ATPnovel Chapter 84 Reality and Illusion
Chapter 84 Reality and Illusion
On the sixth day of the first lunar month, in the back hall of the Qinghe County government office, a single lamp flickered dimly.
Shen Qing, with the appearance of Mo Wentian, sat quietly on the beam. With the Qi Concealment Technique activated, he completely concealed his aura.
According to custom, Zhao Yuanlang would return from the prefectural city after New Year's Day. The journey would take several days, and judging by the days, Zhao Yuanlang's return would be in the next two days.
Under the influence of his divine sense, he could perceive all the movements within the county government office.
As dusk approached, the sound of horses' hooves echoed along the official road.
Shen Qing opened his eyes and probed with his divine sense. The person in the lead was tall and slender, none other than Zhao Yuanlang.
A gaunt old man sat on the horse behind them. Judging from his attire, Shen Qing guessed he must be Zhao Yuanlang's servant.
The sound of horses' hooves stopped in front of the back gate of the government office, and the old servant led the horses to settle them.
Zhao Yuanlang remained silent as he walked through the corridor and into the back hall.
Upon hearing the voice, the clerk Xuanji came out to greet him, bowing respectfully: "Sir, you must have had a long journey."
"Let's go inside and talk." Zhao Yuanlang's voice sounded tired as he lifted the curtain and entered.
Two more candles were added to the back hall, making the hall bright.
Zhao Yuanlang sat down in the main seat, accepted the hot tea handed to him by Xuanji, and before even taking a sip, asked, "Has anything happened in Qinghe these past two weeks?"
Xuanji put down the tea tray, his expression somewhat subtle: "Master, there's a major event happening in Qinghe recently."
"speak."
"On the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month, the eve of the Lunar New Year, Huang Yuanji and his son were killed."
Zhao Yuanlang paused slightly as he held the teacup, the lid making a soft tapping sound against the rim.
"Huang Dehou is dead too?" he asked.
"Yes."
Xuanji said, "That night, the Huang family held a grand banquet for their relatives. The murderer lurked underground and pierced Huang Yuanji's dantian with one sword, then beheaded him with two. Huang Dehou knelt down and begged for mercy, but was also killed by a single sword strike to the forehead. All the relatives and servants in the hall witnessed this, and it is said that... the person who made the move was Mo Wentian of the Qingyun Sect."
Zhao Yuanlang put down his teacup and tapped his fingertips lightly twice on the table.
He didn't speak, nor did he show any obvious joy or anger on his face, but Xuanji had followed Zhao Yuanlang for more than ten years, so how could he not know what this action meant?
"Are you sure it's Mo Wentian?"
"It should be true. If it weren't for him, why would anyone else have bothered to wade into these murky waters? According to Huang's servants, Huang Dehou cried out 'Mo Wentian' before he died."
"According to the students' deduction, Mr. Mo's cultivation seems to have improved again since his return. Huang Yuanji lost his life without any resistance under his sword."
Zhao Yuanlang was silent for a moment, then asked, "What about the rest of the Huang family?"
"Mr. Mo is quite magnanimous; he only took the lives of the Huang father and son, allowing the rest to live."
"Now, Huang Wenyuan has dismissed his servants and left Qinghe with the remaining thirty-seven members of his clan. Before leaving, he left behind two disciples, who are said to want to return to Qingyun Sect."
"They are indeed flexible and adaptable."
Zhao Yuanlang responded indifferently. He did not inquire about the whereabouts of the Huang family, as he was not particularly concerned about it.
"What about Qingyun Mountain?"
"Afterwards, Mo Wentian took over Qingyun Mountain, and the former Qingyun disciples gradually returned to the mountain. On New Year's Day, Mo Wentian personally presided over the re-establishment ceremony, but—"
Xuanji then changed the subject, "The one who succeeded as sect leader was not Mo Wentian, but Shen Qing."
Zhao Yuanlang raised an eyebrow; this time, he was genuinely surprised.
"Shen Qing? Wasn't he said to be dead?"
Xuanji recounted the story told by the Qingyun disciples: first, Shen Qing faked his death to escape, went to the county city to find Mo Wentian, then Mo Wentian helped him establish his foundation, and on New Year's Day he returned to resume his position as sect leader.
