56 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

Yu Denuo's arrangements had already been decided by Qi Xiu: he would remain within the sect and take over Zhang Shishi's responsibilities for teaching disciples. Qi Xiu also specifically instructed that He Yu be treated more strictly to temper his arrogance. Zhan Yuan, along with Shen Chang and Pan Rong, officially took over all operations in the [Heihe Market]. They rarely returned to the sect, which minimized their encounters with Zhang Shishi and served as a method to ease the tension between them. The revenue from [Heihe Market] was undoubtedly higher than staying on Heihe Peak, a form of compensation that Qi Xiu provided to the three of them. Zhang Shishi had no objections to Yu Denuo taking over his teaching duties. After all, instructing He Yu had become somewhat of a burden for him. Often, during their discussions on Daoist principles, he found He Yu becoming more like a teacher to him, which was more frustrating than rewarding. Moreover, having another person to consult with was beneficial, as his interest in the Dao never waned, unlike Qi Xiu and Zhan Yuan, who held little hope in such endeavors. Spring gradually retreated, and the Chu Qin Sect had been at Heihe for a full year without realization. Many events transpired during this time, neither too grand nor too trivial. For instance, the establishment of the [Heihe Market], the breeding sites, and the settlement of immigrants were significant administrative matters. Overall, life was peaceful and tranquil. The sect disciples enjoyed a better quality of life than in the old Chu Qin Mountains, albeit with more physical labor. However, their lives were more free and dignified. The conflict between Zhang Shishi and Zhan Yuan was a persistent concern for Qi Xiu. He couldn't grasp Zhan Yuan's subtle intentions nor Zhang Shishi's guarded mindset, despite advising them countless times to no avail. As spring passed calmly, business at [Heihe Market] began to flourish. It was a place where people converged, and even the ghost market started to gain some popularity. On market days, the inn would have a few guests, and Zhan Yuan's network expanded, along with his administrative prowess. The resulting income made a modest contribution to the sect, and Zhao Liangde's debts might not even require pig and fish harvests to be reimbursed next year. He Yu lived up to expectations, advancing rapidly to the fifth level of Qi cultivation. Considering he was only at the third level when he arrived at Heihe a year ago, it was clear how much Kan Lin's dedicated teaching and the [Mountain and Water Immortal Manual] had benefited him. Of course, his personal diligence and the water-attributed spiritual land at the foot of the mountain also played a role. The time for Qi Xiu's and Zhao Liangde's agreed pig and fish release was drawing near. Qi Xiu visited Zhao Liangde once again, having lost count of the number of times he had seen the self-proclaimed overlord around Heihe. The usual bustle was present, and he had to join the end of the queue as before. Zhao Liangde appeared as vibrant as ever, with little change, though there seemed to be a hint of worry in his expression, as Wang Guan had mentioned. When it was Qi Xiu's turn, Zhao Liangde greeted him warmly, which was unexpected. He led Qi Xiu into an inner room to talk, causing the waiting cultivators to stir with curiosity about Qi Xiu's background. "Take a seat." Zhao Liangde offered him a chair with a friendly smile. Qi Xiu was perplexed but obliged after polite refusals, finally relenting under Zhao Liangde's insistence. Seeing his cautious demeanor, Zhao Liangde laughed heartily, saying, "Relax. Our relationship will only become closer in the future, no need to be so formal." "Eh?" Qi Xiu was utterly puzzled. He initially thought Zhao Liangde wanted to discuss the humiliation caused by Chu Youguang at [Heihe Market], but that was clearly not the case. He could only ask straightforwardly, "Senior, could you clarify your words?" "Sigh." Zhao Liangde sighed, his expression unusually gentle. "This is all about the younger generation. To be honest, I have a beloved mortal descendant. She went out traveling last year and somehow took a liking to Qin Ji from your family. She pestered me to arrange a marriage proposal with you, insisting on marrying no one else despite my advice. I intended to find you to discuss this matter, but here you are." "Qin Ji? Could it be…" Qi Xiu suddenly recalled Zhan Yuan mentioning a woman who rode a giant goose, wearing animal skins, and frequently sought out Qin Ji, serenading him with indecent love songs upon meeting. Could she be Zhao Liangde's descendant? He hadn't paid much attention then, as the liberal customs of the Beast Taming Sect weren't surprising, but thinking back, without substantial backing, how could a mortal woman have the privilege to ride the sect's carefully trained spirit beast? "Are you in a position to decide for Qin Ji?" Zhao Liangde asked. "Well…" "Hmm? You hesitate?" At Qi Xiu's brief pause, the atmosphere turned cold, and a fierce glint flashed in Zhao Liangde's small eyes. Qi Xiu immediately broke into a sweat. On the one hand, he didn't want to arbitrarily decide Qin Ji's life; if Qin Ji was unwilling, asserting his authority might not be an issue, but Qi Xiu wasn't inclined to be that kind of person. On the other hand, the gossip Wang Guan had shared about "two suns in the sky" had significant implications. If true, Zhao Liangde's future might not be as glamorous as it seemed, and being involved with him could bring trouble to the sect. Deepening ties with Zhao Liangde would undoubtedly have its advantages, but Qi Xiu was already content with Chu Qin Sect's current peaceful existence. He had no desire for further complications. "Senior... uh... could you allow me to return and discuss this with Qin Ji? I highly respect his personal choice." After much deliberation, Qi Xiu decided to withstand Zhao Liangde's pressure and delay the matter to clarify things before making a decision. "Hmph!" Zhao Liangde snorted, warning, "Fine, I'll give you some time. But be sure to consider carefully the cost of opposing me here at Heihe!" With that, he waved his hand dismissively, like swatting a fly, and said no more. Recognizing the cue, Qi Xiu stood to take his leave. The pig and fish topic was no longer viable. He hurried back to Heihe Peak, gathering Zhang Shishi, Zhan Yuan, and Yu Denuo to discuss the matter. "My view is that we should definitely agree. Zhao Liangde may not be able to handle Chu Youguang, but we lack the strength to refuse him," Zhan Yuan stated after some thought. "Besides, regardless of his future, even if he does get embroiled in the Jindan cultivators' infighting within the Beast Taming Sect, a mere mortal marriage probably won't attract much scrutiny." Yu Denuo nodded slightly, indicating agreement with Zhan Yuan's point of view. Even Zhang Shishi, in rare agreement with Zhan Yuan, added, "A mortal marriage is a trivial matter. If you gauge by family status, having a union with his family would be considered marrying down. The fact that you didn't immediately accept must have already offended him." Looking at the trio, none of whom considered Qin Ji's thoughts, Qi Xiu felt a bit displeased. He still stated, "I'll still ask Qin Ji about his decision. If the woman turns out to be extremely unattractive or morally questionable, forcing this on him would be doing him harm!"