bookbashuk Chapter 335 Opening
Chapter 335 Opening
In the dead of night, the curtains in Han Bailian's hotel room were drawn tightly, blocking out all light and prying eyes from the outside world.
Only a dim wall lamp was lit in the living room, where Han Bailian and He Qingyun sat facing each other. On the coffee table, two cups of tea had long since gone cold.
The grief and agitation on He Qingyun's face had vanished, replaced by a cold calm.
Han Bailian picked up the cup of tea that had long since gone cold. His usually warm face was now devoid of any warmth, replaced only by a cunning and icy expression.
"Tomorrow's public discussion will be the time to close the net. Maoshan Qi Lan is of a fierce temperament and will not easily submit, nor is Chen Anran an easy opponent. Are you absolutely certain of victory?"
He Qingyun sat in the shadows, his back straight as a sword. After the feigned grief and indignation faded from his eyes, a deep, dark pool was revealed beneath.
"Elder Han, rest assured." His voice was calm and undisturbed. "The 'Soul-Tracking and Spirit-Fixing Compass's' perception is undeniable. The 'blood catalyst' I planted in that vile woman, Lingdang, resonates with the remnant blood of my master within the compass. No matter how powerful Qi Lan is, she cannot erase this direction. Tomorrow, under the watchful eyes of everyone, the compass's red light will undoubtedly point directly to the basement. At that time, if they allow a search, it will confirm that they are harboring evil spirits; if they refuse, it will be seen as a guilty conscience covering it up. No matter which path they choose, the Cloud Hidden Sect and Maoshan will both be stripped bare."
A glint flashed in Han Bailian's eyes, and a smile played on his lips. "Excellent. In this way, Su Wan's pure Yin body..." He paused, took a sip of cold tea, and his tone turned indifferent, "I don't ask for much. I only ask that after this is done, the Yunyin Sect will no longer have the ability to protect her. At that time, whether she returns to the Han family in the lake with me as a 'guest' or has other opportunities will be none of my concern."
He Qingyun raised his eyes and looked directly at Han Bailian, without telling him the truth, without telling him that there was actually more than one, but three, furnace cauldrons possessing the "Extreme Yin Body".
"We each get what we need."
Han Bailian put down his teacup, the porcelain cup touching the glass coffee table with a crisp "ding". Under the dim light, the wrinkles on his face resembled the ravines of a dried-up riverbed, deep and shallow, concealing years of scheming.
"Each gets what they need... Well said."
"But Nephew Qingyun, there is one thing I do not understand. Your master, Zhang Nanshan, treated you like his own son. Throughout Longhu Mountain, and indeed the entire cultivation world, who does not recognize you as the only candidate to become the next Celestial Master? Why... do you choose this path of no return?"
The air in the room seemed to freeze for a moment.
He Qingyun sat motionless in the shadows. After a long while, he twitched the corners of his mouth and let out an extremely soft, cold laugh.
"Treat me like your own child?" He Qingyun's voice was calm, yet it was as if it had been tempered with ice. "Elder Han, you are also a cultivator. Having lived to this age, do you still believe that 'loyalty' can be more important than 'the path of cultivation' or 'immortality'?"
Inside the room, the glow of the wall lamp made the wrinkles on Han Bailian's face appear even deeper.
Looking into He Qingyun's eyes, where there was no attempt to conceal the coldness and ambition, his last trace of doubt dissipated, replaced by an almost admiring approval.
"The path to immortality..." Han Bailian slowly repeated these two words, "Yes, cultivators defy fate and seek nothing more than that elusive immortality, the supreme Dao. Affection,..." "Rules... are nothing but ropes that bind mediocre people." He raised his eyes and met He Qingyun's gaze. "It seems that Master Zhang is blocking your way."
He Qingyun did not answer directly, but instead picked up the cup of cold tea in front of him and drank it all in one gulp.
Han Bailian didn't notice anything unusual, and only said, "Tomorrow, I will act according to the plan and make sure that this 'public opinion' becomes the judgment platform of the Yunyin Sect, and that Chen Anran will have no chance to turn the tide."
"Thank you for your help, Elder Han."
With the plot decided, He Qingyun did not linger any longer and got up to leave.
His room was next to Han Bailian's. After returning to his room, he walked to the window but did not draw the curtains. He simply stood there, as if he could see the undulating outline of Yunyin Mountain in the night through the thick fabric.
Master, please don't blame me.
You taught me the Dao, bestowed upon me supernatural powers, and granted me authority; I remember these kindnesses. But kindness cannot withstand the allure of immortality, nor the captivating charm of power.
You often say that cultivating the Tao begins with cultivating the heart, for a righteous heart leads to a righteous path. But look at this world: those with righteous hearts are impoverished and destitute, while those who follow the righteous path struggle to move forward. Those so-called righteous rules and regulations are nothing more than chains used by the strong to bind the weak and by those who have already benefited to maintain their own interests!
You and the bell vainly believe you can reconcile good and evil and lead people towards good? How laughable! The resentment accumulated by the Crimson Spirit Cult over hundreds of years, their secret techniques that teeter on the edge of darkness, and the clues to ancient ruins they may possess... these are the true treasures! Yet you only wish to purify and bury them!
