Lu Chengfeng looked at the person in front of him, his originally slightly squinting eyes flashed with surprise. The newcomer was an elder of the Law Enforcement Hall and also a True Disciple of one of the five Inner Peaks of the Yuncang Sword Sect.
The Yuncang Sword Sect comprises five major Inner Peaks and one hundred and eight Outer Peaks, forming a vast sect force that dominates the Northern Lands. It has suppressed the world for thousands of years with deep roots and profound heritage.
Anyone who breaks through the Tenth Layer of martial arts skills can establish a peak and be called an Outer Peak Elder, receiving various upper and even top martial arts of the sect.
To enter the five Inner Peaks, one must either break through to the Seventh Layer of martial arts skills before the age of twenty or the Tenth Layer before the age of thirty.
Every True Disciple in the Inner Sect is truly a favored child of heaven, with extremely high talent in a certain martial art, far beyond the reach of ordinary people.
The Law Enforcement Hall is one of the most important of the Eighth Hall of the sect. The elders leading it all come from the Inner Peaks, with cultivation above the Tenth Layer, far surpassing Outer Peak elders in status, strength, and heritage.
Xue Dulong, who is in his forties, has cultivated the Black Wind Demon-breaking Spear to the Tenth Layer. At the prime of his life, he is considered to have exceptional talents. Once breaking through, he would be exceedingly arrogant and domineering.
Yet, when facing an Inner Peak True Disciple, he was easily subdued, his fist restrained, unable to move an inch.
Xue Dulong was both shocked and furious. He secretly used his inner strength, exerting force several times, yet felt as if the opponent’s palm contained vast and boundless waves. All his power was instantly drowned.
After several attempts, not only did he fail to shake the opponent, but his own inner strength was greatly depleted, leaving him at a loss.
"This boy spoke insolently to this elder. I was merely giving him a lesson. Is the Law Enforcement Hall unable to distinguish right from wrong?" Xue Dulong shouted angrily, appearing fierce but inwardly timid, his words already showing a sense of retreat.
The person from the Law Enforcement Hall slightly turned his palm with an air of nonchalance, but Xue Dulong was forced to retreat five steps violently, his blood surging, his face turning a black-purple color.
"Well, well, well, the Law Enforcement Hall is indeed quite overbearing..." Xue Dulong wanted to leave another harsh remark, but after glancing at the opposing party’s deep-set eyes and blood-red belt, he trembled slightly and swallowed all his words.
Realizing that today’s affairs could not be contradicted and having lost face, he turned around and left with a gloomy expression.
The several disciples of Azure Dragon Peak who followed Xue Dulong hurriedly caught up. However, three of them were originally disciples of Bixiao Peak; now they looked embarrassed, not daring to glance at Lu Chengfeng, hanging their heads as they scurried away.
Lu Chengfeng moved his right hand away from the sword hilt, clasped his hands in a respectful salute to the person from the Law Enforcement Hall, and said earnestly, "Disciple Lu Chengfeng, thank you, elder, for speaking justly on my behalf."
"There is no need to thank me. I am merely acting according to the sect’s laws," the young elder said indifferently, "I also have official business here today."
"You sent someone to the Law Enforcement Hall of the sect yesterday with a marriage proposal. I am here today to return the marriage document."
Lu Chengfeng was slightly taken aback by these words, "What does the elder mean by this?"
The elder took out from his sleeve the marriage document Lu Chengfeng had sent to the Law Enforcement Hall via Su Wanqing yesterday and handed it over.
"Luo Suyi was originally Zhao Changzhen’s widow. He had already submitted a record to the Law Enforcement Hall, and the sect has documented it."
"Now that Zhao Changzhen has fallen, Luo Suyi still exists in the sect’s records. Marrying her is unreasonable, and the sect will not acknowledge it."
Lu Chengfeng frowned slightly, "Luo Suyi is my fellow disciple, and our master was assassinated on the night of the marriage. Besides, marriage is a private matter. Does the sect intend to interfere in the disciples’ marriages too?"
The young elder across from him looked at Lu Chengfeng with eyes that were somewhat unusual, "You misunderstand. The sect naturally won’t interfere in disciples’ marriages, but the family of an Outer Peak elder receives the sect’s protection and various privileges." Read full story at NoveI-Fire.ɴet
"Since Luo Suyi is Zhao Changzhen’s widow in the sect’s records, marrying her openly would risk the Yuncang Sword Sect becoming a laughingstock. Outsiders might mock us, saying the Yuncang Sword Sect harbors such indecent acts internally."
"A disciple marrying his master’s widow is indeed shocking. Even though we know the details, if news spreads, outsiders wouldn’t care about those details. They’d only say the Yuncang Sword Sect is a place of filth."
"Therefore, for the sect’s reputation, we cannot accept this marriage document into the archives."
Lu Chengfeng’s expression turned extremely unsightly. He originally thought that quick action in the marriage would solve many problems, like cutting through tangled threads.
However, he didn’t expect a complication from the Law Enforcement Hall of the sect, which would likely bring considerable trouble.
"Of course, the sect merely won’t officially record your marriage document. As for you marrying in private, the sect won’t interfere," the young elder dry-coughed twice, his expression particularly peculiar as he spoke, looking at Lu Chengfeng with curiosity and an unusual air.
Lu Chengfeng now understood. As the family of an Outer Peak elder, there are various protections in the sect. Luo Suyi has been registered, and for the sect’s face, the Law Enforcement Hall won’t accept Lu Chengfeng’s marriage document and register them.
But they won’t interfere with the private marriage, essentially turning a blind eye, simply not officially acknowledging the union.
Lu Chengfeng was speechless at this, finding the sect’s actions akin to deceiving oneself, yet understanding that for such a millennium legacy like the Yuncang Sword Sect, the facade is often the most crucial.
A thought flashed through his mind, "Suyi, during the day you’re my master’s wife in the sect, at night at home, you’re my... cough... wife..."
Lu Chengfeng understood clearly that since the Law Enforcement Hall had sent an elder to convey this, it was a decision he couldn’t change, at least not with his current status and position.
He could only bow helplessly, "Thank you, elder, for your guidance. The disciple understands."
With that, he accepted the marriage document with both hands and thanked the elder once more.
Regardless, this elder from the Law Enforcement Hall had neither looked down upon nor oppressed him; they had clearly and thoroughly explained everything without favoritism or bias.
Moreover, the elder had dispelled Xue Dulong upon arrival, acting with commendable fairness, and Lu Chengfeng felt grateful.
"My surname is Zeng, and I have some proficiency in the Yin Yang Technique. Your reputation is not small among the Inner and Outer Peaks. If fate allows us to meet in the Inner Peak someday, we can sit and discuss the Tao." Elder Zeng said with a slightly mischievous smile before laughing heartily and leaving gracefully.
Lu Chengfeng watched his leisurely departure, his face momentarily stunned, but upon reflection, he couldn’t help but smile bitterly, knowing that his marriage to his master’s wife had undoubtedly caused quite a stir in the sect.
"Since the sect’s Law Enforcement Hall won’t accept the marriage document, this matter might have some complications. I must quickly pass the elder assessment, or the trouble could be significant."
He pondered briefly, seeing the various risks hidden behind, and dared not delay, swiftly descending the mountain.