517 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

Chapter 517: I've Helped You This Much "How did you get in here?" Jiang Mingling's sudden visit left Qi Xiu quite startled. "It was Yanran who found an elder from the garden..." Jiang Mingling explained before asking, "Is Master Qi avoiding my Jiang family?" To such a self-centered question, Qi Xiu could only respond with a shake of his head, saying, "The path of cultivation is arduous; I merely seek peace." Taking this opportunity, he closed his eyes and used his all-knowing celestial eye to discover that Nangong Yanran was outside the cave dwelling, chatting with an elderly woman from the Nangong family who was tending to the fourth-tier plants. The old woman's smile was so wide it seemed she was quite charmed by Yanran. "She's made progress, learning to navigate these paths." Qi Xiu could only wryly smile internally. Previously worried about the Nangong family's suspicions, he hadn't expected this twist. "Time is precious, so I'll be brief..." Jiang Mingling quickly laid out the purpose of her visit. Although Qi Xiu had anticipated Cangwu Gate's fate, he hadn't expected it to come this swiftly, "I recall Lu Yun said he'd give Cangwu Palace to your Jiang family as a mountain gate, didn't he?" He wasn't in a rush to respond but seized the moment to clear his doubts. "Cangwu Palace is directly under Qi Yun for training purposes. For my family to reside there would lack legitimacy. When the ancestors pass, should we cling to the next Nascent Soul master of the palace to get by?" answered Jiang Mingling. "Lu Yun arranged everything. Aren't you afraid of breaking the rules?" Qi Xiu dragged his words deliberately. "Hmph, if we don't take it now, after my family divides and relies on three generations, someone from Mount Bai will seize it eventually," Jiang Mingling sneered. "No matter how beautifully it's spoken, my family is ultimately being swept out from Qi Yun's mountains. Others still dream of living a carefree righteous path life as arranged, but I've seen through it. When in a place, follow its rules—no point in being too dignified. Issues of Mount Bai should be solved by Mount Bai's methods." "Didn't your Chu Qin's rise serve as my example?" she added. "You've said much, yet you haven't addressed my concerns. If you disregard Lu Yun's arrangement, then couldn't everything he set last time be annulled? You may conquer Cangwu from the east, just as you might engulf Chu Qin from the west. How am I supposed to trust you? Moreover, when the essence wood heads north, why should my family guard the troublesome banks of Mianshui for no gain? Once order collapses and your family shuts its doors after three generations, I'll be left unguarded." Qi Xiu shook his head. "I'm willing to offer this as a token of gratitude." Jiang Mingling produced a scroll of a contract, revealing it as a share of Qi Fu City, "After Water Gate's northern migration, they granted one-third of their Qi Fu City shares to the Lu family, one-third to the Lan family, and one-third to my Jiang family." "Water Lingyi surely knows how to let go," Qi Xiu still shook his head, "Over a century, Qi Fu City's main banner has changed; without powerful backing, this thing could be a source of calamity." "What about Lanxi's favor? He got Jiang Yunfeng from my family, so he'll lend a hand." Jiang Mingling eventually revealed her trump card, observing Qi Xiu's reaction intently, "You're aware of his future position in Qi Yun, right?" "Uh..." Qi Xiu was indeed momentarily tempted but continued to shake his head, "Lanxi is too far away; I deal only with the present." "The Lu family will support us too. Lu Kong is at Cangwu Palace," Jiang Mingling stated. "You can't prove it." Qi Xiu shook his head again. "Don't you know Qi Yun folks' quirks? Lu Yun actually arranged for my Jiang family to solely occupy the lands of Water Gate, but the Cangwu master didn't know how to seize the opportunity. For the sake of reputation, he can't say much. If anyone is willing to play the villain, they'll certainly welcome it—perhaps at most pretend to curse for appearance's sake. It was the same when Chu Zhen killed Gao Guangsheng; isn't it similar with Ling Yao Pavilion's current conflict with your family?" Convincing Qi Xiu turned out to be harder than expected, and Jiang Mingling grew anxious too. "The conflict with Ling Yao Pavilion?" Qi Xiu squinted his eyes slightly. "They would love Dan Alliance to collapse, but never say or do anything, just wishing someone else would do it for them, then subtly express gratitude. But your family raises a high stick and lightly lets it fall. Dan Alliance's foundation remains unscathed, in fact, it's getting stronger. I've heard the dissolution and merger of factions is proceeding quite smoothly, all thanks to your previous 'contribution.'" Jiang Mingling chuckled, "Likewise, they still won't say or do anything but would appreciate someone teaching you a lesson. Lu Yun is of the same mind with Cangwu Gate." "Nothing palpable." Qi Xiu continued shaking his head. "You!" Jiang Mingling was so exasperated she stood up to leave, only to return to her seat when Qi Xiu remained unruffled, "Isn't this tangible enough?" She retrieved an object from her storage pouch. "Hiss..." Qi Xiu finally showed interest, seeing a bronze oil lamp before him, "Is this Water Gate's Nascent Soul elder?!" he exclaimed. "Water Gate can no longer rely on him, but he's still valuable in Mount Bai, isn't he?" Collecting the lamp, Jiang Mingling was quite pleased with Qi Xiu's reaction. Water Gate's willingness to offer such a valuable item, determined to secure a foothold in Qi Yun, commanded Qi Xiu's respect. After some thought, he set a formal condition, "This isn't enough; you must have the Lu family show their support." Jiang Mingling fell into contemplation with her eyes closed. A long while later, she opened her eyes and said, "Lu Yun's end isn't far; he values his posthumous reputation greatly. There's nothing else I can offer except a marriage alliance, though it appears equal, it would actually disadvantage the Lu family as a lower marriage." "Agreed." Qi