You're blocking my way.
It's not just about ideals; it's a real obstacle. If you live, Longhu Mountain won't allow me to use those methods, and they won't let me try to seize the Yunyin Sect's furnace. You might even sense my feelings for them... You will definitely stop me.
Therefore, you must die.
Not only you, but also Junior Sister Mo, who is secretly investigating, must die.
And your death at the hands of the "Holy Maiden of the Crimson Spirit Sect" couldn't be more perfect. It would preserve your reputation for life, incite the righteous path to share the hatred of the enemy, and clear the way for me to use this power later; it would also allow me to legitimately "investigate the murderer," mobilize the resources of Longhu Mountain, and use this as a pretext to point the finger at the Cloud Hidden Sect.
Su Wan, Wei Qingyi, Feng Xiaolu… they are the keys, the gateways to my Golden Core path and even higher realms. For this, what does the destruction of the Yunyin Sect matter? What does it matter to feign compliance with the righteous path of the world?
The victor is king, the loser is villain; this has always been the case. When I have mastered my divine skills and stand at the pinnacle, all that has happened today will be nothing more than a tiny speck of dust at the beginning of a legend.
Who cares?
In He Qingyun's eyes, the last trace of human warmth was completely extinguished, leaving only an ambition as cold as ten thousand years of ice, burning silently in the darkness.
He turned and walked into the inner room to begin making final preparations for tomorrow's final "catch-up."
…………
When Chen Anran arrived at the backyard of Xian Shan Fang under the cover of night, Fatty Li was squatting at the kitchen door, silently sharpening a heavy cleaver by the light of a single lamp. Hearing footsteps, he looked up, saw Chen Anran, and quickly stood up, wiping his hands with his apron: "Master, what brings you here? Is everything arranged on the mountain...?"
"It's all arranged." Chen Anran nodded, her gaze sweeping over the gleaming blade in his hand. "Sect Leader Su and the others will depart for Guang City immediately for temporary refuge. Fatty, I need you to drive them there."
Upon hearing this, Fatty Li's smile froze. He looked down at the knife in his hand, then looked up at Chen Anran. His eyes, which were usually full of smiles, were now filled with stubbornness: "Master, I... I won't leave."
Chen Anran frowned slightly: "Fatty, now is not the time to be loyal. Nobody knows what the situation will be like down the mountain tomorrow. Your cultivation is still too shallow; you should stay here..."
"I know my cultivation level is low!" Fatty Li interrupted hurriedly. "I, Fatty Li, am a latecomer to the sect. I am grateful to my master for not disliking me, for passing on my cultivation techniques and teaching me skills, allowing me to have a stable meal and a respectable job at the foot of Yunyin Mountain. I know in my heart that Yunyin Sect is my home, and you are my master!"
He stepped forward, gripping the hilt of his knife tightly. "If those people really dare to try and fight back tomorrow, if they try to rush up the mountain and ruin our reputation, even though I, Fatty Li, am not very skilled, I can still stand in their way! A cleaver may not be able to kill a god, but it can certainly kill a few blind bastards! Master, please let me stay! I... I'm not afraid!"
The night wind swept through the courtyard, causing the lone lamp to flicker, casting shifting light on and off on Fatty Li's face, which was flushed with excitement. He looked at Chen Anran, his eyes devoid of fear, filled only with an almost clumsy sincerity.
Chen Anran looked at him quietly for a few seconds, and the softest part of his heart was gently touched. He stepped forward and patted Li Pangzi's broad and sturdy shoulder.
"Fatty, I appreciate your kindness," Chen Anran said gently. "It's precisely because I consider you one of my own that I can't let you stay and risk your life. If you stay and there's a conflict, will I defend myself against the enemy, or will I be distracted protecting you?"
Fatty Li opened his mouth, wanting to retort, but Chen Anran wouldn't let him interrupt, continuing, "Asking you to escort the sect leader and the others to Guangshi isn't to send you away, but to entrust you with something more important. The journey is long and arduous, and although there's a high probability of nothing happening, if some foolish person follows or intercepts them, those women, plus Xiao Ling'er, will need someone to protect them. Your cultivation level isn't anything special on the mountain, but dealing with ordinary thugs and ensuring their safe arrival in Guangshi is more than enough."
Seeing the growing wavering in Fatty Li's eyes, he emphasized, "Fatty, fighting side by side doesn't necessarily mean being on the same battlefield. By protecting them and ensuring their safe departure, allowing me to leave without worries, you've safeguarded the most crucial foundation and aspirations for me and for the Yunyin Sect. This responsibility is far heavier than staying here and risking your life."
Fatty Li listened blankly, his eyes gradually reddening. He lowered his head, wiped his face with his thick fingers, and when he looked up again, his stubbornness had dissipated, replaced by a profound sense of understanding.
"Master... I... I understand." His voice choked with emotion as he nodded heavily. "Rest assured, even if it costs me my life, I, Fatty Li, will ensure the Sect Leader, Martial Aunt, and Xiao Ling'er are safely delivered to Guang City! I will not let anyone touch a single hair on their heads!"
