Chapter 91 of 100

Chapter 91

20 min read4,986 words

Bai Buyi was very intelligent and talented, but his personality was much like his father's, valuing things so much that he would do anything to obtain them. Originally, he still listened to the advice of Qing Shan Zhenren, but after leaving the mountain and meeting the disciples of the Mo family, he learned that Qing Shan Zhenren was the one who had killed his father. Thus, he harbored deep resentment and at the age of fourteen, attempted to attack Qing Shan Zhenren, but failed. In the end, Qing Shan Zhenren expelled him from the mountain, but still maintained the name of master and disciple to preserve his reputation, and publicly announced that he had gone on a pilgrimage.

A year ago, Bai Buyi returned to the sect, knelt before Qing Shan Zhenren, and admitted his mistakes. Qing Shan Zhenren, believing he had repented, was overjoyed. He also heard that after leaving the mountain, Bai Buyi had diligently practiced the Dao of Qing Shan, and was very satisfied with his diligence. Over the past year, Bai Buyi had been very obedient and well-behaved. A month ago, he took leave to go out of the mountain, saying he wanted to find a precious item to give Qing Shan Zhenren as a birthday gift. Then he disappeared without a trace, until Zhang Chenglong and others came to the door. Qing Shan Zhenren thought Bai Buyi had caused some trouble. Now, upon hearing this, he realized that Bai Buyi was pretending to be a snake, with some ulterior motives.

Qing Shan Zhenren wanted to explain, but Zhang Chenglong replied, "Zhenren, we only report the facts. Whether Zixiao Hall believes it or not is not up to us. However, Qing Ping Sect is a major sect and a member of the Alliance of the Right and the Demonic. Zixiao Hall will not act rashly." From these words, it could be inferred that Zhang Chenglong himself did not believe that Zixiao Hall would trust Qing Shan Zhenren's explanation.

True or false was not the issue; the key was that the incident had already happened, and Zixiao Hall needed an explanation, otherwise the first righteous path would be looked down upon by outsiders. Moreover, Ziyun Zhenren was fond of grand achievements, and the Demonic Sect had recently become close to Yun Qing and Lei Shan. If they accepted Qing Shan Zhenren's explanation and ignored the death of Liuli Zhenren, not only would outsiders look down on Zixiao Hall, but even the disciples of their own sect would do so.

Unless a breakthrough could be made with Bai Buyi, the conflict between Zixiao Hall and Qing Ping Sect would be inevitable.

After leaving Qing Ping Sect and returning to Zixiao Hall, Zhang Chenglong was quite dejected. Outsiders did not know that there were many voices of opposition within the Demonic Sect regarding the Alliance of the Right and the Demonic. The Demonic Sect was the guardian of the Cang Mang Forbidden Land. Why should the Demonic Sect guard this gateway? It would be better to find another place. If Zixiao Hall and Qing Ping Sect were to conflict, the righteous forces would weaken, and the political landscape of the Demonic Sect might also change significantly. Currently, the opposing voices suggested that the Demonic Sect move to Dongzhou or Nanzhou, and for this reason, the Demonic Sect had close ties with Yun Qing Sect in Dongzhou and Lei Shan in Nanzhou, indicating that the Demon Lord had also considered this as a fallback plan.

It was not fair to blame the Demonic Sect for being selfish. If the main support, Zixiao Hall in Zhongzhou, were to fall, and the evil sects invaded, the Demonic Sect would be left to fight alone. If the evil sects sent forces to hold back the rescue armies of Yun Qing Sect and Lei Shan, the Demonic Sect would find it difficult to wait for reinforcements. After Zixiao Hall encountered problems, some of the palace masters suggested moving to Dongzhou or Nanzhou. Originally, this was just a suggestion, but now, with the possibility of the Evil Emperor's reincarnation and the conflict between Zixiao Hall and Qing Ping Sect, Zhang Chenglong felt quite worried.

Upon returning to Zixiao Hall, the news of the Evil Emperor had already spread, but there were still many years left. Currently, Zixiao Hall was focused on the death of Liuli Zhenren.

Zhang Chenglong was very fair. Although he knew that Qing Ping Sect was likely to be wronged, as an investigator, he had no authority to make a final judgment, and only reported all the information he knew to Zixiao Hall.

