Chapter 176: Zhang Zhenshan Comes to the Rescue

“Why is the Department of Justice so lively today? Has something extraordinary happened?”

With a deep and resonant voice, an elderly man with white hair but a robust build strode in with powerful steps. The inner sect disciples watching from outside hastily stepped aside, whispering curiously about the old man’s identity.

Upon hearing the voice, Li Tan’s heart leapt with joy, and he promptly returned the jade token to its original place.

Zhang Zhi and Zhang Chenghuan wore expressions of shock and confusion as they hastily stood up. Zheng Kai Shan, who had been stern-faced moments ago, immediately changed to an expression of surprise and followed suit.

“Greetings, Senior Elder!”

The three bowed in unison. The old man who had suddenly barged in was none other than Zhang Zhenshan, who had befriended Li Tan due to his madness. The disciples outside were also astonished and quickly bowed in respect.

“Old man, weren’t you supposed to be in retreat?”

“How did you find the time to come here?”

Li Tan did not bow but turned around with a cheerful smile and asked.

Zhang Zhi and the others immediately displayed confused expressions. Judging from his tone, did they actually know each other?

“Thanks to the young friend’s miraculous medicine, I ended my retreat early. I feel completely refreshed and invigorated, hahaha.”

Zhang Zhenshan laughed heartily, his mood greatly improved after being cured of his long-standing madness.

Zheng Kai Shan was momentarily stunned, slightly raising his head with a doubtful look in his eyes.

Li Tan noticed this and inwardly sneered. He could easily guess what Zheng Kai Shan was doubting—undoubtedly suspicious of the miraculous medicine, after all, Zheng had likely caused Zhang Zhenshan’s madness.

Zhang Zhenshan glanced around and said, “You may rise,” before asking somewhat angrily, “What’s going on here?”

Zheng Kai Shan hurriedly replied, “Li Tan’s intentions are unclear, and he is suspected of being a spy. I intend to expel him from the sect to prevent future troubles!”

“If this is about such matters, then disperse immediately. I can guarantee that this young friend is not a spy.”

Zheng’s face darkened as he urged, “No, this matter is of grave importance and must be dealt with severely. Senior Elder, you must not hastily judge based merely on a single encounter!”

“Enough, this matter is settled. Let no more be said!”

Zhang Zhenshan’s tone was decisive.

Zheng Kai Shan bowed deeply, sweat beading on his forehead, “Senior Elder, please reconsider!”

“Hey, Grandpa already said Li Tan isn’t a spy. Can’t you just calm down?”

Zhang Chenghuan said discontentedly.

Zheng Kai Shan replied, “It’s not that I wish to cause trouble, but the sect’s rules are clear. If we don’t deal with Li Tan today, what becomes of our rules?”

He directly placed a heavy accusation on everyone’s shoulders, invoking the sect’s rules. Even Zhang Zhenshan frowned.

He glared disapprovingly at Zheng Kai Shan, who lowered his head to avoid eye contact.

Zhang Zhenshan coldly huffed and said, “Since that’s the case, I will provide evidence to prove this young friend is definitely not a spy.”

Zhang Zhi, Zhang Zhenshan, and Zheng Kai Shan all focused their attention. Li Tan, meanwhile, stood aside with an indifferent expression, watching the spectacle unfold. Su Zhengyi, on the other hand, knelt on the floor, trembling with fear.

Zhang Zhenshan explained, “This young friend created a miraculous medicine that has already cured my madness. Tell me, Elder Zheng, does this count as evidence?”

“Cured his madness!”

Zheng Kai Shan’s eyes widened in disbelief.

As if to prove his point or for another reason, Zhang Zhenshan unleashed his terrifying aura as a master cultivator directly at Zheng Kai Shan.

Everyone was shocked. Alongside their shock, Zhang Zhi and Zhang Chenghuan were overjoyed. They knew Zhang Zhenshan would never joke about such a matter. Zhang Zhi, in particular, felt an immense weight lift from his heart.

Zheng Kai Shan, however, was completely the opposite. Under the oppressive aura, his expression was as grim as could be. Eventually, he reluctantly nodded, saying, “As the Senior Elder says.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhenshan withdrew his aura, turned toward the gathered crowd, and shouted, “Disperse, all of you!”

No one dared defy the order and quickly left the scene. Liu Yong, standing at the front, trembled all over, his face pale with frustration. He had almost succeeded in driving Li Tan away, but who could have predicted this sudden turn of events?

