The burly man, who had slammed his fist down onto the table, was pulled at by a couple of his embarrassed companions. The man, however, irritably threw them off. The man was simply having a pleasant meal in a nondescript restaurant, but he was acting as if he were in the middle of a tavern.
The sight made Gui Yin crane his neck a little, out of pure habit, as their conversation reached his ears.
“Teng-xiong, please calm down!”
“Calm down? How can I calm down? Just because they’re cultivators from a well-known sect, they think that they can look down on us?” the man surnamed Teng angrily broke from his companion’s grip. “I’ve had enough of them. They’re always throwing their weight around, but if they were so good, why aren’t they at the main branch?”
“Teng-xiong, please. What if they hear you? Do you want your little sister to suffer even more?”
The man surnamed Teng clenched his jaw. He angrily snatched the jug of wine from his companion and chugged it.
“It’s fine,” one of his other companions comforted him. “After we do a few more jobs, we can finally move out of this town. Then, we can just go to a place that isn’t under Yunjing Pavilion’s jurisdiction.”
Gui Linghuo’s eyes widened. He turned to Gui Yin, but when he saw that the older man’s expression didn’t fluctuate, he slowly schooled his expression as well.
“Yunjing Pavilion—what’s so great about Yunjing Pavilion?” the man surnamed Teng grumbled through clenched teeth. “One of these days, they’re going to be exposed for their dirty crimes!”
“That’s right,” his companion quickly comforted him. “But, for now, let’s focus on getting you and your sister safely out of this city.”
The conversation shifted to something else from there.
Qin Siyi glanced at her Shizun.
It wasn’t rare for prominent sects to bully the common people. Qin Siyi, herself, had seen it happen plenty of times when she was still living on the streets. Still, she had always secretly scolded cultivators in her heart. The only reason she had gone with Yunjing Pavilion was because their reputation was near flawless and because they had a small enough population that even a toe out of line was unacceptable. Although their disciples were sometimes a little arrogant, they didn’t engage in crook-like behavior. Under the command of Liu Cangyuan, such occurrences were even rarer. Therefore, hearing such slanderous statements now weren’t just out of the ordinary, it was suspicious.
“Shizun,” Gui Linghuo was the first to speak. “What should we do?”
“We?” Gui Yin glanced at his two disciples. “What do you mean ‘we’?”
“…They were talking about Yunjing Pavilion,” Qin Siyi whispered.
“Were they? I didn’t hear anything about that,” Gui Yin shook his head. “All I heard was an upset man ranting about a couple of frauds.”
“Frauds?”
Gui Yin smiled. “You two have memorized where we’ve set up offices right?”
Gui Linghuo nodded. “This area is only loosely under our jurisdiction. More accurately, this area is only under the alliance’s jurisdiction.”
“The only time we receive missions from this area is if it’s something the smaller sects can’t take care of,” Qin Siyi recalled.
Gui Yin nodded. “Now, think about it—if the smaller sects caught wind of this, they would definitely inform our Yunjing Pavilion. After all, everyone knows of Sect Master’s temper. So, why haven’t we heard of even a hair of this scandal?”
Gui Linghuo and Qin Siyi glanced at each other.
“Maybe because…they don’t want us to investigate?” Gui Linghuo suggested.
“Sir, here are your buns,” the waiter returned with a large bag.
“Thank you,” Gui Yin said. His index finger tapped the side of his folding fan. “Sir, may I ask which sect watches over this town?”
The waiter, seeing that Gui Yin and his disciples were traveling cultivators, assumed that he was asking so that he wouldn’t get in the way of how things normally operated. The waiter smiled and kindly answered: “Why, that would be the Qian Clan.”
“Qian Clan?”
The waiter nodded. “They’re a cultivation family recently established—I believe in the past hundred or so years? Their founder was a man named Qian Pan. It is said that he used to be a disciple of Yin Hua Palace.”
Gui Yin thanked the waiter.
Yin Hua Palace was one of the great sects. They were not only great in cultivation, but also great in number. With more than several thousand disciples fighting for recognition, there are always those who are overly ambitious and break off after studying for a couple hundred years. There are many small clans and startup sects here and there that claim to have or have had affiliation with Yin Hua Palace.
“Truly adept at spreading their seed,” Gui Yin mumbled.
“Seed?” Qin Siyi asked curiously.
Gui Yin cleared his throat and shook his head. He looked to Gui Linghuo and Qin Siyi with a small smile. “There is one thing you must learn if you wish to traverse Jianghu.”
“What is that?” Gui Linghuo asked curiously.