Xiu stroked his long beard contentedly. The Jiang family, having suffered losses through a matrimony with Chu Qin, would never willingly reach this point if not cornered. With the deal done, "Old fox!" she cursed inwardly, losing all the enthusiasm she had when she arrived. "One-third share in Qi Fu City, a marriage alliance with the Lu family, a favor from Lanxi, a one-time act by Water Gate's Nascent Soul elder—all for your family's assistance in seizing Cangwu's territory, this is settled?" "Chu Qin and Shuang Chu each hold one-third of Qi Fu City's shares, I dare not overreach; I'll settle for half. Capture the majority of Cangwu's land, the rest will need to be negotiated with others. Furthermore, your family must openly support Gu Tan in the future," Qi Xiu bargained. "Fine!" Jiang Mingling agreed through gritted teeth. Favors were such abstract things that they couldn't be written in black and white on a contract. A handshake between them sealed the vow. As for Nangong Yanran, who had brought her here, Jiang Mingling could only apologize silently in her heart. "Go find Gu Tan; he'll see to it." Qi Xiu casually dismissed her, surprising Jiang Mingling, "That's it? Chu Qin is deploying entirely to annihilate Cangwu, and you won't personally oversee it? Water Gate and Twin Chu aren't helping?" "Heh, annihilation means annihilation; a major battle isn't necessary." Qi Xiu chuckled, "Cangwu Gate has quite a few internal issues; Gu Tan will make good use of them. All in all, it will be settled within ten years without delaying your family's establishment of a sect." Once Jiang Mingling, still somewhat dubious, had left, the next day Nangong Meng personally paid a visit. "Is Master Qi comfortable staying here?" she inquired with a smile. "In such a place? Of course." Qi Xiu quickly welcomed her in, taking a quick peek with his celestial eye. Sure enough, the elderly woman who tended the plants was gone, replaced by a young female cultivator working diligently in the garden. "Yesterday..." As soon as Nangong Meng started to speak, Qi Xiu quickly took over, recounting yesterday's visit from Jiang Mingling in detail. "The Jiang family sold Jiang Yunfeng at a good price; what a family." Nangong Meng pursed her lips, utterly indifferent to what Qi Xiu confessed. Regarding the Jiang family's previous disputes with her at Cangwu, she seemed to have no intention of holding grudges, her disdain plain. If Nangong hadn't done anything inside this cave dwelling, Qi Xiu wouldn't have believed it. Nangong Meng's attitude also indicated that the Nangong family had also concluded Lanxi would ascend. "Does that mean Cai Yuan has no chance at all?" he couldn't help but worry for Shuang Chu. Nangong Meng, being someone wholly devoted to the path of cultivation, was relatively straightforward in her thinking. Since Qi Xiu hadn't played any tricks, she merely gave a subtle warning before leaving. As she reached the cave's entrance, she abruptly turned back, "What is your take on marriage?" In the garden, the young female cultivator continued tending to the plants, oblivious to the conversation taking place. Qi Xiu understood Nangong Meng's hint, examining closely. The young cultivator was of a tender age, slender and graceful, her demeanor calm and elegant. Her looks and temperament bore a slight resemblance to Nangong Meng, exuding an ethereal beauty akin to a secluded orchid, her eyebrows hinting at an underlying sorrow, making her all the more appealing and otherworldly. 'Worthy of pity,' were the words that flashed through Qi Xiu's mind. Just then, an enraged Chu Hongshang charged down through towering red clouds... "I once vowed that unless I found a true love with whom I could walk the path of cultivation, I wouldn't marry again," he hurriedly declined. "True love, and a shared path of cultivation? Pfft..." Even the tranquil Nangong Meng burst into laughter when she heard that, much like Chu Hongshang in the past, covering her mouth with her delicate hand, "Combining those two demands, that indeed is quite difficult." Without pursuing further, she drifted away. She had hardly left when a low popping sound emanated from the alchemy room opposite. No need to guess; Duoluosen had failed again. "Ah!" The Nangong cultivator, newly arrived and tilling the spiritual grass, thought something was amiss. She cried out in surprise, brandishing a small medicinal hoe talisman defensively, clumsily pulling a token for the cave's defenses from her storage bag. Qi Xiu's eyes gleamed with a cunning idea. Feigning anger, he shouted towards the alchemy room, "Asen, what are you doing! You've blown up another batch of pills! Are you trying to bankrupt me!? Why are you hiding after causing a fright? Come out and apologize to this Nangong... Nangong Daoist Friend!" "I am Nangong Xiang," the young female cultivator softly patted her chest, her cheeks flushing with a touch of red as she spoke up for Duoluosen in a timid manner. "Umm... explosions in pill refining are quite common. I overreacted just now. Please, senior, don't blame your disciple." She clearly knew the trade. Duoluosen, perplexed by the rebuke, hurried out and dutifully apologized to Nangong Xiang. Nangong Xiang, evidently not accustomed to interacting with outsiders, was shyer than Duoluosen, her face reddening as she repeatedly assured him it was unnecessary. Watching Duoluosen walk back dazedly, Qi Xiu gave him a sharp flick on the head. "You're useless! The Nangong family has ancient heritage. How is it commonplace? Take this chance and learn from them!" Duoluosen turned back to seek guidance. Once they began discussing alchemy, particularly the properties of various high-level spiritual herbs, Nangong Xiang's expertise clearly surpassed his. Duoluosen, a true alchemy enthusiast, rarely considered matters of the opposite sex. Finding genuine skill in her, he sought her advice with utmost sincerity. "Hmm." Satisfied, Qi Xiu stroked his beard and returned to his chamber, preparing to meditate. Before starting his cultivation cycle, he subtly sent a message, "Asen, as your master, this is as much help as I can offer you." (To be continued)