"Okay." Chen Anran smiled with relief and patted his shoulder hard again. "Go and get ready. Be careful on the road. Send me a message after you've settled in Guangzhou."
"Yes!" Fatty Li straightened his back, carefully wrapped the cleaver in cloth, put it in his pocket, turned around and ran up the mountain, his footsteps thumping on the ground, as if he wanted to step into the deep night with all his worries and reluctance.
Chen Anran watched his sturdy figure disappear around the corner of the stone steps leading to the mountain gate, and gently exhaled.
After Fatty Li walked away, Chen Anran stood alone in the quiet backyard of Xian Shan Fang, looking up at the night sky.
The stars are sparse, and the crescent moon is like a hook.
A storm is brewing, and the wind is already blowing through the building.
Tomorrow will be the day when the true intentions are revealed.
………………
The night passed quickly.
In the early morning, Yunyin Mountain was shrouded in a thin layer of mist, as light as a veil.
The birdsong in the mountains seemed less frequent than usual, and even the wind carried a hint of caution, only daring to make a very soft rustling sound when it brushed past the treetops.
The "Cloud Sea Hall" of the International Hot Spring Hotel is located on the top floor of the main building, with floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides, offering panoramic views of most of the resort. At this moment, the hall is solemn and dignified.
A long, dark-colored table stood in the center, its sides already filled with people. On the left, He Qingyun led the group, with several elders from Longhu Mountain displaying somber expressions. Behind them stood more than ten elite disciples, their auras restrained yet subtly revealing their sharpness. On the right, Chen Anran sat alone, flanked by Feng Wenyuan and Jiang Yan. Further out were representatives from several invited small and medium-sized sects and aristocratic families.
The main seat was vacant, and Shen Zui from the Miscellaneous Affairs Department temporarily presided over the meeting. Daoist Tianbao sat in a separate seat near Chen Anran, arms crossed, his brows furrowed. Han Bailian sat slightly off to the side of He Qingyun, his usual kind smile on his face, his gaze calmly sweeping across the room.
The staff inside the hall had already been dismissed, and the heavy, carved wooden doors were tightly closed, isolating the hall from all outside noise.
Shen Zui cleared his throat, just as he was about to get up and take the lead in the discussion, when the door was pushed open and Qi Lan walked in.
She wasn't wearing her signature baseball cap today; her long hair was casually draped over her shoulders, revealing her black animal ears. She wore a slightly oversized plain-colored sweatshirt and dark trousers, with a pair of worn-out canvas shoes, completely out of place with the solemn, almost oppressive atmosphere of the hall. She even yawned, her amber, vertical pupils half-closed, scanning the upright representatives of various factions throughout the room, finally settling on the empty chair at the head of the table and Shen Zui beside her.
"Oh, it's so lively." Qi Lan said lazily, walked straight to the empty chair next to Chen Anran, pulled it out, sat down, leaned back in the chair, crossed her arms, "Section Chief Shen, shall we begin? Let's finish quickly, I haven't fed the cats in my shop yet."
Her completely dismissive attitude towards the situation caused many people in the hall to frown. The elders from Longhu Mountain looked displeased and let out a soft snort.
Shen Zui forced a smile: "Uncle Qi is too kind... Now that everyone is here, let's... begin."
He took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound calm and impartial: "Fellow Daoists, we are gathered here today to discuss the matter raised last night by Fellow Daoist He Qingyun of Longhu Mountain, regarding the possibility that the demoness of the Crimson Spirit Sect might be hiding in the 'Meow Immortal Abode' of this resort. Fellow Daoist He, please first state the situation last night and provide relevant evidence."
He Qingyun slowly stood up. He hadn't slept all night, and his eyes were even more bloodshot, but his expression was more sorrowful and resolute than the night before. He first clasped his hands in a respectful bow to the four directions, and then spoke in a deep voice, hoarse yet clear, echoing throughout the entire hall:
"Esteemed seniors, fellow practitioners! I, He, was abrupt last night and disturbed everyone. I apologize in advance!" He bowed deeply, and when he raised his head, his eyes were already red. "However, the hatred between a master and his disciple is irreconcilable! My master, Celestial Master Zhang Nanshan, was a chivalrous and righteous man who led Longhu Mountain, protecting the righteous path. He was highly respected! Yet he died tragically at the hands of the demoness of the Crimson Spirit Sect, his soul lost at the mountain gate! This hatred has caused us, the people of Longhu Mountain, to have no peace of mind. We swear to avenge this debt in blood!"
He turned abruptly, pointing at Chen Anran and Qi Lan: "For months, I, He, have endured grief and pain, pursuing the murderer across thousands of miles, braving life and death, and finally, with the help of the 'Soul-Chasing and Spirit-Fixing Disc,' the most treasured artifact of my Longhu Mountain sect, I have pinpointed the remnant aura of that demoness, ultimately pointing to—the Yunyin Mountain Resort, 'Meow Immortal Abode'!"
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