“Ghost, monsters, and spirits are not the only ones split into benevolent and wicked,” Gui Yin said. “Humans are also split into those two categories.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Gui Yin hummed to himself as he fiddled with the demonic beasts by their carriage. “Let’s drop Xiao Cao and Xiao Guo off at a stable first. Then, we’ll find an inn to stay at.”
“Cgf kf ublcu ab tfiq atja Kfcu ofiibk?” Hlc Vlsl jrxfv.
“Rb. P’w tfiqlcu bea atf Dflvbe Ciiljcmf mifjc bea atf agjrt,” Xel Tlc rjlv.
Qlat atf qbilms bo jmmfqalcu jcsbcf jcv jcsatlcu ecvfg atf rec, atf Dflvbe Ciiljcmf tjr yfmbwf j qijmf bo cba bcis mgbemtlcu alufgr jcv tlvvfc vgjubcr, yea jirb j qijmf lcofrafv klat nfgwlc. Ktjcxoeiis, atfgf kjr j ufcfgji mbcrfcrer atja bcis atf abq olnf rfmar tjv j rjs lc ktja ab rjs ktfc la mjwf ab atf tjqqfclcur bo atf qgbnlcmfr ecvfg atf Dflvbe Ciiljcmf’r geif, yea atja vlvc’a wfjc atf bcfr ecvfg atf Dflvbe Ciiljcmf’r qgbafmalbc ecvfgrabbv atja.
“Yin Hua Palace,” Gui Yin sighed as he helped Gui Linghuo unhook the demonic beasts from their harness.
Qin Siyi glanced at her Shizun. “Shizun seems troubled?”
“Troubled is a good word,” Gui Yin agreed. He brushed his hands together once the reins were fully in Gui Linghuo’s hands. “Well, it’s not really any of our problem. We just have to deal with the idiots who decided to drag our Yunjing Pavilion into this mess.”
After asking around a bit, Gui Yin fully understood the situation he had to deal with. A slow headache began to peck at his temple. While it was easy to solve the situation, the problem of Yunjing Pavilion’s reputation seemed to be at risk. Such an event had been happening for so long, yet no one had come to do anything. Even if Gui Yin solved it now, people would still blame Yunjing Pavilion and mock them for their inadequacy of not catching onto this sooner.
Even if it was unreasonable, people still needed a place to vent their anger, so it was inevitable.
Gui Yin knew that the name “Lord Immortal Ninglan” had a bit of weight, even from a place so far removed from Yunjing Pavilion, but others might think it was just Yunjing Pavilion trying to save face by sending Gui Yin out here. Of course, in the end, none of this really mattered.
For one, Liu Cangyuan hardly cared about things like reputation. If they actually cared, they would have put on airs centuries ago. For another, so long as Gui Yin did anything, the entire cultivation world would be shaken to its core. As long as Gui Yin dealt with this properly, any other small clan or sect that had funny ideas would immediately back off.
But what was the proper route to deal with such a thing?
“Massacre?”
“What?” Qin Siyi and Gui Linghuo stared at Gui Yin.
“…I was just mumbling to myself,” Gui Yin said, shortly after clearing his throat. He gave a slight smile. “What do you two think we should do?”
Gui Linghuo shook his head. “Simply telling them to stop doesn’t seem like a good enough solution.”
“We could catch them in the act, but it would harm that Teng-guniang even more,” Qin Siyi said.
“Catching them in the act is a good idea,” Gui Yin murmured. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be Teng-guniang.”
“Then, who—”
As if the universe called for it, a loud shriek of surprise interrupted their conversation.
Gui Yin looked in the direction of the sound and shook his head. Wasn’t this too timely?
A crowd had gathered around to watch the show. By the time Gui Yin arrived, he only saw two figures scurrying away, with horrified looks on their faces.
“J-just you wait!” one of the cannon fodders squeaked.
Gui Yin stepped back when the man stumbled in his direction. He caught a glimpse of the massive bruise forming on the side of the man’s head. He covered the lower half of his face with his folding fan as he redirected his attention to the center of the storm.
“Thank you, Young Hero!” an older woman sobbed.
The young man, who was being clung onto, smiled gently and helped the old woman up. He glanced at the girl beside her. “Are you okay?”
The girl shyly shook her head. She shrank behind the old woman and quietly thanked the young man again.
The young man’s smile seemed to soften. He exchanged a few more words before turning and leaving.
With a wardrobe of white and a sword by his side, this young man certainly looked like the wuxia heroes of modern day dramas.
“When there is a damsel in distress, a hero in white will always come to her rescue,” Gui Yin said.
“Ah?”
“Nothing,” Gui Yin patted Gui Linghuo’s head. He smiled. “This young man seems promising. Let’s talk to him.”
Gui Linghuo and Qin Siyi showed their confusion.
