ATPnovel Chapter 81: Such scheming, but nothing more than a grand dream.
Chapter 81: Such scheming, but nothing more than a grand dream.
Qingyun Mountain, the newly built Huang family mansion.
In just one night, the Huang family mansion, which was brightly decorated and bustling yesterday, was now completely silent.
Those brand-new red lanterns still hang under the eaves, swaying gently in the morning breeze.
The paper-cut "double happiness" character on the window frame hadn't been removed yet, but the snow in the yard was covered with messy footprints and tire tracks.
Those were the traces of the Huang family members who remained in Qingyun fleeing to Qingyun overnight after receiving Huang Wenyuan's orders; they were also the last marks of the Huang family's fall from grace.
Several elderly servants of the Huang family who stayed behind carried the last cart of miscellaneous items down the mountain. The oxcart creaked and groaned as it rolled over the snow-covered mountain road and gradually disappeared at the end of the mountain path.
Shen Qing stood in the pine forest behind the mountain, watching the oxcart disappear into the distance, then turned his gaze back and slowly swept it across the ridge below.
Qingyun Mountain.
He has lived here since he was thirteen years old, and he knows every tree, every stream, and every rock here.
Later, when the master died, the Huang family came.
He was forced to disband his sect and bury himself three feet underground.
Later, he met the founder of the sect in the coffin, received the sword sect's inheritance, and comprehended the Dao in the darkness for nearly a month.
And now.
Looking down at the forest below, Shen Qing finally smiled.
From this day forward, this mountain will once again belong to Qingyun.
"what?"
Shen Qing sensed two familiar auras through his divine sense, which enveloped Qingyun Mountain.
Zhao Shoucheng and Lin Xiaoyue were carefully making their way from the academy to the newly built mansion of the Huang family on the mountaintop.
"Senior brother."
Lin Shouwei couldn't help but ask, "Do you think our grandmaster is still on the mountain? The Huang family left in such a hurry, could they have taken everything from the mountain?"
Before Zhao Shoucheng could answer, a streak of blue light shot through the air from the back of the mountain at the bend in the mountain path ahead, landing on a rock a dozen feet away.
The sword light dissipated, revealing a human figure.
The man, dressed in a blue Taoist robe, stood with his hands behind his back on the rock.
With sword-like eyebrows that reached his temples and eyes that seemed to hold the cold stars, he exuded an aura of sharpness. Just by standing there, he was like a sword drawn from its sheath.
Zhao Shoucheng paused, his breathing suddenly becoming rapid.
Although he had never seen Mo Wentian in person, he had seen portraits hanging in the Ancestral Hall, one of which was exactly the same as the person in front of him.
"Disciple Zhao Shoucheng pays respects to Grandmaster Mo!"
Zhao Shoucheng knelt on one knee, his voice trembling slightly with excitement, and Lin Shouwei knelt down at the same time.
More than two months ago, the sect leader was forced to disband the sect, and the disciples were left to wander the streets and fend for themselves.
Zhao Shoucheng patrolled the streets and handled cases every day. Seeing the Huang family's lanterns hanging all over the streets and alleys, and hearing the news that the Huang family had moved to Qingyun Mountain, he could only pretend to be indifferent.
This group of people went from being disciples of the sect to odd jobs scattered throughout the county, and even lost the right to call themselves disciples of Qingyun.
But now, Qingyun Sect's backer has returned.
Shen Qing stood on the cliff, looking at the two people kneeling in front of him, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
He lay in the coffin for nearly a month. After he came out, he was busy with enlightenment, practicing martial arts, and planning revenge. He naturally knew how hard his disciples had worked.
"Get up," Shen Qing said, his voice slightly hoarse from his deliberate alteration.
After the two stood up, Lin Shouwei spoke, "Grandmaster! The Huang family..."
"Huang Yuanji and his son are dead."
Shen Qing interrupted him, "The Huang family will leave Qingyun Mountain today. Once they've all left, you can take over."
Lin Shouwei wiped his eyes: "Grandmaster, what about the rest of the Huang family? Were they just let go like that? When they forced the sect leader to his death..."
She stopped speaking when she uttered the word "Sect Leader".
Shen Qing looked at her and said, "I know what I'm doing in this matter."
Lin Shouwei bit her lip, lowered her head, and stopped talking.
Shen Qing glanced at her, then looked away.
He hadn't expected Lin Shouwei to be so stubborn, but now was not the time to get bogged down in such trivialities.
