Free Web NovelChapter 386: Chapter 180: Master Li
Meanwhile, Chen Qing raced into the distance. When he realized Yu He wasn’t chasing him, he couldn’t help but wonder, ’Could it be that I’m not his target?’
But he quickly dismissed that idea.
’Then why isn’t he chasing me? Could it be... he’s after the wrong person?’
Chen Qing suddenly recalled the deliberate shout back at Jiangchuan Bridge, and a thought struck him.
’That old demon deliberately shouted my identity, but he was the first to flee. It’s obvious he was trying to divert the trouble onto someone else, making Yu He think the person who shouted was me and sending him in the wrong direction!’
’Could it be that Yu He mistook him for me?’
Chen Qing didn’t dwell on it. He pushed his Startled Swan Escape Shadow Technique to its limit and quickly left the place of conflict. He traveled without rest, sticking to mountain forest paths.
「Three days later.」
A travel-worn Chen Qing finally returned to the gates of the Wutai Sect.
Not long after returning to the Cyan Wood Institute, before he even had a chance to rest, a Steward arrived with a message: Elder Sang had summoned him.
Chen Qing understood. He quickly straightened his robes and followed the Steward to the Council Hall.
Inside the hall, both Elder Sang and Shen Xiuyong were present.
Elder Sang’s expression was calm and unreadable, betraying no hint of his mood. Shen Xiuyong sat to the side, a questioning look on his face.
"Elder Sang, Junior Martial Uncle Shen." Chen Qing stepped forward and cupped his fists to them both.
Elder Sang’s gaze swept over him before he slowly asked, "You’re back? Are you alright?"
Though his tone was flat, it carried a hint of concern.
"Thank you for your concern, Elder. This disciple is fine," Chen Qing replied respectfully.
Elder Sang nodded. Then his face turned cold and he snorted, "The Earth Element Sect has gone too far! How dare they ’threaten’ our Sect’s Chief Disciple! The Sect Leader is already aware of this and has personally sent a letter to the Earth Element Sect’s leader to negotiate. I’d like to see what kind of explanation Yu He and his Earth Element Sect can possibly offer this time!"
When a sect disciple was targeted outside, the Wutai Sect would naturally not let the matter rest!
"Thank you, Elder and Sect Leader, for seeking justice for this disciple."
Chen Qing pondered for a moment before adding, "Furthermore, while I was in Lin’an Prefecture, I discovered that someone placed a bounty on me at Yidao An. It also seems... someone is fanning the flames from behind the scenes, spreading the news that the Earth Essence Marrow Pearl is in my possession far and wide."
In the taverns and tea houses on his way back, he had heard no shortage of various rumors. It was obvious someone was trying to muddy the waters and kill him with a borrowed knife.
Hearing this, Elder Sang’s brow furrowed. He contemplated for a long while before saying, "Yidao An... This matter is quite thorny. The Sect will try to investigate the source of the bounty, but we might not get results quickly." ƒгeewёbnovel.com
Chen Qing keenly sensed that when Elder Sang mentioned Yidao An, his tone carried a trace of gravity, as if he was holding something back.
Afterward, Elder Sang gave Chen Qing a few more words of advice, mainly telling him to act cautiously in the near future and not to leave the mountain rashly, before hurriedly departing from the Council Hall.
Only Chen Qing and Shen Xiuyong remained in the hall.
Chen Qing once again cupped his fist solemnly at Shen Xiuyong. "Junior Martial Uncle Shen, for this trip to Lin’an, I owe you many thanks for your repeated assistance, and especially for covering my retreat. This disciple is endlessly grateful."
Shen Xiuyong waved his hand dismissively and smiled. "Enough of that. Why be so formal with your Junior Martial Uncle? All that matters is that you’re safe."
His gaze toward Chen Qing was filled with admiration. The kid’s strength was not just astounding; his ability to adapt to circumstances and his decisiveness in killing were far beyond his peers.
Chen Qing smiled and changed the subject. "Junior Martial Uncle, just now when Elder Sang mentioned Yidao An, he seemed quite concerned?"
At his words, Shen Xiuyong’s smile faded. "Mm, Elder Sang’s concerns are not without reason. This Yidao An is no ordinary organization of assassins. Its background is extremely deep. It’s said to have countless ties to a certain thousand-year-old Noble Family. Trying to cause trouble for them is nearly impossible."
"A thousand-year-old Noble Family!?" Chen Qing was shocked.
He was no longer an ordinary disciple and knew full well what the four words "thousand-year-old Noble Family" represented in terms of foundation and power.
"That’s right."
