Nine Star Hegemon Body Arts

The Starry River Managing Department was the highest authority within the Starry River Palace. It handled trials, impeachments, grave cases, and rulings on major decisions, as well as amendments to the palace’s rules.

Under normal circumstances, it was the quietest place in the entire palace.

It had been hundreds of years since this department was last convened. Yet today, the central palace of the Starry River Managing Department was packed with experts.

All of the Divine Sovereigns there sat around a semicircular table. Above them, a star diagram flashed on the roof of the palace, like a giant starry eye overseeing everything.

Zhan Tu was amongst them. But now, he looked very serious. The entire palace was frighteningly quiet.

Qing Yi suddenly stopped in front of the palace and whispered to Long Chen.

“Long Chen, I can only send you this far. After you go in, try to hold back a little. In order to be fair, the trial will be broadcast to every plaza in the Starry River Palace. Everyone will be able to see it.”

“Trial?”

Long Chen nodded slightly.

Interesting.

Qing Yi only brought Long Chen to the entrance. Long Chen alone climbed the stairs up.

When he reached the gates, he paused.

Above the gates was a massive set of scales carved from stars. Long Chen examined it for a moment before continuing onward.

Beyond the gate lay a gloomy hall. The walls, ceiling, and floor were all inscribed with astral runes. As he walked, it felt as though he were passing through a corridor of time and space itself. With every step, the runes flowed, and a solemn, sacred pressure thickened.

Soon, a powerful force pressed down upon Long Chen—one that struck the heart and soul. It was like it could cast out all the shadows in a person’s heart.

Long Chen sneered inwardly.

Trying to play tricks with me? If you have the ability, then try casting him out.

Neither hurried nor slow, Long Chen advanced steadily, calmly observing the transformations of the star diagrams and the circulation of their law power.

Without even realizing it, he had reached the grand hall.

Hundreds of eyes snapped toward Long Chen.

For an ordinary cultivator, such scrutiny would have caused their legs to go weak. Yet, Long Chen’s expression remained flat, his footsteps steady.

Zhan Tu watched him closely and smiled faintly. He was impressed.

Even he would feel pressure standing before so many Divine Sovereigns—especially here, within the Starry River Managing Department, where astral runes specialized in soul interrogation amplified that pressure to terrifying levels.

Under this pressure, even a hardened will could crumble.

However, from Long Chen’s unflustered expression, Zhan Tu could tell that Long Chen’s heart was as steady as a boulder, not affected at all.

This was the bearing of a true expert.

With one final step, Long Chen reached the center of the hall. His gaze swept across the assembled elders, and he shook his head, letting out a quiet sigh.

He said, “Qilins lie in open fields, but scoundrels hide in high and mighty places!”

Instantly, several Divine Sovereigns frowned, anger flashing in their eyes.

This brat was too arrogant, wasn’t he? How did he dare to openly curse them the moment he entered?

“How brazen!” one elder snapped. “Do you know where you are? This is the Starry River Managing Department! The Heaven Earth Elders are all present! Do you think you can behave so impudently here?!”

Long Chen looked at him lazily. “How did I act impudently? Was there something wrong with what I said? For you to jump out the moment I mentioned scoundrels hiding in high places... are you admitting that you’re one of them?”

“You—!”

Long Chen interjected, “One old man back home used to say, if you throw a rock into a doghouse, the dog that gets hit barks the loudest. So tell me, did I just strike a sore spot?”

The hall stiffened.

Despite being the one on trial, it felt as though Long Chen was firmly in control. However, his words were drawing their ire.

With “scoundrels hide in high and mighty places”, it could be interpreted as there were some scoundrels among them. Whoever reacted would be outing themselves.

But now?

By calling this place a doghouse, he had cursed all of them in one stroke. He was exceedingly arrogant.

Far away, on the desolate mountain, Qing Yi was watching the enormous projection of the trial. Her vision swam, and she nearly fainted on the spot.

She had told Long Chen to restrain himself a bit, and this was the result? Qing Yi almost cried.

On the contrary, Xue Ying was watching it with a smile. Seeing this wild and arrogant Long Chen, she couldn’t help but sigh. It was no wonder Long Chen’s charisma worked on men and women.

Many disciples sat up on the platforms and watched this scene play out. Not one of them dared to make a sound.

Some, however, were not seated at all.

They were kneeling, kneeling rigidly, not even daring to glance at the projection.

The inner palace disciples.

Qing Yi had told them to leave, but no matter what she said, they refused to move. They obediently knelt there like their knees had rooted to the stone.

The trial was being broadcast not only to the desolate mountain, but to every corner of the Starry River Palace. Countless people were watching it.

When Long Chen compared these Elders to dogs, some spectators burst out laughing—only to instantly clamp their hands over their mouths. After that, they ran off, so no one could report them for their disrespect.

...

Within the large hall, the Divine Sovereigns were glaring at Long Chen. But they had been hostile from the beginning, so there wasn’t much of a change.

The unfortunate elder who had taken Long Chen’s bait earlier now sat stiffly, at a complete loss for words.

“You are Long Chen?”

At last, the elder seated at the center of the table spoke. His voice was deep, heavy with authority.

When Long Chen did not reply, Zhan Tu hastily interjected, “Long Chen, this is our Starry River Palace’s Heaven Palace Elder, the one in charge of the Starry River Managing Department. Whatever grievances you have, you can tell him. The Heaven Palace Elder will definitely get justice for you.”

The Heaven Palace Elder’s expression darkened.

“It is forbidden to interrupt others during a public trial,” he said coldly. “Leave.”

“Yes.”

Zhan Tu stood, respectfully bowed to him, and then vanished. Then, he appeared by the desolate mountain.

“I’m sorry,” Qing Yi said bitterly. “We’ve implicated you as well. After this, you might even lose your qualification to attend the next opening of the Starry River Managing Department.”

Zhan Tu had clearly known that saying that would cause him to be expelled, but he had still done it for Long Chen.

Zhan Tu chuckled softly. “It’s fine. Long Chen is smart, and I already reminded him. As long as he doesn’t offend the Heaven Palace Elder directly, he should be fine.”

He felt like everything had been worth it.

At this moment, Long Chen simply stared back at the Heaven Palace Elder and didn’t say a word.

“Are you Long Chen or not?” the Heaven Palace Elder asked again.

“What does it have to do with you?”

Long Chen’s reply almost made Zhan Tu fall to the ground.