Chapter 453: Chapter 171: Elder Brothers are Friendly, Younger Brothers are Respectful
Brotherly harmony and respectful deference filled the Sect.
It was as if the earlier warning from Elder Kaixiang had been nothing but an illusion.
As for what the true situation was, only those involved would know.
’According to what Li Qinglian has said, what the Yin Law Department wants is the Book of Luo Formation that he has in his possession. They’re actually aiming for the Great Venerable, and Yun Jiuye had previously made a specific move against "Lawless Freedom Li Qinglian"...’
Jiang Li computed in his heart, ’Yun Jiuye has a deep connection with the Ji Family.’
His departure to find Jiang Li was actually to assist in the search for Li Qinglian.
Yun Jiuye himself had also achieved success in Yi Dao, and it seemed that the Yin Law Department wanted him to use this ability in the search. Alas, neither Jiang Li nor Li Qinglian was easy to divine.
Jiang Li himself had a powerful Qi Shu and even had the Divine Farmer’s Cauldron for suppressing, while Li Qinglian and Taibai True Monarch were actually one and the same, not something Yun Jiuye could deduce.
However, Jiang Li’s consecutive actions caused quite a commotion, indeed leaving behind many traces. Particularly the process of chasing Crossing River Arhat, it was impossible not to be noticed by others.
’Yun Jiuye, skilled in Qimen Dunjia and adept at concealing his presence, went unnoticed and was therefore once again entrusted, to make a move on "Li Qinglian". To be entrusted with such a secret by the Yin Law Department, his relationship with them must be deep indeed.’
Like unraveling threads and peeling silk, Jiang Li meticulously sorted through the clues and grasped the connection between Yun Jiuye and the Yin Law Department.
Moreover, Yun Jiuye also seemed to have his own considerations regarding Jiang Li, silently sizing up... Jiang Li’s legs?
"Woof!"
Xiao Tian suddenly stood on Jiang Li’s leg, staring at Yun Jiuye and issuing a dangerous growl, a pair of red eyes brimming with malicious intent.
It had discovered Yun Jiuye’s observation.
"Sixth Brother," Ling Wujue frowned and scolded, "Control your dog."
Compared to Yun Jiuye, he wasn’t nearly as polite, not even bothering to feign courtesy towards Jiang Li.
"It’s better to maintain some respect for the strong," Jiang Li said, stroking Xiao Tian’s head, "Even if it’s a dog, it’s still a fifth-rank dog. Fifth Senior Brother, you lack eye power so much, I truly fear one day you’ll die an unnatural death."
Xiao Tian very cooperatively bared its fangs towards Ling Wujue, making a grinding motion, as if ready to bite at any moment.
The brooding menace burst forth, enveloping the surroundings in the impending disaster of Soldier Misfortune Qi, sending intense murderous intent towards Ling Wujue, causing him to look fierce.
"Hmph."
Ling Wujue coldly snorted as he met Xiao Tian’s gaze, his body taking on a red copper color, as if forged from metal, and although he wasn’t favored against the fierce thoughts, he didn’t show weakness.
"It’s just a dog after all," Ling Wujue said coldly.
"You can’t even beat a dog," Jiang Li responded lightly.
"Ha—" Elder Kaixiang couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
This caused Ling Wujue’s stern demeanor to instantly collapse; focusing fully on the confrontation, he then had to endure his teacher’s laughter from behind — how could he keep up the front?
But after the laughter rang out, Xiao Tian’s fierce intentions were dispelled, the cunning dog covering its sharp teeth and obediently lying down, appearing completely harmless.
Elder Kaixiang might not be the best at teaching disciples, but he knew how to protect his own.
After this interruption, Jiang Li felt it would be improper to give Ling Wujue a hard time, while Yun Jiuye withdrew his covert gaze, remaining calm as ever.
At that moment, Elder Tianpeng asked, "Jiang Li, have you seen your master?"
With Tianxuan’s sudden departure from Divine Capital and his whereabouts unknown, arriving in Liangzhou Province was but a speculation. Now encountering Tianxuan’s disciple, Elder Tianpeng naturally wouldn’t refrain from asking.
If Tianxuan had indeed come to Liangzhou, in theory, he would meet with Jiang Li.
’Not only have I seen him, but we’ve also had a fierce exchange.’
Upon hearing this, Jiang Li couldn’t help but mutter in his heart, feeling somewhat eager. His thoughts seemed to return to the three days and nights of intense battle, with the sweet moans still audible in his ears...
He had just managed to suppress the fanciful thoughts in his heart and asked, "My master has come to Liangzhou too?"
The look in his eyes conveyed a mix of surprise and bewilderment.
