429: Chapter 30 Apocryphal History_2 429: Chapter 30 Apocryphal History_2 “Don’t act, I won’t fall for it this time.”
Xie Xuanyi was puzzled and chided with a smile, “When you first joined Lotus Peak, your face was the very picture of honesty…
How long has it been, and who taught you these tricks?”
As he spoke,
he looked towards Huang Su.
“???”
Feeling the gaze of Xie Zhen upon him, Huang Su furrowed his brows and coolly replied, “What are you looking at me for…
Do I look like that kind of person?
Isn’t it obvious who’s teaching him?”
Most of the time, Duan Zhao was cultivating on his own.
So…
was this something he learned by himself?
Xie Xuanyi, realizing he was at a disadvantage, chose to drop the matter.
He sighed lightly and turned back to the main topic, “The incident at Moss Ridge last night, there was actually no need for all the fuss.”
By early this morning, the Great Pudu Temple had already started its sermon.
This meant that last night’s encirclement at Moss Ridge had not affected Miao Zhen in the slightest.
“The identities of those evil cultivators from the Southern Border Mission are too sensitive.”
Huang Su spoke calmly, “If Miao Zhen kills them with her staff, and Yuan Jimo dares to detain her by force, the news will spread throughout the Imperial City in less than half a day…
Those from the Three Great Sects would have died in vain, and the next negotiation could be delayed indefinitely.”
“Speaking of which,”
Xie Xuanyi curiously asked, “Was everything smooth on your end last night?”
He did not sense any smell of blood that would indicate Huang Su was injured.
The World Pavilion Master wasn’t a pushover.
Could it really be that Huang Su had gotten the better of him?
“Li Chen was very unusual, he did not really fight with me.
We just exchanged a couple of moves, and neither of us used lethal techniques.
This guy…
He seemed sure that someone else would come to deal with you.”
Huang Su recalled the details of the initial exchange and then asked with a bizarre expression, “Wait, the person he was waiting for, it wouldn’t happen to be from Jun Mountain, would it?”
Last night’s news from Moss Ridge was completely sealed off.
But Duan Zhao was a witness and had seen Jun Mountain, Miao Zhen, and Xie Xuanyi’s conflict with his own eyes.
“It really is.”
Xie Xuanyi chuckled, “Jun Mountain is half a teacher to Li Chen, and he talked to me last night.”
He repeated the details of the negotiations with the Taoist sect to Huang Su verbatim.
“I see…”
Huang Su also smiled, his expression softening quite a bit, “Nowadays, when troubles abound, the Taoist sect doesn’t want unnecessary complications, and the Sword Palace feels the same.”
No wonder Li Chen only wanted to delay him last night.
The guy thought that True Master Jun Shan would settle his old grudges on behalf of his former beloved disciple.
Unfortunately,
True Master Jun Shan was not inclined towards war.
“This must be Miss Deng Baiyi.”
Huang Su looked towards the girl in the Daoist robe who was still standing in front of the Chen Mansion, and said with a smile, “I’ve read the case files from Qing State.
I’ve also heard your story, and you’ve done well.”
Before the upheaval in Qing State, Deng Baiyi’s identity was quite ordinary, just an ordinary person from a small town in Northern County.
But after the upheaval in Qing State,
she became the disciple of Pavilion Master Tang Fengshu of Taoist World Pavilion.
Even Lotus Peak Master Huang Su would have to treat her with courtesy given the significance of her status now.
Huang Su liked this young girl very much.
A young person who had just started talismanic technique not long ago, yet was able to confront the Tide Sacrifice on her own – what courage and audacity was that?
“You honor me too highly,”
Deng Baiyi was somewhat overwhelmed by the praise.
“Stay at the Chen Mansion for these few days, and if you’re interested in Sword Dao cultivation, feel free to seek me out at any time.”
Huang Su glanced meaningfully at Xie Zhen, and then asked, “By the way, how has Pavilion Master Tang been recently?”
At this question,
Deng Baiyi was clearly unsure how to respond.
“…All right then, after a sleepless night, go get some rest.”
Xie Xuanyi sighed and spoke up to break the awkwardness, “Duan Zhao, escort Miss Deng to the guest room.”
The youngster scratched his head, puzzled, but did as told.
After the two left,
Chen Mansion’s courtyard had become much quieter.
“Regarding the news of Tang Fengshu, you must have heard as well, right?” Huang Su didn’t bother to hide, getting straight to the point.
The reason he asked that question
was that in recent days, some “whispered rumors” had circulated, suggesting that there was unrest within the Taoist sect.
