Leaving or staying was both inappropriate, and even Sect Master Yu Qing himself felt as though he had been trapped.
It had only been a few short years since he had thrown away his official hat and left the capital of Jin Kingdom, yet he was no longer the same person who could simply abandon everything and walk away.
The Chaoyang Tournament would not stop because of his feelings. It continued as usual.
On this day, Kui Kui became the second ranked arena holder. The third ranked contestant also had someone step up first to challenge and register. As a result, today’s battles were extremely intense.
Until the competition ended for the day, no one paid any attention to first place. It seemed as though everyone had ignored it.
The interest of the contestants seemed to be focused entirely on the top three positions. After all, the honour of ranking among the top three of the Chaoyang Tournament was highly tempting.
From fourth place to tenth place, no one registered a challenge even until the end of the day. Quite a number of people would rather waste one challenge opportunity than reveal themselves too early and continued waiting.
Kui Kui successfully defended his position and returned with some injuries.
Yu Qing, who had been waiting at the residence, did not disturb him after seeing this. Instead, he called Xu Yi over and asked about the details of the matches.
After that, things continued almost the same every day. No one challenged him, so Yu Qing simply could not be bothered to go to the competition grounds.
Xiang Zhen, who could already move around freely, went to watch the matches every day.
Nan Zhu and Mu Aotie had not seen Yu Qing for several days, so they once again requested to visit him. After learning that his identity had been exposed, the two of them also became somewhat uneasy.
Of course, because of the ten million silver notes, Nan Zhu also praised Tie Miaoqing for still having some conscience.
With that ten million, Ye Diandian’s side could gather enough funds again, allowing them to hold on for another year.
To be honest, everyone now opposed continuing to maintain that batch of immortal peach trees. They felt it was simply a bottomless pit. After working so hard to earn money, everything was poured into it.
Things were no longer like when they had just left Xiaoyunjian.
Back then, they had indeed made a fortune, which gave everyone the illusion that earning money was easy.
Now, looking back, they had all become clear headed after being awakened by reality.
The ease with which they had earned money back then and the sudden wealth they gained were extremely rare coincidences. Most of the time, earning money was actually difficult. Not being able to earn much money was the true normal state. How could there always be hundreds of millions or tens of millions waiting to be earned?
There were indeed many businesses that could make people rich, and many opportunities that could bring huge profits, but those had already been taken by the people capable of taking them. They had no chance of getting involved.
The easy money would never reach them either.
Even if they managed to obtain some treasures from another immortal residence now, they might not dare to sell them casually. The opportunity to sell immortal peaches was almost impossible to encounter again.
Yet Yu Qing stubbornly refused to give up on the batch of immortal peach trees belonging to Ye Diandian. He insisted on maintaining them, saying things like, “The predecessors plant trees so future generations can enjoy the shade,” and that it was a sect industry established during his own term as sect master.
Naturally, Nan Zhu also complained a little about Tie Miaoqing, making a few sarcastic remarks, mostly implying that she had simply used money to send them away.
He did not say anything more. After all, they were the ones who had forced her to leave back then.
The fifteen days of the challenge tournament passed day by day.
The battles became fiercer with each passing day. The competition grounds were filled with spectacular clashes, and cheers constantly echoed throughout. The atmosphere of the Chaoyang Tournament made everyone feel that the trip had been worthwhile.
Yet the first ranked arena holder seemed completely separated from it all.
Standing on the officials’ platform and witnessing the intense battles, Qin Fujun occasionally looked back at the name hanging in the first position.
The Chaoyang Tournament challenge matches were so fierce, yet the first ranked arena holder only showed his name and never appeared.
She could not help secretly thinking that this truly was the behaviour of an extraordinary person.
Thinking back to how that person had been the first to step onto the stage and register, she now understood what it meant to say, “Who else but me?”
When the final day of the competition arrived, Yu Qing, who was wandering alone around the garden, had already given up hope regarding the final outcome.
The challenge tournament was about to end, yet nobody had informed him that someone had challenged him.
Could anyone really launch a challenge at the very last moment?
Sure enough, at dusk, the excited Kui Kui rushed back first and brought good news, saying that “Zhang Zhichen” had obtained first place.
Although this result had already been expected, Yu Qing was still speechless.
