The eldest young master, Yue Zhong, was the best at learning the Han Yue Jue among the direct disciples. Yue Ran was the best at the Phoenix Fire Technique, but also the one most prone to going berserk. However, there had been few reports of Yue Ran losing control recently. Even when deliberately provoked by Yue Zhong, Yue Ran could maintain a calm demeanor. This was all thanks to the medicinal pills gifted to Yue Ran by Xiao Man. Yue Zhong, however, was unaware of the profound implications of this, or he would not have resorted to his old tactics, attempting to ignite Yue Ran's rage.
The biting pain brought him clarity, and Yue Zhong's thoughts grew heavier. He felt something was amiss. His Han Yue Jue had achieved some success, and no one could provoke his inner fire, so why had he gone berserk in the great dining hall?
Where did the problem lie? Was it the food, or was it someone around him?
"Yue Ran…" A thought suddenly flashed through the eldest young master's mind. It was supposed to be him leading people to plead for Yue Ran's release. Yet, Yue Ran had suddenly gone berserk and injured many. In the end, it became him who lost control and harmed others. To say there was no connection between these events would be impossible.
"Xiao Qin." The physical pain made the eldest young master even more lucid. He had asked Xiao Man to drug Yue Ran. Xiao Man had complied, but Yue Ran was unaffected, while he himself suffered. Could it be that she was the one who acted?
Unfortunately, the eldest young master was currently being punished and was soon to face penance at the Cliff of Contemplation. Even though he knew Xiao Man was problematic, he couldn't deal with her immediately and would have to proceed slowly. As for Yue Ran, with so many brothers, if he were gone, no one else could contend with him. It was perfect; his time at the Cliff of Contemplation would also allow him to avoid suspicion.
News of the eldest young master's berserk rampage and numerous injuries quickly spread throughout the Heavenly Sword Sect. Those who had initially held a very favorable impression of the eldest young master lamented deeply, thinking he was an anomaly who wouldn't lose control, only to realize it was simply not yet his time.
"Seventh Brother." The third young master, Yue Xia, accompanied Elder Ping to see Yue Ran.
"Elder Ping." Yue Ran acted as if he hadn't seen Yue Xia. "Elder Ping, I've decided. I'm not going to the Ghost Realm anymore. I plan to stay in the sect and focus on cultivation. You can let me out now."
Elder Ping had prepared himself to persuade Yue Ran, but unexpectedly, Yue Ran voluntarily gave up. This left Elder Ping somewhat taken aback.
"Young Sect Master, you're not going out?"
"Not going out," Yue Ran stated definitively. "I swear, I truly won't go to the Ghost Realm, nor will I leave the Heavenly Sword Sect. I will obediently stay within the sect and cultivate diligently."
Elder Ping looked at Yue Ran with suspicion. Just a few days ago, he was clamoring to rescue his sworn brother, and today his attitude had changed. Could it be a delaying tactic?
"Young Sect Master, delaying tactics won't work."
"What delaying tactics? I said I won't go out, and I won't. My father said I should figure things out before coming out. I've figured it out now, can you let me out?" Yue Ran asked expectantly.
"Seventh Brother, do you know that tonight, Eldest Brother went berserk in the great dining hall, injuring countless disciples? Eldest Brother is currently being punished in the Hall of Punishment?" Yue Xia suddenly asked.
"Yue Zhong went berserk?" Yue Ran sounded surprised. "Who provoked him?"
Yue Xia frowned slightly. He had assumed Yue Ran had provoked Yue Zhong, but seeing Yue Ran's surprised expression, he seemed genuinely unaware. Had he guessed wrong? Was it not Yue Ran who ignited Yue Zhong's rage? Then who did? Fourth Brother or Fifth Brother?
"We don't know. According to the disciples present, Eldest Brother was smiling kindly and dining with everyone. Then, without any warning, he attacked. The disciples in the great dining hall were caught off guard, resulting in heavy casualties."
Yue Ran frowned upon hearing this.
"Why did he go to the great dining hall? Knowing he might go berserk, why would he go to a crowded place?"
Seeing Yue Ran questioning him, Yue Xia's expression turned displeased. "He usually likes to go to the great dining hall every few days to dine with the sect disciples, presenting himself as amiable and approachable. You never go to the great dining hall, so you wouldn't know." Su Dan Novel Network.
"Were the casualties severe?"
"Inner disciples, outer disciples, and service disciples—over five hundred dead and injured."
"How could so many people be injured?" Yue Ran was shocked. "Wasn't anyone able to stop him?"
"Eldest Brother suddenly lost control, terrifying the disciples in the great dining hall. Everyone scrambled to escape. They pushed each other, and in the end, they were jammed at the entrance, unable to get out, thus resulting in heavy casualties," Yue Xia said indignantly. "Those people only thought about saving their own lives and didn't consider stopping Eldest Brother, which led to this disaster."
"Let me out," Yue Ran said, looking at Elder Ping. "Have the injured disciples been properly treated?"
"The sect's physicians are doing their best to treat them," Elder Ping replied calmly. "As for you, Young Sect Master, it is a time of turmoil. You should stay put and behave yourself to avoid being implicated."
"What does this have to do with me?"
"You are the one most prone to going berserk. You ask what it has to do with you? If you go berserk again, the Sect Master will flay you alive!"
Yue Ran flinched slightly, then stepped forward again. "Ever since I took the medicine concocted by Second Brother, I've been able to control myself well and haven't gone berserk since."
Elder Ping did not believe Yue Ran's words at all. The Heavenly Sword Sect's physicians were among the best, and they couldn't concoct a medicine to suppress the flaws of the Phoenix Fire Technique. It was even less likely for a cultivator at the Golden Core stage.
"Young Sect Master, it's best to continue your penance. Once Eldest Young Master's matter is over, it won't be too late for you to come out."
"Young Sect Master, Third Young Master, Elder Ping." Wang Wu arrived carrying a food container.
Upon seeing Wang Wu, Yue Ran's eyes lit up, and he pressed himself against the barrier. "She still has some conscience, knowing to send me supper. What did she make?"
Wang Wu glanced at Elder Ping and the third young master, hesitating as if he didn't want them to know what he was bringing.
Yue Ran noticed Wang Wu's hesitation and immediately urged Elder Ping and the others to leave. "Alright, you two can go now. Please speak to my father and ask him to release me quickly. I already know I was wrong."
"Very well, Young Sect Master."
Elder Ping walked towards Wang Wu. He detected a faint medicinal scent. As Yue Ran's supervising elder, he was very concerned about Yue Ran's affairs, especially in the context of a berserk incident. He was afraid Yue Ran might be manipulated.
"Hand it over, let me see."
Wang Wu clutched the food container tighter, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately handed it over.
Elder Ping opened the food container. The first layer contained a bowl of medicine, still steaming. The medicinal scent he had detected was from this. The second layer held candied fruits, quite common for sustenance, though he rarely ate them, having passed the stage of craving such pleasures. But Yue Ran was different; he had a penchant for them.
"What kind of medicine is this?" Elder Ping asked sternly. "Who brewed it?"
Wang Wu, startled, knelt on the ground. "Elder, this is medicine brewed by the cook from the small kitchen for Young Sect Master, and they asked me to deliver it."