Zheng Changye now truly regrets a bit.
Why did he have to meddle with that Northern Mountain Domain affair? He should have found an excuse to decline...
To put it simply, it was because Zheng Changye had been used to throwing his weight around in the Northern Mountain Domain; who dared provoke him?
Being able to casually control others’ fates, actually, was quite intriguing.
But Zheng Changye never expected to encounter Shen Han.
If it were just him, he could let it be, but Ying Jiu had to be by Shen Han’s side...
Sitting in his own small courtyard, Zheng Changye’s eyes grew increasingly resolute.
At the very least, he must drive Shen Han out of Cangxuan Valley.
He absolutely must not let Ying Jiu meet Shen Han. With her temperament, she would certainly spread it around.
The winter sunshine in this Divine Land was indeed a bit scarce, but the climate was still quite comfortable.
Even at night, it wasn’t overly cold.
Past 9 p.m., Zheng Changye walked alone towards the herbal field.
For Outer Sect disciples, the value of the herbal field far exceeds their own value.
If the herbal field were destroyed, that Outer Sect disciple would likely face more than just punishment.
After the punishment, he would most likely be expelled.
In this way, not only could Zheng Changye vent his anger, but he could also force Shen Han to leave Cangxuan Valley.
If he still harbored resentment, he could choose to act again after Shen Han left Cangxuan Valley.
In Cangxuan Valley, Feixia Mansion’s strength was considered above average.
The areas beyond the valley to the north were all under Feixia Mansion’s jurisdiction.
Regarding the cultivation of herbs, Feixia Mansion indeed invested quite a bit of effort.
Under the faint light, Zheng Changye reached the perimeter of the herbal field, his gaze growing slightly sharp.
Behind him, a shadowy apparition of a Divine Soul had already appeared, as if a mighty force was compressing in his hand.
With just one move, this entire herbal field should be destroyed.
Destruction is much faster than construction; it only takes one move to completely obliterate it.
But before launching the move, Shen Han’s figure had already appeared in front of him.
With his current strength, if he doesn’t have a Divine Soul, there’s no way he could match Shen Han.
"From the moment I first saw you in the library, I kept wondering when you, a member of the Zheng Family, would trouble me.
You people have such narrow minds.
Only allow yourselves to bully others, but can’t stand being bullied by others.
Seems like you can’t get over not defeating me."
Shen Han lit the torch beside him.
Though the firelight shone, Zheng Changye’s face was full of coldness, as if harboring the intent to extinguish Shen Han here.
"The Divine Land is so vast, yet you insist on coming to Cangxuan Valley to make trouble. It’s impossible not to make a move."
As he spoke, Zheng Changye took out his folding fan again.
"If I were you, I’d think about how to escape right now."
Facing Zheng Changye, Shen Han showed no signs of urgency, even appearing a bit like a spectator.
"Escape?
Do you really think I’m not your match?
A waste without even a Divine Soul, what does it matter if your realm has improved?
Just give me more time, and I’ll surely destroy you!"
Zheng Changye’s face was filled with viciousness.
Because of Shen Han, he had lost all dignity, and even dared to mock him today.
Escape?
Why should he escape!
Seeing him say this, Shen Han chuckled and waved his hand.
"Don’t misunderstand, Young Master Zheng, I’m not looking down on you.
I’m just saying, I’ve already transmitted sound to the senior brothers in the mansion.
They should arrive shortly, the Inner Sect disciples of Feixia Mansion.
Coming here in the dead of night, you must be here to steal herbs?"
As Shen Han spoke, Zheng Changye’s expression instantly changed.
He never expected Shen Han to report the incident first.
But in a moment, there was already a sound of people coming from afar.
From the inner to the outer valley of Cangxuan Valley wasn’t far at all, rushing on magical artifact, it wouldn’t take even a quarter of an hour.
Zheng Changye wanted to flee, but the next moment, he felt his movements become sluggish.
Even his Divine Soul was affected.
At the same time, numerous sword shadows also appeared in the vast sky.
In the deep night, they appeared particularly dazzling.
Facing the assault of the sword shadows, Zheng Changye wanted to leave but was restrained like this.
These mysterious sword shadows filled him with irritation, stirring a desire to kill.
He couldn’t let the other Inner Sect disciples catch him, otherwise, news of a Zheng Family junior stealing herbs would be tremendously embarrassing.
Even the elders of the Zheng Family would come to trouble him.
Yet his body was sluggish and blocked by the sword shadows.
In a moment, the Inner Sect disciples of Feixia Mansion arrived.
"Previously, other mansion brothers said someone was stealing herbs.
Didn’t expect today they’d dare to steal from Feixia Mansion."
Seeing the four Inner Sect disciples had arrived, Zheng Changye knew it was over, plunging face down to the ground, hiding his face from view.
After the Inner Sect disciples arrived, Mu Ming also came.
He had received Shen Han’s sound transmission and went to find Inner Sect disciples.
"Is Junior Brother Shen alright?"
"I’m fine. He didn’t have time to make a move before the senior brothers arrived."
Shen Han attributed all the credit to the Inner Sect disciples.
At this moment, the four Inner Sect disciples wore smiles, looking at the prostrate Zheng Changye.
"Oh, you realize stealing is shameful?
If you knew it was shameful, why did you still do it, and steal from Feixia Mansion no less.
