Chapter 413: Chapter 412: Vigilance Against the Master
"What went wrong?" Yang Fei couldn’t help but ask.
As a son, this was the first time he’d heard about his parents being together, so naturally, he was a bit concerned.
The Fatty Taoist sighed, "If it were up to my arrangements, after they met and got together, all they needed to do was to find a place to hide under my protection and live a calm and peaceful life. They could gradually grow stronger, and once both were powerful enough, any issue could be carefully planned out. Unfortunately..."
On the phone, it seemed that the Fatty Taoist was still immensely regretful about the events of those years. After letting out a long sigh, he slowly continued, "They ran off to Imperial City, and your foolish mother got involved with people from the Imperial City’s Duanmu Family. She assumed a new identity, becoming the illegitimate daughter of the Duanmu Family."
Yang Fei silently nodded.
This connected his mother to the people he knew from the Imperial City’s Duanmu Family.
"Though they spent over a year in Imperial City living a settled life, they were eventually targeted by people from the Hidden Sect. I’m not exactly clear about the details of what happened afterward, but I do know that just after your mother had given birth to you, when she was at her weakest, someone from the Hidden Sect suddenly appeared and took her away. Your father disappeared for a while before returning to his hometown, and then, a few days later, he passed away."
"When I heard of this, I went back to the Hidden Sect first, hoping to find a way to rescue your mother, but then I received the tragic news that she had died."
Yang Fei’s brows furrowed slightly, feeling that the story about his parents told by his master seemed a bit too abrupt.
"After confirming the fact of your mother’s death, I left the Hidden Sect and entered the secular world to look for your father. By the time I found him, all I saw was a mound of yellow earth."
"I had high hopes for your father, so at first, I didn’t believe it. I personally dug up your father’s grave..."
A spasm crossed the corners of Yang Fei’s mouth.
"Ah... It was only then that I confirmed that your father had indeed died."
"The death of a beloved disciple left me in a terrible state. I returned to the Hidden Sect and made a scene, but I almost fell into their trap. With no other choice, I was forced to go into hiding. I came to see you when you were six, but it was too early, so I didn’t disturb your life. I originally planned to take you as my disciple when you turned ten, but since from a young age you were an orphan, and it was difficult for your uncle and aunt to raise three children, it wasn’t until you were nearly thirteen and started showing signs of development that I appeared and took you away."
Yang Fei had personally experienced the events that followed, so the Fatty Taoist didn’t elaborate further.
Yang Fei voiced the doubt in his heart, "Master, are you sure my mother is dead?"
"Dead."
The Fatty Taoist answered crisply, "I also had my doubts at first, considering she was a genius and the daughter of the Duanmu Family, with various powers placing great expectations on her, hoping she would find the true Taoist inheritance and obtain real Cultivation Techniques in pursuit of Immortality. Thus, it would be unlikely they would kill her off easily."
"However, after secretly investigating for many years, I found no trace of your mother. And according to multiple sources, I am certain she should be dead."
Yang Fei had held onto hope, but now felt an overwhelming sense of loss.
After all, he couldn’t meet her in this life.
For him, who had been an orphan from a young age, it was hard to say how much affection he had for his parents, but blood was thicker than water, and he still longed to see his mother. If she were still alive, he would have taken care of her dutifully.
"Thank you for telling me all this," Yang Fei calmed down and said with sincere gratitude.
"Ah, there’s no need for such formalities between us, master and disciple," the Fatty Taoist said. "After all, your parents and I were acquainted, and we shared a mentor-apprentice relationship. Now, you’re my Direct Disciple, so we are family."
Yang Fei silently nodded, knowing that regardless of whether his master had his own motives, he had been kind to him. He owed him too much and could never repay it.
"As for your current predicament, there is only one solution," the Fatty Taoist finally spoke of the way out.
Yang Fei listened intently.
The Fatty Taoist said, "Go to the Hidden Sect."
Yang Fei’s eyes flashed with surprise, "Go to the Hidden Sect? Isn’t that like walking into a trap?"
The Fatty Taoist replied, "The various powers within the Hidden Sect are not of one mind."
