Chapter 183 Yunshan Sect:
"Why have I never heard of these things before?" Rong Xie was confused.
That's right, it's not that I can't remember it, but that I've never heard of it before.
Rong Xie had never heard Shen Bingsi mention his father, let alone complain that his father was a heartless man.
Rong Xie thought he and Shen Bingsi were best friends who could talk about anything, at least when they were children. He never expected that such an important matter would be known to an outsider like Granny Wang, but he was unaware of it.
Thinking about it carefully... Shen Bingsi's background and her experiences before coming to the Plum Garden were indeed never revealed to Rong Xie. But Rong Xie could also tell that Shen Bingsi had not had a good time during that period, so he did not ask.
"Those two are very tight-lipped. If the old woman hadn't fallen and broken her tailbone that day, and hadn't been lying in the grass for a long time without getting up, we wouldn't have heard their private conversations," said Granny Wang proudly.
“But I’ve never heard of this from anyone else.” Rong Xie suddenly realized that with Wang’s big mouth, if she knew something so secret, she would definitely spread it everywhere. How come he had never heard such specific details from other people’s gossip?
“Hey,” Granny Wang said sheepishly, “I did eavesdrop, but as soon as I got up, the young lady caught me. She even threatened me that if word got out that I was the one who said it, she would cut off my head and use it as a football.”
"..." Rong Xie thought to himself, Miss Shen's words were indeed fierce.
"However, Rong-ge'er is the Second Young Master's confidant, so it's sure to be right to tell Rong-ge'er this." Granny Wang revealed a greasy smile.
"...Then haven't you heard a single thing about Shen Bingsi's father?" Rong Xie pressed. "Back then, it should have been a glorious event for the family that Miss Shen was with that young master. Didn't you tell Old Master Shen about it?"
Granny Wang shook her head, indicating that Miss Shen was hiding very well, fearing that Old Master Shen would ruin her plans.
"Alright... Have you checked the things in this room? Do you have any clues?" Rong Xie asked.
At first, Granny Wang said no, but under Rong Xie's persistent questioning, Granny Wang said with great embarrassment that the year Shen Bingsi and Rong Xie officially joined the Lingjing Sect, the Plum Garden was left empty. Old Master Shen had people clean it up, saying that he was afraid that the Second Young Master might have forgotten something and asked the family for it, but the family couldn't find it for a while... In short, after cleaning it up, no useful information was obtained.
Rong Xie had no doubt about the Shen family's ability to search and spread rumors. Since they hadn't found any useful clues, it was clear that Miss Shen hadn't left behind a single thing related to the unfaithful man, which was consistent with her style of doing things.
This is a difficult situation. Is the trail going to end here?
Rong Xie stood in the room, feeling the passage of time. The Five Signs of Decay of Heaven and Man could turn a perfectly healthy person into a withered, dried-up corpse in just a few days. It had been three days since Shen Bing Si left, coughing up blood.
"Miss Shen...hasn't she replied to the Shen family in all these years?" Rong Xie asked, pondering.
Granny Wang shook her head.
"Is there anyone else who is close to Miss Shen and knows about what happened back then..." Rong Xie suddenly had a flash of inspiration, "I know!"
Granny Wang looked at Rong Xie with a gossipy expression.
However, Rong Xie revealed nothing. He rushed out of the main room and ran straight out into the courtyard.
"Senior Brother Shuyang, let's go to the next place!"
The influence of the cultivation world is spread throughout the human realm. In addition to the three major sects, there are also numerous sects and families of all sizes, which together constitute a world independent of the mortal world.
However, wherever there are people, there are alliances and struggles. The cultivation world is no exception. The three major sects each occupy a region and control a territory. They maintain a detached attitude and remain distant from imperial power. They are called immortal sects, but in reality, they are national sects. This is the most powerful level.
The second layer consists of large clans and powerful families distributed in various regions, either relying on the prefectures and counties or operating independently as cities.
Truly transcendent and detached from worldly affairs, there are very few cultivation forces, and the Yunshan Sect, known for its mission of healing the sick and saving lives, is one of them.
Yunshan Sect does not participate in external disputes over fame and fortune, and it stands firm with its absolute strength in alchemy. Even the most powerful cultivators will inevitably need to seek medical treatment at some point. Therefore, when Yunshan Sect cultivators go out, regardless of their status or strength, they will be treated with courtesy by various forces. They do not need to worry about cultivating their own strength, as major sects and families will take the initiative to provide them with support.
For example, the protective array of Yunshan Sect was created for them free of charge by Jin Gang Sect, which is skilled in array formations. It not only protects Yunshan Sect, but also creates a misty effect outside the sect's territory, making uninvited guests who want to approach unable to find the right way and wander around in the fog.
Rong Xie looked at the boundary marker in front of him. It was number 162 in Hanchuan County, Yunzhou. He had seen it four times already, which meant that he had been going around in circles and had not moved forward.
“Looks like we’ve found the right place.” Rong Xie’s gaze moved upwards from the boundary marker until it reached the void shrouded in white mist ahead.
"Miss, Miss!" In the Dream Moon Pavilion of the Yunshan Sect, a little maid with her hair in two buns and wearing a green skirt ran in, panting, and came up behind a woman in green. The woman in green was wearing the medical robe uniform worn by the disciples of the Yunshan Sect, but hers had been specially modified. The collar and cuffs were embroidered with delicate water ripple patterns, and the straight hem was covered with water-patterned gauze. It looked understated yet luxurious, and it was obviously not a style that ordinary disciples could afford.