In fact, the interaction just now gave little information. The only reason Gui Yin decided to talk to this young man was because the clue was far too obvious. Even if it turned out that Gui Yin had read the universe’s signs incorrectly, at the very least he didn’t let it pass by without examining it.
They quickly caught up with the young man, who had settled down at a nearby restaurant.
Night was beginning to fall and the shops were slightly livelier.
The young man, dressed in white, had just ordered a few dishes, when a shadow fell over him. He looked up.
Gui Yin clasped his hands together in greeting. “Hello, Young Hero, my disciples and I just happened to see your heroic display on the street earlier. May we sit down with you and have a chat?”
The young man looked at Gui Yin and then at the two children behind him. He smiled amicably. “Please sit, Sir.”
Because the tables were smaller, Gui Linghuo and Qin Siyi tactfully moved to a separate table to sit, leaving the young man and Gui Yin.
“May I ask how I may refer to you?”
“My surname is Chong.”
“Then, Young Master Chong?”
“And you?”
“My surname is Sun,” Gui Yin lied.
“Then, Mister Sun?” the young man surnamed Chong smiled.
Gui Yin hummed. He accepted the cup of tea the young man poured. “Young Master Chong, what do you think about this situation?”
The young man hummed. “I’ve heard that this is the doing of Yunjing Pavilion.”
“And?”
“I believe that it’s slander,” Young Master Chong said.
“Oh? Based on what?”
“The Yunjing Pavilion I’m familiar with isn’t a place that would tolerate disciples like that. Their Lord Immortal Ninglan tinkers in all sorts of eccentric ways to use spiritual energy in order to help the common people. Meanwhile their Lord Immortal Caowen is fixated on odd medicinal procedures in hopes of bettering everyone’s health. Not to mention, their sect master is also quite casual. I heard that during the Zhui Feng Conference, Lord Immortal Liaosu bluntly pointed out that a highly ranked cultivator was being rude, completely disregarding the matter of face,” Young Master Chong said. “This sect has always cared for the common folk and never about their own honor.”
Having the strangeness of his own sect pointed out to his face, Gui Yin couldn’t help but feel a tiny bit embarrassed.
“They seem like an odd bunch.”
“Odd, but they have integrity and morals,” Young Master Chong said. “I quite like them, especially compared to the stiffness and ingenuity of other large sects.”
Gui Yin’s ego was soothed. “Then, in your opinion, who do you think is behind this?”
Young Master Chong fell silent. His index finger rubbed at the side of his teacup. “It isn’t in my place to make accusations.”
“It is if I’m asking for it, right?” Gui Yin pointed out. He smiled. “The first step of investigation is a hypothesis, then you look for evidence.”
“So, we’re investigating it now?” Young Master Chong asked.
“I am. I’m quite a nosy person, you see,” Gui Yin said.
Young Master Chong hummed. “What a coincidence. I am also quite nosy. I was thinking about looking into it as well, but it seemed unwise if I did so just by myself. If you’re willing to let me be your companion, maybe we can work together?”
Gui Yin nodded. “That would be good.”
Young Master Chong smiled. He took a sip of his tea before turning back to Gui Yin. “Does Mister Sun want to order anything to eat?”
Gui Yin glanced at his disciples. “Now that you’ve reminded me, I should order something for my little disciples.”
Once the matter of food was settled, Young Master Chong spoke again: “I believe it should be the work of the smaller sects in this area.”
“The smaller sects,” Gui Yin’s voice trailed off. He appeared a bit sheepish. “I’m not from this area, so I’m not familiar with the smaller sects. The only one I’m familiar with is the Qian Clan.”
Young Master Chong nodded. “It is precisely them that I am thinking of. A few years ago, during the Zhui Feng Conference, they were reprimanded for a crime that their heir was accused and proven guilty of.”
“Which was?”
“Harassing young women,” Young Master Chong said, disgust flashing through his eyes. “He was removed from his position and had his hands broken. Although they’re healed now, he can never properly wield a sword again.”
Gui Yin was surprised.
Perhaps it was because Lord Immortal Ninglan was a recluse, Gui Yin didn’t remember anything about the various conferences. Thus, when Young Master Chong referenced specific events, he couldn’t help but feel a bit more curious.
“So, the Qian Clan has a bad reputation?”
“Among the southern sects, the Qian Clan is the black sheep. Many would rather deal with foreign sects outside of the alliance, to the south, than deal with the Qian Clan. The only reason they haven’t fallen completely is because their founder has some connection with Yin Hua Palace and people want to give them some face.”
“The clan actually has connections with Yin Hua Palace?” Gui Yin asked.
