Regarding the accusation of moral deficiency, the others did not care. For example, Chan Shaoting had not really paid much attention to Yu Qing and the others.
Ke Ran, however, had a somewhat inexplicable expression. He was a bit unsure what to do next. His target had withdrawn from the competition and left. He could not really stay behind to continue participating in the Chaoyang Assembly, could he?
After exchanging greetings with Chan Shaoting and the others, he turned around and went back. He had to pass the news to Xiang Lanxuan’s side at the first opportunity.
Xiao Changdao and Wu Ronggui exchanged smiles. No one knew what was worth laughing about.
Outside the elegant guest courtyard, Xiang Lanxuan was sitting in the shade of a large tree drinking tea. A flying bird passed over her head and landed inside the courtyard.
Before long, an attendant came out and presented a secret letter. “Grand Walker, Ke Ran has sent news saying that A Shiheng and the others have withdrawn from the competition.”
“Withdrawn?” Xiang Lanxuan, who had been raising her cup to her lips, was startled. She asked, “What do you mean?”
Attendant: “They quit the competition and left Kunling Mountain.”
Xiang Lanxuan felt utterly baffled. She put down her teacup, reached out to grab the secret letter, and quickly unfolded it to examine. After reading, she was speechless for a long time, even her brows furrowed. “Disobeying the master sect, feeling guilty in their hearts, following sect rules to withdraw from the Chaoyang Assembly, in order to seek re-entry into Longguang Sect… What kind of dogshit situation is this?”
Those who did not know Yu Qing and their true identities might actually believe this nonsense. The problem was, they were not people of Longguang Sect to begin with. What re-entry into Longguang Sect?
She raised her eyes to look at the attendant and asked, “Is this the situation Ke Ran investigated, or is it his own guess?”
The attendant understood her meaning and smiled awkwardly. “The message clearly states they withdrew and have already left Kunling Mountain. It should not be false.”
“Really left.” Xiang Lanxuan thought about it and agreed. She stood up from the stone table and paced beneath the large tree, talking to herself. “They just left like this? It seems they achieved their desired goal that night. Otherwise, how could they leave so easily?”
The attendant flattered, “At least one thing the Grand Walker predicted accurately. They did not dare to openly show their faces to compete this time, which is why they withdrew and left.”
The wind blew her skirt. Xiang Lanxuan stopped and pondered. “Without rhyme or reason. Heaven knows what he wants to do.” Then she sighed again. “Forget it. It is none of our business. It is good they left. Since they left on their own, it saves us trouble. By the way, what is the situation with Long Xingyun?”
The attendant said, “Yesterday evening we arranged for someone to leak information to him. As the Grand Walker predicted, he could not wait today and has already rushed over. However, the Tanhua Scholar and the others have already left. Obviously, he will come up empty-handed.”
Xiang Lanxuan suddenly had a thought. “Could it be that the Tanhua Scholar knew Long Xingyun was going to find him, and thus was scared away?”
“The Grand Walker means the Tanhua Scholar knew the news in advance?” The attendant asked in a daze, then slowly nodded. “There is indeed this possibility. If so, that fellow’s informants in Kunling Mountain are probably more capable than we imagined.”
Regarding this, Xiang Lanxuan indeed had all sorts of curiosity in her heart. If not for the main matters occupying her energy at present, plus certain apprehensions, she would really organize forces to investigate specifically to satisfy her curiosity. But at this time she could only reiterate, “Forget it. It is good they left.”
On the mountain road, the carriage swayed. Yu Qing, who was resting with his eyes closed inside the carriage, had not expected to leave so hastily.
Nan Zhu, Mu Aotie and Baili Xin also remained silent, each with their own thoughts. The only shared sentiment was probably some regret.
The Chaoyang Assembly was after all a grand event held once every twenty years. Having come but missed it, to say it was not a pity would be a lie.
The hoofbeats of the carriage-pulling horses gradually became somewhat chaotic. Listening carefully, there were mixed in other hoofbeats, and the sound of bells, approaching from afar and galloping to the side of the carriage.
Suddenly, someone outside the carriage shouted, “Stop! Stop for me!”
Why did this voice sound somewhat familiar? Yu Qing opened his eyes and looked at his two senior brothers. All were somewhat puzzled.
The carriage was forced to stop. The three fellow disciples also pulled aside the carriage curtain to look out. The first thing they saw was a familiar face. It was none other than that old acquaintance who was quite good-looking, Long Xingyun.
They saw Long Xingyun rein in his horse ahead, blocking the carriage’s forward path.
Suddenly seeing Long Xingyun here, the three fellow disciples felt as if they were struck dumb on the spot.
Nearby, there were also slowing hoofbeats lazily clopping over. The rider advanced slowly on horseback, with a head of silver hair, a pipe in his mouth puffing smoke. It was Yin Shanhe, slowly riding his horse to Long Xingyun’s side.
The driver frowned and asked, “Who are you? Why are you blocking the road? What do you want to do?”
Long Xingyun, upon seeing the three fellow disciples, already had a cold smile on his face. Within the cold smile, there even gradually emerged some ferocious meaning. He ignored the driver and only stared at Yu Qing to greet him. “It really is you all. I am Cheng Long. Should I now address you as Brother Zhang? Brother Zhang, I trust you have been well. We finally meet again. Hahaha…”
He laughed toward the sky, laughing in a most unrestrained manner, looking like someone about to have his wish fulfilled.
He did not call out Yu Qing’s name as the Tanhua Scholar because he knew Yu Qing was using an alias, which was not suitable to publicly reveal. Just as he himself dared not reveal his own alias. Once revealed, during martial contests the opponent would worry about your identity and fear using heavy hands or full strength. Then the contest would lose its authenticity.