Shen Xiuyong affirmed, "Any Noble Family that can last for a thousand years without declining is, without exception, a renowned titan within its region. Their power is deeply entrenched, their foundations unfathomable, and they have at least one, or even several, masters at the Astral Force realm or higher presiding over the clan!"
He paused, then explained further, "Although our Wutai Sect is one of the four major sects of Yunlin Prefecture, our sphere of influence is mainly limited to Yunlin Prefecture. Even an Overlord Level sect of a prefecture like the Chaoyang Sect can at most radiate its influence to two or three neighboring prefectures. Compared to an entrenched, thousand-year-old Noble Family, the gap in strength, power, and influence is immense. So, making a move against Yidao An is as difficult as ascending to heaven. The most we can do is try to find out who placed the bounty and deal with the client."
Chen Qing’s brow was tightly furrowed as he slowly nodded.
After Shen Xiuyong’s explanation, he understood that Yidao An was indeed a tough nut to crack. The behemoth behind it was absolutely not something that he, or even the Wutai Sect, could afford to provoke easily at present.
The current objective should be to find the person who placed the bounty.
"However," Shen Xiuyong changed the subject, lowering his voice, "I used my connections with Old Qiao and managed to dig up some fragmented information. The ones spending a fortune to spread your whereabouts and provide information on you... there are faint traces of Golden Sand Castle behind it. Of course, they were very discreet and have erased almost all overt tracks."
A cold glint flashed in Chen Qing’s eyes. ’It really is them!’
On the way back, he had thought about it, and Golden Sand Castle was his primary suspect.
"Thank you for telling me, Junior Martial Uncle," he said in a low voice.
Although there were suspicious circumstances surrounding Miao Zhicheng’s death, Golden Sand Castle still placed the blame on his head.
’The ones fanning the flames like this, and even placing a bounty at Yidao An... There’s a ninety-nine percent chance it’s Golden Sand Castle!’
"Golden Sand Castle..."
Chen Qing took a deep breath, engraving the name in his heart, his eyes filled with chilling killing intent.
He had always been one to repay kindness and settle grudges. Now that Golden Sand Castle was secretly scheming against him and putting out a bounty, this feud was now to the death.
"For now, you must endure. The Sect will apply pressure behind the scenes, but it’s not advisable to make any major moves openly."
Shen Xiuyong patted Chen Qing’s shoulder, his tone turning serious. "Lin’an Prefecture is not our Sect’s territory. While Golden Sand Castle is not as strong as our Wutai Sect, they are deeply entrenched in their local area and have ties with both the Earth Element Sect and the Haisa Sect. Without sufficient evidence, rushing in to condemn them could lead to even greater complications. The Sect Leader and the Elders have their own considerations."
"This disciple understands." Chen Qing nodded.
He knew well that the Sect had to weigh the overall situation in its actions. It couldn’t completely fall out with a neighboring prefecture’s power over him alone, especially when the evidence wasn’t ironclad.
But that didn’t mean he would let the matter drop.
"The most pressing matter right now is for you to increase your strength as quickly as possible."
Shen Xiuyong said earnestly, "You are already at the Late-stage Embracing Pill realm, only a step away from Perfection. If you can break through to the Astral Force realm soon, what is a mere Golden Sand Castle to you? Your own strength is the only true foundation."
"Junior Martial Uncle’s teachings are correct," Chen Qing said in full agreement.
This trip to Lin’an Prefecture, especially after clashing with an Astral Force master, had made him look forward to the Astral Force realm more and more.
If he had Astral Force Cultivation, how would Yu He have dared to pursue him so brazenly?
How would Yidao An’s assassins have dared to so easily accept a bounty on him?
"Now that you have the Wood Yang Jade, make good use of it," Shen Xiuyong reminded him. "If there is anything you don’t understand, you can come and ask me anytime."
The two chatted idly for a while longer before Chen Qing left the Council Hall.
As night deepened, Chen Qing returned to his small courtyard.
He pondered for a moment, then went inside and took out the Cold Crystal Grass and Red Blood Vine he had gathered from the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp. He even took the nearly twenty-year-old Silver Pattern Blood Ginseng with him.
With light steps, Chen Qing arrived at the back courtyard.
The place was as quiet as ever, with only a few ever-burning lamps under the eaves swaying with a dim yellow halo.
In the courtyard, Li Baichuan was sitting alone at a stone table. On it was an unfinished game of Go, with black and white stones scattered across the board. He held a black stone, deep in thought, and seemed completely unaware of Chen Qing’s arrival.
"Disciple Chen Qing pays his respects to Master Li." freewebnøvel.com
Chen Qing stood three steps away and bowed respectfully.
"Mm."
