"We can not just sit down and watch this wild beast disrespect our sect." First Grand Elder, a shrewd old man with grey hair and a white beard spoke in disdain.
The Supreme Elders's hall was filled with hushed arguments as the elders deliberated on the actions of the Sword Childe. The brothers found themselves before the elders of the Sword God Sect. The destruction from their playing couldn't go unpunished, and the news of the leveled garden was already making rounds across the sect.
"Have you heard? The Sword Childe was summoned by the disciplinary team."
"I heard they destroyed the Golden Peak garden beyond repair."
"He just received the title and is already causing trouble."
Chorus of murmurs filled the air as the new of the Sword Childe getting punished made rounds. In truth, only a handful of disciples and elders actually liked Dao Wei, the rest were either envious, pretending, or straight up haters, therefore the new development brought joy to their souls.
Back in the Supreme Elder's hall, the elders were in a heated back-and-forth dialogue. The Hall was dim, lit by a solemn light from the windows casting shadows along the polished walls. The three boys stood before the elders, arms crossed, and a defiant smirk on their faces.
The Grand Elders were pissed off by Dao Wei's actions—they all saw him as reckless and undeserving of the title and honor. However, the two Supreme Elders seemed to be on Dao Wei's side regardless.
The elders seemed to have momentarily forgotten the three boys awaiting their judgment, "if nothing is done this boy will bring destruction to our sect." First Grand Elder continued.
"I heard the Hall of Nine Walls is after him, if we continue to keep him here we'll only bring trouble to ourselves. Spoke the second Grand Elder.
"Indeed we cannot afford to go against that evil sect for an evil demon." First Grand Elder sneered.
"Coward fools," Supreme Elder Jiang Feng, chuckled as he listened to the old men.
"Wait, the assassin's creed?" the elder's banter was interrupted by Wei Jun's sudden burst of curiosity.
"What?" The elders realized they might have said too much when they quickly composed themselves and resumed their intimidating stance.
"Sword Childe," Jiang Feng asked, " Is it true you guys destroyed the Golden Garden?"
"Well… uhh… partially." Dao Wei responded with a little playfulness.
"Do you know the consequences of your actions?" First Grand Elder sneered.
"Do you think this is a joke?" The second Grand Elder Joined in.
"We have to fix it, I guess?" Dao Wei shrugged, which caused the Second Supreme Elder to choke on his tea.
"What?!" The second Supreme Elder couldn't believe that the young man could possibly still hold his ground in the presence of the elders.
"You dare stand here and act cocky before us!" First Grand Elder shot up, his aura rising each second.
"It's just a garden, it'll grow back." Dao Wei shrugged again, unbothered.
"Just, just a garden?" First Grand Elder snapped, eyes narrowed, his contempt practically radiating off him. "That is the most sacred part of our sect! Centuries of cultivation, ruined by you."
"Sacred part?" Wei Jun whispered.
"It's clear the grand elders have a motive against the second brother." Lu Shen leaned closer to his brothers. The Golden Garden was indeed one of the special places in the Sword God Sect, however, not the most 'sacred', it wasn't even a sacred place, but rather the first core disciple's aboard.
Dao Wei grinned, amused at how long those filthy elders were willing to go just to see him out. "Didn't know petals were so sacred. My apologies, Grand Elder, Ji."
Elder Ji's face reddened, but he held his tongue. Second Grand Elder sited beside him, tried and fail to mask his distaste, his lips curling as he looked him over.
"First Grand Elder is right," he chimmed in. "You lack respect, boy! Such behavior is unbecoming of someone with your… supposed status."
Dao We's grin didn't waver a bit, but a flicker of defiance glinted in his eyes. "Supposed status? Last I checked, the title 'Sword Childe' wasn't just handed out." He looked at his brothers and laughed.
"Enough, boy!" Third Grand Elder interrupted, his voice a low rumble that silenced the others. He was a man of few words, his gaze as indifferent as it was piercing.
The Second Supreme Elder leaned forward with a small, knowing smile. "Young people sometimes need to learn through experience, yes? Mistakes are often the best teachers."
His counterpart, Supreme Elder Jiang Feng, chuckled softly. "Indeed. And I believe the Sword Childe has… learned a valuable lesson?"
Dao Wei met his gaze, almost challenging. "Absolutely. Next time, I'll aim for something less 'sacred.'"
A stifled laugh escaped the Supreme Elder, and he coughed to hide, while Elder Ji bristled, his knuckles turning white against the armrest.
"Enough with this mockery," Elder Ji snapped once more. "He must be disciplined. I won't stand by and watch while he tarnishes our tradition."
"Discipline, yes," murmured the second grand elder, his voice firm. "He will receive a suitable punishment. Detention, until the Ancestral Lands opens."
Dao Wei's smile faded. "Detention? For some plants?"
Third Grand Elder's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "A fitting punishment. Perhaps some time spent under the Ghost Peak will remind you to respect your surroundings."
