Previously on Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather...
Yang Zhenshan and Yun Xiao finalize their deal for Sword Dao guidance, with Yang Zhenshan owing several Demon Essence Pills. Afterward, Yang Zhenshan's disciples depart White Cloud Immortal City. Upon returning to his residence, Yang Zhenshan is confronted by law enforcers from the Immortal Law Hall, who demand he accompany them.
"Partner!" Yang Zhenshan chuckled, what did this fellow consider him to be?
A criminal?
It appeared the Immortal Law Hall was not a place of impartiality after all!
Indeed, with individuals like Xu Mingzhu causing unrest within the Immortal City, if the Immortal Law Hall were to uphold justice equitably, they would not permit someone like Xu Mingzhu to roam freely within the city.
To speak of fairness and justice amongst cultivators was merely idle talk.
"Let us proceed; I still wish to observe the Immortal Law Hall!" Yang Zhenshan declared from within the carriage, his tone laced with confidence.
He carried himself not as a captured criminal, but as an invited guest of the Immortal Law Hall.
A flicker of annoyance crossed Kuang Hengxian's eyes. Though he made no immediate move, he gestured to his subordinates, signaling them to escort Yang Zhenshan towards the Immortal Law Hall.
The Immortal Law Hall was situated before the White Cloud True Monarch's Dao Field. Its structure was square, with imposing Demon Suppression Pillars, each a hundred zhang tall, at its corners. These pillars were adorned with bas-reliefs of sword-wielding Divine Generals of law enforcement, their eyes set with eerie blue crystal stones that cast an awe-inspiring radiance, day and night.
The main hall boasted flying eaves and ornate rooftops, along which nine bronze chains snaked. The ends of these chains were secured with the skulls of various ferocious beasts, emitting a chilling clink whenever the wind swept through.
The grand doors, three zhang in height, were based on thousand-year-old Xuan Ice. They were densely inscribed with immortal law texts and flowing runes, which faintly revealed flickering phantoms of criminal punishment.
Two stone beasts, resembling qilins but possessing horns like Judge's pens, crouched by the entrance. Their blood-red eyes stared intently at all who entered and exited.
Prompted by Kuang Hengxian, Yang Zhenshan was led through a side entrance into the hall. Naturally, he was not permitted into the main chamber but was directed to a side room at the rear.
As he stepped into the chamber, Kuang Hengxian's demeanor shifted drastically. He spoke with a cold reprimand, "Yang Zhenshan, do you comprehend the gravity of your transgression?"
Yang Zhenshan surveyed the chamber; it bore a resemblance to a county government's grand hall, presumably a venue for the Immortal Law Hall's judicial proceedings. Splendid cloud patterns were painted behind the presiding seat, and a couplet adorned the side pillars.
"Jade scrolls inscribe punishments, a three-foot law rope suspends sun and moon, a golden throne settles cases, a hall mirror reflects heaven and earth."
The plaque above bore the inscription 'Manifestation of Immortal Law'.
"Manifestation of Immortal Law, what a profound Symbol of Justice!" Yang Zhenshan exclaimed.
White Cloud Immortal City was indeed a place with its own semblance of law and order. Regrettably, discussing such matters with cultivators often proved to be a futile exercise. The principle of survival of the fittest and the dominance of strength remained the foundational tenets of the Immortal Cultivation World.
While Yang Zhenshan acknowledged the supremacy of strength, he simultaneously harbored a deep yearning for a world governed by laws, a sentiment stemming from his origins in a nation that upheld the rule of law.
Observing his composure, Kuang Hengxian's expression darkened. "Yang Zhenshan, this is not a place for your jests. Come, submit to the shackles!"
Yang Zhenshan realized that further pleasantries were futile and ceased his banter. He directly produced his Guest Elder Token.
"I am Yang Zhenshan, Ninth Grade Guest Elder of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store. White Cloud's Immortal Law holds no sway over the Ten Thousand Treasures Store; it operates under its own established regulations!"
He remained composed, bolstered by the backing of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store.
While the Immortal Law Hall was responsible for maintaining peace and administering punishment within the Immortal City, there existed three domains beyond its jurisdiction: the high-level Dao Field of White Cloud True Monarch, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, and the Ten Thousand Treasures Store.
Kuang Hengxian's pupils contracted sharply as his gaze fell upon the token in Yang Zhenshan's hand.
"How can this be? The Ten Thousand Treasures Store is known to have only thirty-two Guest Elders!"
"Heh, you should have thoroughly investigated my identity and background. Did you not make inquiries at the Ten Thousand Treasures Store?"
"I am indeed the thirty-third Guest Elder of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store!"
Yang Zhenshan was not taken aback by Kuang Hengxian's astonishment. The greater one's understanding of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, the more apparent its elevated status within White Cloud Immortal City became.
To put it plainly, the Ten Thousand Treasures Store existed as an entity largely independent of the established order within White Cloud Immortal City.
Kuang Hengxian stood stunned, and the other cultivators present in the Immortal Law Hall shared his bewilderment.
When had the Ten Thousand Treasures Store enlisted another Guest Elder? And why had they remained uninformed of this development?
Their ignorance was understandable, as the internal affairs of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store were not matters that just anyone could pry into.
Naturally, if an individual from White Cloud Immortal City were to be appointed as a Guest Elder by the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, such news would inevitably sweep through the entire city with incredible speed.
This is because those who are recruited by the Ten Thousand Treasures Store are certainly not insignificant figures.
However, Yang Zhenshan was not originally from White Cloud Immortal City; before this, he was merely an unknown entity within its boundaries.
Furthermore, this appointment was solely facilitated by Zhongli Xiayi, receiving minimal notice even within the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, let alone beyond its walls.
"I am now quite curious as to who instructed you to trouble me!" Yang Zhenshan narrowed his eyes, his gaze calmly fixed upon Kuang Hengxian.
With the Ten Thousand Treasures Store standing as a reliable ally, he felt no apprehension whatsoever towards the Immortal Law Hall.
Although his position as a Guest Elder of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store might not grant him unrestricted movement throughout White Cloud Immortal City, it would undoubtedly shield him from any unjust persecution.
It was within the bounds of White Cloud Immortal City that he had ended Xu Mingzhu's life, an event that lay far beyond the jurisdiction of the Immortal Law Hall.
How many cultivators met their demise outside the city walls each year?
When had the Immortal Law Hall ever concerned itself with such trivial matters?
The Cloud Wild Alliance, despite its ties to White Cloud True Monarch, operated as an Independent Cultivator Alliance, not a direct subordinate of White Cloud True Monarch.
The Cloud Wild Alliance lacked the influence wielded by the Thousand Array Alliance, which held dominion over the city's Guardian Array. This meant the Thousand Array Alliance was a direct force under White Cloud True Monarch.
Kuang Hengxian's expression was tinged with considerable embarrassment. He hesitated, bowing slightly, "Guest Elder Yang, this is all a misunderstanding!"
He was compelled to concede, though his heart was unwilling, the situation was utterly unavoidable.
Confronted by the imposing might of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, the Kuang family simply could not afford to antagonize them.
