The day before the Taichu Sect's new disciple-recruiting conference, all the peaks were busy. Some people swept the courtyard to welcome the newcomers (originally, they could use the dust-cleansing technique, but the leader banned the dust-cleansing technique, so everyone had to clean manually), some people repeatedly confirmed whether the illusion set up in front of the mountain gate was functioning properly, and some people took great pains to dress themselves up, hoping to leave a good impression on the newcomers tomorrow and attract more younger generations willing to become their disciples.
Gu Suihan was also sent by Shen Qingmang to consolidate the illusion, and returned at nightfall. Their relationship in public remained that of master and disciple. He had never stayed overnight at Wendao Peak before, and had no plans to do so today, yet he headed towards it nonetheless.
He was not staying overnight, but had serious matters to report, and there was nothing he couldn't explain if someone saw him.
However, he searched all over the Wendao Peak but could not find Shen Qingmang.
The disciple-recruiting conference is to be held tomorrow, so why isn't Master here? He knew she had the habit of sorting out the day's affairs in the evening, usually writing or drawing in her notebook, but at this moment, the desk in the study was spotless, with no sign of anyone having been there.
Could it be that Master was so worried that he went to the mountain gate to check the illusion himself?
He turned back to the foot of the mountain, but still didn't see Shen Qingmang.
Gu Suihan raised his right hand and stared at his wrist. For a long moment, his wrist didn't move at all.
He said aloud: "I wish to be a pair of wings in the sky, and a pair of branches on the ground."
The Lianlizhi bracelet that he usually hid was still not on his wrist.
He was stunned for a moment, his expression changing drastically. Not caring if he was violating the new rules, he used his telekinesis to return to Wuya Peak and rushed to Qiongzhi Hall. The hall was completely silent. The only sign of activity was the dust that flew through the air as he barged in.
He became even more worried and rushed to Linyuan Palace, but still could not find Shen Qingmang.
As a last resort, he came to the door of Liuran Cottage and knocked heavily.
After a long while, Hao Xin opened the courtyard door with disheveled clothes and said unhappily, "Who is it? At this time of night... Senior Brother?"
"Have you seen Master tonight?" Gu Suihan asked anxiously.
"No... I don't have any anyway. I'll go ask Ah Rong... Hey, hey, hey, senior brother, don't barge in. She's still..."
Gu Suihan was too impatient to waste time talking to him. He walked straight across the yard and opened the door. Si Rong, wearing a thin cloak, came up to him with a serious expression. "What happened, big brother?"
"Do you know what's going to happen?" Gu Sui Han's eyes were sharp.
"Huh?" Si Rong looked bewildered. "What happened? I don't know."
"Then you asked me what happened as soon as you opened your mouth."
"No... why else would I ask?" Si Rong clutched the ties of his cloak. "If something hadn't happened, why would you rush to my house so late at night, barging in without even hearing what Xin had to say? Is there something urgent you need from Master?"
"When was the last time you saw her?"
"I haven't seen my master all day today...or rather, I haven't seen her for several days. I can't remember the last time. Instead of asking us, why don't you ask my father? They're all at the Asking Peak, so wouldn't it be easier to meet her?"
Gu Suihan turned around and was about to leave when Hao Xin stopped him. "Hey, hey, hey, Senior Brother, what happened? At least tell us so we can figure something out together. Is this something that only Master can decide?"
"She's gone."
"If she's missing, you can ask Master Uncle... Wait, you're saying Master is missing?"
"Um."
"Ah?" Si Rong's red lips parted slightly, looking a bit silly. "Where else could Master have gone? Could it be that she's so nervous about the disciple-recruiting meeting tomorrow that she's hiding today?"
"Do you think your master is you?" Hao Xin sneered, "When has she ever been nervous?"
Gu Sui Han ran away again, and the two of them hurriedly followed him, saying that they wanted to look for it with him.
Now, the three of them are the most senior people in Wuya Peak and can go anywhere. However, after searching all over Wuya Peak, they found nothing about Shen Qingmang's whereabouts.
So they returned to Wendao Peak to ask a few other people.
The first person to visit was Yi Qing Zhenren. He went to bed early and was awakened by Si Rong's voice. He came out to see them with sleepy eyes.
"What's going on? You two come here together in the middle of the night... Are you pregnant?" He yawned halfway and was frightened by his own guess, and his jaw almost dislocated.
Hao Xin choked on his saliva and doubled over, coughing violently. Si Rong glared at Master Yiqing. "What are you thinking? Didn't you see that there's a senior brother? Master is missing, and we wanted to ask if you saw her today?"
"I was so busy today I don't even know how many people I met... Maybe I saw her this morning? Oh, yes, I did. We even talked about what to do if it rains tomorrow. I persuaded her to lift that troublesome ban so we can all use magic freely, and she agreed."
"And then you didn't see it in the afternoon?"
"No. Isn't she in the temple? Have you looked for her down the mountain?"
"I've looked everywhere, but I can't find it," said Gu Suihan.
"This... Junior Sister, is this her first time hosting a disciple-recruiting ceremony and she's so nervous she's hiding and crying?" Master Yiqing said, shaking his head. "No way, she wouldn't cry even if I did."
"You really are my biological father." Si Rong complained and looked at Gu Suihan: "Big Brother, who should we go to next? Big Uncle and Second Uncle?"
"Let's go find Senior Brother Mingli." Master Yiqing said, "He's been dealing with Master Qing a lot lately."
"Thank you, Elder Yiqing." Gu Suihan bowed and immediately turned back to rush to Shi Mingli's residence. Si Rong and Hao Xin also hurried to follow. Seeing how anxious they were, Master Yiqing simply tightened his robe and joined them.
Shi Mingli's residence was empty. Yi Qing said, "Don't worry. Go to the library at Wendao Peak and catch him. We'll definitely catch him."
Shi Mingli was indeed on the first floor of the library. Seeing the group approaching in a mighty procession, he put down the bamboo slips in his hand. "Looking for me? What's going on?"
Yiqing said, "Did you see Qingmang today? The kids couldn't find her."
"I saw her two hours ago. She asked me about the elders' seating arrangements for tomorrow, and after listening, she drew a diagram." Shi Mingli said, "I haven't seen her since. How did she disappear? Where have you looked?"
Gu Suihan said it again.
"Then let's go to other peaks? Qingmang told me a few days ago that he didn't know how to arrange Yanxiang. Will he go to Wuwei Peak?" Yiqing guessed.
"We have reached a consensus on this matter today," said Shi Mingli.
"Oh... then what else could she be worrying about? Running around so late at night."
"Senior Brother! The token on you!" Si Rong suddenly covered his mouth and shouted.
Several people looked at Gu Suihan's waist at the same time, and he slowly lowered his head.
The blue faded from the token and turned into a deep red.
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