Xuanji relayed the story in great detail, adding at the end, "This matter has already spread in Qinghe. All the disciples of Qingyun say that it was said by Master Mo himself, so it must be true."
The back room was quiet for a moment.
Zhao Yuanlang picked up the teacup, then put it down again.
"Xuanji, how much do you believe in this matter?"
Xuanji carefully chose his words: "Master, the phenomenon of the dead coming back to life is not uncommon in the cultivation world. But I have met Shen Qing a few times before."
"His foundation is weak, and his cultivation has stagnated for many years. He doesn't seem like someone who can break through to the Foundation Establishment stage at all. Unless..."
"Unless there is a perfect Foundation Establishment Pill."
Zhao Yuanlang continued, "Mo Wentian has been traveling for twenty years, so obtaining a perfect Foundation Establishment Pill is not difficult for him."
After a pause, Zhao Yuanlang suddenly chuckled.
"Interesting. First, the Huang family seized the mountain, then Shen Qing faked his death, and then Mo Wentian returned to seek revenge. The waters of Qingyun Mountain are deeper than I thought."
Xuanji did not respond. He knew that Dongweng did not need anyone to help him make judgments at this moment, he only needed someone to provide him with information.
After a long silence, Zhao Yuanlang spoke again: "Xuanji, draft a letter for me and send it to Qingyun Mountain tomorrow, inviting Mo Wentian to the county office for a chat. Tell him that I have long admired Senior Mo's name and wish to personally congratulate him on the re-establishment of Qingyun Sect."
"Yes."
Xuanji agreed and was about to turn around to do so when Zhao Yuanlang said again, "Wait. There's no need to send the invitation."
Xuanji was taken aback and was about to ask a question when Zhao Yuanlang raised his head, his gaze passing over Xuanji's shoulder and looking towards the corridor outside the hall.
"No need to send it."
Zhao Yuanlang's calm tone carried a hint of politeness, "Is this how you invite someone? Isn't it presumptuous?"
Xuanji subconsciously turned around following his gaze.
A person was standing in the shadows under the corridor.
He wore a green robe, was tall, and had sword-like eyebrows that reached his temples.
The person stood at the boundary between the lamplight and the night, half of their face in the light and half in the shadows.
His aura was deep and unfathomable, and although he did not release any pressure, a single glance from him could send chills down one's spine.
Xuanji nearly dropped the whisk from his hand. He had followed Zhao Yuanlang for ten years and had seen a great deal of knowledge.
This person was able to appear silently in the corridor behind the county government office, and Zhao Yuanlang, a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Heavenly God Sect, was completely unaware of it. This level of cultivation far surpasses that of ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators.
"Xuanji, you go out first."
Zhao Yuanlang's voice remained steady, but those familiar with him, such as Xuanji, could already hear the solemnity beneath that steadiness.
Xuanji bowed and withdrew, glancing casually at the figure in the corridor as he walked out of the back hall.
The man remained standing there quietly, not even the hem of his robe twitching, and the door to the back hall closed gently behind Xuanji.
Zhao Yuanlang stood up, straightened his clothes, and bowed to the figure in the corridor.
"I have long admired Brother Mo's name. It is truly an honor to meet you tonight. Please come inside for a chat, Brother Mo."
The person finally moved.
Shen Qing stepped across the threshold with the same gait as Mo Wentian and entered the hall.
The light fell on his face, illuminating his eyes, which were as cold as stars.
The aura of the 12th-grade flawless Dao Platform circulated slightly faster in his dantian. Although the sharp sword energy surrounding his body had been deliberately restrained, it still caused the candlelight in the hall to flicker slightly.
He had been waiting for quite some time on the beams and under the eaves.
He had been observing Zhao Yuanlang ever since he stepped into the back hall.
Zhao Yuanlang's reaction upon hearing of Huang Yuanji's death, his silence upon hearing of Shen Qing's resurrection, and his thoughtful tapping of his fingers upon hearing the name Mo Wentian.
Every subtle expression was captured by Shen Qing's divine sense and then repeatedly examined.
Zhao Yuanlang did not fly into a rage, nor did he panic, nor did he immediately inquire about the whereabouts of the secret of Qingyun Mountain.
This either shows that he is extremely shrewd, or that he did not take Huang Yuanji's "Daoist teachings" entirely seriously.
Either way, it would be extremely advantageous to Shen Qing.