Chapter Forty-Two: Grand-Aunt Triumphs

"Third Brother!" It seemed someone was shaking her shoulders, urgently calling out to her.

The voice echoed in her mind, and Feng Ke'er remembered: the person was none other than Qin Heng’s full brother, Qin Jun!

Over the past days, she had gleaned many facts about her original self from various sources. For instance, Qin Heng’s mother was Qin Ruhua, a cultivator at the Condensation Core stage, the chief steward of the Yanxia Peak's inner sect—a figure of real authority.

Additionally, Qin Heng ranked third among his siblings. Besides Qin Jun, his full brother, he had an elder brother from a different father. But both brothers rejected that elder brother. Normally, Qin Heng addressed Qin Jun as "Big Brother," only calling him "Second Brother" in front of Qin Ruhua. Qin Jun, for his part, usually called his younger brother by name. If he used "Third Brother," it meant one of two things: either a very formal occasion, or their mother was present.

Either case was something Feng Ke’er, the imposter, had no desire to confront.

So, she'd better continue playing unconscious!

"Still not awake?" drawled a lazy young woman’s voice. "Jun’er, try using a silver needle on his philtrum. Heng’er’s internal injuries are severe, and he’s just advanced—perhaps only the largest needle will work."

Silver needles! The biggest ones! Oh heavens, ancestor, why don’t you just use a sword while you’re at it! Feng Ke’er’s scalp tingled; she hastily blinked her eyes, feigning a groggy awakening.

As expected, Qin Jun’s face was the first thing she saw. Glancing around, she found herself lying on her back atop the flagstones in the center of the small courtyard.

"Ah, Third Brother, you’re finally awake!" Qin Jun exclaimed with joy. Behind him, a young girl in a red silk robe sat cross-legged—big eyes and brows, narrow shoulders, slim waist.

Heavens, a red silk robe... a female cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage! So young, so tender, she looked no older than fifteen or sixteen.

Wait, this girl seemed familiar! Feng Ke’er swore she’d seen her somewhere before—yet couldn’t recall immediately. How exasperating; her memory kept failing her today!

The red-robed girl cleared her throat, touching her forehead and smiling lightly. "Good, you’re awake."

Qin Jun paused, then covered his mouth with both hands, crying tears of joy.

Brotherly affection, indeed!

But Feng Ke’er knew he was faking it.

Qin Jun, still covering his mouth, bent close to her ear and whispered rapidly, "That old villain accused you of disrespect, unruly behavior, and first provoking him—then ambushed you with underhanded tactics. Elder Wen arrived first and testified that he saw you strike the old villain, urging the head elder to abolish your dantian by sect law. But don’t be afraid—I’ve invited Grand Aunt here. With her presiding, those people wouldn’t dare touch a hair on you."

Feng Ke’er glanced at the three men standing less than three meters away, sighed inwardly. Brother, please, Elder Chen, and those so-called Elder Wen and Head Elder—all are at the Foundation Establishment stage. So close by, no matter how quietly you "whisper," they can hear you!

Apparently, Qin Jun was about to say more. She quickly tugged his sleeve.

Qin Jun caught on, but still covered his mouth and said, "Third Brother, don’t worry, Grand Aunt told me to say this. She’s set a barrier—they can’t hear my voice." Then, wiping at his eyes with his sleeve, he raised his voice to say softly, "Third Brother, Elder Shen wants to ask you a few questions. Let Second Brother help you sit up, all right?"

So that’s how it is. Feng Ke’er squinted at the serene Grand Aunt across from her and nodded. Wow, just look at that face, that figure—truly ageless!

The woman smiled and nodded back.

Ding—a matching image flashed in Feng Ke’er’s mind. She broke out in cold sweat: Ah, she remembered where she’d seen this super youthful Grand Aunt—the white-robed girl who’d invited her for wine in the small courtyard!

Fortunately, her breath-concealing talisman was strong enough; Grand Aunt hadn’t recognized her. Seeing this, she frowned at the three standing men and said, "Qin Heng is gravely injured and needs healing. Shen Ping, if you have questions, ask quickly—don’t waste time."

"Yes, disciple obeys." The man in the center bowed and stepped forward to ask, "Qin Heng, at the time of the incident, where were you?"

Actually, Feng Ke’er had already checked herself upon awakening. Oddly enough, though she’d been knocked out by a sonic blast, and had spat blood, her body was now completely uninjured—healthy as could be.

But Grand Aunt had already hinted at her role; she couldn’t disobey. So she clutched her chest, leaned weakly on Qin Jun’s shoulder, and answered feebly, "Reporting to Head Elder, disciple was in the east room at the time."

