As night fell, the bright moon hung high in the sky, and the ethereal Lingyun Sect was shrouded in a layer of black veil, making it hazy and indistinct.
Inside a guest room on a mountain peak, Tang Chi leaned against the edge of the bed, closing his eyes to rest. The window was open, and a gentle breeze blew through, ruffling his hair, but it couldn't disturb the still scene.
At this moment, the door was pushed open, and Li Mu walked in carrying a basin of water, followed by Wuyou, who was still dressed in a blue robe and had an elegant demeanor.
"Little Tang, I've come to see you." Wuyou sat down in a chair, casually saying, "What's wrong? Are you unhappy because of what happened during the day?"
"Lingyun Sect has really gone too far. Those two were so disrespectful, yet they only received a few verbal reprimands. They really don't respect our Tang Clan at all." Li Mu put down the copper basin, looking indignant.
"That's not the most important thing. The most important thing is that we've been here all day, and the disciples around us are rushing around, as if they're looking for someone or something. It's obvious that Sect Leader Kong wants to get rid of us." Wuyou shook her fingers left and right to deny it, and then began to explain her opinion in a very logical way.
"Lingyun Sect is heavily guarded, how could something have been stolen?" Li Mu asked subconsciously.
Tang Chi also subconsciously sat up straight, his thoughts being led astray. He had only been sitting there resting with his eyes closed, never expecting it to lead to such a conversation. After listening to Wuyou's words and thinking about it carefully, it really was true.
“Yes, Lingyun Sect is heavily guarded, how could they have lost anything? Besides, they were in a hurry and acted very discreetly. If they had lost something, they should have searched for it openly, not kept it from us.” Wuyou picked up a cup of tea, took a sip, and looked at Tang Chi with a meaningful smile. “If they were afraid we would find out and rush to search, then what exactly did they lose?”
Following Wuyou's train of thought, Tang Shi had a thought flash through her mind and blurted out, "What they lost was people."
"It's true that he's teachable, but what's shameful is his reputation, especially since he's someone the entire Lingyun Sect cares about so much." Wuyou nodded in approval, then drank another cup of tea to moisten his throat.
"Kong Qingyan." Tang Chi blurted out, his expression annoyed and his tone indignant, "What do you mean she lost face? She clearly ran away from her wedding. I haven't even said I don't like her yet, and she ran away from her wedding. I should be the one who ran away from her wedding."
Tang Chi's words were not without reason. After all, this marriage was not initiated by their Tang Clan. He had only met Kong Qingyan once, and her delicate appearance clearly did not match his aesthetic.
They only acknowledged the marriage for the sake of the Tang Clan's future. There was no real affection between them, but Kong Qingyan's blatant elopement clearly showed that she didn't take them seriously.
What's most infuriating is that Master Kong actually helped cover it up, trying to deceive himself and others.
Thinking about it this way, Tang Chi was filled with anger at being deceived. He was so furious that he wanted to rush out and confront Kong Tingxuan on the spot.
"Hey, calm down. This is just our guess. Let's wait and see." Wuyou spoke slowly and deliberately, which slightly reduced Tang Chi's anger.
"I know where Kong Qingyan is. I'll go check it out and see if she really dares to run away from her marriage in such a rebellious way." In his youthful arrogance, Tang Chi, who couldn't tolerate any nonsense, instantly had his temper flare up.
Li Mu naturally followed his young master. Wuyou sat still and did not move. Seeing is believing. Only when it was truly confirmed that the other party had run away from the marriage could it be considered true, so as not to make excuses later.
On the main peak of Lingyun Sect, Kong Tingxuan sat upright in the main hall, his hands gripping the armrests tightly, his face extremely grim. Madam Kong stood to the side, not daring to speak, her face revealing undisguised worry.
"Sect Master, we have searched the entire Lingyun Sect and the surrounding towns, but there is no trace of the young lady." The disciple in white cupped his hands and revealed everything he had found.
"It seems he has already escaped to the mortal realm." Having received the answer he expected, Kong Tingxuan closed his eyes, suppressing the anger in his chest and the fury in his eyes.
Then he suddenly opened his eyes, staring intently at the white-robed disciple, and said coldly, "All inner disciples of my Lingyun Sect are to secretly search for Kong Qingyan under the guise of going out for training. Once found, bring her back immediately. No one is allowed to show leniency, or they will be punished according to sect rules. If she disobeys orders and refuses to return, even if you have to tie her up, bring her back to me. Otherwise, kill her without exception."
"Yes—" The white-robed disciple knew that Kong Tingxuan was truly angry, so he dared not say anything more and immediately withdrew after accepting the order.
As soon as they left, Madam Kong's eyes immediately reddened, and she carefully wiped away her tears with a handkerchief. Kong Qingyan's beauty originated from Madam Kong; the two bore a resemblance in three parts, but Madam Kong possessed a more mature and elegant charm. Having lived a life of luxury for a thousand years, despite her average talent, she maintained the appearance of someone in their twenties thanks to the elixirs and medicines she possessed, and her tears were pitifully beautiful.
"My lord, even if Qingyan did something wrong, she is still our own daughter. How can you be so cruel to her?" Madam Kong's eyes were red, her tone a mixture of sadness and reproach.
"Shut up—Kong Qingyan dared to elope, all because you spoiled her. The Tang Clan is not to be trifled with. It took me a lot of effort to get the engagement done, and you and your daughter have ruined it all."
Still seething with resentment, Kong Tingxuan's face turned red with anger, and the teacup beside him was swept to the ground and turned into dust.
"But...but no matter how good the Tang Clan is, there's nothing I can do if my daughter doesn't like them." Madam Kong stammered, clutching her handkerchief, a hint of fear in her eyes. Actually, she felt a little guilty; she had been quite willing to agree to the marriage in the first place.
"Shut up! It's a marriage arranged by parents and matchmakers. How can she decide for herself?" Kong Tingxuan said impatiently, his brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly.
"..." Madam Kong opened her mouth, but then stopped speaking. She knew her husband well enough to know that no matter how harsh his words were, he couldn't bear to part with his daughter.
Over the years, Kong Tingxuan's personality has changed, and many of the kind-hearted people he once knew have become unrecognizable. After all, more than a thousand years have passed, and he is surrounded by power, status, and wealth. How many people in high positions can still maintain their original intentions? Fortunately, he remains the same towards the mother and daughter.
Sometimes, Lady Kong would even reminisce about her days as a mortal, when she had a harmonious marriage, filial children, and a life full of joy. But it was just a thought; looking at her still slender and beautiful face after a hundred years, and the fairy robes she wore, it was an irresistible temptation for any woman.
The couple argued wildly in the main hall, unaware of the two figures on the rooftop—Tang Chi and his servant, who had remained undetected due to the concealment of their magical artifacts.
Tang Chi's expression changed several times before finally settling into calm. He glanced deeply in Kong Tingxuan's direction, his inner anger burning fiercely, but he still left silently.
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