“Steward, tell me, could that third-place scholar everyone is gossiping about outside actually be the old Niu Youqing?”
In the west utility courtyard, Liu Gui, who had just entered the chores office to report to the steward, could not help but blurt out the question.
Feng Changdian, who was sipping tea to settle his stomach, suddenly shot him a cold sidelong glance. “Stop guessing blindly. Did I not say this is not your place to speak out of turn?”
Liu Gui: “Steward, I am just curious. Look, two people went missing from the west courtyard. Someone saw Niu Youqing personally take them away in a carriage. Yet the mansion forbids us from looking for them. Coincidentally, the mansion also says the third-place scholar has already left…”
Feng Changdian suddenly reprimanded him in a deep voice, “Liu Gui, know your place. You are merely a servant in this mansion. Are the masters private affairs something you should be curious about? Remember, Niu Youqing is just Niu Youqing, not the third-place scholar. The clan head temporarily brought in the scholar to deal with Yin Jizhen, the Wan family son-in-law. Niu Youqing has been transferred to an estate out of town.”
Liu Gui was stunned. “Niu Youqing has already been transferred out of town? Does this mean he has already started managing the third branch estates?”
Feng Changdian slowly leaned back in his chair, his eyes gleaming faintly. “Yes, that is just his destiny. However, you need not envy him. With a young man suddenly arriving, those who were already managing those estates will hardly be willing to step aside. Whether Niu Youqing can secure his footing remains to be seen. He might just leave in disgrace one day.”
Liu Gui thought it over and agreed, sighing with emotion. Yet he still found it strange. “Why did the two missing people leave with Niu Youqing?”
Feng Changdian gave a single reply. “I arranged it. Do not ask for reasons. Just mind your own duties.”
Inside the Wen mansion, Liu Gui was not the only one discussing the third-place scholar.
The scholar had stepped forward on behalf of the Wen clan to force back Yin Jizhen, causing the entire Wan family to withdraw from the literary gathering. This had already caused a massive sensation across the entire Ningzhou region, and the news was spreading rapidly.
A single scholar forcing back the vast Wan clan was truly thought-provoking.
A scholar bringing a powerful noble house to its knees was a story that some, or rather many, loved to tell. Most Ningzhou scholars felt a shared sense of pride, especially those from poor families. They felt exhilarated and inspired, becoming even more willing to praise the number one scholar in the world or use their eloquent tongues to add to the third-place scholar glory.
Streets and alleys across the prefectural city were buzzing with discussion. Countless impoverished families, seeing no future, used this to teach their sons: study hard!
Amidst the lively buzz, the Wen clan successfully secured the position of chief officiant for this year sacrificial ceremony, just as they had hoped.
The Wen mansion courtyard remained equally bustling. People kept arriving to visit the scholar. Figures of all kinds came in a steady stream. Even the Wen mansion gatekeepers felt they had witnessed something truly unprecedented this time.
Some arrived alone, dressed poorly yet mustering the courage to come. Others came in groups of scholars. A few were important figures whom the clan head, Wen Mao, had to personally receive.
The Wen mansion kept explaining to outsiders that the third-place scholar had already left, and so on. Despite clearly spreading the rumour, people still trickled in to ask whether the scholar was around or where he had gone.
On this day, a seemingly ordinary carriage stopped beneath the memorial arch outside the main gate of the Wen mansion.
The Wen mansion gatekeepers were not stationed inside the main gate, but in the rooms on either side behind the memorial arch. An outer wall surrounded the Wen mansion.
The driver reined in the carriage. The curtain was pushed aside, and a man with a short beard and a sallow complexion emerged. He was none other than Cui You, the former manager of the Jian Yuan Zhai, which had been shut down at Youjiao Port.
Cui You, who had stepped down from the carriage, was stopped by the Wen mansion gatekeeper under the arch. After a brief exchange, Cui You walked back to the carriage, pulled aside the curtain, and said, “Sir, the gatekeepers refuse to announce us. They say too many people have been arriving recently under various pretences. Without proper credentials, it is impossible to see the Wen clan head. They added that if they saw just anyone, the clan head would never have time. Shall we try using the name of the Jian Yuan Zhai again?”