After Tang Fengshu’s return to the sect, as soon as he stepped into the back mountain where True Master Chong Kan resided, he had vanished without a trace.
This scene bore a striking resemblance to the years when Evil Cultivator was imprisoned.
Evil Cultivator had been confined for a full ten years.
Some news could be hidden temporarily, but not forever.
“Mm…
The news is probably true.”
Xie Xuanyi understood why True Master Jun Shan wanted Deng Baiyi to stay here.
This time, True Master Jun Shan’s visit to the Imperial City was not just to handle the matters with the Fan Yin Temple mission; it was also to solve the troubles between Tai Shang House and himself.
Within the Taoist sect, conflicts had suddenly flared up.
Even a Reincarnated True Person like True Master Jun Shan had to use many methods to stabilize the situation.
Deng Baiyi, as Tang Fengshu’s disciple, at such a tumultuous time, it was best not to remain within the Taoist sect…
Her identity, in fact, was quite controversial; she had never cultivated within the sect and yet had been exceptionally taken in as a disciple by World Pavilion.
Now Deng Baiyi was only at the Foundation Establishment stage.
Even if she was talented in the way of talismanic techniques, her strength could only be considered weak.
The cultivation world was cruel.
The weak could only be bullied and manipulated.
If Tang Fengshu had not lost his position, she wouldn’t have had these worries…
Unfortunately.
From True Master Jun Shan’s arrangement, it could be inferred that he wished Xie Zhen to temporarily take care of this disciple of Tang Pavilion on his behalf.
“I always say, none of those Taoist fellows can compare to Da Sui.”
Huang Su spoke with a hint of disdain, “It’s just some insignificant gossip.
How could Chong Kan actually bear to confine Tang Fengshu in the back mountain…
He isn’t worried that after Tang Fengshu ascends to a Yang God, he will be replaced as acting Sect Leader, is he?”
There were not many people Huang Su respected.
Xie Xuanyi was one.
Tang Fengshu was another.
This Pavilion Master of Tang had a one-in-a-million talent for cultivation and personal character.
In Huang Su’s eyes, this was someone destined to stand at the peak in the future.
But now he had been confined in the back mountain…
The future was difficult to discern.
Xie Xuanyi also shook his head, showing sadness in his eyes, while a thought flashed through his mind.
Could Chen Jingxuan’s recent busyness also be related to Tang Fengshu’s imprisonment?
Chen Jingxuan was a reticent man.
What he was thinking, what he wanted to do in the future, no one could know.
He never confided in outsiders.
Even Xie Xuanyi…
was no exception.
Recalling the scene of the last meeting with the Ruyi Order, Chen Jingxuan looked haggard and pale.
When asked if he had encountered any trouble, he just laughingly brushed it off, reluctant to mention it.
Xie Xuanyi had some idea in his mind.
The storybooks scattered throughout the city all originated from Fangyuan Square.
Chen Jingxuan, who now almost controlled half of Fangyuan Square and had ample influence, did not destroy these “storybooks”.
That in itself said a lot.
“You met with True Master Jun Shan last night, it wasn’t just for her, was it?”
Huang Su, with his hands behind his back, seemingly casually reminded, “Although Lotus Peak does not prohibit the binding of Dao companions, I hear that the Taoist side has strict requirements, especially the World Pavilion…
The little story between the State Preceptor and Pavilion Master Tang, just being written in the book, was viewed by Great True Master Chong Kan as a disgrace that tarnished their reputation…”
Xie Xuanyi: “?”
“Don’t worry, as your Senior Uncle, I will not oppose this marriage.”
Huang Su stroked his chin, assuming a demeanor of a senior, observing the black-clothed youth, and after some serious consideration, said, “But to talk about these things now, isn’t it a bit early?
I heard that those who get married at seventeen or eighteen, their Sword Dao realm is not that high.
I also heard that Master once warned Senior Brother Xuanyi not to marry Senior Sister Miao Yin too early, or else his sword deployment would become slower.”
Xie Xuanyi: “???”
Where did this little girl hear these absurd unofficial histories?!
That’s just too outrageous!
Xie Xuanyi took a deep breath and said with a smile, “Senior Uncle is right, I’m not in a rush with my matters, we can take it slow.
But Senior Uncle, you seem to be no longer young, right?
When do you plan to get married?
I’ve heard that you have cultivated for many years on Lotus Peak…
I also heard that the Pure Yang Sect Leader would urge you every now and then, I wonder if he pressured you this year too?”
What he said, unlike the rumors, was the truth.
Huang Su left, swearing under his breath, riding his sword away.