Yu Qing felt a cold snort in his heart as soon as he spotted those three senior brothers who refused to accept him as the sect leader from afar.
He was indeed a bit unwilling to let them get involved in the treasures of the blessed land. If they really found it and they had contributed, how clearly could they divide the shares?
It is easy to settle accounts with outsiders, but hard to settle them with family members.
He had his own opinions on these three senior brothers.
Second senior brother could be summed up in four words: hypocritically virtuous.
Seventh senior brother thought of himself as a cool fat man.
Ninth senior brother thought of himself as an arrogant martial arts fanatic.
In Yu Qing’s mind, all three were summed up in four words: self righteous.
Two more words could be added: useless.
The young martial uncle walked to the campfire, watched the spar for a while, then smiled and clapped his hands in praise, saying that the three of them fought well.
Yu Qing however stood with his arms crossed in front of his chest. He let out a disdainful sound and looked full of contempt, feeling that the young martial uncle was being hypocritical.
He just could not understand why the young martial uncle was so harsh on him at the slightest displeasure, yet so gentle with those three guys. The difference in the money given to them each time was also huge. In short, he had long been the poorest one in Linglong View. Whenever he met anyone, he was always the one begging for food.
The sound of the clapping applause carried a hint to stop. The three sparring participants quickly withdrew their fists and feet, stood still, and all cupped their fists in salute to the young martial uncle, looking as if they had shown their inadequacy.
But as soon as their eyes met Yu Qing’s, the three immediately snorted coldly one by one and turned their heads aside.
They did not even ask questions like “why have you returned”. They were completely unwilling to even keep up appearances. It was an attitude of defiance, dissatisfaction, and readiness to turn hostile upon meeting.
If the young martial uncle had not suppressed them in advance, they would have attacked directly. Even if they could not win, they would still fight. Was that not why they had been training hard day and night, just to find a chance to wash away their previous shame?
Their relationship used to be quite good. The three older ones had been quite indulgent towards their little junior brother before. But ever since the position of sect leader was given to Yu Qing, the relationship between the martial brothers had turned sour.
The young martial uncle tilted his head and gestured to Yu Qing.
Only then did Yu Qing take out the treasure map. He stood by the campfire and called out, “All come over. There is something to discuss.”
The young martial uncle walked over. Seeing that the three still looked as if they had not heard and were ignoring it, his face immediately sank. “What are you three doing? The sect leader has important matters to discuss with you.”
Second senior brother Gao Yunjie said with calm disdain, “What important matters could he have?” Although he said that, his feet still moved and he walked over.
Seventh senior brother Nan Zhu and ninth senior brother Mu Aotie also went over reluctantly.
It was clear that they were all giving face to the young martial uncle.
In fact, the young martial uncle’s age was only similar to that of Mu Aotie who was in his thirties, and he was not as old as the other two. Nan Zhu was in his early forties, and Gao Yunjie was nearly fifty.
However, all three respected the young martial uncle. There was no way around it. Over the years, everyone had been using the money earned by the young martial uncle.
Every time the young martial uncle came up the mountain, he would distribute money to everyone. His character was impeccable.
When all four had gathered in front of him, Yu Qing unfolded the painting for them. He first let everyone see it clearly, then folded the painting in half, faced it towards the campfire, and rubbed it again until the eight characters appeared. Only then did he ask, “Do you see anything?”
The three senior brothers looked doubtful and confused. They had no such awareness, so naturally they did not know what Yu Qing was doing.
It was the young martial uncle who reached out and pointed at the eight characters one by one. Only then did the three see what was going on.
“Those who seek longevity, the land of the same cave…” The three muttered, each with surprise and doubt. They actually did not understand it very well, but they all understood the four words “seek longevity”.
The young martial uncle asked, “When you travel in the jianghu, have you ever heard of ‘Little Cloud Realm’?”
All three were stunned. Connecting it with the four words “seek longevity”, second senior brother Gao Yunjie suddenly exclaimed, “Could this be the legendary ‘Cloud Map’?”
The young martial uncle looked towards Yu Qing.
Yu Qing gave a light dry cough. “It is the ‘Cloud Map’, but not the real ‘Cloud Map’. The real ‘Cloud Map’ is already damaged. This is a copy. To get this thing, I nearly lost my life, and I spent who knows how much effort to uncover the secret in this treasure map…”
He then expressed his suspicion that Guan Fengyang’s ancient tomb was the “land of the same cave” indicated on the map, and finally stated his purpose. “I rushed back urgently this time because I want to take two helpers out of the mountain to explore this place together. If we can really find the legendary blessed land ‘Little Cloud Realm’, it will naturally be a great fortune for our Linglong View. I wonder which two are willing to go with me?”
Such a huge shocking news was suddenly dropped. The three senior brothers were all stunned, and their eyes lit up. They looked at each other.
They found it hard to believe. They had not expected that a small Linglong View would have the chance to participate in such a matter. This was too unlike Linglong View.
After coming back to their senses, second senior brother Gao Yunjie said, “Why should we go with you? We can find this ourselves. We will not associate with a petty person like you!”
“Correct.”
“The three of us martial brothers can handle it.”
Yu Qing immediately felt a belly full of anger. He turned around to face the young martial uncle at once. “Martial uncle, did you see that?”
The implication was, did you see? This is the consequence of you making me tell them.
The young martial uncle’s face also sank. His cold gaze swept over the three. “Our sect leader is greedy for wealth and profit. In fact, I also find him unpleasant to look at. I do not even know why senior brother chose him as sect leader!”
Upon hearing this, Yu Qing’s face turned black.