Yang Fei nodded silently.
"They all desire to pursue the true path of Immortal Cultivation, but they are also suspicious and guard against each other. They wouldn’t let any aristocratic family or sect obtain the inheritance alone. So, after you go there, although you will become a target that everyone wants to capture, they won’t truly kill you—at least not until they get what they want from you. Before that, your life is not in danger," explained the Fatty Taoist.
Yang Fei fell silent.
Even if the Fatty Taoist didn’t mention it, he had wanted to go to the Hidden Sect himself, to send a deep warning and prevent his loved ones from suffering any more innocent harm.
But it was undoubtedly a very risky move.
Although what the Fatty Taoist said made some sense, if he was really caught, even if it didn’t kill him, he feared he would lose his freedom, or even be crippled. At that point, life might be worse than death.
"Master, since you took the initiative to call me, you must have a better plan, right?" Yang Fei asked tentatively.
The Fatty Taoist laughed and said, "I knew I couldn’t hide it from you, kid. Hehe, you are my Direct Disciple, and whether the Taoist way can regain its glory all depends on you. How could I just watch you walk to your death?"
Filled with curiosity, Yang Fei asked, "Master, since you are a Taoist Inheritor and know the Taoist arts of Cultivation, why not train more disciples?"
"Hmph, do you think the Taoist Cultivation Techniques are as common as cabbages on the streets that anyone can partake in? Even in the Hidden Sect World, those who can truly master these techniques and reach the level of you and Qin Yanyang are one in ten thousand. Without a Spirit Root or a root of wisdom, they won’t have a chance at the Taoist Immortality Technique," the Fatty Taoist dismissed.
Yang Fei silently nodded, thinking so that’s how it is.
He couldn’t help but feel a little smug inside.
It seemed that he wasn’t as mediocre as his Master had said. At least he had successfully practiced the Taoist Cultivation Technique.
"As a Taoist Inheritor, how could I truly have no power of my own in the Hidden Sect World? Once you go, a force will secretly protect you. If they recognize you, securing the position of Sect Leader in the future will be smoother," the Fatty Taoist continued.
Yang Fei said, "But what Yanyang is doing now is extremely dangerous. I am worried that the Hidden Sect will send someone after her, and I... "
"You underestimate the strength of the nation too much. With the nation backing her, the Hidden Sect wouldn’t dare to make reckless moves and will not be able to harm her," countered the Fatty Taoist.
Yang Fei was still hesitant.
He felt he should confirm Qin Yanyang’s safety before heading to the Hidden Sect World, but the Fatty Taoist seemed to be urging him to go sooner.
He didn’t want to suspect the Fatty Taoist of having ill intentions, but he couldn’t help but feel cautious.
"Master, the trip to the Hidden Sect is not urgent. I think I will wait until the situation with Yanyang has settled before I go," Yang Fei expressed his thoughts.
"Going to Imperial City now would be inconvenient for you. Those who have infiltrated from the Hidden Sect aim to capture you, and they have caused so much trouble just as an excuse. If you were to go to Imperial City, you might bring unnecessary trouble. How about this—I’ll make a trip to Imperial City. With me, Qin Huai’an, and Zhang Huairen there, nothing will go wrong. You better head to the Hidden Sect sooner to eliminate future threats, or else your loved ones will still be in danger," suggested the Fatty Taoist.
Yang Fei grew even more wary in his heart.
He couldn’t shake off the feeling that his Master was eager to send him away.
But since the other had said this much, and Yang Fei was indeed worried that the Hidden Sect might send someone to target him, endangering his family’s safety, he answered, "Alright, I’ll go."
After hanging up the phone, he immediately called Qin Huai’an, relayed the Fatty Taoist’s advice to go to the Hidden Sect, and shared his own concerns more subtly.
Qin Huai’an pondered for a while before saying, "Your master is absolutely trustworthy. Since he has arranged things this way, there must be good reason. Listen to him. As for the situation in Imperial City, the infiltration by the Hidden Sect isn’t thorough enough. Yanyang can handle these matters with no big issue; you can rest assured."