As he expected, after he finished speaking, Ziyun Zhenren became furious and said, "Zixiao Hall and Qing Ping Sect are irreconcilable. If you want to fight, then let's fight."

The young disciples in the hall shouted in unison, "If you want to fight, then let's fight." The young and passionate disciples.

Lin Fan looked at Zhang Tongyuan, who stood beside the head of Ziyang Sect, and did not join in the shouting. His face showed a hint of helplessness. Zhang Tongyuan knew very well that Ziyun Zhenren might not disbelieve Qing Shan Zhenren's explanation, but he could not afford to believe it. Especially after hearing that Qing Ping Mountain had been destroyed and Qing Ping Sect had relocated, Ziyun Zhenren's confidence had grown.

Zhang Chenglong said, "Zhenren, Qing Ping Sect is also a member of the Alliance. If we directly attack them, it might be... risky."

The Elder of Transmission responded, "Zhang Inspector is right. We should at least invite Yun Qing Sect, Lei Shan Sect, the Demonic Sect, and Tian Kun Sect to witness the expulsion of Qing Ping Sect from the Alliance, and then inform all the small and medium-sized sects. Only then can we act with righteousness." Yun Qing Sect, Lei Shan Sect, the Demonic Sect, Tian Kun Sect, and Zixiao Hall were the five elders of the Alliance, the main decision-makers.

Lieu Huo Laozu said, "The Elder of Transmission is right, but we should first issue a declaration to inform the world of Qing Ping Sect's crimes."

"Agreed!" Ziyun Zhenren nodded, then asked, "Since the matter is settled, what should we do with Bai Buyi?"

The Elder of Transmission said, "The Alliance has not yet been convened. Bai Buyi is still a disciple of an ally and cannot be killed. We should detain him for now."

Lieu Huo Laozu said, "Bai Buyi shows signs of repentance. He committed evil deeds under the orders of his master, which is not entirely his fault. Qing Ping Sect is the root of the problem. I believe that if Bai Buyi repents and is willing to help the righteous path, we can show leniency."

Ziyun Zhenren shook his head, "No."

Lieu Huo Laozu said, "Master, although Qing Ping Sect's mountain has been destroyed, they retreated in an orderly manner. Setting up an array is just a matter of a moment. Heaven has a benevolent nature. We are punishing the wicked, and if we can get a guide, we can reduce casualties."

Ziyun Zhenren hesitated for a moment, "Do you think Bai Buyi has that ability?"

Lieu Huo Laozu nodded, "Master, I am convinced."

Ziyun Zhenren nodded, "Bai Buyi's nature is not bad, but he could not disobey his master's orders. I understand... detain him for now, Lie Huo. I will hold you responsible if he escapes."

"Understood."

...

At night, at the foot of Yingke Mountain, by a pond, Zhang Tongyuan sat on a rock, drinking from a wine gourd. Suddenly, he said, "Let you have a laugh."

"Ha ha." Lin Fan landed and walked over to Zhang Tongyuan, taking out a jar of wine from the cellar, "Qingzhou's fine brew." Those who practiced abstaining from food still enjoyed wine.

"Good wine!" Zhang Tongyuan took a sip, feeling somewhat melancholic, "Others see Zixiao Hall as glorious, but in reality, it is plagued by deep-seated problems. Everything stems from the previous head, who promised benefits to the Eight Sects in the struggle for the head of Ziyang Sect. Today, I told the head that Bai Buyi cannot be trusted. The head told me, he knows he cannot be trusted, but the Eight Sects have always kept their distance from Ziyang Sect, harboring thoughts of independence."

"Oh? Your head is quite clever. Starting a war with Qing Ping Sect will definitely make the Eight Sects take the lead. They will follow orders but not be summoned. Now Zixiao Hall needs them to act. Unless they openly oppose, the head can unite the venerated ones and forcibly revoke the order of following orders but not being summoned. If they take the lead, Qing Ping Sect is not easy to deal with, and there will inevitably be casualties, which can also weaken the power of the Eight Sects." Lin Fan said, "Your head is willing to believe Bai Buyi and start a war with Qing Ping Sect, with the aim of the Eight Sects of Zixiao."

"The world is full of people seeking profit. Now the head is meeting with the heads of the Eight Sects. The head has already decided that the war with Qing Ping Sect is inevitable. Now it's just a matter of bargaining to see what the Eight Sects think."

---