Chapter 6: A Master of Yin-Yang Arts

As Lu Chengfeng looked at the newcomer, a glimmer of surprise flashed in his eyes. The man was an elder from the Discipline Hall and a direct disciple of one of the five inner peaks of Yun Cang Sword Sect.

The Yun Cang Sword Sect was a massive entity, composed of five inner peaks and 108 outer peaks. It held unparalleled influence in the northern lands, reigning supreme for thousands of years, with roots that ran deep and a profound foundation.

Anyone who mastered martial arts to the tenth level could establish an outer peak and earn the title of outer peak elder, gaining access to superior and even top-tier techniques of the sect.

But to enter the five inner peaks, one had to either achieve the seventh level in martial arts before age twenty or reach the tenth level before age thirty.

The inner disciples were true prodigies, each possessing extraordinary talent in their respective martial arts, rising above ordinary practitioners.

The Discipline Hall was one of the eight crucial divisions of the sect. Its leading elders came from the inner peaks, each at or above the tenth level, possessing authority, strength, and resources far exceeding those of outer peak elders.

Xue Dulong, having reached the tenth level of the Black Wind Demon-Breaking Spear at over forty, was certainly a formidable talent in his prime. But against an inner disciple, he was effortlessly subdued, his fist immobilized without the slightest resistance.

Xue Dulong felt both enraged and humiliated. He tried to muster his internal energy several times, but it was like punching into a vast ocean, his strength instantly drowned.

After several attempts, not only did he fail to shake his opponent, but he also exhausted his own energy, leaving him at a disadvantage.

"This disciple was disrespectful, and I was merely teaching him a lesson. Does the Discipline Hall lack the sense to distinguish right from wrong?" Xue Dulong roared, his voice fierce, though his tone hinted at retreat.

The elder from the Discipline Hall simply rotated his hand slightly. It seemed effortless, yet Xue Dulong staggered back five steps, his blood surging, and his face turning a ghastly shade of purple.

"Good, very good. The Discipline Hall certainly knows how to exert its authority…" Xue Dulong wanted to retort further but, noticing the elder's penetrating gaze and the crimson belt at his waist, he hesitated, swallowing his words.

Realizing he had lost face today and had no chance of turning the situation around, he scowled and turned to leave.

The disciples following Xue Dulong from Canglong Peak quickly fell in line behind him. Among them were three former disciples of Bixiao Peak, whose expressions were filled with shame. They avoided meeting Lu Chengfeng's gaze, hurrying away with their heads down.

Lu Chengfeng relaxed, removing his hand from his sword hilt, and clasped his hands respectfully toward the Discipline Hall elder. "Disciple Lu Chengfeng thanks the elder for his righteous intervention."

"There's no need to thank me. I am merely upholding the rules of the sect," replied the elder, his expression calm. "I'm here on official business."

"I've come to return your marriage certificate, which you submitted to the Discipline Hall yesterday."

Lu Chengfeng was momentarily taken aback. "What does the elder mean by this?"

The elder pulled out the marriage certificate Lu Chengfeng had sent via Su Wanning the day before and handed it back.

"Luo Suyi is the widow of Zhao Changzhen, who had already registered her status with the Discipline Hall. She remains recorded as his widow in the sect's official records."

"Now that Zhao Changzhen has passed, and since Luo Suyi remains listed in the records, your marriage to her is deemed improper. The sect does not recognize it."

Lu Chengfeng frowned, "Luo Suyi was my senior martial sister, and on the very night of our wedding, our master was assassinated. Marriage is a personal affair—does the sect really intend to intervene in a disciple's private matters?"

The young elder's gaze softened slightly as he replied, "You misunderstand. The sect does not interfere with personal marriages. However, family members of outer peak elders receive certain protections and privileges from the sect."

"According to our records, Luo Suyi is still recorded as Zhao Changzhen's widow. Your marriage to her, if known to others, could bring ridicule upon the Yun Cang Sword Sect. Outsiders might see it as an act of impropriety, fueling rumors of sordid affairs within the sect."

"Taking your Shimu as a bride is shocking enough. While we may understand the context, outsiders would merely slander the sect, accusing us of harboring corruption."

"To protect the sect's reputation, the Discipline Hall cannot officially register your marriage certificate in the records."

Lu Chengfeng's face darkened. He had hoped that acting swiftly and making the marriage official would resolve many issues, yet now he faced an unexpected complication from the Discipline Hall, which threatened to cause even more trouble.

"Of course, the sect simply won't officially register your marriage. Your private union will remain unaffected," the elder added with a dry cough, a hint of a smirk appearing on his face as he looked at Lu Chengfeng with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

Lu Chengfeng quickly understood. While the sect would not officially recognize their marriage for the sake of appearances, it wouldn't interfere with their private relationship. Essentially, they were turning a blind eye, pretending the marriage didn't exist publicly.

Lu Chengfeng found himself at a loss for words. This approach felt like a hollow gesture, yet he understood that for an ancient sect like the Yun Cang Sword Sect, maintaining a semblance of decorum was sometimes more critical than actual events.

A thought crossed his mind: "Suyi, by day you're my Shimu in the sect, but at night, you're… my wife…"

He knew that since the Discipline Hall had dispatched an elder to convey this decision, it wasn't something he could easily challenge. At his current rank, he lacked the influence to alter their ruling.

Bowing slightly, he replied, "Thank you, Elder, for the clarification. I understand."

With that, he accepted the marriage certificate, offering his thanks once more.

Despite the outcome, this elder had not spoken down to him or abused his authority. He had explained everything clearly and justly without any bias. Additionally, his intervention had helped fend off Xue Dulong, an act Lu Chengfeng appreciated.

"My surname is Zeng, and I'm quite fond of yin-yang arts. Your reputation precedes you across both the inner and outer peaks. Should you ever join the inner peaks, I would be glad to discuss the arts with you," Elder Zeng said with a sly grin before laughing heartily and walking off.

Watching the elder leave, Lu Chengfeng felt a fleeting moment of bewilderment before breaking into a wry smile, realizing that his marriage to Luo Suyi had indeed stirred quite the commotion within the sect.

"If the Discipline Hall refuses to register the marriage certificate, this situation could become troublesome. I must pass the elder examination soon to solidify my position."

With a quick assessment of the risks involved,

Lu Chengfeng wasted no time and descended the mountain with renewed purpose.