Chapter 12:TORN APART
Sheng Feng spoke gently but with unshakable authority.
"Wei Lan… it's been many years. How have you been?"
Wei Lan met his gaze, her eyes calm yet carrying the weight of years.
"I'm fine."
Sheng Feng nodded slowly. "Ah… that's good."
Tears welled in Sheng Yue's eyes. Her voice shook as she whispered,
"Mother… where did you go? Father said… back then, me and your mother were no longer a couple… why?"
Wei Lan's expression softened, regret heavy in her voice.
"I'm sorry, Yue'er. The reason our family is incomplete… that's because of Wang Shi, that kid's ancestor."
Sheng Feng raised a firm hand, cutting the tension like a blade.
"Enough. It's not Wang Shi's fault. Don't blame Hao Chen for the past. His ancestor risked everything to save our world. We should thank him, not blaming him. Without him… our world would already be gone."
Wei Lan's gaze sharpened.
"You chose him over your own son."
Sheng Feng's jaw tightened.
"Don't say that. None of us wanted what happened."
Sheng Yue's voice trembled, barely audible.
"Son?" She looked at Wei Lan, tears streaming freely.
"I have siblings?"
Wei Lan nodded gently.
"Yes, Yue'er… you had three brothers. All of them… gone long ago. That's because of Hao Chen's ancestor."
Sheng Feng gripped Sheng Yue's shoulders firmly.
"Yue'er… don't believe what she's saying. That's enough, Wei Lan."
---
Hao Chen stood silently, his eyes unwavering. Around him, disciples and elders exchanged uncertain glances, some even smirking mockingly.
Meizu Xuan sneered.
"Tsk… trash kid. Remember this day—it's the day of your end."
Meizu Shen stepped forward, calm yet imposing.
"Dao friend… it's been a long time."
All eyes turned to him. Sheng Feng inclined his head in acknowledgment.
"I'm well," he said.
Meizu Xuan bowed his head. "Grandfather."
"Hm… go home now. Your father is calling you," Meizu Xuan said.
"Yes, father," Meizu Xuan replied.
"Sect Leader, I'll go now," Meizu Xuan said formally.
Sheng Feng nodded. "Hm."
Hei Meng and Qing Tian stepped forward.
"We too, Sect Leader."
Sheng Feng agreed silently, and they left.
---
Meizu Shen's gaze sharpened, locking onto Hao Chen.
"That kid must be punished."
"Yes… he should be punished," an elder added. Chen Mo's face twisted with worry and sorrow.
"And the disciples… punish him! Punish him!"
Sheng Feng's voice thundered, cutting through the noise.
"Enough! That's enough!"
The hall fell into tense silence.
Meizu Shen's tone dropped, icy.
"That kid has a demonic scroll in his room. If it is opened, countless disciples could die."
Xue Dao stepped forward, voice trembling.
"That's right, Sect Leader. He is a traitor."
Sheng Feng's glare pinned Xue Dao in place. Trembling, Xue Dao fell to his knees.
Ling Xiao bowed deeply.
"Sect Leader… we should cast him out of the sect."
Sheng Feng's reply was calm but unyielding.
"How dare you decide for me?"
Wei Lan's eyes blazed.
"Sheng Feng… you really like demons, don't you?"
Sheng Feng's lips curved faintly, resolute.
"I would not punish someone I don't know to be guilty. I know Hao Chen more than you do."
Meizu Shen controlled Ding Yan, who bowed.
"Sect Founder… it's true what they're saying. If you doubt it, we should examine the guilty party."
Sheng Feng's gaze hardened.
"Tianli, take all the stolen items."
Tianli handed them over.
"Sect Founder… here's everything he stole… and also the demonic scroll."
Meizu Shen existence manipulation, switching Miezu Sha's presence with Hao Chen's.
When Sheng Feng touched the items, his face went pale.
"No… no way… impossible! Hao Chen… Hao Chen wouldn't do this… never!"
Wei Lan's voice trembled.
"It's really him… the stolen item's and the demonic scroll has hao chen's fully presence.
From afar, Hao Chen spoke with a little sound,
"It's not me!"
Tang Zheng nodded. "Yes… we know, we know."
Yao Yin nodded, solemn.
Sheng Feng summoned Tang Zheng and Yao Yin to bring Hao Chen. They obeyed without hesitation.
and then silence.....
Standing before Hao Chen, Sheng Feng's voice was heavy with sorrow.
"I didn't believe it before… but Hao Chen… I'm sorry. It is really you."
Sheng Yue cried, stepping closer.
"Father… it's really him?"
Sheng Feng forced back tears.
"I'm sorry, Yue'er… but it is truly Hao Chen."
---
Sheng Feng's tone became stern, cold.
"Hao Chen… you are no longer a sect junior leader. From now on, you are no longer part of this sect. I could forgive theft… but the demonic scroll is too dangerous. I'm sorry."
He turned his back.
Sheng Yue screamed, voice breaking.
"Enough, Father! That's not true!"
Hao Chen's eyes burned with calm defiance.
"I never did what you accuse me of. But if you believe it… I will leave."
Sheng Yue sobbed, reaching out to him.
"No, Hao Chen! Don't go!"
A faint smile crossed Hao Chen's lips.
Tang Zheng and Yao Yin exchanged helpless glances. Chen Mo's face twisted with grief. Elder Tianli laughed coldly.
"You deserve that," he sneered.
Students jeered as Hao Chen was forced out, coughing blood, weakening with every step. Only a few remained silent.
---
Meizu Shen's voice cut like ice.
"Kid… you cannot leave so easily."
He raised his hand, manipulating gravity with a thought. Hao Chen stumbled, coughing blood violently, unable to move.
Meizu Shen's voice dropped cruelly.
"Do you think this is nothing? I'll take you and imprison you!"
Sheng Yue screamed,
"No! No!"
Sheng Feng's voice rang with authority.
"Son… forget him."
Sheng Yue collapsed to her knees, crying.
"No… no way!"
Meizu Shen seized Hao Chen, teleporting him away in an instant.
Sheng Yue wept in Wei Lan's embrace.
Chen Mo's face was twisted with anger and despair, glaring at Elder Tianli.
Tang Zheng and Yao Yin stood frozen lonely and sad.unable to comprehend what had just occurred.