Chapter 1738: Chapter 1738: Master and Disciple’s Schemes

"Master, I have brought shame to you."

The Central Army Mansion, the core of the entire Nine Layers Mountain, is the center of power second only to the Nine Layers Mountain council hall.

At this moment, Murong Ye followed the Second Elder, Xia Changhe, into the Central Army Mansion, and circled around to the study in the back yard, where Murong Ye fell to his knees with a thud.

Xia Changhe sat down in a chair and glanced at Murong Ye: "Do you know what your biggest mistake was today?"

Murong Ye lifted his head, gritting his teeth: "It was my underestimation of Li Feng’s strength that let him shine in front of the Mountain Master and the elders."

Upon hearing this, Xia Changhe directly threw the teacup in his hand at Murong Ye. The cup shattered on Murong Ye’s forehead, and the scalding tea splashed over Murong Ye’s face. However, for Murong Ye, who practiced Martial Arts, it was nothing more than a messy embarrassment.

"Do you think I’m angry just because you underestimated Li Feng, letting him show off?"

Xia Changhe snorted coldly: "What angers me is that you, who are supposed to be better, were actually driven into such a predicament by someone from the Lower Three Rings, had it not been for the Mountain Master being considerate of me, do you think you could have gotten off so easily today?"

"Yes, Master."

Murong Ye hurriedly lowered his head, not daring to retort. He knew his master’s temperament well; if the master said nothing at all, that would be the real trouble. Since he was scolding and beating him, it meant that he had passed this hurdle.

After venting his anger, Xia Changhe sat back on the chair, looked at the kneeling Murong Ye, and said: "That Li Feng, indeed a tough bone to crack. Even knowing you’re my disciple, he dared to leave you no face and even chose the Fourth Elder, Shi Huanshan, as his mentor."

Murong Ye caught on and replied: "Master, that Li Feng is extremely arrogant at heart. As far as I know, when he came from the Lower Three Rings to the Sixth Ring, he once challenged an entire family alone. Arrogant beyond measure."

"However, it seems he has some acquaintance with the young master of the Ji Family, though the exact relationship is unknown. That’s probably why he manages to continue hanging on."

"Later, it is said he awakened the Vermilion Bird Bloodline, so the Sikong family has taken a fancy to him. Sikong Yu seems interested in him, perhaps wanting to take him as a son-in-law."

Upon hearing Murong Ye’s words, Xia Changhe coldly chuckled: "For someone of his ilk to awaken the Vermilion Bird Bloodline is an utter waste. The Sikong family willing to bring him in as a son-in-law is likely eyeing his bloodline, which comes as no surprise."

"A son-in-law, indeed climbing a social ladder, but if he believes this makes him untouchable, he is gravely mistaken. The Sikong family values him for his bloodline, treating him as nothing more than breeding stock. He truly thinks joining the Sikong family will let him ascend to the heavens."

Xia Changhe was a typical aristocrat, assessing people and situations purely based on bloodlines and backgrounds. To him, even those from minor families were like ants, let alone Li Feng, who came from the Lower Three Rings and was basically a nobody.

If Li Feng weren’t so outstanding, Xia Changhe wouldn’t even bother with a fly like him. But in time, when he took over Nine Layers Mountain, he would definitely expel those with lowly bloodlines, ensuring Nine Layers Mountain attained the glory similar to the other nine top sects.

Instead of now, being one of the top ten sects but looked down upon by others, lowering its prestige for no reason.

Yet Li Feng, of humble birth, displayed exceptional talent, making his favored direct disciple suffer a humiliating loss in front of the Mountain Master.

This was something Xia Changhe couldn’t accept.

"Humph, Li Feng siding with Shi Huanshan, it’s a snake’s nest; one day, I’ll take care of them all."

Xia Changhe said coldly.

"Stand up now."

"Master, let me kneel for a while longer. Knowing disgrace then striving for courage, I will reclaim the face I lost today."

Murong Ye said with determined eyes.

Hearing this, Xia Changhe was satisfied, grunted with approval, leaned back in his chair, and tapped the chair’s backrest with his fingers.

"Li Feng must not remain."

"With his talent, should he establish himself in Nine Layers Mountain and gain a reputation, it would be a disaster for both of us."

"The Mountain Master is nearing the end of his lifespan. I don’t know how long he has left. But today, observing the Mountain Master, it seemed he has intents of taking Li Feng under his wing."

"Once the Mountain Master truly accepts Li Feng as a direct disciple, he will undoubtedly cultivate him as the next Mountain Master."

"And you should know very well the status and prestige of the two direct disciples taught by the Mountain Master. With this brotherhood, making a move against Li Feng would become as hard as climbing the heavens."

"Therefore, before the Mountain Master takes Li Feng in, Li Feng must be driven out of Nine Layers Mountain, or...!"

Even though Xia Changhe didn’t spell it out, Murong Ye understood that Li Feng must die or be made unable to survive in Nine Layers Mountain.

Although his master held significant power in Nine Layers Mountain, he couldn’t grasp everything. The Mountain Master’s status and prestige were too high, almost insurmountable.

As long as he remains, Nine Layers Mountain won’t change hands.

And now the Mountain Master is certainly watching Li Feng, so killing Li Feng would be challenging, leaving the only option of making it impossible for Li Feng to settle in Nine Layers Mountain, proving his worthlessness beyond superficial talent. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The Mountain Master would then give up any thought of accepting him as a disciple, and without that prospect, Li Feng would be toyed with at will.

"Master, I know what to do now."

Xia Changhe glanced at Murong Ye, knowing his disciple wasn’t foolish. His ability to rally support in the Azure Dragon Camp with just his own strength was testimony to his capability.

Without Li Feng’s commanding talent, Murong Ye would be the most outstanding in Nine Layers Mountain. As for someone like Sikong Yu, she’s no match; even though her personal prowess might be formidable, Nine Layers Mountain doesn’t breed lone wolves.

"Go on, whatever happens, I’ve got your back."

Waving his hand, Xia Changhe assured Murong Ye to proceed without worry. Though Li Feng had potential, Xia Changhe saw his shortcomings evident.

Namely, his humble origins with no connections or background to rely on. Even though Nine Layers Mountain recruits all-comers, internally, ninety percent are from families, with only a very few being those not up to standards.

He wanted to see how Li Feng would fit into Nine Layers Mountain.

Coming out from Xia Changhe, Murong Ye went directly outside and saw a lackey standing by the door.

The lackey, upon seeing Murong Ye, hurried close: "Boss Murong."

"Go find out which camp that new disciple, Li Feng, joined today," Murong Ye ordered.

"Right away, I’ll look into it."

As the lackey turned to leave, Murong Ye called him back: "Come back."

"Anything else, Boss Murong?"

"Yeah, spread a message for me," Murong Ye beckoned him to lean in.