He had only fought one match in the entire challenge tournament, yet he became first place?
Kui Kui was naturally delighted because he had gained something himself. Although the battles had been difficult, with seven or eight fights in total, and he had even fought while injured, he had managed to preserve his second place.
“Haha, first and second place of the Chaoyang Tournament are both staying in our residence.”
Kui Kui was extremely excited and repeatedly slapped his chest.
When he turned around and saw Xiang Zhen and Xu Yi slowly returning, he walked over and sighed to Xiang Zhen.
“Even if your injuries prevented you from reaching the top few places, entering the top ten would not have been a problem. Why didn’t you compete?”
Xu Yi, who had accompanied him back, also found this difficult to understand.
Xiang Zhen looked towards Yu Qing and said,
“I have already found the purpose of participating in the Chaoyang Tournament.”
Kui Kui was suspicious.
“What purpose?”
Xiang Zhen did not answer. He only looked at Yu Qing with expectation in his eyes.
Yu Qing was speechless.
He realised that he had encountered someone with a strange mind.
Xiang Zhen had repeatedly expressed his desire to witness his sword intent. In other words, he wanted to fight him.
But what sword intent did Yu Qing have?
He had repeatedly and firmly refused.
Unable to get an answer, Kui Kui waved his hand disdainfully and stopped caring.
He felt that these two people were both abnormal anyway.
Xu Yi smiled beside them.
“Congratulations to the two of you for obtaining first and second place in the Chaoyang Tournament. Tomorrow morning, the top ten winners will be officially announced to the world at the competition grounds, and everyone will receive the rewards they deserve.
“Please rest early. If you need anything, just tell me.”
The three nodded and verbally expressed their thanks.
Xu Yi was also in a good mood. He left with light footsteps.
However, not long after leaving, he returned again, bringing a group of people with him.
Kunling Mountain Sect Master Zhao Dengzi had arrived with Li Chenghu, along with their attendants.
Yu Qing, Kui Kui, and Xiang Zhen, who had already returned to their rooms, were all disturbed.
They wanted to come out and see what was happening, but the sudden arrival of the Prince’s attendants and Kunling Mountain disciples stopped them and told them not to leave their rooms yet.
Zhao Dengzi accompanied Li Chenghu to meet Xiang Zhen first.
There was no other reason.
Li Chenghu had taken a liking to Xiang Zhen and sincerely wished to recruit him.
Although Xiang Zhen had not entered the top ten, everyone understood his true strength. This was one of the reasons why many people who wanted to recruit talented individuals came to watch the competition personally.
Rankings could not completely determine ability.
As long as someone had strength, even without a ranking, their talent could not remain buried.
However, Xiang Zhen refused cleanly and directly. His words left no room for negotiation.
Li Chenghu frowned.
“You have already found a better destination?”
Xiang Zhen replied,
“I will not attach myself to anyone.”
Hearing this, Li Chenghu smiled meaningfully.
“Your ambition is admirable. This prince understands. Then I shall not disturb you.
“Remember, my sincerity will always remain. Whenever you are willing, you may come to the capital of Yin Kingdom and find me.”
Xiang Zhen cupped his hands in thanks.
Li Chenghu turned and left.
Zhao Dengzi looked at Xiang Zhen for a while before shaking his head.
Some young people were simply too naive.
Did they really think walking one’s own path was so easy?
However, it did not matter.
Kunling Mountain did not recruit outsiders anyway.
The two important figures left one after another and, guided by Xu Yi, arrived at Yu Qing’s residence.
The evening clouds were beautiful, and the setting sunlight illuminated everything.
Standing on the upper floor by the railing, Yu Qing saw the two of them.
When he saw Li Chenghu had personally arrived, he did not know what the purpose was.
Although he felt somewhat uncomfortable, since this man had already taken his beautiful companion away, he still went downstairs to welcome them.
He even secretly wondered whether they had come because of the ten million silver notes Tie Miaoqing had given him.
Standing face to face with Li Chenghu, Yu Qing could feel the pressure of someone who had long occupied a position above others.
After some polite exchanges downstairs, Zhao Dengzi motioned for the unrelated guards nearby to withdraw.
The three entered the building together.
They did not go upstairs.
Inside the first floor hall, Zhao Dengzi immediately spoke in a shocking manner.