Young Master Chong nodded. “The founder of the Qian Clan, Qian Pan, saved the then sect master’s fiancée. He gained permission to start his own clan, with the blessing of the sect master.”
“I see,” Gui Yin murmured. “No wonder they’re so audacious.”
“That was already a couple hundred years ago. The founder may have been heroic, but his descendants are less so,” Young Master Chong said.
“A couple hundred years isn’t a long time in the upper realms. How did everything fall out of place in just one generation?” Gui Yin asked.
“I am not one to delve into a stranger’s family history, however I do believe it’s because the founder’s daughter-in-law took over power once her husband died. She is still the head of the Qian Clan, but she spoils her grandchildren. The sensible ones in the Qian Clan have either left, or become so suppressed that they don’t dare say a word. Qian Pan’s direct descendants have mostly gone into seclusion as well, leaving only the unruly to look after the sect.”
Gui Yin frowned. He silently tapped his folding fan against his chin before looking up at Young Master Chong. “You’re quite knowledgeable about the Qian Clan.”
Young Master Chong smiled. “I’ve been looking into the Qian Clan for a while. According to how petty they are, I was wondering when they would try to get back at the Beidou Alliance after the last incident.”
“But why are they targeting Yunjing Pavilion specifically?”
“Isn’t it because of their blunt sect master, Lord Immortal Liaosu?” Young Master Chong chuckled. “You know how it is in the world—people despise those who do not butter up their words and dance around their meaning.”
Gui Yin thought about Liu Cangyuan. At home, Gui Yin felt that he was filled with tact. He was gentle and caring. But outside of the sect was a different story. Perhaps it was because he was surrounded by too many people he didn’t want to bother with. Getting irritated and wanting to end things quickly was definitely in line with Liu Cangyuan’s personality.
He let out a soft sigh. Sect Master, oh Sect Master, your humble servant is here to clean up your mistakes.
“Then, how shall we confront them?” Gui Yin asked.
Young Master Chong smiled. “I think Mister Sun already knows the answer to that.”
“I do?” Gui Yin raised a brow. He fell into a silent contemplation. “I guess the most forward way to do it would be to approach Qian Clan directly and say we were sent to investigate certain claims about Yunjing Pavilion.”
Young Master Chong nodded. “That would be the most straightforward way. It was also what I happened to be thinking, Mister Sun.”
Gui Yin returned Young Master Chong’s soft smile with a slightly half-hearted one. A quiet suspicion began to creep into his heart, but he quickly snuffed it out. Whether his assumption was right or wrong, Young Master Chong was still on his side, so what did it matter?
The night passed by rather peacefully. When the next day came, Gui Yin met up with Young Master Chong again. The young man glanced at Gui Linghuo and Qin Siyi.
“You’re planning on bringing your disciples with you?” Young Master Chong looked to Gui Yin again.
“Should I not? I figured this would be a good learning experience,” Gui Yin smiled.
“The Qian Clan are a group of unpleasant people. I don’t know if you want to reveal such filth to your children,” Young Master Chong said.
Gui Yin glanced back at Gui Linghuo and Qin Siyi. “What do you two think?”
Gui Linghuo frowned.
After hearing the rumors of members of the Qian Clan bothering young women, Gui Linghuo couldn’t help but feel worried. Sure, Qin Siyi was on the younger side, but mortals even took child brides. If the Qian Clan’s morals were already this low, who’s to say they wouldn’t stoop even lower? Thinking of this, Gui Linghuo’s stomach turned unpleasantly.
“I’m f—”
“Shimei and I will stay behind,” Gui Linghuo said.
Qin Siyi looked to Gui Linghuo in surprise. “Da-shixiong?”
“Didn’t you say you were having trouble grasping Qinggong? While Shizun is taking care of this, let me help you,” Gui Linghuo said.
Qin Siyi hesitated.
Gui Yin glanced at Gui Linghuo. He smiled gently. “Alright. That sounds like a good idea. Siyi.”
“Yes, Shizun?”
“If you have any other questions, ask your Da-shixiong. Young Master Chong and I may be a while.”
Qin Siyi nodded with a slight pout.
“And Huo’er.”
“Yes, Shizun?”
“Watch over your Shimei.”
Gui Linghuo met Gui Yin’s gaze. He nodded firmly. “Don’t worry, Shizun, this disciple will take care of Qin-shimei.”
Gui Linghuo reminding me of my own older bro (positive)
aw 🥺 i’m glad you have a good big broooooo. i wish my bro was like glh LMAO thanks for reading!!
Im curious what MC sees in this white robed youth, I am not sure with what we have to go off of if he is lying at all or being truthful. I assume he was a member of this sect originally though and is sick of it.
|･ω･) hehe. thanks for reading!!
Thanks for the chapter!!