"Heh, Tuoba Shakuang, this Sect Master's Law Enforcement Token is the proof that the Sect Master himself has appointed me to oversee the Green Wood Mountain. Without it, how could I lead the mountain and command everyone?" White Ape Half-Emperor asked.
"You say the Sect Master told you to co-manage the Green Wood Mountain with me? If that's the case, then logically the Sect Master should have bestowed a token upon you as well. Where is your token?" White Ape Half-Emperor questioned.
"I... well..." Cold sweat broke out across Tuoba Shakuang's forehead. Back then, the Green Wood Mountain Sect Master had only verbally entrusted him with managing the mountain — he had never given him a Law Enforcement Token. So he truly did not possess one.
"Tuoba Shakuang, it seems you don't have the Sect Master's Law Enforcement Token. If privately punishing Red Demon doesn't count as a grave offense, then impersonating the acting Sect Master most certainly is — that is a true grave offense." White Ape Half-Emperor placed heavy emphasis on the last two words.
"White Ape, I truly wasn't lying to you. Before the Sect Master went into seclusion, he did entrust me with overseeing the Green Wood Mountain on his behalf. He simply never gave me the Law Enforcement Token."
Tuoba Shakuang grew flustered and began to explain hastily. After seeing the Law Enforcement Token, his entire demeanor had undergone a complete reversal, and his attitude toward White Ape Half-Emperor shifted dramatically.
"The Sect Master is currently in seclusion, so there is no way to verify whether you're lying or not."
"However, the fact that you privately punished Elder Red Demon and claimed the position of Sect Master is indisputable. Do you have anything else to say?" As White Ape Half-Emperor spoke, he advanced toward Tuoba Shakuang with the Law Enforcement Token in hand.
"White Ape, we've been fellow disciples for so many years — surely you know what kind of person I am? When have I ever lied?"
"The Sect Master truly did entrust me with this great responsibility. How could I dare impersonate him?" Tuoba Shakuang desperately explained. Though he held the powerful position of head of the Punishment Department, with White Ape Half-Emperor holding the Sect Master's Law Enforcement Token, the latter was the true acting Sect Master and held the authority to punish him.
"White Ape, it's not convenient to talk here. Let's move somewhere else, and I'll explain everything in detail — how about that?" Tuoba Shakuang glanced at Chu Feng and the others, his expression growing ever more unpleasant. Being so subservient in front of two junior disciples made him feel utterly humiliated.
"Very well." Seeing this, White Ape Half-Emperor nodded, then turned to Chu Feng and said, "Chu Feng, you all go wait for me at the main viewing platform. I've already notified people in advance to reserve viewing seats for you."
With that, White Ape Half-Emperor drifted away, and Tuoba Shakuang followed close behind. In the blink of an eye, the two vanished without a trace.
"Hmph, and here I thought this head of the Punishment Department was something special. In the end, he's nothing but a coward." After the two departed, Sima Ying curled her lips with undisguised mockery.
"Both White Ape Half-Emperor and Tuoba Shakuang are the Sect Master of the Green Wood Mountain's prized disciples. Although Tuoba Shakuang holds a high position and great power, presiding over the entire Punishment Department, White Ape Half-Emperor isn't merely an elder in name — he possesses special law enforcement authority."
"Within the Green Wood Mountain, the two of them are recognized as the strongest elders. In terms of both strength and prestige, they are evenly matched, each with their own faction."
"What White Ape Half-Emperor produced just now was the Sect Master's Law Enforcement Token. With that token, White Ape Half-Emperor can command the entire Green Wood Mountain."
"With just that token, Tuoba Shakuang was already at a disadvantage — how could he possibly dare to resist White Ape Half-Emperor?"
"Otherwise, if White Ape Half-Emperor were angered, he could temporarily strip Tuoba Shakuang of all his positions and even remove his title as presiding elder — that would be entirely within his rights." At this moment, Bai Suyan provided the explanation.
"That impressive? No wonder that old man called White Ape was so confident dragging us along — he had complete certainty that he could put those Punishment Department people in their place."
Sima Ying still wore a look of secret satisfaction. Since arriving at the Green Wood Mountain, this was her first time experiencing the thrill of putting someone else in their place. Though she was merely a bystander, watching the most powerful figure of the Punishment Department get humbled was incredibly satisfying.
"Although he has the Law Enforcement Token, White Ape isn't ruthless enough. On the contrary, he's far too indecisive. I'm afraid he'll only give Tuoba Shakuang a warning and won't actually make things difficult for him."
"Otherwise, he could have thoroughly scolded Tuoba Shakuang right in front of us. There was no need to give Tuoba Shakuang face by handling the matter privately." Bai Suyan spoke again.
Upon hearing this, both Bai Ruochen and Sima Ying showed traces of disappointment on their faces. They had genuinely hoped Tuoba Shakuang would suffer an even greater humiliation.
Among them, only Chu Feng wore a faint smile, saying nothing. He didn't think White Ape Half-Emperor's behavior showed a lack of ruthlessness — on the contrary, he felt it was a wise move.
After all, White Ape Half-Emperor merely held the token but hadn't truly become the Sect Master. If he went too far, Tuoba Shakuang might not simply bow his head and accept it — it could very well escalate into a full-blown battle.
If such two powerful figures clashed, the consequences would be immense. It could turn into a bloodbath, and the very foundation of the Green Wood Mountain would be shaken.
And in the end, when the Sect Master emerged from seclusion to judge right from wrong, he would certainly investigate the cause. At that point, he might deem White Ape Half-Emperor the instigator of the turmoil and punish him severely.
Conversely, if White Ape Half-Emperor merely used the Sect Master's Law Enforcement Token to frighten Tuoba Shakuang without truly making things difficult for him, it would actually make Tuoba Shakuang more obedient — keeping White Ape Half-Emperor in the superior position.
But more than all of this, Chu Feng found Bai Suyan's true identity to be even more mysterious.
As an outsider, she knew so much about the affairs of the Green Wood Mountain. Chu Feng truly couldn't imagine what else there was that she didn't know.
"Their discussion could take who knows how long."
"Let's head to the viewing platform first. Since we're already here, let's not miss the little performance put on by those Green Wood Mountain clowns." As she spoke, Bai Suyan waved her wide sleeve, dispelling the invisibility technique. She then openly led Chu Feng and the others toward the Boundless Green Sea.
The Boundless Green Sea was located at the summit of the mountain peaks. At this moment, the area surrounding the peaks was already packed with people, though most remained on the outer perimeter.
Within the inner area, layer upon layer of viewing platforms had been constructed using barrier techniques. These platforms weren't for just anyone — only those who received invitations were qualified to sit upon them.
However, among all the platforms, one stood out the most. This particular platform had only thirty-six seats.
Aside from the six disciples preparing to execute Dragon-rank missions — Bai Yunxiao, Tao Xiangyu, Qi Yanyu, Zhao Jingang, Ben Leihu, and Wang Jingzhi — those who could sit on this platform were all presiding elder-level figures of the Green Wood Mountain, the true powerhouses of the mountain.
At this moment, however, this platform was nearly filled to capacity, packed with the Green Wood Mountain's supreme experts.
Yet in the very center, six seats had been left empty. Everyone was guessing — who were these six seats reserved for?
But no matter whom they were for, from the sheer importance of these positions, people could deduce that these six seats must be reserved for extraordinarily significant individuals.