He had also learned this not long ago when he ran to the Ding Yin district to find Yu Qing. At the same time, he discovered Yu Qing and the others had already withdrawn from the competition and left. Learning they had just departed, he immediately galloped in pursuit. Finally, he intercepted them before Yu Qing and the others left the mountain.
Yin Shanhe had purely followed along because he had no choice.
That the two could ride mounts running freely within Kunling Mountain territory was naturally due to their own status.
Yu Qing, however, looked at Yin Shanhe and slowly climbed out of the carriage to stand on the driver’s seat. With a gloomy face, he questioned Yin Shanhe, “What do you mean? Going back on your word?”
Yin Shanhe was unmoved, without the slightest ripple, as if he had never promised anything. He only tilted his head to indicate, “Step aside to speak.”
This time it was Long Xingyun’s turn to be displeased. He tilted his head and asked, “Uncle Yin, what do you mean?”
Yin Shanhe ignored him. With a flash, he leaped up and flew to land in the mountain forest nearby.
Yu Qing also flew from the driver’s seat. Nan Zhu and Mu Aotie immediately climbed out of the carriage to watch, guarding against any changes, ready to support at any moment.
In the mountain forest, two figures landed one after another in nearby positions facing each other. Yu Qing questioned again, “You guaranteed me that you would not let him leave Chilan Pavilion for one year. It has only been a few months. Is this your promise?”
Yin Shanhe: “I broke my word, but it is not entirely my responsibility. The main problem lies with yourself.”
Yu Qing glared, laughing in extreme anger. “You really can turn the tables. You failed to control him, yet you blame me instead. Is this the might of Chilan Pavilion?”
Yin Shanhe’s attitude was calm. “You should think about what you said to him back then. You were merciless with your words and overstimulated him. He truly listened to you and inquired about the outside world’s evaluation of him. He indeed heard quite a few negative evaluations and smashed quite a few things at home.
Coincidentally, the Chaoyang Assembly was about to convene. He decided to rely on no one and came to compete with the world’s heroes. He wanted to personally prove his strength, wanted to use strength to make the world shut up. Regarding this, the Pavilion Master did not think it was a bad thing and was willing to let him come and see. My persuasion was useless. The Pavilion Master’s decision, what could I do?
Besides, he was not coming for you at all. We also did not expect that you, having offended those people, would still dare to come participate in the Chaoyang Assembly. He also heard someone say yesterday that they saw you here, saying you looked like that famous Tanhua Scholar. His reaction to you was quite strong, so today he came to investigate. Upon hearing the physical descriptions of your group, he immediately chased after you. He did not expect it really was you.”
The cause and effect had been explained very clearly. The tone and attitude were laid out there. He disdained to lie to Yu Qing and had no intention of shirking responsibility. But that was all. It was just to give an explanation, with no intention of making any apology.
Yu Qing was left speechless. He had never dreamed that Long Xingyun could come here because of being stimulated by him. For a moment he was at a loss for words.
Yet he could not do anything to Yin Shanhe. He did not dare to curse too harshly, nor did he dare to strike and teach him a lesson. He could only grit his teeth and ask, “What does he mean by running here to block me?”
Yin Shanhe: “I do not know. He rushed to chase you and did not say. The one-year period has not passed. My promise is still valid. I cannot stop him from coming to participate in the assembly, but I can stop him from taking action against you. You need not worry too much.” After speaking, he flashed out of the mountain forest and returned to his horse.
These words counted as privately revealing the bottom line, immediately putting Yu Qing much more at ease. Otherwise, if they really came to blows, with Long Xingyun having Yin Shanhe as a helper, even if they all joined together they would not be a match.
So he also flew back, landing directly on top of the carriage. Looking down from above, he asked Long Xingyun, “Brother Cheng, what do you mean by running here to block me?”
Long Xingyun was asking Yin Shanhe what he had just said while avoiding him. Hearing the words, he turned back and sneered, “Why are you running? Are you afraid of me?”
Yu Qing immediately cupped his hands. “Yes, I truly am afraid of you. I beg you to raise your hand high and spare us.”
Once these words came out, Long Xingyun was stunned on the spot, somewhat dumbfounded. He had not expected the other party to directly admit defeat. This made him somewhat unable to wrap his head around it.
Ever since the last incident at the Nether Sea, he did not know how many times he had been awakened from his dreams by Yu Qing’s vicious face. It was as if several lifetimes’ worth of slaps had all been received that time. He truly trembled with anger in his dreams repeatedly.
Such a fierce and vicious character suddenly became weak like a grandson. It made him quite unaccustomed, even feeling aggrieved.
The carriage driver saw the situation was not right. But seeing the bells on the visitors’ horse necks, he knew they were honoured guests of Kunling Mountain. Ordinary outsiders could not run around freely within Kunling Mountain at this time. But he still reminded them, “This is Kunling Mountain. It is not for anyone to block roads as they please. If you have matters, resolve them slowly after leaving Kunling Mountain.”
Long Xingyun, who had nowhere to vent his anger, immediately cursed loudly. “Kunling Mountain counts for nothing. Your Sect Leader would have to be polite when seeing me. What thing are you? Blind your dog eyes. If you do not want to die, get the hell aside.”
Seeing the other party insult the sect, the driver was immediately furious. Although he did not dare to act recklessly, he could not sit by and watch either. He was about to sternly refute when Yin Shanhe acted, throwing out a token. “Little brother, do us a favour and temporarily step aside. Do not bother with such a crude person. Later I will personally give your sect an explanation. I will not make things difficult for you.”