“What a Zhang Zhichen. Should this seat call you Ah Shi Heng, or should I continue calling you Zhang Zhichen?”
Li Chenghu slowly sat down beside them, smiling without speaking, looking as though he had come to watch the show.
Yu Qing’s heart tightened.
He became secretly alert and looked towards Li Chenghu.
“Since Your Highness has already informed Sect Master Zhao of everything, he may call me whatever he wishes.”
Seeing that Yu Qing was not frightened at all, Li Chenghu nodded slightly with some approval.
He waved his hand.
“Top Scholar, do not misunderstand. Even if I had not said anything, Xiang Lanxuan had already recognised you.”
Yu Qing wondered inwardly.
Then why had Xiang Lanxuan not come to find him?
Did she look down on him?
Zhao Dengzi said,
“The Top Scholar wished to participate in the competition. You could have come openly. Why use another identity? Do you know that this violates the rules of the Chaoyang Tournament? If this spreads, it will put us in a difficult position.”
Yu Qing calmly replied,
“Does Sect Master Zhao mean to say that Kunling Mountain did not know Long Xingyun entered under a false identity?”
Zhao Dengzi stroked his beard and calmly replied,
“You have seen it yourself. His participation does not affect the rankings, nor does he gain any benefit from it.”
Yu Qing said,
“Since Sect Master Zhao has already put it this way, perhaps there is no need for me to say more. May I ask what Your Highness and Sect Master Zhao intend to do?”
Zhao Dengzi paced slowly.
“I have long heard of the Top Scholar’s reputation for generosity. Kunling Mountain does not wish to make things difficult for you.
“As long as the Top Scholar donates the five hundred million reward to help the people, then even if someone later recognises your identity, Kunling Mountain will naturally have a reason to explain the matter.”
“Donate?”
Yu Qing understood immediately.
They had come for the money.
He asked directly,
“Donate to whom?”
Zhao Dengzi glanced at Li Chenghu, who looked completely detached from the matter.
“Naturally, donate it to the court for handling.”
Yu Qing asked,
“Donating it to the court counts as helping the people?
“In my opinion, since ordinary people’s lives are difficult, it would be better to distribute it directly to them. Five hundred million taels. The people of Yin Kingdom could probably each receive two taels, couldn’t they?
“I wonder whether the two of you have ever seen how poor people live. Two taels of silver is enough for an ordinary family to survive for a year. Five hundred million taels could save many people.”
Li Chenghu, who had seemed unwilling to speak and merely watch from the side, appeared slightly uncomfortable. He shifted in his chair before slowly asking,
“Does the Top Scholar believe giving money directly to the people is helping the world?”
Yu Qing replied,
“Being able to fill their stomachs and survive is the most practical thing.”
Li Chenghu said,
“With the Top Scholar’s literary talent, you must have heard of demons eating people. But have you ever heard of people eating people?”
Yu Qing frowned, not understanding what he meant.
Li Chenghu lowered his eyes and seemed to mutter to himself.
“Between ordinary people and cultivators, who is stronger?
“Do you understand what happens when the strong bully the weak, when the strong consume everything?
“Top Scholar, in this world of cultivators, what meaning do Yin Kingdom and Jin Kingdom have?
“Although people’s lives are difficult, at least they can live like humans. At least most people still have the right to survive.
“Do you truly think making everyone wealthy is saving them?
“Do you truly think ordinary people being as wealthy as cultivators would be a good thing?
“My Yin Kingdom army cannot protect every single person. Some things are extremely difficult to maintain. Once they collapse, it will become a disaster far more terrifying than poverty.
“Considering your relationship with my beloved consort, I do not wish to say that you will not be able to keep those five hundred million.
“How this money should be used should still be left to the court.”
Five hundred million.
Yu Qing’s heart ached.
His tone also became sharper.
“Then why did you come here to discuss it with me?”
Li Chenghu had originally intended to say that he had only come to inform him, while also taking the opportunity to see the famous Top Scholar.
But now he only smiled faintly, stood up, and said nothing more.
He walked away.
“Top Scholar, first place still belongs to Zhang Zhichen. No one will expose it. This way, everyone will have fewer troubles.”
Zhao Dengzi left this remark and immediately followed after Li Chenghu.
Neither of them had any interest in Kui Kui.
They left the place directly.