Grand Return System-Chapter 14: The Trap Beneath the Cliff
The Trap Beneath the Cliff
"Haha, sect rules?"
Leon allowed his aura to fade. His steps were unhurried as he walked to the cliff’s edge, the wind tugging at his midnight robes sewn with faint amethyst threads. He lifted his gaze toward the distant Secret Sword Summit, eyes calm as deep water.
"Since Senior Brother Shera mentioned academy rules," he said lightly, "then let’s talk about them."
Shera’s face darkened.
"What do you mean?"
He didn’t know what Leon was planning — and that uncertainty gnawed at him.
Leon’s tone remained conversational.
"Senior Brother Shera, as Disciplinary Elder, you should be very familiar with our Celestis Academy’s laws.
Tell me — according to the rules — how do we punish those students who bully common people, rob households, and murder innocents?"
Shera didn’t hesitate.
"According to the rules, their cultivation is abolished... and they are expelled from the academy."
A faint smile touched Leon’s lips.
Not mockery.
Sharper than that.
Shera felt a chill slip down his spine — a sudden, ugly premonition.
And Leon continued quietly.
"So Senior Brother is indeed clear on the rules. Good. Then allow me to refresh your memory.
If I recall correctly... there happens to be a student from your Secret Sword Summit who, relying on his strength, bullied commoners, abducted young women from the foothills — and played them to death.
According to the rules... shouldn’t his cultivation be destroyed, and shouldn’t he be expelled?"
Leon tilted his head — as if remembering something trivial.
"Oh — right. That student is your son, Shan, isn’t he? No wonder he escaped judgment. That explains a lot."
Selena’s eyes widened.
Her Teacher — who looked so serene and gentle — had quietly dug a pit beneath Shera’s feet... and invited him to step in himself.
Shera’s breath hitched.
He knew exactly who Leon meant.He also knew — every word was true.
Shan.His only son.The child he spoiled late in life.
And indulgence had rotted that boy from the inside out.
Under Shera’s protection, Shan had grown cruel — collecting girls like toys, leaving corpses buried in nameless earth.
In this world of power, mortals were ants.Most pretended not to see.
And Shera had pretended louder than everyone.
"You—!"
His voice cracked. Panic flickered. Rage followed.
"Junior Brother Leon, accusations require proof. Even if our two Divisions have never seen eye to eye, must you resort to slander?"
Leon’s expression chilled.
"Proof?"
His voice dropped — soft, dangerous.
"If I produce it... as Disciplinary Elder, Senior Brother Shera won’t cover for him, correct?"
Cold sweat gathered at Shera’s back.
His gaze slipped — instinctively — toward Mike.
Help me.
But Mike only sighed inwardly.
He lost this exchange the moment he opened his mouth.
Leon — quiet, unassuming Leon — had outmaneuvered him effortlessly.
And truthfully, Mike already knew about Shan’s crimes. He had simply looked the other way. To cultivators, mortal lives were dust.
This world belonged to strength.
Still, he could not allow this to explode into open blood.
He lifted his eyes to the drifting amethyst-tinted clouds and said,
"Junior Brother Leon, the scenery of the Amethyst Summit Division truly is extraordinary. Such rich spiritual essence... there must be a spirit meridian beneath the mountain. No wonder Respected Zeon spent so many years here without leaving. I understand now."
He changed the subject deliberately — stepping between crisis and confrontation.
Leon caught it instantly.
He could press further.
He could break Shera completely.
But that wasn’t wise — not yet.
Fine. I’ll give the Headmaster this favor.
And besides, as long as Shera’s weakness existed...
Leon owned his leash.
He laughed lightly.
"As expected of Senior Brother Headmaster. With one glance, you see through the mysteries beneath our Amethyst Summit Division. I am impressed."
Mike nodded, satisfied by the retreat.
"Good. Then let us return to business. Junior Brother Leon — we came about the Seven Division Martial Meeting, held three months from now.
Will the Amethyst Summit Division be participating?"
The question hung in the wind.
And the mountain, once again, felt like a stage lit for something far greater.
