This saying about giving the position of sect leader to the little martial uncle was because he knew the little martial uncle had no interest in it.
But he was different. He was a Guan word formula disciple. Yin word formula disciples travelled the world, but he had to return to the mountain if not necessary. If he did not become sect leader, what would he do after returning to the mountain? Listen to others ordering him about while sweeping the floor?
Zhou Xinyuan said seriously, “In urgent situations we use expedient measures. Those superficial formalities can be completed after we return to Linglong Temple.”
Yu Qing lowered his head and rubbed his mouth with one hand. The matter had happened suddenly, and he was thinking about how to remedy it.
Zhou Xinyuan said, “Will you give it or not? If you do not give it, I will withdraw from the sect and let you play alone. Do not expect me to send money to Linglong Temple every year anymore.”
Yu Qing was shocked and almost cursed. “Martial uncle, how can you say such rebellious words? Can you face the spirits in heaven of grand martial uncle and my master?”
Zhou Xinyuan sneered coldly. “The people are already dead. They did not even cherish their own lives. Do I still need to care about their spirits in heaven? Boy, if I want to withdraw from the sect, I will withdraw. What can you do to me? Can you control me?”
Yu Qing was speechless. That was correct. He really could not control the other party. He lacked the strength in any aspect, and did not even have the ability to clean up the sect.
Slap! Zhou Xinyuan suddenly smashed his fan on his forehead, pointed at him and scolded angrily, “Stop pretending to be indifferent with me. Do you think I do not know that since childhood you have been eyeing your master’s position as sect leader? Every time you saw me handing money to your master, your eyes staring at the silver notes almost glowed green. I was really afraid that one day you would kill your master for money.”
He waved his hand and pointed towards the study. “That girl is right here. I can go and verify with her at any time, or let her take me to find that Xu person to verify. If I find out you concealed anything earlier, or that you caused the trouble, then you should stop being sect leader. Even if you refuse to hand it over, it will not work. I can remove you from your position at any time. Do you want face or the position of sect leader? Choose for yourself!”
Yu Qing had nothing to say. He knew that asking Chong’er would expose everything. After being puzzled for a long while he finally spoke, but he did not say whether he wanted face or the position. He muttered, “Martial uncle, you are overthinking. Actually it is nothing much. It was just that when we went to the capital, thinking there would be expenses there, our Linglong Temple is poor and had little money on hand. I had never been to the capital either, so I figured preparing more money would not hurt. It happened that the prefect of Liezhou was holding some riddle guessing event, with rewards of one hundred jin of spiritual rice and a cup of profound level demon dew…”
He revealed how he had colluded with Xu Fei to obtain the rewards. He also admitted that saving Chong’er later was not the main purpose, it was to get the spiritual rice back. But he repeatedly emphasised that he did not know how large the expenses would be in the capital and wanted to prepare more money to avoid problems. Later, protecting Xu Fei and Chong’er for four thousand taels of silver was the same reason.
After listening, Zhou Xinyuan was so angry that he laughed. “So the root cause really lies with you. You rascal, if you do not leave the mountain then nothing happens, but once you leave you want money more than your life. With a sect leader like you in Linglong Temple, it will be destroyed sooner or later. I think the coffin boards of the previous masters can hardly hold down anymore.”
While angry he also breathed a sigh of relief. It was confirmed that the full score top place was an accident and not a scheme by someone.
Yu Qing did not want to dwell on this matter. “Oh dear, martial uncle, I admit to whatever you say. If you have any dissatisfaction you can vent it on me later. If you want to remove me from position, we can talk after returning to Linglong Temple. Just tell me now, what should we do? Are we really going to run away just like this?”
This was indeed a problem. Zhou Xinyuan could not be bothered to scold this scoundrel anymore. He sat down sideways again, thought silently for a while, and said slowly, “There are holes everywhere. What else can we do but run?”
Yu Qing immediately sighed. “It is easy to run, but I have messed up master’s dying wish. A Shiheng’s future is also ruined. I do not know how to explain to him.”
Zhou Xinyuan glanced coldly sideways. “Explain? What explanation does he want? Each generation has its own affairs. Why should we revolve around his family for generations? The grudges of the previous generation have already been repaid with their lives. It is impossible to serve as loyal heroes to his family for generations. At least I cannot do it!
Our Linglong Temple’s only four true disciples have already given two for his family, half have died. Is that not enough? Does it have to be that our Linglong Temple dies out completely? I will reason with him. If he listens then fine. If he is heartless and complains, I will kill him first to settle it once and for all and eliminate future troubles!”
Yu Qing smiled bitterly. “Killing him is not necessary. Martial uncle, do not act recklessly. After all we grew up together. Things have become like this. I just do not know how to face him.”
Zhou Xinyuan immediately stood up. “There is nothing that cannot be faced. We do our best and give him an explanation as best we can. Things are already like this. Whether he can accept it is his business. Boy, for this palace examination, I am afraid you still have to continue participating.”
“Hmm?” Yu Qing immediately became spirited. Thinking he had misheard, he quickly asked, “What joke are you making? We are about to run, yet still take the risk to participate in the palace examination? Am I rushing to my death?”