Inside the carriage sat a man wearing a jade crown and fine silk robes. His deep eyes carried a gloomy intensity. It was Qin Jue. Upon hearing this, he replied, “It has already been shut down. There is no point. If the Youya clan truly presses the matter, it will not be worth the loss. Did you not say earlier that an elder from the Qinglian Mountain sect is stationed here?”
Cui You: “Yes. According to our inquiries, his name is Fan Wuchou.”
Qin Jue flipped his hand and passed a delicate, translucent blood-red token through the window. “The Qinglian Mountain sect is at least a reputable major sect. A sect elder surely would not be as ignorant as these commoners. Give this token to the gatekeeper and tell him to pass it to Fan Wuchou.”
“Very well.” Cui You took the token, turned around, and approached the gatekeeper again.
Being a gatekeeper required some discernment. One glance at the blood-red jade token told him it was no ordinary item. Combined with the visitor claiming to be a friend of Elder Fan, he immediately took the token to report it.
The gatekeeper was not foolish either. The visitors had clearly come for the clan head from the start and were now using a roundabout method. He immediately went to inform the steward, Wen Kui, first.
As it happened, Wen Kui was currently with the clan head, Wen Mao. Wen Mao was playing chess with Fan Wuchou, discussing matters as they played.
Upon receiving the report, Wen Kui left the pavilion to meet the gatekeeper. He took the blood-red token and examined it for a while, but could not discern its origin. After asking for details, he told the gatekeeper to wait outside the courtyard. He then turned back quickly into the pavilion and showed the token to the two men playing chess. “Clan head, someone outside wishes to see you. After being stopped by the gatekeepers, they changed their request to see Elder Fan, claiming to be his friend, and handed over this item as a token.”
The two players immediately stopped. Fan Wuchou took the jade token. The moment he saw the vibrant orchid on the blood-red surface, his expression grew grave. He brought it close to his nose, sniffed, and three words slipped out. “Chi Lan Ge!”
The Wen master and his servant exchanged a glance.
Zou Yunting, standing behind his master, could not help but step forward to take a look, considering it a rare sight.
Fan Wuchou looked up and asked, “Kui Zi, what is the visitor name?”
Wen Kui: “He did not state his name. He only said that once you see this token, you will understand.”
Fan Wuchou immediately frowned, showing hesitation, or rather, a hint of apprehension.
Seeing his strong reaction, Wen Mao immediately asked, “Is the visitor a friend or an enemy?”
Fan Wuchou: “Neither enemy nor friend. We have never interacted, nor do we know each other. I do not know why he would seek us out. Could his arrival now also be related to that third-place scholar?”
At the mention of the third-place scholar, Zou Yunting behind him could not help but tighten his lips. In his wildest dreams, he never imagined that the man who had beaten him half to death was actually the renowned third-place scholar. He had not expected the world number one scholar to act so violently, completely lacking any scholarly grace.
Wen Mao: “If it can trouble you, Elder, what exactly is the Chi Lan Ge? Why have I never heard of it?”
“Sigh,” Fan Wuchou sighed softly. “How should I put it? Some people and matters are considered taboos in the cultivation world. They are not spread around casually, otherwise one might invite trouble. The master of this Chi Lan Ge was once the lover of the Great Saint of the Qianliu Mountain. It is said that some messy and unspeakable conflicts arose between them. These are merely legends, and I should not speak carelessly. In short, the pavilion master was cast aside by that Great Saint.”
Everyone looked at each other in confusion. Wen Mao did not understand. “If that is the case, and she has already parted with that Great Saint, why not simply decline the visit politely? Why the difficulty?”
Fan Wuchou: “We only know the surface, only rumours we have heard. Who knows what truly happened between them? Furthermore, the Chi Lan Ge master cultivation has reached the High Xuan realm. She is not someone just anybody can easily provoke.”
Both the Wen master and his servant were secretly alarmed.
