457 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

Chapter 457: Ansiyan's Old Friend After the Battle of Reflection Mountain, the families of Lianshui and Lihuo had verbally reconciled with the Shuangchu. Later, Chai Yi signed a formal agreement with Qi Xiu at Reflection Mountain, which marked the official end of hostilities on paper. If Lianshui manages to join the Qiyun sect as planned, owing great gratitude to the Gao and Pei families, they would likely be pressured into conflict with the Chu family. With the addition of Nascent Soul and several Golden Core cultivators to the Gao and Pei factions, Shuangchu would be under significant pressure. The agreement was between Qi Xiu and Chai Yi, representing Chu Qin and Lingmu. Now that Lianshui has cast aside its alliances with Lingmu and Lihuo, it is no longer bound by the agreement. Mantian Gang managed to resolve past grudges with the Gao family, not without gain. However, with Wanbao Pavilion giving up its suppression of the Gao family, the Shuangchu lost an important ally, tipping the balance further. Lianshui's intent to pledge allegiance northward to Qiyun was insignificant for the Qiyun sect. However, for Baishan, it was a world-shaking, deeply impactful event that could change the entire landscape. As an insider on Baishan's power dynamics, the move by the Lianshui League represented a clear shift in allegiance, acknowledging the slim prospects of the Five Elements Alliance's victory. Chu Qin's weakness, unable to balance the situation, left Shuangchu entangled by Gao and Pei. "The contingency plan that was just beginning is already pressing?" Qi Xiu mused, troubled by the recent loss of nearly fifty years of life force to Nangong Mu and the impending upheaval in Baishan. Qi Xiu's mood was further soured by matters related to Chu Wen. Though calm and perceptive when sober, Chu Wen's staunch moral righteousness clashed with Qi Xiu's scrappy Baishan nature. Fundamentally, he disagreed with the Chu family's support of Chu Qin sect, leading to little interaction beyond cold exchanges during their journey together. Qi Xiu understood that his attitude toward Chu Shentong might seem audacious. From Chu Wen's lofty perspective, any offense to the dominant family equates to 'presumption,' naturally displeasing him. Even when at odds with Chu Shentong, he still upheld the Chu family's dignity. Initially fond of him, Qi Xiu found himself preferring Chu Wen's company when he was inebriated. Traveling swiftly, beyond the Huangshui, they reached the entrance of the An family's mountain gate. Ansiyan had been indifferent to his family for nearly a century, with his ancestors only learning of his accomplishment in forming a Core from neighboring cultivators. His children had mostly passed away, and further descendants had never met him, feeling no connection or emotion. They considered him non-existent. Descending the light of escape and stepping into the An family compound revealed a scene more rundown than Qi Xiu's previous visit. Without even a Foundation Establishment cultivator, the An family seemed to have endured poorly over the years. Ansiyan's only lasting contribution was leaving behind many descendants, creating a large family with numerous Qi Condensation cultivators. Upon announcing themselves, the An family did not dare show negligence, receiving the trio respectfully into the ancestral hall. The body was already in the coffin; most of the mourners were local cultivators waiting for the auspicious time, chatting amongst themselves, with the An family cultivators speaking to a Golden Core guest. "Teng Daoyou!" Chu Wen recognized the Golden Core cultivator and introduced Qi Xiu and Chu Wuying. It turned out that he was the friend who lent Ansiyan the Core Formation ground. Named Teng Yuan’ge, he was a collateral descendant of the Nascent Soul city lord of Eastern Qi. With refined looks and a gentle demeanor, he shared the free and easygoing nature of Chu Wen and Ansiyan, explaining their friendship. "So, you are Qi Xiu, the master of Chu Qin?" Hearing Qi Xiu’s name, Teng Yuan’ge showed slight emotion. "Ansiyan spoke of you before. He said sometimes he wondered if he chose differently, lived differently, remained as Qin Siyan and master of Chu Qin, would his southern migration to Black River surpass your accomplishments or lead the Chu Qin sect to greater glory?" “Oh?” These words stirred a strange bitterness in Qi Xiu, reminding him of Qin Siyan's stubborn past driven by love, deaf to all advice. So he, too, had reconsidered past choices. He wasn’t as carefree as he led others to believe... "His talent and understanding far surpass mine. I think he would have done well," Qi Xiu remarked softly, looking at the cold coffin. "Heh..." Teng Yuan’ge gave an ambiguous smile, not continuing the topic. "Before forming his Core, Ansiyan left a will with me, just in case. He asked to be buried with An Hong’er and wanted this returned to you." Retrieving a parchment from his storage pouch, he handed it over. Qi Xiu recognized it as the deed for Black River Craftsman Square, a thank you gift to Ansiyan when the Liu family was annihilated. "This was a gift, not borrowed. It should be passed to his descendants..." Reluctant to take it, Qi Xiu was compelled to accept by Teng Yuan’ge. Behind the deed were a few handwritten lines by Ansiyan, expressing remorse over past actions and seeking forgiveness for youthful misjudgments, concluding with hopes for continued favor towards the Qin lineage. Reading it left Qi Xiu in silent sorrow. In time, the auspicious moment came, and rites concluded. The An family’s descendants carried the coffin to the cemetery. The Qi Yun sect's integrity shone through, as local Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment cultivators remained humble, showing no intent to ingratiate themselves with visiting Golden Core cultivators. An family’s descendants maintained respectful decorum without forced sentiment shown by many Confucian scholars. Before leaving, Qi Xiu thought of leaving a profitable business for the An family, but was dissuaded by Teng Yuan’ge, "Our friendship with him is our own; let the future generations forge their own paths. Why burden them with our past connections?" Qi Xiu noticed a young female cultivator from the Liuhua sect whispering with an An family youth amid the post-ceremony chaos, eavesdropping to hear vows of love and commitment, typical young romance. The old grudges faded over time, unknown and irrelevant to the younger generation. With newfound understanding, Qi Xiu heeded Teng Yuan’ge's advice, abandoning notions of aiding Ansiyan's descendants, and bid farewell to Chu Wen and others. When departing, Teng Yuan’ge casually asked, "Do you know Pei Shuang?" Aware of the enmity between the Gao, Pei families, and Shuangchu, Qi Xiu and Chu Wen exchanged a knowing glance, realizing it was no idle question. "A mere acquaintance, he attended the Jixia trial," Chu Wen replied. "Exactly, that trial not only saw Ansiyan’s death, but someone from the Nangong family died too. The killer hailed from Qiyun, an embarrassing issue. Recently, those attending, including Pei Shuang, seemed to encourage higher-ups to severely address this." Seeing Qi Xiu and Chu Wen not grasp his implication, Teng Yuan’ge continued, "You're aware, the murderer He Yu came from Ximeng sect whose Nascent Soul ancestor has long died, leaving a vast inheritance..." "Now the leverage lies in specific hands!" Qi Xiu realized sharply. Having hinted enough, Teng Yuan’ge bid a casual farewell and drifted toward Eastern Qi City. (To be continued)