Li Baichuan didn’t look up, his gaze still fixed on the game board. He merely gave a faint acknowledgment, the black stone between his fingers tapping lightly against the stone tabletop. "It seems your trip was quite fruitful. You’ve obtained the Wood Attribute Treasure?"
Chen Qing’s heart tightened. ’Master Li’s perception is as sharp as ever.’
He took the Jade Box from his robes and presented it with both hands. "I won this item at the auction. Please take a look, Master Li."
Only then did Li Baichuan slowly raise his eyes to look at the Jade Box.
He casually opened the lid. Inside, the gentle, warm-green Wood Yang Jade lay quietly, brimming with life force.
"Condensed from the Essence of Wood, abundant with warm yang energy. The quality is acceptable. Barely usable."
Chen Qing put away the Wood Yang Jade and then gently placed the Cold Crystal Grass on a corner of the stone table. "This disciple has been away these past days and was unable to listen to your teachings. I have missed them. I happened upon this medicine, which may be of some benefit to Master Li’s meditation. It is a small token of my feelings."
Li Baichuan glanced at the Treasure Medicine, waiting for Chen Qing to continue.
’This kid definitely wants something from me.’
Chen Qing cupped his fists, his expression earnest. "This disciple now has both the Earth Essence Marrow Pearl and the Wood Yang Jade, two Exotic Treasures of the Earth and Wood elements. However, regarding the path of Five Elements True Qi Fusion, I still feel as if I’m lost in a thick fog, unsure where to begin. I have come specifically to ask Master Li to point me in the right direction."
Li Baichuan picked up a white stone and placed it on the board. "Five Elements Fusion is not about forcing them together. To borrow their power, you must first follow their nature. Use yourself as a catalyst to create a resonance between the Exotic Treasures and the corresponding Attribute True Qi Origins within your Dantian Sea of Qi. The Exotic Treasures will act as a bridge, guiding the two True Qi Origins to slowly approach and merge with each other. At first, it will be like streams converging. The real skill lies in the subtleties. There is no need to rush; just repeat the process many times."
Hearing this, Chen Qing felt a sudden enlightenment. He quickly bowed and said, "Thank you for your teachings, Master Li! This disciple understands!"
"If you understand, then go back and ponder it carefully."
Li Baichuan waved his hand, signaling that he could leave.
However, Chen Qing remained where he stood, not moving a step.
"Is there something else?"
Li Baichuan’s brow twitched as his gaze shifted from the game board to Chen Qing’s face once more.
Chen Qing hesitated for a moment, but still spoke up, "Master Li, you once said that as long as... as long as there’s enough silver, any trouble can be taken care of..."
"Hm?"
Li Baichuan put down his game piece. "Speak plainly."
Chen Qing gave a brief, selective account of being ambushed by the Earth Element Sect outside the Prefecture City, how he suspected Miao Zhicheng was tailing him and ended up killing him, and how Golden Sand Castle was likely spreading rumors and had placed a bounty on him with Yidao An as a result. He glossed over his own secrets and the specific details of the fight.
"Golden Sand Castle?"
Li Baichuan said slowly, "...That’s not within my Yunlin Prefecture. Reaching out this far is a bit of an overstep, but it is indeed troublesome."
Chen Qing naturally understood his meaning. He directly took out a cloth bundle he had prepared earlier, which contained the Red Blood Vine and the Bone-Rotting Orchid.
In addition, there was a thick stack of large-denomination silver notes—the two hundred fifty thousand taels he had taken from Miao Zhicheng.
Li Baichuan’s gaze swept over the pile of items. He nodded in satisfaction and said slowly, "Set your heart at ease and go back to your Cultivation. You no longer need to worry about outside matters."
He spoke as if it were a light cloud and a gentle breeze—a trivial matter.
Chen Qing’s heart shook. He couldn’t help but lower his voice and ask, "Master Li, this disciple dares to ask... Golden Sand Castle has two Astral Force masters..."
Within a prefecture, Golden Sand Castle wasn’t considered a top-tier power, but it was not to be underestimated.
Li Baichuan gave him a cool glance. "You only need to go back and cultivate."
"Yes! This disciple will take his leave!"
A chill ran through Chen Qing’s heart. He quickly bowed with a cupped fist and then withdrew from the back courtyard.
Walking on the path back, he pondered in his heart.
’Master Li’s strength is definitely not simple. Since he said so, perhaps the trouble from Golden Sand Castle can really be settled just like that.’
’My own most pressing matter is still to break through to the Astral Force realm as soon as possible.’
At this thought, Chen Qing took a deep breath and quickened his pace toward his small courtyard.
.....