They might not know the private affairs of the Qianliu Mountain Great Saint, but they did know something about the cultivation realms. The Initial Xuan realm was as common as dirt. Anyone with the conditions could enter it. The Upper Xuan realm, however, was truly profound. It could not be achieved merely by piling up cultivation resources. More importantly, it depended on the cultivator inner nature. If they comprehended it, they advanced. If not, they would stagnate for life.
It could only be sensed, not explained. This was called comprehension, the true meaning of profound depth.
Between the Initial Xuan and Upper Xuan realms lay a threshold that the vast majority could never cross in their lifetime.
The Qinglian Mountain sect was already considered a notable spiritual plant sect in the entire cultivation world. Yet, as far as they knew, the sect currently only had five cultivators at the Upper Xuan realm. Those at the High Xuan realm had not appeared for many years.
How could the master and servant not be startled by the Chi Lan Ge master cultivation realm?
“So, shall we meet him or not?” Wen Mao asked.
After hesitating repeatedly, Fan Wuchou spoke slowly. “Our Qinglian Mountain sect is not afraid of the Chi Lan Ge. This is, after all, within Jin Kingdom borders. The Chi Lan Ge cannot run rampant here at will. However, there is no need to deliberately offend them. We might as well meet them, see what they truly want, and then decide. What do you think?”
Wen Mao nodded slightly and said to Wen Kui, “Since an esteemed guest has arrived, please go out to greet them personally.”
“Very well.” Wen Kui agreed, took the blood-red token, and walked away quickly.
Not long after, the steward personally escorted the two guests in.
The usual polite greetings between host and guest were unavoidable. Once seated, Fan Wuchou did not beat around the bush. “Forgive my bluntness, but I have never met you, Mr Qin. Are you here to see me, or are you here to see the Wen clan head?”
Qin Jue smiled faintly, his gaze falling on Wen Mao face. “To be honest, the Wen mansion threshold is simply too high. It is too difficult to meet the clan head. Forcefully intruding would be inappropriate. That is why I had to resort to this last resort. Please forgive me, Elder Fan.”
The warmth vanished from Fan Wuchou face. He replied coolly, “You brought out the name of the Chi Lan Ge. How could I blame you over a minor matter?”
Qin Jue still smiled, stood up, cupped his hands, and bowed, offering his apology.
Once he sat down, Wen Mao asked, “Old man and you, Mr Qin, have also never met. I wonder what brings you here so suddenly?”
Qin Jue stared straight into his eyes. “I am here to inquire about one matter.”
Wen Mao uttered an “Oh”. “What matter?”
Qin Jue knew it was pointless to beat around the bush with such people. He asked directly. “I wish to know where A Shiheng has gone.”
Everyone thought it would be something else. It turned out he really had come for the third-place scholar. The others present exchanged a glance.
Wen Mao immediately burst into laughter. After finishing, he stroked his beard and shook his head. “Mr Qin, recently our Wen mansion threshold has been nearly trampled flat. Most questions asked are just like yours. Everyone is pressing to know where the third-place scholar went. Oh, to be honest, this scholar behaviour is truly laughable and exasperating. He left secretly behind our backs. We of the Wen clan do not know where he went either.”
Unfazed by this explanation, Qin Jue replied calmly. “Clan head Wen, your response was within my expectations. What I wish to say is that A Shiheng would not come to the Wen clan without reason. His main purpose in coming here was certainly not to help the Wen clan win that literary gathering. He must have had compelling reasons to reveal his identity.
I can be certain that after exposing his identity, he would not stay long with the Wen clan. Once his purpose was achieved, he would leave swiftly. Before leaving, he must have done something to draw the clan head attention. Given the Wen clan profound foundation, it is highly unlikely he could hide anything right under your nose.
I believe he was definitely searching for an address. And you, Clan head, already know this address. I want to know it. As long as you are willing to tell me, the Chi Lan Ge will owe the clan head a favour!”
He took out the blood-red token again and pushed it towards Wen Mao. “Please accept it. In the future, for anything the Chi Lan Ge can accomplish, seeing this token will guarantee we repay the Wen clan this favour.”