Anyway, no matter who it was, Jiang Li bit back that he had never met Tianxuan; this was a secret known only to him, not even Tianxuan himself was aware of it.
"It’s just a guess," Elder Tianpeng replied. "Your master, she left Divine Capital over half a month ago, and her whereabouts are unknown. The Sect believes that she went to Liangzhou Province to thwart the Taiping Sect or to deal with the Devil God Sect."
Having heard this, Jiang Li said, "Perhaps the master has not reached Liangzhou Province. As for what the master wants to do, who can be certain?"
It was as if the whole three days and nights had begun with a blindfold; Jiang Li had never expected Tianxuan to pull off such a stunt.
In the minds of the two elders, this too seemed reasonable.
Who could fathom the thoughts of Tianxuan? Even Jiang Li, the beloved disciple and the Gongsun Family’s affiliated son-in-law in reserve, was saying this, so it was even harder for others to guess.
Elder Tianpeng nodded slightly, as if in agreement, and then said, "Since you’ve come, you might as well join us. This residence is arranged by the King of Shu for us. We’ve come here precisely to assist him in suppressing the demon calamity and stopping the Taiping Sect."
"You can also take this opportunity to demonstrate your Dao Fruit and enhance your strength. I’ll send Junior Brother Yun to show Jiang Li the rooms; see which one Jiang Li prefers."
"Yes, Great Elder," Yun Jiuye answered, then took the initiative to move behind Jiang Li’s wheelchair and push it.
"I appreciate your effort, Great Senior Brother," Jiang Li said politely. "It was by following Great Senior Brother’s trail that I arrived here. To be honest, I have no acquaintance with the place, so I’ll let Great Senior Brother decide on where I should stay."
"Disciple, you are too courteous," Yun Jiuye replied with a smile, pushing the wheelchair out of the main house with Ling Wujue naturally following behind.
After they left, the two elders resumed their game of chess, but at this moment, their minds were no longer in the game.
"So many contradictions," Elder Kaiyang sighed, shaking his head.
This man seemed erratic but was actually rough on the outside and refined on the inside. He had once attended the Imperial College, a scholar, his chess skill exceeded that of Elder Tianpeng. If Tianpeng didn’t cheat at chess, he would lose more than win against Elder Kaiyang.
The conflict between Jiang Li and Yun Jiuye was clearly seen by Elder Kaiyang.
Not to mention that his Dao Fruit also could discern lies.
"You say..." After mulling it over for a while, Elder Kaiyang couldn’t help but say, "If Tianxuan had won back then, would everything be different now?"
Back then, Tianxuan, who should have been the Family Head of the Gongsun Family, was expected to succeed as Sect Leader. For a long time, everyone in the Sect believed Tianxuan would take up the position.
But then, Gongsun Qi, an unforeseen challenger, emerged, surpassing Tianxuan in strength. By the time Tianxuan was fifth-rank, he had already been promoted to fourth-rank.
Gongsun Qi aspired to the position of Sect Leader. The predecessor, not one to simply rubber-stamp his successor, pushed capable members from his own family and allowed them to compete fairly. In the end, Gongsun Qi had the upper hand and took the position of Sect Leader.
Afterwards, Gongsun Qi lived up to expectations, advanced to third grade, and became one of the Supreme. Among the six Supremes, he was the youngest, even a year or two younger than the Emperor.
It was also because of the emergence of Gongsun Qi that the pattern of six powers in stability lasted for decades.
But it also caused the Sect to split into two factions behind the scenes.
"There are no ’ifs.’"
Elder Tianpeng replied dismissively, "Besides, which sect, which power doesn’t have some conflict? Only those small and precarious sects can unite and share difficulties fully. Those that can share wealth will inevitably have conflicts. In the imperial court, princes vie for the throne, and within the Sect, people compete for the position of Sect Leader—it’s not unusual. What we need to do is to stop the conflicts before they endanger lives."
"When you put it like that, it makes sense," Elder Kaiyang conceded as he thought it over and found the words reasonable.
Where in this world is it not so? Wherever there are people, there is Jianghu, and there will be conflicts.
As the saying goes, the smaller the temple, the fiercer the demons. Small temples are like this, so it’s even harder for a large sect like Dinghu Sect to be an exception.
Putting these thoughts aside for the moment, Elder Kaiyang focused on the chessboard.
"Hold on! How did this chess piece get here? You’ve cheated again!"
"I am upright and sit straight; I never cheat. There was none the last time, and there’s none this time. Don’t falsely accuse me."
"Evidence? My words are the evidence. Don’t forget, before Emperor Guan, you’re not allowed to lie!"