Tell us, which faction’s disciple are you?"
The four Inner Sect disciples’ faces were all filled with a trace of a smile, catching him on the spot.
Could he still argue?
"If you won’t tell us, it’s simple. We’ll hand you over to the valley elders.
Let the elders investigate and see which faction you belong to."
Hearing these words, Zheng Changye, who had been covering his face, finally couldn’t bear it any longer.
"I’ll call someone to explain..."
As he spoke, Zheng Changye took out a Sound Transmission Jade and whispered a few words.
"Someone will come shortly."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zheng Changye stood up from the ground.
Zheng Changye wasn’t wearing the sect’s clothes, so it was hard to tell which mansion’s disciple he was.
But his appearance looked somewhat familiar...
In less than a quarter of an hour, a figure drifted over from afar.
As it came closer, the disciples of Feixia Mansion finally saw clearly.
Zheng Changnian...
Their expressions instantly turned respectful.
Landing beside them, Zheng Changnian softly invited the four Inner Sect disciples to a secluded place.
When they returned, smiles hung on the faces of all five people.
They seemed to have had a delightful conversation.
The four Inner Sect disciples from Feixia Mansion approached Shen Han and Mu Ming, no longer offering the previous praise.
"They were just passing by our Feixia Mansion’s medicine field, no need to overreact.
It’s enough that you disturbed our rest in the middle of the night and almost caused a major misunderstanding."
This single sentence from the Inner Sect disciple redefined Zheng Changye’s actions.
"Go and apologize to them, and this matter will be over."
In an instant, the situation reversed.
The few Inner Sect disciples actually wanted Shen Han to apologize.
"Be sincere in your apology; otherwise, if it escalates to the Elders, you’ll be in bigger trouble."
In front of the two Outer Sect disciples, they seemed to feel they had the upper hand.
Shen Han frowned, looking up at them.
"My senior brothers, I did indeed see him stealing herbs from our mansion. Such an apology is deeply unjustified.
If it escalates to the Elders, I’m willing to accompany it."
As long as he was in the right, Shen Han wasn’t worried.
These people had taken benefits; how could they dare escalate it to the Elders?
Seeing that Shen Han was unimpressed, a hint of displeasure flickered in the eyes of the Inner Sect disciples.
Mu Ming quickly stepped forward to mediate.
"Seniors, we’re also considering the interests of the mansion.
After all, these herbs are treasures of our Feixia Mansion, and we’re just doing our duty.
The misunderstandings were purely accidental...
But seniors, we still made some effort..."
Mu Ming was indeed persuasive.
Indeed, others were doing their duty and being reprimanded, which seemed unreasonable.
Thinking this, they turned to look at Zheng Changnian.
"Brother Changnian, what do you think about this..."
"It’s fine, apologies don’t really mean much anyway."
Said Zheng Changnian, leading Zheng Changye to prepare to leave.
Before leaving, Zheng Changnian glanced back at Shen Han, a hint of disdain on his face.
Within the valley, at Zheng Changnian’s small courtyard.
It was quite secluded here, with no outsiders around.
"Brother, tonight, were you targeting that Outer Sect disciple?"
Hearing his cousin’s question, Zheng Changye merely hung his head silently.
"Was that person the one who clashed with you in the Northern Mountain Domain?"
Zheng Changnian easily guessed with a single remark.
Seeing Zheng Changye’s subtly changing expression, he knew he wasn’t wrong.
"Brother, why didn’t you tell me if you were upset?
I can just speak a few words to the Mansion Master of Feixia Mansion, and troubling an Outer Sect disciple is barely worth mentioning."
Zheng Changnian sat in a chair, questioning Zheng Changye like an elder.
One was standing, the other sitting, hardly resembling brothers.
"Does staying silent solve anything, brother?"
Yet another question, and the utterly dejected Zheng Changye seemed unable to hold it together.
"Yes, yes, yes, you’re strong, whatever you do is effortless, Zheng Changnian.
I exhaust myself and end up being manipulated, while you can wave your hand and make him vanish into thin air.
You’re a genius respected by the Valley Master, with a Divine Soul and Realm countless times stronger than ours.
I’m merely a regular Inner Sect disciple, matched against an Outer Sect disciple in a draw.
Here, I solemnly apologize to you.
I have embarrassed you; I’ve disgraced the Zheng Family.
Anyway, things are the way they are; handle them as you see fit.
You might as well tell Third Uncle everything."
It seemed that years of resentment erupted tonight.
Even Zheng Changnian hadn’t expected this to happen.
The two brothers fell into silence, and after a long while, Zheng Changnian slowly stood up.
"Brother, for the rest of my life, you’ll always be my brother.
When I was a child, the other collateral family members bullied me, but you always protected me.
Whatever was good, you’d always save a share for me.
I remember all of it..."
These words suddenly softened Zheng Changye’s heart slightly.
Yes, in their youth, they were so close.
"What’s the use of saying this? It’s all in the past; there’s no going back..."
Zheng Changye turned his head slightly, avoiding looking at his cousin.
But Zheng Changnian stepped forward.
"Brother, I’ve indeed made some mistakes as a younger brother in the past.
I didn’t consider your feelings; please forgive me...
But Changnian truly hopes that we brothers won’t end up like others, harming each other, till death do us part."
With these words, Zheng Changnian walked into his room and came out with a box in his hands.

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