Zhou Xinyuan opened his fan and walked back and forth in the room shaking it, seemingly talking to himself. “If you do not take the risk, everyone will have to take the risk with you. I am such a conspicuous person. No matter where I run I will be easily recognised. I do not want to disguise as an ugly appearance. Without disguising I would be chased and arrested every day. What do you want me to do?
Also this Zhong residence. You moved from the Liezhou guild hall to stay in the Zhong residence. The Zhong residence provided guarantee. If you run directly, not to mention their daughter’s matter, how will the Zhong residence explain to the court? A once in a century full score huiyuan suddenly disappears. It will shock the world. The court’s reaction cannot be mild. Jiupo Village over there will probably be investigated thoroughly. Can Linglong Temple escape?
Not to mention where A Shiheng escapes to, your three wanted senior brothers will first be scared into fleeing immediately and never dare to return to Linglong Temple again. Once they run, guess if the court will suspect them and pursue them relentlessly? Once they are caught, the real A Shiheng is clearly hiding in Linglong Temple. How could he have passed the huiyuan exam in the capital?
These are the troubles visible right now. Once leaks are everywhere, there will be no way to plug them. So you should take the palace examination as normal. First muddle through the palace examination, accept the appointment, then resign on some excuse. If you do not want to be an official anymore, who can force you to be one?
Actually, if you really had the foundation, you would not need to run. But with that little ink in your belly, you really have to run. You passed like that. If the emperor gets excited and asks you to compose a poem, you will be dead. What kind of situation is that? So running is still necessary, but how to run matters. It is more suitable for you to run alone. Understand?”
Yu Qing had already seen the light and understood his meaning.
“In this way, after the matter passes, at least it will not implicate A Shiheng anymore. It can also be considered as giving him an explanation. As for his arm, we will think of ways to help him treat it as best we can. Regarding the marriage with the Zhong residence, it depends on him and the Zhong residence’s wishes. Afterwards the Zhong residence probably will not dare to publicise it and cause extra trouble. In short, we will do our best to help what we can. Do not blame us for what we cannot help!”
Yu Qing pondered silently. At this point, it had to be said that this method with no other way was instead the best choice. But he still could not help laughing and crying. “Martial uncle, you are right. Your thinking is very good, but reality is very cruel. The key point is that I cannot muddle through the palace examination!”
Zhou Xinyuan paced back and forth and said, “What about that Mister Ming? Think of a way to let him help you answer the questions once more. With him doing the questions, the palace examination should not raise suspicions.”
Yu Qing said, “I looked for him. Before the tribute list was announced I already looked. Could not find him. Do not know where he ran to.”
Zhou Xinyuan said, “Then look again! Not finding him before the list is announced does not mean you cannot find him after. Once the list comes out, he will be even more conspicuous and easier to find. Wherever he goes people will notice him. You speaking in the Zhong family should still carry some weight now. Quickly let the Zhong family mobilise all their forces to look. There should be some news, unless he is dead or hiding! If you really cannot find him, then find other people who can do the questions to cope.”
Yu Qing’s shoulders slumped. He said weakly, “As soon as I look at you I know you do not understand. The palace examination has the emperor giving questions on the spot temporarily. Even if you find Mister Ming it is useless.”
Zhou Xinyuan shook his fan and said, “Is your martial uncle not here?”
As soon as these words came out, Yu Qing was stunned, then his eyes lit up. “Martial uncle, has your Yin word formula improved again?”
Zhou Xinyuan did not confirm or deny. He stopped, put away his fan and reached out to pull over the slave registration on the table. After picking it up and looking, he asked, “This is that Chong’er’s?”
Yu Qing sighed. “I will have someone send him back later.”
“Keep him.” Zhou Xinyuan said lightly.
“Keep him?” Yu Qing was surprised. “Keep him for you to raise? We are about to run. Why bring a burden?”
Zhou Xinyuan sat down, tilted his head towards the study direction, and casually called out, “Chong’er, come over.”
Before long, footsteps appeared outside. Chong’er’s figure emerged. He looked timidly into the hall, then looked around in surprise and uncertainty, seeming a bit unsure.
He seemed to have heard someone calling him while in the study earlier, but after going out he found no one outside at all. He somewhat suspected he had misheard.
Zhou Xinyuan smiled and beckoned. “I called you. Come in.”
Chong’er immediately walked over the threshold obediently. After standing in front of the person, he carefully glanced at Yu Qing before tentatively asking the person in front, “What instructions does mister have?”
Zhou Xinyuan said, “With your build, you will not be able to keep up with your new master. You will be disliked by him. You need to learn more things. How about this, I will lead you into the path of cultivation, teach you to cultivate, and take you as a nominal disciple. Are you willing?”
Chong’er and Yu Qing were both dumbfounded at the same time, thinking they had misheard.
Yu Qing was even more at a loss whether to laugh or cry, not knowing what this person who acts on sudden ideas wanted to do.
How could Chong’er dare to agree to this matter casually? He immediately looked at Yu Qing to see his expression.
“Hmm, if you do not speak I will take it as you agreed.” Zhou Xinyuan took it all upon himself, not giving any chance to object at all. He raised his hand and handed the slave registration to Yu Qing. “From today onwards, she is my disciple. You are not allowed to bully her anymore. Take her to the government office and cancel the slave registration. If you want me to help you, get this matter done today!”