Dao Wei and Wei Jun both huffed at the same time, casting their gaze toward each other, but the smirk remained. "As you wish, elders. But don't blame me if the 'ghosts' grow… differently this time."
First Grand Elder, Ji, seethed, while the Supreme Elders exchanged an amused glance. The Grand Elder merely nodded, dismissing the gathering with a wave.
"Go. And next time, Sword Childe… tread lightly."
The brothers bowed respectfully before striding out of the Supreme Elder's hall, their footsteps echoed along the stone corridors. Dao Wei couldn't help but roll his eyes at the elder's decision. 'Detained under the Ghost Peak' he thought, smirking. 'They really must think I'm afraid of some molten lava and smoke.'
He felt a slight thrill, imagining the eerie expanse beneath the peak's ominous cliffs. The Ghost Peak had long been rumored to be the most harshest place within the Sword God Sect, a place where even the bravest feared to linger. But for him, it was just another place to test his strength and courage.
As they walked, the murmurs of the elder's hall faded behind them, but what they didn't know was that within the Grand Pavilion, the three Grand Elders he'd left behind had begun a far darker conversation.
Inside a dim lit chamber, First Grand Elder Ji was the first to break the silence.
"Two days detention," he muttered, his eyes still fixed on the portrait hanging on the far wall. "We should have done more than hand down such a trivial punishment."
Second Grand Elder sneered, leaning back in his chair. "The Supreme Elders are blinded by their fondness for him. They coddle him, brush off his recklessness as mere youthfulness. It's insulting to our station."
The Third Grand Elder, seated at the center, folded his hands and nodded slowly, his eyes dark with thought. "Indeed. This 'Sword Childe' has proven himself dangerous. His defiance is a threat to our plan, and to our control."
Elder Ji's gaze sharpened. "Then let's make that threat disappear. We have the means..."
The Third Grand Elder's lips curled into a thin smile. "The Hall of Nine Walls," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "They have been quite vocal about their disdain for him as well. His presence has disrupted their authority within the outer regions."
The Second Elder leaned forward, eyes glinting. "Then we have an opportunity, if we assist the Hall. There are assassins who would gladly rid us of this nuisance. And if it is done discreetly, the blame will fall solely on the Hall."
Elder Ji let out a low chuckle, dark and hollow. "It's poetic, really. They seek to control the borderlands, yet they're constantly thwarted by this boy. A perfect common enemy."
The Third Grand Elder's expression hardened. "But there's more to consider. The Supreme Elders would certainly retaliate if they suspected us, especially since they hold a strange affection for the boy."
Second Elder's eyes narrowed. "True. The Supreme Elder will become a thorn in our side if he suspects our involvement. Perhaps... it's time we take more direct action regarding him as well."
There was a charged silence as the weight of her words settled over the group.
The Third Grand Elder's gaze remained unreadable, but a cold gleam flickered in his eyes. "The Supreme Elder has indeed grown too lenient, too blinded by his ideals. His attachment to the boy could be his undoing. A distraction—one that may be used to our advantage."
Elder Ji nodded. "We could subtly undermine his authority, even bring evidence of his... 'favoritism' to the other councils. That will weaken his support base. Once the Hall of Nine Walls finishes their task with the Sword Childe, we'll be ready to step in and claim full authority."
"But we must tread carefully," warned the Second Elder, a sly smile playing on his lips. "The Supreme Elder's influence runs deep. If we move too quickly, his allies may turn against us. But if we wait too long, his protection of the boy could thwart us entirely."
The Third Grand Elder tapped his fingers rhythmically on the arm of his chair. "Precisely why we must be strategic. The Hall of Nine Walls must be led to believe that they are acting of their own accord. We give them resources, perhaps a little 'insight' on the boy's whereabouts, and let them act. If they succeed, our problem is solved."
"And if they fail?" the Second Elder's question hung heavily in the air.
"Then," said Elder Ji, with a menacing glint in his eye, "we shall simply find other means to deal with the boy. Either way, he must not rise. He has already shaken the balance of power among us with his arrogance. If left unchecked, he'll only grow stronger—and more dangerous."
The Third Grand Elder's voice dropped to a near-whisper. "Once he's gone, and the Supreme Elder is isolated, we'll be able to move forward without opposition. The boy's existence has disrupted our plans already. This is our chance to set things right."
The Second Elder nodded, his smile widening. "Then it's settled. I'll reach out to our contacts in the Hall, make sure they know what's at stake."
"Yes," agreed the Third Grand Elder, his tone final. "But remember, subtlety is our greatest ally. If any trace of our involvement is found..."
"We'll lose everything," finished Elder Ji with a bitter nod. "But rest assured, the Hall's hatred for the Sword Childe will make them eager accomplices."
They shared a silent agreement, each of them recognizing the risks but driven by a sense of ambition, a hunger for control that had long simmered beneath the surface.