The onlookers dispersed completely, including the law-enforcement disciples. Soon, the vast hall was left with only Li Tan, Zhang Zhenshan, Zhang Chenghuan, Su Zhengyi, and Zheng Kai Shan.

“You, get lost too.”

Zhang Zhenshan disdainfully glanced at the prostrate Su Zhengyi.

“Yes, Senior Elder.” Su Zhengyi awkwardly scrambled to his feet and hurried out.

“Wait.”

He was stopped.

“Senior Elder, do you have further instructions?”

He halted.

“I see that you’re old and perhaps a bit forgetful. Continuing as an elder might mislead the younger generation. From now on, you will guard the sect’s gates.”

“Yes, Senior Elder.” Su Zhengyi’s face drained of color as he stumbled out.

This outcome was even worse than Zhou Zhi’s. He had struggled hard to rise from a servant disciple to an elder, only to be demoted back to nothing, even worse than before.

Zheng Kai Shan watched Su Zhengyi leave, feeling some sorrow akin to a rabbit’s demise. However, recalling those higher-ups, he felt somewhat reassured. Bowing once more, he said, “Then I shall take my leave.”

“Why hurry away, Elder Zheng? I still have a question to ask you.”

“Senior Elder, please proceed.”

“According to your logic, among the inner and outer disciples and servant disciples, there should be more than one person whose identity might be questionable, right? After all, who doesn’t have some secrets? So why single out Li Tan?”

Zhang Zhenshan’s gaze was sharp, like a blade.

Zheng Kai Shan’s heart skipped a beat, but he calmly replied, “Senior Elder, I was merely momentarily confused and couldn’t think clearly.”

Zhang Zhenshan stared intently, trying to find a flaw, but Zheng Kai Shan was full of inconsistencies, making it pointless to scrutinize further. Though somewhat suspicious of Zheng’s motives against Li Tan, Zhang Zhenshan lacked knowledge of the black-robed figure and thus let the matter drop. Zheng Kai Shan departed.

“Grandpa!” Zhang Chenghuan exclaimed affectionately, rushing into Zhang Zhenshan’s arms.

Zhang Zhenshan lovingly embraced his granddaughter, feigning anger as he scolded, “How old are you now? Still clinging to Grandpa like this. Aren’t you ashamed?”

Zhang Chenghuan pouted unconcernedly, “There’s no one else around anyway.”

Zhang Zhi chuckled and asked, “You really don’t consider young Li an outsider, do you?”

Realizing his slip of the tongue, Zhang Chenghuan’s face flushed red as she hastily withdrew from her grandfather’s arms, deliberately avoiding looking in Li Tan’s direction.

Li Tan coughed lightly and thanked, “Thanks to the elder’s timely arrival, I don’t know what I would have done otherwise.”

“Just a small favor. Compared to the young friend’s generous act, it’s hardly worth mentioning.”

Zhang Zhenshan replied.

At this moment, Zhang Zhi asked worriedly, “Father, is your madness truly cured?”

Zhang Zhenshan affirmed it, and Zhang Zhi then asked Li Tan what medicine he had used. Li Tan briefly explained about the Jade Lotus Liquid.

After understanding the matter, Zhang Zhi repeatedly thanked Li Tan. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Li Tan steered the conversation to the main topic.

“Master Zhang, I wonder if your offer from last time still stands?”

“Of course, it does. It’s up to the young friend’s choice. I can arrange it anytime.”

“Excellent. Please arrange for me to become an honored elder. Let’s say a week from now.”

“A week? Young friend, do you have unfinished business below?”

“Indeed.”

After finalizing the arrangements for Li Tan’s entry into the inner sect and entrusting Zhang Zhi with the details, Li Tan returned to his small cottage, while Zhang Zhenshan resumed his retreat.

During the following week, Li Tan slightly neglected his cultivation and instead devoted most of his time to teaching Qiu Jue and Xue Ying. The two younglings studied diligently. In the small competition held after half a month of training, they achieved remarkable results, making it into the top ten despite their modest cultivation levels and backgrounds.

The watching servant disciples were heartbroken, envious to the point of despair while bitterly regretting their previous treatment of Li Tan.

Though a thousand miles must be traveled, all farewells must come eventually. After the competition, Li Tan left for the inner sect without saying goodbye. For many years afterward, the two younglings took pride in those days.

Shortly after the competition, they were specially arranged by Zhang Zhi to enter the outer sect, quickly rising to the inner sect afterward. By then, however, Li Tan had long since departed.