"Zhao Shoucheng and Lin Shouwei."
"Disciple is here."
"You must go down the mountain immediately and gather all the disciples who remained in Qinghe. After the Huang family leaves, the mountain needs manpower to clean up and manage. Disciples who are willing to return should not be left behind."
Zhao Shoucheng clasped his hands in a fist salute and replied, "Yes. But Grandmaster, two members of the Huang family were once disciples of Qingyun. Should we...?"
He hesitated and stopped halfway through his sentence.
Shen Qing remained silent for a moment.
The names Huang An and Huang Ning flashed through his mind, followed by two young faces.
Although the two brothers are sons of the Huang family, they are diligent in their work. Shen Qing knows through the system that the two brothers have some affection for Qingyun, and their loyalty has not yet fallen below sixty.
"Just tell the truth."
Shen Qing said, "Whether someone comes or not is a matter of personal fate and destiny; there's no need to force it."
Zhao Shoucheng nodded, said no more, and quickly left with Lin Shouwei.
Shen Qing was the only one left in the huge main hall. The mountain wind blew in through the broken window, stirring up the dust on the ground.
Shen Qing stared at the blank wall, lost in thought. The Qingyun Sect had existed for over two hundred years.
The Huang family had coveted the secrets of the mountains for 130 years, unaware that the true foundation of the Great Dao had already become one with them.
The traditions on this mountain have never been something they could touch.
He turned around and walked to the three-story pavilion in the backyard, then pushed open the door.
This three-story building has excellent natural lighting and a well-organized layout, making it ideal for conversion into a new ancestral hall.
At the entrance of Qinghe County, Huang Wenyuan directed the last group of clansmen to board the oxcart.
Now, all the servants of the Huang family have been dismissed by him with generous compensation, and only thirty-seven members of the Huang clan remain who accompanied him.
"Everything is ready, we can set off now," Huang Taiji reported in a low voice.
Huang Wenyuan nodded, but did not give the order to set off. He turned and looked towards Qingyun Mountain, gazing at the mansion that had been built with all of the Huang family's wealth. He remained silent for a long time before withdrawing his gaze and ordering, "Summon Huang An and Huang Ning."
The two brothers quickly stepped forward, their faces filled with trepidation.
Huang Wenyuan looked at the two of them, remained silent for a moment, and then said in a deep voice, "You two can stay here."
Upon hearing this, Huang An looked up and exclaimed, "Second Uncle!"
"Let me finish."
Huang Wenyuan raised his hand to stop him, "You once cultivated in the Qingyun Sect and have a past connection with Qingyun. Now that Senior Mo has returned, he will surely recall the disciples to rebuild Qingyun. At that time, you will go back and rejoin the Qingyun Sect."
Huang Wenyuan lowered his voice and said solemnly, "Remember, you must not have any desire for revenge. After you go back, do more and talk less. If you suffer grievances or criticism, you must endure it. I don't ask you to become core disciples of Qingyun, I only ask that you can settle down and make a living on the mountain."
"Second Uncle, why did you ask us to stay?" Huang An's voice was hoarse.
"To survive, and to preserve a shred of the Huang family line."
Huang Wenyuan patted his shoulder, his tone complex, "You brothers are kind-hearted. The sins of our fathers and ancestors should not be borne by you. Remember, the deaths of the old master and your uncle were their own fault. Do not seek revenge, do not hold grudges. From now on, live for yourselves."
Huang An's lips trembled, and he finally nodded heavily, tears welling up in his eyes.
Huang Wenyuan glanced at the two brothers one last time, then turned and boarded the car: "Let's go."
The oxcart creaked and groaned as it rolled over the remaining snow, the group of thirty-seven people slowly heading south until they disappeared into the horizon.
Huang Wenyuan never looked back.
Huang An and Huang Ning stood at the city gate, gazing in the direction the convoy had disappeared, remaining silent for a long time.
Huang Ning's eyes were red-rimmed, but Huang An slowly spoke: "My brother, from this day forward, we are no longer members of the Huang family. Do you understand?"
Huang Ning was puzzled and turned to look at his elder brother.
"My brother, from now on we will sever all ties with the past, rejoin the Qingyun Sect, take pride in being Qingyun disciples, adopt Qingyun as our surname, and build up a legacy for our father and second uncle."
Huang Ning was stunned for a moment, then nodded vigorously, tears streaming down her face, revealing a relieved expression.