silent for a long time. If they did this, there would be no turning back. If they weren't caught, it might be fine, but once discovered, the Linghan Sect would be doomed beyond salvation. Yet, to break free from the control of the Lingxiao Sect, this seemed to be the only way.

"A ruthless man is a man indeed. Great Elder, I leave this matter to you. Make sure it is done cleanly!"

A flicker of ruthlessness flashed in Chu Zhongtian’s eyes. He looked toward the direction of the Lingxiao Sect and whispered to himself, "Ye Wumian, Ye Fan—this time, I will make you both fall into complete despair!"

...

Early the next morning, Zhou Xu’s master, the old man surnamed Zhao, received tragic news. The message was sent by Chu Zhongtian via a sound-transmission jade slip.

"Master Zhao, what's wrong?" In bed, the naked Chu Xuane sat up, wrapping her arms around the old man as she asked.

"Zhou Xu is dead."

The four short words made Chu Xuane tremble all over. After a long moment of shock, she stammered, "T-that... that’s impossible, right? Is it fake news?"

The old man said in a deep voice, "No, this was told to me personally by your father via a sound-transmission jade slip. Zhou Xu died last night while healing from his severe injuries."

"Ye Fan, it’s all that little beast Ye Fan!" Chu Xuane immediately began to sob, blaming herself, "It’s all my fault. If it weren't for my affairs, Senior Brother Zhou Xu wouldn't have..."

"Waaah... it’s all my fault!"

Chu Xuane did have some feelings for Zhou Xu, as their relationship in private was quite extraordinary. Seeing her sobbing bitterly, the old man comforted her immediately, "Xuane, my darling, how can you blame yourself? If anyone is to blame, it’s that Ye Fan! This time, I will make sure he is smashed to pieces! No, that’s not enough—the entire Lingxiao Sect will be buried with him!"

"Where is Lu Cheng?"

"Hurry to the Northwest Region and kill Ye Fan!"

"Disciple obeys!"