Demonic Dao Fanfiction: Protecting You from Worries for a Lifetime

Qing Hengjun and Lan Qiren looked at Chaoyang in surprise, having not expected such a response. Lan Qiren asked, full of confusion, "Then why did you say that about me?"

Chaoyang waved his hand, and a set of exquisite tea sets appeared before everyone, the spout of the teapot still emitting curls of hot steam. Wei Ying stood up swiftly and began to pour tea for everyone, then handed each person a cup. Then he sat down again, holding his own small teacup in his hand, listening attentively.

Chaoyang took a sip of tea slowly before saying, "I don't like you."

"You..." Lan Qiren was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to respond.

Chaoyang's frank answer surprised everyone present, but he didn't seem to care about their reactions. He continued to sip his tea, his eyes calmly scanning everyone present, as if assessing their reactions.

Qingheng Jun chuckled, seemingly amused by Chaoyang's answer. He picked up the teacup, blew gently on the tea leaves floating on the surface, and then slowly said, "I don't believe you, Master Xuanyuan. Could you please tell me why?"

Chaoyang lowered his head to drink his tea, taking advantage of the mask to roll his eyes. "Why? 'Kill the chicken and make the monkey.' Kill Fellow Daoist Lan, the 'chicken,' and become the 'monkey' for all those who harbor evil intentions against the Lan family."

Qing Hengjun's brows furrowed slightly. As the head of a sect, he quickly understood Chao Yang's intentions. Although he understood, he still felt puzzled, so he asked, "Why Qi Ren? Couldn't one of the other elders have done the same?"

Chaoyang gently put down the teacup in his hand, looked at Lan Qiren, who still looked confused, and slowly said, "There are three reasons. The first and most direct one is that after you went into seclusion, Fellow Daoist Lan represented a huge force and has been managing the Lan family for many years. When Sect Master Lan was absent, Fellow Daoist Lan's voice and influence were the most significant. 'Killing anyone' would not be as effective as 'killing' Fellow Daoist Lan."

Convinced, Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen's faces etched with confidence, while Lan Wangji stood bewildered, unsure of what was being said. He didn't ask, simply listening. Meanwhile, Wei Ying's eyes darted around, brimming with excitement, practically devoid of the sunflower seeds in his hand.

Chaoyang continued, "Secondly, Fellow Daoist Lan did make a mistake. In the presence of foreign guests, he took the chief seat, ignoring that Sect Master Lan had already emerged from retreat. According to the rules, even in your absence, Young Sect Masters Xi and Lan Xichen should have presided over affairs, not him. If he took over, the power you, Sect Master Lan, had painstakingly fought to reclaim from the Lan Clan would once again be divided among the other elders. Furthermore, the Lan Clan seems accustomed to Fellow Daoist Lan's behavior, and even Young Sect Master doesn't seem to think it's inappropriate."

"There's also this question. I mentioned it to Lan Xichen when we were attending classes, but now it seems he hasn't told you, and even he doesn't care."

Lord Qingheng: "Xi Chen?"

Lan Xichen: "I... forgot. My father came out of seclusion at that time, and I forgot about it for a moment."

Qing Heng Jun: "Xichen, there's no need to blame yourself. It's not too late to know now."

When Lan Qiren recalled what he had done at that time, he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat and hurriedly explained: "Brother, this has nothing to do with Lan Xichen. It's my problem. I was praised too much." If Sect Master Xuanyuan hadn't pointed it out on the spot, things might really have developed to the point where his brother hadn't come out of seclusion.

Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji felt something, as they saw how difficult it was for their father to take back power. During that time, the Lan family was in a state of bloodshed!

Chaoyang tapped the table with his knuckles. "The third and most important point is that Fellow Daoist Lan is a relative of Wangji and the Young Sect Master, their closest relative."

Lan Qiren, Wei Ying, Lan Wangji, and Lan Xichen all tilted their heads, confused as to how this had anything to do with their family. Even Qing Hengjun cast a concerned glance.

Chaoyang said with a hint of resignation, "At that time, I publicly accused Fellow Daoist Lan and the Lan family of their mistakes, which frightened or perhaps even made the other elders feel guilty, and they obediently followed Young Master Lan's orders. Afterwards, whether Fellow Daoist Lan personally came to debate with me, or Second Young Master Lan, Xi, or Young Master Lan came to plead on his behalf, I was able to clearly explain the whole story and resolve Fellow Daoist Lan's concerns, just like now."

After hearing this, everyone suddenly realized that Wei Ying and Lan Wangji had a friendship, and Chaoyang had saved Lan Xichen's life, so it could be said that Chaoyang was more familiar and closer to them. As Lan Qiren was a relative of these two, Chaoyang could naturally communicate with him.

If it were other elders, Chaoyang wouldn't be able to do that. He wasn't familiar with them, or even stranger. If he really took this approach, it wouldn't only fail to intimidate the other elders, but might actually provoke their hostility, which would be counterproductive.

Qing Hengjun bowed respectfully to Chaoyang and said gratefully, "Thank you, Sect Master Xuanyuan, for your thoughtful planning."

Chaoyang accepted Qingheng Jun's courtesy calmly, as it was what he deserved.

Lord Qing Heng sat down again, looking at his brother and sons, and said with a hint of sadness: "It is because of my incompetence that Qi Ren, Xi Chen, and Wang Ji have endured so many years of injustice."

Chaoyang snorted and responded coldly: "It is indeed you who are incompetent." To everyone's surprise, Chaoyang actually agreed.

"What nonsense are you talking about?!" Lan Qiren came back to his senses, glared at him angrily, and scolded him loudly.

Chaoyang ignored him, instead looking directly into Qingheng Jun's eyes. He said, "As for your wife, you didn't delve into why she wanted to kill your mentor. You were so self-righteous that you simply condemned your wife without considering the details. As for your mentor, you didn't consider his profound cultivation, or your wife's level of cultivation. How could she possibly have the ability to kill him? You blindly believed everything you saw. As for your brother and son, you chose to remain in seclusion, leaving your brother to help you manage the family and take care of your son, while ignoring your son. As the head of the family, you pushed all the responsibilities and obligations of the head onto your brother, while staying out of the matter yourself."

Lan Qiren turned his head and cast his gaze upon Qing Hengjun. At this moment, Qing Hengjun's taut back bent decadently, and he huddled in his chair, looking much more dejected.

Chao Yang didn't care how depressed Qing Hengjun was. He continued to stab him, saying, "Your good brother Lan Qiren has always been very hostile to your wife because of you. He believes that she ruined you and took all his resentment out on your wife, causing her to die of depression." Chao Yang added, "With your behavior like this, what's wrong with calling you cowardly and incompetent?"