Chapter 4053: Revealing The Names

The Grand Elder remained silent for a few moments, seemingly considering where to begin. The matter he was about to reveal had remained hidden for thousands of years, and even though the person before him was supposedly an elder from the sect’s ancient past, speaking about it was still difficult.

"The individuals responsible for the downfall of the Lightless Hall were numerous, Senior," the Grand Elder finally began. "However, there were several whose involvement was particularly significant. High Elder Fang Yushen of the Sword Peak, High Elder Luo Chengxu of the Formation Peak, Elder Mu Tianhe of the Vault Division, and High Elder Shen Guangli of the Clarity Peak were among them."

He paused briefly before continuing. "There was also Daoist Iron Mandate, who served as the Head of the Law Division three generations ago."

"What?" Zhenyu raised his thick white eyebrows.

This time, even Lin Mu was genuinely surprised. ’The Head of the Law Division?’

That was an exceptionally important position within the Heavenly Stream Guardian Sect. The person holding it possessed tremendous authority over disciplinary matters, investigations, and the enforcement of sect laws.

In many circumstances, even Peak Heads had to cooperate with the Law Division Head. For someone occupying that position to have secretly belonged to the Lightless Hall was already concerning.

For that person to have been among its core members was far worse.

’So even the Law Division was compromised,’ Lin Mu thought as the implications were considerable.

An organization responsible for covert operations would already possess significant opportunities to conceal its activities. With the Law Division Head involved, it could potentially suppress investigations, manipulate disciplinary proceedings, and prevent ordinary elders from discovering what was happening.

Zhenyu’s expression darkened. "You had a Law Division Head involved in this nonsense?"

The Grand Elder nodded. "Yes, Senior."

"And nobody noticed?"

"His involvement was concealed exceptionally well. Daoist Iron Mandate was widely respected for his strict adherence to sect laws. Few people would have suspected that he was secretly participating in the activities of the Lightless Hall."

Zhenyu let out a derisive laugh. "How fitting. The man responsible for enforcing the rules was secretly helping others break them."

The Grand Elder could only sigh. Lin Mu, meanwhile, was searching through his memories as he recognized several of the names.

High Elder Fang Yushen had appeared in the Sword Peak’s historical records. According to the archives, he had perished while fighting an exceptionally powerful demonic cultivator during an expedition.

High Elder Luo Chengxu had supposedly died after suffering a backlash while attempting to comprehend a particularly dangerous formation. As for Elder Mu Tianhe, the Vault Division records stated that he had reached the end of his lifespan after failing to advance his cultivation.

Daoist Iron Mandate’s death had been recorded as the result of severe injuries sustained during a confrontation with an unorthodox faction.

’So those records were fabricated,’ Lin Mu realized. ’Or at least some of them had to be.’

The circumstances surrounding their deaths had seemed entirely ordinary when he first encountered them. After all, cultivators perished for countless reasons. Even powerful Immortals could fall in battle, suffer cultivation deviations, or simply reach the limits of their lifespans.

Yet now, those seemingly unrelated deaths were beginning to form a pattern.

’They were all removed around the same general period,’ Lin Mu recalled.

He had never considered comparing their deaths before because the individuals belonged to different Peaks and Divisions. Their official records contained no obvious connection. But all that was probably intentional.

The Grand Elder continued listing several more names, some belonging to ordinary elders and others to Core Disciples who had supposedly died during missions. Lin Mu recognized only a few. However, the more he listened, the clearer the situation became.

The Lightless Hall had possessed members across nearly every major branch of the sect, and several of its most influential members had also been associated with the Hopeful Star Pavilion.

’So the two organizations were deeply intertwined,’ Lin Mu thought.

The Grand Elder seemed to recognize what Zhenyu was considering.

"There is another matter Senior should understand," he said. "Many of these individuals came from prominent families and established lineages within the sect. Their descendants remain influential even today."

Zhenyu narrowed his eyes. "How influential?"

"Some are currently elders. Others are High Elders or hold administrative positions. There are even descendants of those individuals serving within the Grand Hall."

Zhenyu’s expression became strange. "So the people responsible for this disaster left behind families that still hold authority within the sect?"

"Indeed."

"And you expect me to believe that none of them know what their ancestors did?"

The Grand Elder hesitated. "Some know portions of the truth. Others have only heard rumors. The official records were altered, and many details were deliberately concealed from later generations."

Zhenyu stroked his beard. "Hmph. Convenient."

The Grand Elder did not disagree, and Lin Mu found this revelation particularly interesting.

The descendants of the Lightless Hall’s members had continued rising through the sect’s hierarchy. Even if they were entirely innocent of their ancestors’ actions, their existence created opportunities for old loyalties and hidden relationships to survive.

More importantly, it explained why discussing the matter publicly could become troublesome. If the names of the Lightless Hall’s members were revealed, the reputations of several prominent lineages would be affected.

Some might even face renewed scrutiny.

’And the Grand Elder probably has a personal connection to this,’ Lin Mu suspected.

As though confirming his thoughts, the old man spoke again. "In fact, Senior, my own grandfather, was associated with both the Hopeful Star Pavilion and the Lightless Hall."

Zhenyu’s eyebrows rose. "Your grandfather?"

"Yes." The Grand Elder nodded slowly. "He was among the final members to join the Lightless Hall, though his involvement occurred shortly before its downfall. As such, he escaped most of the repercussions that affected its older members."

Lin Mu immediately recalled the Grand Elder’s earlier mention of his lineage. His great-grandfather had been a disciple of the Heavenly Stream Immortal. Now the Grand Elder was revealing that his grandfather had also been connected to the Hopeful Star Pavilion.

’So the connection continued through another generation.’ Zhenyu gave the old man a long look. "Your family certainly seems fond of joining troublesome organizations."