"Xiao He, what are you yelling about? What happened?" The woman in green turned around. Her delicate eyebrows were exquisitely drawn, and her eyes were bright and lively. Her facial features were elegant and otherworldly, giving her an air of detachment from worldly affairs.
The woman in green was Cui Xingmiao, the niece of the sect leader of Yunshan Sect.
"Miss, something terrible has happened! Someone has broken into the mountain gate again!" Xiao He reported, catching her breath, while stealing glances at her young mistress.
"Someone broke into the mountain gate. What do you want to report to me?" Cui Xingmiao said lazily, fiddling with the pattern on her sleeve.
"Oh...so I don't need to report to Miss?" Xiao He nodded.
Cui Xingmiao beckoned to her, and Xiao He leaned over. Cui Xingmiao pinched her round face and said, "You little rascal, you're so cunning! What do you mean 'you don't have to report to me'? When did I ask you to report these things, hmm?"
"Oh dear," Xiao He rescued herself from the embarrassment, "The day before yesterday, someone broke into the mountain gate, and Miss scolded Xiao He for not reporting it sooner, and threw a huge tantrum. Why are you saying today that you want Xiao He to report these things?"
"You little brat, Xiao He, do you want to lose your monkey mouth?" Cui Xingmiao pinched Xiao He's cheek again. Xiao He covered her face and hurriedly ran away, shouting, "Miss, I won't do it again!" Cui Xingmiao stopped, her cheeks slightly flushed, and called out, "Where are you going? Since you've come to report, then tell me, who broke into the mountain gate today?"
"He's a handsome young man, very good-looking," Xiao He praised, then realized her mistake, "Of course... he's not as good as the one from the other day. He looks thin and frail, all looks and no substance."
"You little rascal—" Cui Xingmiao was about to pinch Xiao He's mouth again, but she was also curious about just how pretty Xiao He was when she said "she's so pretty." She stretched out her palm, flat and facing upwards, "Where's Shui Jing? Let me see."
The Water Mirror is a mirror that can reflect images from afar. In the Yunshan Sect, the Water Mirror is connected to the mountain-protecting formation. Whenever someone breaks into the mountain-protecting formation, the Water Mirror will show it.
"Here." Xiao He placed the water mirror in Cui Xingmiao's palm.
Cui Xingmiao looked down and saw a young man in white walking quickly through the thick clouds, as if he could clearly see the road ahead, without the slightest hesitation.
Cui Xingmiao frowned and pondered for a moment: "Has the sect leader been alerted? I'll go take a look."
Xiao He had a "I knew this would happen" expression on her face: "No, I saw it with the guards and came to inform you immediately, Miss."
Although Yunshan Sect is located in a remote area, people often get lost and accidentally enter the mountain's protective formation. As long as they don't actively attack the formation, the sect usually doesn't take it seriously and won't report it to the sect leader.
“Okay.” Cui Xingmiao put away the water mirror and took out a flying talisman. “You stay here and keep watch. If there’s any news about the Spirit Gathering Stone, send me a message and I’ll be right back.”
"Yes, Miss."
"Thirty-six, thirty-seven..."
Rong Xie walked quickly through the fog, as if he could see the road ahead, while muttering to himself and counting something.
Suddenly, a voice called out from the mist: "Isn't this Brother Rong?"
Rong Xie was taken aback. He looked up and saw the blue figure emerging from the mist, but he did not show any surprise.
Rong Xie cupped his hands in greeting: "Miss Cui."
Cui Xingmiao smiled and stood still, not moving: "I wonder what brings Brother Rong to our Yunshan Sect?"
"I have come to request an audience with your sect leader, Cui," Rong Xie said solemnly.
Cui Xingmiao raised her eyebrows slightly, seemingly surprised: "Oh? Looking for my aunt?"
Rong Xie nodded.
"What do you want with my aunt? My aunt is in seclusion all year round making medicine. She usually doesn't come out to see guests unless it's something important in the sect." Cui Xingmiao looked Rong Xie up and down, as if trying to see if he was lying from his expression.
However, Rong Xie said seriously, "If it's inconvenient for Sect Leader Cui, an elder of the sect can also do it. I just want to find an elder in the sect to ask about some old things from the past."
Cui Xingmiao narrowed her eyes and suddenly chuckled: "When did Brother Rong become so interested in the old stories of our Yunshan Sect? I know a little about them too. Perhaps you could ask me first?"
“Miss Cui is probably still young and doesn’t know the details of what happened back then,” Rong Xie said.
"How would you know if you don't ask?" Cui Xingmiao smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. She hated being looked down upon, and besides, she knew perfectly well why Manager Rong of Huanxue Manor had come here.
"..." Rong Xie fell silent.
“I was just worried you’d make a wasted trip, that’s why I’m reminding you. Without the sect leader’s permission, no one can open the mountain-protecting array and let outsiders of unknown origin into the mountain. Right now, the sect leader is in seclusion making medicine and won’t even glance at this place. The only person you can ask is me.” Cui Xingmiao lowered her head slightly and smoothed the patterns on her sleeve. “I don’t have much time either. If you don’t ask me, I’ll be leaving.”
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com