Chapter 11 We Can't Let Him Live

Alan left the Discipline Hall and headed toward Booth's place. It was a bit of a hike, taking him about fifteen minutes to walk the stone path along the mountainside. When he arrived, Alan entered and shut the door behind him. Despite being the sixth disciple of the sect leader and a rising star among the younger Void Sect disciples, Booth's home was surprisingly simple. The furniture—tables, chairs, and bed—was old and worn, with only the large wooden bath barrel looking relatively new. Alan cupped his fists slightly and said, "Senior Brother Booth." Without missing a beat, Booth asked, "Is Felix faking the memory loss?" Alan shook his head. "I don't think so." "Oh? Why do you think that?" Alan gave a quick rundown of how he had thrown Felix off a cliff earlier to test him. After listening, Booth fell into a thoughtful silence. Alan added, "I already hinted at Len to Felix. Whether he's faking or genuinely regains his memories later, that should keep him in line. He won't dare spill any secrets." Booth gave a small nod, then smiled slightly. "Funny, isn't it? That guy's useless, but he's loyal. And loyalty doesn't go far in a world like this—especially not in the Void Sect these days..." His tone grew colder. "Junior Brother Alan, even though we didn't kill Felix, he knows too much about us. We can't let him live. He's only just returned, but once things settle down..." Booth raised his hand and made a slicing gesture across his neck. "That's the order from above," he added casually. Hearing Booth mention "the one above," Alan stiffened noticeably. Fear flickered in his eyes, but it was mixed with something else—fanatic admiration, bordering on obsession. With a firm nod, Alan said, "Got it, Senior Brother Booth. I know what to do. But I'm worried... When Felix was coming back from the mountains, he ran into Zara. What if he told her something he shouldn't have?" Booth frowned. "That's my concern too. We'll need to feel her out. This matter is too important—if word gets out, it won't just be you and me who suffer. A lot of people in the sect would be dragged down with us." He sighed and continued, "The Void Sect is like one big chessboard. The elders, the disciples—everyone's just a pawn. Felix happens to be a critical piece, though. If we sacrifice him, the game can go on. But as long as he's alive, this game's a lost cause for us." Alan nodded, half understanding. The two men soon went their separate ways—Alan returning to the Discipline Hall while Booth strolled along the winding mountainside path. Eventually, Booth reached the Elder's Courtyard, a secluded area where many of the sect's elders and revered members lived. He stopped in front of an abandoned compound. The place was well-situated, right on the sunlit side of Cloud Peak, with an open view all around. It sat at the very center of the Elder's Courtyard. This had been the residence of Elder Dragon and Felix. After Elder Dragon's scandalous visit to a brothel over a year ago, Felix had lived here alone until the Spirit Beast Hall assigned him to work in the medicine garden. Since Felix never reached the level of Flight Control, he didn't return often. Now, the courtyard lay in disrepair. Weeds covered the walls, and the place looked deserted. Booth's expression shifted, a complex mixture of emotions flashing across his face. He gave a small shake of his head, murmured something under his breath, and continued down the path. Booth made his way alone to a secluded courtyard at the edge of the Elder's Courtyard. The place, surrounded by a bamboo fence, was filled with rare flowers and exotic plants both inside and outside the garden. This was the famous Watercloud Pavilion of the Void Sect. Its owner, Elder Crane, was over 380 years old. In her youth, she had been a peerless beauty, known for driving people mad with her charm. Elder Crane had seven direct female disciples, and Zara was her youngest. After straightening his robes, Booth stepped into the pavilion. A stunning young woman, dressed in green, greeted him with a warm smile. "Junior Brother Booth, what brings you to Watercloud Pavilion today? Is something the matter?" This woman was Coral, Elder Crane's eldest disciple. Though she was almost sixty, she looked no older than twenty-five, thanks to her high cultivation, having already reached the seventh level of the Divinity. She was more than capable of standing on her own now. Booth cupped his fists politely. "Senior Sister Coral, I've come to ask Junior Sister Zara about something." "Zara?" Coral's delicate face showed a hint of surprise. Zara was known for being cold and distant. Aside from occasional conversations with her fellow disciples at Watercloud Pavilion, she rarely interacted with others. Coral hadn't expected Booth to be looking for her. Booth gave a small nod. "Yes. Is she here today?" "She is. Come, I'll take you to her." Booth followed Coral into a bamboo house directly across from the courtyard gate. The bamboo house was beautifully crafted, with nearly all the furniture—chairs, stools, and benches—made from bamboo. Inside, Elder Crane sat on a bamboo chair, sternly lecturing two of her female disciples. Though she was over 380 years old, her profound cultivation kept her looking youthful, as if she were only in her forties or fifties. Still, no matter how high her cultivation, time had left its mark on her once-stunning face. When Elder Crane noticed Coral and Booth entering, her brows furrowed slightly. Booth immediately bowed with respect. "Greets you, Elder Crane." In the righteous path, hierarchy was taken very seriously. Though Booth was a direct disciple of the sect leader, he still showed humility when meeting an elder, which earned him a great reputation within the sect. Many elders favored him for this very reason. "Booth, what brings you here? Did the sect leader send you with a message?" Since Watercloud Pavilion housed only female disciples, male disciples rarely came by—especially someone like Booth, also known as the Flying-Rainbow Swordsman, who guarded his reputation closely. He made a point to avoid places with many female disciples to prevent rumors or accusations of impropriety. Coral chimed in, "Master, Junior Brother Booth said he came to see Junior Sister Zara." "Zara?" Elder Crane's brows lifted slightly, her expression darkening. She gave Booth a cold look. "Are you close with Zara? What business do you have with her?" Among her seven direct disciples, only two—Coral and Zara—showed exceptional talent in cultivation. Elder Crane had high hopes for both of them. Having been young once herself, Elder Crane knew what it was like to be pursued by countless young heroes. But getting caught up in romance back then had left her with unresolved emotional knots, which ultimately hindered her cultivation. Elder Crane didn't want her disciples to waste their prime years on romantic entanglements, so she kept a pretty strict watch over all seven of them. Her eldest disciple, Coral, was already well past her prime in mortal years, but she was still an absolute stunner—beautiful face, perfect figure. Yet, she was somehow still single, never even having dated anyone. As for her most cherished youngest disciple, Zara, she was just in her twenties, at that dangerously tender age when romantic feelings began to blossom. Booth, being a prominent figure among the younger generation of the Void Sect, was quite the match for Zara. So, when Elder Crane heard that Booth was looking for her, she immediately became cautious. Booth knew well about ElderCrane's nature. Over the years, countless young heroes who had pursued her disciples had been chased away by her. He quickly said, "Elder Crane, please don't misunderstand. I came here to ask Junior Sister Zara a few questions." Elder Crane looked at Booth skeptically before nodding. "Coral, go fetch Zara." "Sure, Master." Coral shot a glance at the two younger disciples who had just been scolded, signaling them to follow her out quietly so they wouldn't get in trouble again.