Confucianism says, “The ruler should act as a ruler, the minister as a minister, the father as a father, and the son as a son.” In other words, a king should behave like a king, and a minister like a minister. Only then will order be maintained.

Ethan Carter, although he bore the title of Young Sect Master, lived a truly wretched life in that role.

“There's no rush to detoxify the poison; first, I need to deal with the immediate disaster.”

Walking along the bluestone path of Five Thunder Mountain, Ethan Carter’s mind raced with thoughts. As Young Sect Master, he was now a mere figurehead—poisoned by someone, looked down upon by the disciples, the elders wanted to depose him, and he wouldn’t be able to hold onto the position of Young Sect Master for much longer. On top of that, he had gotten himself into a heap of trouble.

Reviewing the memories in his mind, Ethan Carter immediately understood what had happened:

The Saintess of the Lieyang Sect was a guest at the Five Thunder Sect. Yet “Ethan Carter” had barged straight into the Saintess’s room, peeping on her while she bathed, and was caught red-handed.

The injury on Ethan Carter’s chest was from the furious Lieyang Saintess, who had kicked him so hard he nearly lost his life.

The dignified Saintess of the Lieyang Sect was pure, noble, and revered beyond measure. Yet her chastity had been violated. This was no trivial matter; the entire Five Thunder Sect, including all the elders, had been alarmed.

Thus, the elders’ council was to be convened to strip Ethan Carter of his position as Young Sect Master.

This incident had already become common knowledge.

If nothing unexpected happened, Ethan Carter wouldn’t last a few more days as Young Sect Master. And without the protection of that title, just the act of peeping on the Saintess was enough to warrant a death sentence!

“I originally thought I’d reincarnated into a decent identity, but now it seems my situation is dire. If I can’t resolve this, I’ll soon be facing death again.”

Many thoughts flashed through Ethan Carter’s mind.

There were six elders in the Five Thunder Sect. The Second Elder, David Foster, wished him dead, and the other elders didn’t like such a “good-for-nothing” either. The only one he could rely on was his aunt, the Third Elder. But she alone was powerless to help. And the Lieyang Saintess was not someone the Five Thunder Sect could afford to offend.

The predicament Ethan Carter now faced was almost a dead end. Even a disciple delivering food looked down on him, let alone the elders.

At the upcoming elders’ meeting in a few days, Ethan Carter’s influence would be extremely limited.

It was easy to imagine what fate awaited Ethan Carter after tomorrow.

“It’s a pity—I am not that cowardly Ethan Carter! In this world, no one can frame me!”

Ethan Carter lifted his head, a trace of determination flashing in his eyes.

Waiting for death in despair was not his style. To escape his current predicament, he had to take the initiative.

“This whole mess started with that witch. Whoever tied the knot must untie it—if I want to resolve this crisis, I have to start with her.”

Ethan Carter recalled the memories in his mind once more. In his memory, a Five Thunder Sect disciple had led him to where the Lieyang Saintess was staying, saying the Saintess wanted to see him.

Once inside, a maid of the Lieyang Saintess led him to the place where the “witch” was bathing. But when he was caught, the Lieyang Saintess sternly rebuked him, claiming she had never summoned him.

Throughout the whole process, Ethan Carter hadn’t even seen a single hair of the Lieyang Saintess before being violently kicked out. In fact, when the Lieyang Saintess kicked Ethan Carter away, she was fully dressed, not even a drop of water on her.

Such a clumsy setup could be seen through at a glance. Unfortunately, Ethan Carter’s cowardly nature and his status, even lower than “good-for-nothing” in the sect, made this crude frame-up an irrefutable fact.

Ethan Carter’s expression was calm, a glint of wisdom in his eyes. After a moment, he had a plan.

Scheming and intrigue are found everywhere. Before entering this world, Ethan Carter had become the heir to a vast family—not just because he was the eldest son.

When it came to dealing with such plots, Ethan Carter was far more composed than the other version of himself in his memories.

“Good! I’ll go pay a visit to that witch right now. Whether I can resolve this crisis depends on this trip.”

A light of unprecedented brilliance flashed in Ethan Carter’s eyes.

He turned and headed northwest on Five Thunder Mountain, where pavilions and towers stood in layers.

Chapter Three: The Lieyang Saintess

At the very top of Five Thunder Mountain stood the Sect Master’s Hall. To the east were the disciples’ quarters, to the south the training grounds. The west was where the Five Thunder Sect received guests.

The Lieyang Saintess, Olivia Clark, resided here.

This small palace was now completely under the control of the Lieyang Sect. The maids coming and going within the high walls were all brought by Olivia Clark from her sect, and two Lieyang Sect experts guarded the entrance.

These two men were tall and burly, with broad shoulders and muscular backs. The veins bulged on their exposed hands like earthworms, appearing bluish-black. Clearly, they were experts who had reached the peak of the fourth level of martial arts—Iron Bones.

Such experts could easily draw four divine arm bows with their strength. A single punch could shatter stone tablets, kill an elephant, let alone tigers or leopards.

Both men rested their hands on their swords, eyes alert, their gaze sharp and fierce. At the slightest sign of trouble, they would draw their blades and strike down the intruder.