“Today, I finally understand. He is only greedy for wealth and profit, but he does not lose out on major principles. That is the foundation of our Linglong View disciples. He clearly knows he has grudges with you, yet he still does not guard against you. He still openly shares such a major secret with you. In contrast, your behaviour is simply chilling!”
After hearing these words, Yu Qing’s expression eased.
The words were heavy and struck at the heart. Gao, Nan, and Mu all showed guilt and looked somewhat embarrassed.
“You tell me yourselves. If you were the sect leader of Linglong View and encountered disciples like you just now, would it not be terrifying?”
Gao Yunjie hurriedly said, “Martial uncle, we did not mean that. It is just that this petty person of his really makes one disdain to associate with him.”
Yu Qing immediately glared with raised eyebrows and pointed with his hand. “Old thing, make yourself clear…”
The young martial uncle slapped his hand down and interrupted his words. “Old Two, whether he is a petty person or not is another matter. Let me ask you three. If you had privately grasped such a major secret, search your hearts and ask if you could openly inform us? Do not give me the answer. Tell it to yourselves in your hearts. Ask yourselves in your hearts, in similar situations, who is more suitable to be the sect leader!”
The three fell silent, as if they were really pondering it in their hearts.
The young martial uncle added, “Do not waste words. Internal sect conflicts are discussed internally. Now we are talking about going out of the mountain. It is an external matter. Put aside internal grudges for now. We need two people who can distinguish inside from outside. Who is willing to stand in the position of our sect disciples and accompany the sect leader on this journey?”
The three looked at each other again. They actually had strong interest in the treasure hunt, but they could not let go of their pride.
Seeing their appearance, the young martial uncle flashed, flew over the campfire, landed on the steps of the main hall, and quickly entered the hall.
After a while he came out again, returned to them, and held out three paper balls in his palm. “Draw lots!”
The three looked at each other hesitantly.
The young martial uncle urged again, “Hurry up.”
Only then did the three reach out, each pick one, unfold them, and gather together to look at the contents. Even Yu Qing could not help stretching his head over to see what was written.
Actually nothing much was written. On the three pieces of paper, two had ink dots and one was blank.
Seventh senior brother Nan Zhu and ninth senior brother Mu Aotie drew the ones with ink. Second senior brother Gao Yunjie got the blank one.
The meaning was simple. Nan Zhu and Mu Aotie would go out of the mountain, and Gao Yunjie would stay behind.
The young martial uncle made the final decision. “Then it is settled. Old Seven and Old Nine will accompany Old Fifteen on the trip. Do not linger here. Leave under the cover of night. Go and pack your things.”
Nan Zhu and Mu Aotie cupped their fists together in acceptance, then turned and left.
Yu Qing also turned to prepare to go. He had travelled a long dusty road and needed to wash.
The remaining Old Two, Gao Yunjie, held a blank piece of paper in his hand. He wanted to speak but stopped. Actually he still wanted to fight for it, for example that Old Seven and Old Nine were only at the initial martial realm, while he was at the upper martial realm. If he went out it would be more suitable to assist Yu Qing.
However such words could not be said. After hesitating again and again, he could only watch the departing back of the young martial uncle and silently let out a breath. There was no way. He accepted it…
After bathing, as soon as Yu Qing returned, he saw the young martial uncle standing at the door of his room waiting.
After the two entered, Yu Qing smiled and teased, “You probably gave them quite a lot of money again this time you returned?”
Young martial uncle: “The money I give them is my money. What does it have to do with you?”
Yu Qing chuckled. “The way you handle things is not fair. You favour some and neglect others. Every time before you gave them amounts in hundreds of taels, but for me it was like sending off a child.”
The young martial uncle sneered. “Then why do you not say how many resources were spent to build up your cultivation? Among you martial brothers, the cultivation resources were all tilted towards you. They are getting on in years, yet their cultivation is still not as good as yours. Do you still have the face to complain? As fellow disciples, they should get something too. Getting some comfort is the minimum, right? Besides, someone who can casually throw out hundreds of thousands of taels, why bother about those few taels of silver?”
Yu Qing raised his hand. “Stop! Pretend I farted. Do not mention this matter again!”
As soon as the matter of those hundreds of thousands of taels was mentioned, his heart ached so much that he did not want to recall it, and he had to work hard to tell himself that the matter was already over.
The young martial uncle had actually always wanted to find a chance to ask him how he got so much money. He was somewhat amazed at this guy’s ability to make money. How long had he been out, yet he could get hundreds of thousands of taels of silver? That was no small amount. It would take him how many years.
The key was that the guy still had to handle more important matters at the same time, such as the big exam.
However Yu Qing clearly looked like he was about to spit blood and refused to mention the matter again no matter what.
He temporarily could not find a suitable opportunity to ask more, so he could only first explain the main matter. “I remind you once more. This time when you go out, no matter what grudges you have within the sect, once outside you are all your own people. Your cultivation is higher than theirs, and you are the sect leader. Since you are taking them out this time, you must bring each one of them back alive and well. Our Linglong View disciples cannot decrease further. Not a single one can be missing. Whether you are willing or not, you must have this broad mindedness. It is also the responsibility of you as sect leader!”
Yu Qing was slightly moved by his words, yet he deliberately put on an impatient look. “Generation after generation likes to chant this scripture. Fine, fine, I know.”
After changing into clean outer clothes, he fished out a scroll of calligraphy and painting from his dirty clothes. It was the Fengchen Sword Art. He directly threw it to the young martial uncle. “The sky has unpredictable winds and clouds. In case something really happens and I cannot return, you might as well take a look. This should be a good thing.”