"Your Elder Chen was seriously injured in the east room just now. Was it your doing?" Shen Ping pressed.

What was this? Shen, are you deliberately shielding that brat? Elder Chen clutched his chest in anguish, swaying as if about to collapse. Thankfully, Elder Wen caught him in time.

Grand Aunt cast a glance at those hands.

Elder Wen paled and quickly withdrew his hand.

Feng Ke’er looked up with grievance and asked, "Head Elder, Elder Chen seems severely injured. With my cultivation, could I possibly inflict such harm on Elder Chen?"

Shen Ping opened his mouth, nervously stealing a glance at Grand Aunt, not daring to ask further. In truth, he’d always doubted this matter.

He’d rushed over after receiving urgent messages from Elder Chen and Wen, both claiming the Qin family boy had suddenly advanced and must possess powerful treasures. After seizing them, they’d split the spoils three ways. Besides, the Azure Cloud Sect was not a monolith. The Qin family had been too prosperous lately. Many in the inner sect would welcome seeing them humbled. And Qin Hanyan before him was a ninth-level Nascent Soul master—a status that should have restrained her from meddling excessively. So he’d weighed the options, his mind turning.

Yet now, things proved far more complicated than he’d imagined.

"Qin Heng, you couldn’t hurt me. But you have a treasure," Elder Chen burst out, clutching his chest and indignantly accusing, "It was you! You used an unknown high-grade artifact to severely wound me!"

Feng Ke’er was alarmed. Had the old villain seen through it?

The shield had indeed manifested, and Elder Chen, being Foundation Establishment, had sharp eyes. She felt a real panic, tongue-tied.

Instantly, Qin Jun and Shen, Wen’s eyes lit up, staring at her intently.

At this moment, Grand Aunt snorted dismissively. "Chen Liang, is this all you amount to? Seeing Heng’er fortuitously break through in the east room, you suspected he borrowed a treasure’s power. When you failed to get it from him, you became enraged, slandering a junior disciple by self-inflicted harm. Tell me—is that not what happened? Do you know whose child Heng’er is? Is there any respect left for the Qin family in your eyes?"

Her tone grew stern as she spoke.

Under the pressure of her Nascent Soul cultivation, the three Foundation Establishment men’s faces changed dramatically. They had not expected her to be so protective, disregarding her status! Each turned pale, sweating profusely, and fell to their knees in unison, bowing and pleading, "We dare not, Grand Elder, please calm your anger!"

"Dare not? I see you’re quite bold. In the outer sect, is there anything you do not dare? Heng’er is young, unfamiliar with sect rules—yet as elders, do you not know them? In the sect, treasures are never questioned by their origins; fortune favors those who obtain them. Have you forgotten?" Grand Aunt snorted, "If I weren’t here today, would you have tortured Heng’er into confession, accused him of harming an elder, sentenced him to death, then divided his treasures among yourselves? Shen Ping, you are the outer sect’s head. Tell me, is that not so?"

"No! Grand Elder, disciple is innocent!" Shen Ping, now completely stripped of his earlier composure, knocked his head to the ground like a chick pecking grain, utterly disheveled. By the great Pangu above, he swore by his heart’s demon: he had thought of seizing treasures, but never meant to harm Qin Heng—at most, let the boy suffer some minor injuries.

The other two, seeing this, imitated him, each knocking their heads harder than the last.

A chorus of frantic kowtows echoed through the courtyard. Soon, their foreheads were red with blood.

Feng Ke’er stole a glance at Grand Aunt, who sat with eyes closed, face serene, showing no hint of pity. Qin Jun, meanwhile, gazed at her in reverence, evidently with no intention to plead for mercy.

Fine, she admitted she was hypocritical. Frankly, she didn’t want to plead for these men either. Grand Aunt V5! If she really slapped these three into oblivion, that would be true justice. Feng Ke’er clenched her fists inwardly: Power! Only the powerful have a voice! Here, no one cares about the will of the weak.

"Hmph, I doubt you’d dare!" Grand Aunt stood, flicking her sleeve and lazily asked, "You there, was Heng’er injured by you?"

Elder Wen trembled, answering in a shaky voice, "Reporting to Grand Elder, disciple saw Elder Chen being—"

"Enough nonsense!" Grand Aunt frowned impatiently, cutting him off, "Just answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’!"

