Chapter 1395: You're an Imposter!

"Yang Xuan? You are... Master Yang's steward?"

Elder Ge was startled, then his expression changed.

As the first supreme elder of the headquarters of the Master Hall, Yang Xuan had naturally heard the rumors, but he never dreamed that this man would actually be his steward.

No wonder he was so arrogant and domineering—a servant of a prime minister holds the rank of a seventh-grade official; this man represented the dignity of a peak master.

"That's right!"

Stepping forward, Sun Qiang's plump face was filled with pride.

"Master Yang's whereabouts are elusive; even the Master Hall headquarters doesn't know his exact location. You claim to be his steward—do you have proof?"

After the initial shock, Elder Ge frowned.

It wasn't that he didn't believe the man, but his strength was simply too low.

A strong general has no weak soldiers. For someone who wasn't even in the Saint Domain to claim to be Master Yang's steward was truly hard to believe.

Qiuwu Gusheng, as Confucius's servant, was also unrivaled in the world.

To have such a fellow as a steward... it was beneath notice!

After all, for someone like Master Yang, if he truly wanted a steward, even a nine-star master would find it hard to refuse. How could he choose a blockhead who hadn't even reached the Saint Domain?

Moreover, he looked none too bright!

But with his insight, Elder Ge could clearly see that the man was sincere and not lying, which made it all the more strange.

"How dare you!"

His face darkening, Sun Qiang narrowed his eyes: "Are you questioning me, or questioning Master Yang?"

"I naturally dare not question Master Yang!"

Elder Ge shook his head: "However... as the steward of a nine-star master, you would have his blessing on you. If it's convenient, let me see it. If it's real, I'll have my unworthy disciple apologize to you immediately. Otherwise, impersonating a nine-star master's steward and publicly insulting an elder of the Rites Hall—two crimes for which you could die a hundred times over!"

The Saint Son Hall was a subordinate organization of the Master Hall; he naturally dared not question the supreme elder of the headquarters, but... this man before him was truly hard to believe.

If even he looked down on this fellow, how could Master Yang hire him as a steward? It felt utterly absurd.

"Blessing?"

Sun Qiang was taken aback.

He had met the master many times, but the latter had never mentioned such a thing!

"With Master Yang's profound and unfathomable strength, casually bestowing a wisp of true qi would bring unimaginable benefits and power. If you are truly his steward, he would have left a thought within you. Otherwise, with your strength, you could easily be killed, and how could you serve him well?"

Elder Ge explained.

A steward handles trivial matters for a master, and the latter naturally grants some means of self-protection. Under normal circumstances, the servants of a peak master would have such a blessing to ensure their lives are not threatened. Since this man claimed to be Master Yang's steward, he must have such a thing.

Otherwise, before he could accomplish anything, he would die first, which would also be a loss of face for Master Yang.

"I... the master naturally gave me a blessing too..."

His face twitching, Sun Qiang snorted: "But his blessing is not something to be casually shown to others. What if it frightens you and you can't bear it?"

The master had never given him a blessing, but... he was already in too deep to back down. He had to brazen it out and claim he had one.

As long as he didn't produce it, it should be fine.

"As long as you have a blessing, that's enough; you don't need to show it!"

Elder Ge smiled: "For a master of Master Yang's level, regardless of status or position, he far surpasses ordinary masters. If you come with me to the Seal Master Hall and let a special formation scan you, we can immediately verify the truth!"

"Seal Master Hall?" Sun Qiang's face twitched.

Although not a renowned master, I had visited many halls of fame and knew the status of this hall in the hearts of masters. It contained the will of countless predecessors, and no demon or monster could hide within.

He did not have the master's blessing; if he really went, he would be exposed immediately.

"Going to the Sealing Master Hall is nothing, but doing so would disturb the will of the ancestors, causing endless trouble. My master has always taught me to solve problems on my own and not trouble others. Otherwise, if my master finds out, he will surely punish me."

Waving his hand, Sun Qiang's face remained calm, his breath steady, and he spoke with righteous indignation.

Having sold second-hand houses before, he had long developed the skill of lying without changing his expression.

"No trouble. This concerns the reputation of a nine-star master and cannot be taken lightly. Otherwise, I will report this matter to the headquarters of the Master Hall and have them send someone to verify. I believe they have sufficient means and ability to restore your true identity and spare me this difficulty."

Elder Ge continued.

If earlier he had found the other party very confident and had little suspicion, now the evasiveness made him feel something was off.

"Invite Master Yang's steward to the Sealing Master Hall!"

Having said that, without waiting for the other to retort, he turned and gave orders.

"Yes!"

The young man responded, his body flickering as he arrived in front of Sun Qiang. Power enveloped his palm, and in an instant, Sun Qiang felt as if bound by iron chains, unable to move an inch.

He hadn't even reached the Saint Domain; in front of the other, he was nothing.

"Steward Sun, please!"

The young man smiled lightly, the corners of his mouth lifting.

"I..."

He had only come to inquire about news of the supreme-grade spirit stone, yet he received such treatment. Sun Qiang's face flushed red with anger, and he felt like exploding: "Do you realize the consequences of detaining the steward of a peak master? If my master finds out, can you bear the responsibility?"

"Detention? You're mistaken. We only want to prove your identity, following the rigor of the masters. Even if Master Yang knows, he should have no objection."

Elder Ge waved his hand and strode out.

The young man escorted Sun Qiang closely behind, and before long, they arrived at a spacious hall.

Inside the room, a large array of memorial tablets were placed, left by outstanding predecessors of the Saint Son Hall. In the center stood a statue of Master Kong, his eyes gazing at the sky with an expression of compassion for the world.

Beside it, a row of smaller statues was arranged. The first one, with eyes tightly shut, was the founder of the Saint Son Hall, the Ancient Sage Bu Shang.

Close beside him was Saint Kui, and on the other side, the second hall master, the third...

These statues of hall masters were noticeably shorter than Master Kong's, as if listening to teachings and comprehending the supreme Dao.

"This is the Sealing Master Hall. If you had Master Yang's blessing, it would be easy to see."

Entering, Elder Ge smiled lightly and waved his hand.

Swish!

Countless beams of light shot from the many tablets and statues, falling upon Sun Qiang and enveloping him, as if to probe whether there were any means left by a master.

Whoosh!

The light disappeared.

"No blessing, indeed a pack of lies!"

The young man's eyes lit up, and he shouted loudly.

"Hmph, impersonating Master Yang's steward, how dare you..."

Elder Ge's face also darkened, his gaze sharp as lightning.

Crack!

Before he finished speaking, suddenly a tablet made a crisp sound and immediately shattered. Then, like a rainstorm, countless tablets cracked one after another, like firecrackers, as if afraid of being left behind, scrambling to break first.

In an instant, the hall was filled with debris, wood chips flying everywhere.