Chapter 4064: Avoiding A Catastrophe For The Sect
Chapter 4064: Avoiding A Catastrophe For The Sect
Unfortunately, Daoist Bone Ruler had no idea just how close the Heavenly Stream Guardian Sect had come to an even greater catastrophe.
If Mengli Zhenyu had chosen to reveal everything he had learned about the Hopeful Star Pavilion and the Lightless Hall, the resulting conflict might have made a civil war seem like a minor disagreement.
The secrets surrounding those two organizations were far more dangerous than most people could imagine.
The Lightless Hall had operated for an extended period, carrying out covert assignments on behalf of certain authorities within the sect. Many of those assignments involved assassinations, sabotage, espionage, and the suppression of individuals or organizations considered troublesome.
Some of the targets had been enemies of the Heavenly Stream Guardian Sect, while others had simply stood in the way of the ambitions of those controlling the Hall. The consequences of revealing those activities would extend far beyond the sect itself.
Many of the Lightless Hall’s former members had left behind descendants who continued to hold prominent positions within the Heavenly Stream Guardian Sect. Some were elders, others were High Elders, and a few had even risen to positions within the Grand Hall.
If the truth became public, those descendants would immediately find themselves under scrutiny. Even if they had never participated in their ancestors’ activities, the families and allies of the Lightless Hall’s victims would have plenty of reasons to seek them out.
Old grudges that had remained buried for thousands of years would resurface and families that had believed their ancestors perished during ordinary conflicts might discover that those deaths had been deliberately arranged.
Sects that had lost promising disciples under mysterious circumstances might begin demanding explanations. And the surviving descendants of those victims would undoubtedly seek compensation, justice, or revenge.
The Heavenly Stream Guardian Sect would be forced to answer for crimes committed across many generations.
But all that was merely the beginning.
If the Eastern Immortal Court learned the full extent of the Lightless Hall’s operations, it would almost certainly be compelled to intervene. After all, the Eastern Immortal Court had previously ordered the disbandment of the Righteous Onslaught Division.
Discovering that the Heavenly Stream Guardian Sect had later established another organization with similar functions would raise serious questions about whether the sect had deliberately circumvented that order.
The resulting investigation could become an official case against the entire sect. And that was only the legal side of the matter as the political consequences would be far worse.
The Heavenly Stream Guardian Sect had accumulated enemies and rivals throughout its long existence. Some were openly hostile, while others maintained cordial relationships despite harboring resentment.
Even among the orthodox powers, there were organizations that would gladly seize an opportunity to weaken the Heavenly Stream Guardian Sect. The revelation of the Lightless Hall’s activities would provide them with an excellent excuse.
Some might demand reparations while others might call for the removal of certain elders or the punishment of influential lineages. The more aggressive factions could even launch military campaigns under the justification of seeking justice for past crimes.
And once the first conflict began, other powers would likely join in.
Those who had suffered genuine losses would seek revenge, while those who simply disliked the Heavenly Stream Guardian Sect would add fuel to the fire. The situation could rapidly spiral beyond anyone’s control.
At that point, the sect would be facing an all-out war. Even the Heavenly Stream Immortal, despite his extraordinary cultivation and position within the Eastern Immortal Court, might struggle to resolve such a disaster.
His personal authority could deter enemies, but it would be considerably harder to suppress the grievances of numerous major powers while simultaneously defending the sect’s reputation.
That was precisely why the Grand Elder had been so reluctant to discuss the Hopeful Star Pavilion and the Lightless Hall in public. The secrets were dangerous enough that revealing them without preparation could bring ruin upon the entire Heavenly Stream Guardian Sect.
Fortunately, Lin Mu had recognized the implications and chosen to keep the information concealed for the time being. Of course, Daoist Bone Ruler knew none of this. He was merely relieved that the Wild Peak had stopped threatening to fight everyone.
Unfortunately, that relief did not last long.
"Bone boy!" The familiar booming voice made Daoist Bone Ruler’s shoulders stiffen.
He slowly turned toward the enormous white-haired body cultivator. "Yes, Senior?"
Zhenyu stroked his beard and gave him a cheerful smile. "Pray tell me, where exactly is the Vault Division located? My memory is a little rusty."
Daoist Bone Ruler stared at him.
The tone was lighthearted, almost playful. Yet the Law Division Head knew perfectly well that Mengli Zhenyu was serious. He had already learned that the ancient body cultivator could casually joke about something moments before doing it.
"Senior intends to head there immediately?" Daoist Bone Ruler asked.
"Of course." Zhenyu raised an eyebrow. "Why? Is there some special day when the Vault Division accepts visitors?"
"No, Senior." Daoist Bone Ruler quickly replied.
"Then what’s the problem?" Zhenyu inquired.
Daoist Bone Ruler sighed as he had expected this.
Reaching into his spatial storage treasure, he retrieved a jade slip and handed it over. "This contains everything you should need."
Zhenyu accepted it. "Oh?"
"It includes a detailed map of the sect, the locations of its major Divisions, and the routes connecting them. There are also records concerning the relevant teleportation arrays and restricted areas."
Daoist Bone Ruler paused before adding, "The information is more comprehensive than what an ordinary elder would be permitted to access."
Zhenyu’s eyebrows rose and Lin Mu was pleasantly surprised. The Law Division Head had apparently anticipated that he would ask for more detailed information.
’He’s learning,’ Lin Mu thought with amusement.
Zhenyu gave an approving nod. "Good, good. Very thoughtful of you, Bone boy."
Daoist Bone Ruler accepted the praise with a weary expression. He had long since stopped trying to correct the ancient body cultivator’s manner of addressing him.
Zhenyu examined the jade slip briefly before looking at him again. "Then, do you want to come along?"