His kowtowing paused, and he stammered, "Reporting, reporting to Grand Elder… yes…"

Before the words had finished, Grand Aunt clapped her hands and laughed lightly. "Good, very good. Shen Ping, you are the head of the outer sect—tell me, what is the punishment for unclear right and wrong, reckless harm?"

Elder Wen broke out in a sweat. As steward of the administrative hall, he knew well how strict sect rules were!

Shen Ping raised his head, trembling, and replied, "Reporting to Grand Elder, in the outer sect, all elders are—" Elder Wen was the youngest steward in the outer sect, having reached Foundation Establishment eight in under thirty years, and managed the hall efficiently—a rare talent. He tried to defend his colleague, boldly twisting the elder’s meaning, framing Elder Wen’s attack on Feng Ke’er as discipline.

That is, as an elder, he could punish disciples at will! Even maliciously harm them, and the elders would not be punished! What kind of rule was that! No wonder they acted so arrogantly!

Feng Ke’er was indignant, grumbling inwardly.

Even Qin Jun’s face went dark, brows knotted, fists clenched until they creaked.

"Oh, is that so?" Grand Aunt arched her brow playfully, then asked, "Shen Ping, am I not your elder?"

"Yes, of course," Shen Ping replied, immediately kneeling without moving.

"And this is the outer sect, correct?" Grand Aunt continued.

"Yes."

"Then that settles it!" Grand Aunt’s face darkened as she barked, "You there, raise your head!"

Elder Wen shook like a leaf, finally managing to lift his head. Instinct told him he was doomed.

"Hmph, such audacity—to harm a Qin family disciple in the sect without cause!" Grand Aunt’s right hand suddenly elongated, and with a "slap," struck him across the face.

Blood sprayed like a fountain.

Elder Wen’s head was knocked clean off, rolling to Elder Chen’s feet. The latter’s eyes rolled back, fainting on the spot.

Poor Elder Wen felt the world spinning wildly. When he focused, he saw his own back!

With no eyes on the back of his head, how could a person see their own back?

Unless…

"Bang," he stared incredulously as his body collapsed in a heap…

Who would have thought the sweet-faced Grand Aunt, once she acted, would be so ruthless? Feng Ke’er, aghast, covered her mouth tightly, stifling her scream.

"Useless trash!" Grand Aunt glanced disdainfully at Elder Chen, pulled out a white silk handkerchief from her voluminous sleeve, and wiped her right hand elegantly. "Indeed, striking them myself is far more satisfying." She tossed the handkerchief onto Elder Liu’s body, then strolled over to Shen Ping, bending slightly and whispering, "Shen Ping, since Heng’er has advanced unexpectedly, I’ll spare your life today."

"Thank you, Grand Elder." Shen Ping’s tense body visibly relaxed.

"When that useless fool wakes, tell him his days are numbered—I won’t bother with the dying." Grand Aunt rose, gesturing to Feng Ke’er and Qin Jun. "Heng’er is injured—I leave him to you. Remember, what happened today must not be repeated."

"Yes, disciple obeys." Shen Ping knocked his head to the ground again.

Grand Aunt, satisfied, smiled, summoned her flying sword, and departed.

Shen Ping sat up, gulping air like a fish out of water.

"Third Brother, how are you?" Qin Jun withdrew his gaze from the azure sky and asked with concern.

Too much had happened in a single afternoon. Feng Ke’er needed to calm down and gather her thoughts. So she continued playing the invalid, pressing her chest and answering weakly, "Big Brother, I’m fine… If I return to my room, take a few Rejuvenation Pills, and meditate for a few days, I’ll be alright."

"Qin Heng, now that you’re a Qi-stage disciple, you can’t stay in the Xin Character Courtyard," Shen Ping, now ingratiating, interjected. "I’ll arrange a new residence for you immediately. I guarantee a quiet environment, no interruptions while you recover."

Feng Ke’er signaled Qin Jun to help her up, then bowed in gratitude. "Thank you for your concern, Elder. But my old room was very quiet, and I only wish to recover as soon as possible. So, I appreciate Elder’s kindness."

This was actually against the rules. But with today’s events, Shen Ping was eager to honor these two as highly as possible—how could he insist? He immediately changed his tune, smiling obsequiously, "As you wish, as you wish. Just focus on your recovery—I’ll personally relocate everyone else from the courtyard." With that, he ignored Elder Chen lying on the ground, and vanished in a flash.

Feng Ke’er pressed her forehead.

"At least he knows his place," Qin Jun snorted, then turned to ask gently, "Qin Heng, can you walk by yourself, or should I carry you?"

Tongtian Codex 42_Chapter Forty-Two: Grand Aunt V5 complete!