Inside the Tao family ancestral hall, the sprightly elderly people whispered among themselves, discussing the matter animatedly.
"I heard that this 'Peach Gathering' is being held in response to the theft of thyme ten years ago."
"The thyme was stolen, and Peach Master Tao Ban was banished from Peach Blossom Spring. Alas..."
"Momosaki has returned to prove his innocence."
“That child is someone I watched grow up; he’s always been law-abiding. How could he steal from someone in charge of his job!”
"It's also because Elder Tao Hong is intolerant of others."
...
Tao Qian sat to one side, veins bulging on her forehead.
The master devoted himself to the Peach Blossom Spring until his death. What right do these good-for-nothings who do nothing but enjoy the fruits of his labor have to criticize and condemn his master?
Tao Qian gripped the armrest tightly, her teeth chattering.
"Tao Qian," Second Elder Tao Zi warned Tao Qian.
Second Elder Tao Zi is the younger sister of First Elder Tao Hong, and her sister's most beloved disciple. She has the responsibility and obligation to take care of Tao Qianyi and Tao Qian.
"Thank you, Second Elder. It was Tao Qian who was rude," Tao Qian said.
"No one is perfect, everyone makes mistakes. Your achievements will not be overlooked," Tao Zi assured her.
Tao Qian lowered her head, then raised it again, a smile on her face.
"That's good."
A moment of patience brings calm, a step back opens up a vast expanse.
After a while, Liao Kongmin and Ji Xiaoxiao made their appearance.
Without saying a word, Liao Kongmin threw the image stone that Tao Hong had personally recorded that night into the air. The image stone spun once, then suddenly stopped, shining brightly and projecting a clear image of Tao Hong.
"I am Tao Hong, the Grand Elder of Peach Blossom Spring. I have been in charge of the Elder Council for over a hundred years, guarding Peach Blossom Spring with utmost care and diligence. Ten years ago, in order to break through to the Foundation Establishment realm, I stole the clan's most precious treasure, Hundred-Mile Fragrance, and framed Master Tao Ban for it. My sins are grave, and I have failed my ancestors. Now, my inner demons are rampant, my cultivation is not progressing, but rather greatly declining. Knowing that my days are numbered, I reveal the truth to the world in order to seek the forgiveness of those still living..."
Everyone was stunned and couldn't recover for a long time.
"Was the thyme stolen by Elder Tao Hong?"
"Have I wronged Master Tao?"
All sorts of thoughts and ideas, roaring and raging like thunder, filled the minds of the elderly as they approached the end of their lives, shaking their fragile little hearts.
They were all highly respected elders of Peach Blossom Spring, and were the most fair and just in dealing with people and things. However, ten years ago, just because of a single sentence from the powerful Elder Tao Hong, they privately questioned him without trial, which led to Peach Master Tao Ban being expelled from Peach Blossom Spring.
What a sin! What a sin!
They are nearing the end of their lives. After they close their eyes, how can they face their ancestors in the afterlife?
“Master Tao,” an old man said to Liao Kongmin.
"Elder, I am no longer the Peach Master." Liao Kong stepped aside to avoid the old man's bow.
"No, Master Peach, you have been framed, you..."
"Elder, the clan's 'Peach Blossom Decree' is not child's play. I am no longer the master of Peach Blossom Spring, so please stop calling me Master Peach. I have returned today only to prove my innocence. I, Tao Ban, am a man of my word, and I will never shirk my responsibilities. But the crimes that others have forced upon me, I will wash away completely, even if it costs me my life," Liao Kongmin said righteously.
The old man muttered a few words and sat down with a dejected look on his face.
"Now everyone knows that I was wronged. I hope that my name, Tao Ban, can be reinstated in the Tao family genealogy." The original owner longed for Peach Blossom Spring and wanted the name Tao Ban to remain in the genealogy so that he could enjoy the Tao family's incense offerings for thousands of years after his death.
I'll help you to the end, I'll deliver the goods to the farthest place, it's only 9.9 yuan with free shipping, plus a small pack of tissues.
Liao Kongmin secretly gave himself a thumbs up, thinking, "I'm truly an unparalleled deliveryman."
“Of course, of course, those who are guilty should be punished, and those who are meritorious should be rewarded,” Tao Zi said.
After a period of commotion, "Peach Spot" was reinstated into the Peach family genealogy.
"For the past ten years, Peach Blossom Spring has had no Peach Master. The affairs of Peach Blossom Spring have all been handled by the Elder Council. Peach Spot, now that you have returned to Peach Blossom Spring, how about you take on the role of Peach Master?"
Someone suggested that Liao Kongmin serve the same old dishes in a new way, and the crowd immediately agreed.
"No way," Liao Kongmin refused outright.
"However, I have a recommended candidate." Liao Kongmin glanced around, his gaze settling on Tao Qian. "Tao Qian is the Grand Elder's personal disciple. When the Grand Elder was in seclusion, all affairs of Peach Blossom Spring were handled by Tao Qian. For the past ten years, Peach Blossom Spring has been peaceful and safe, and Tao Qian's contributions are indispensable. I recommend Tao Qian to be the Peach Blossom Master. What do you all think?"
"Tao Qian? Tao Hong's disciple? As the saying goes, like father, like son. The master-disciple relationship is even more important than the father-son relationship. The master's behavior is improper and his character is immoral. In my humble opinion, Tao Qian is not up to the task." It is only natural to love someone because of them and hate them because of them.
"I won't agree."
"I won't agree either."
Opposition voices came like waves, tormenting Tao Qian's ears.
Tao Qianqiang suppressed his anger, but couldn't help but point his gun at Liao Kongmin.
"It's all his fault, it's all his fault, it's all his fault that he lost face."
Tao Qianyuan glared angrily, her teeth itching with hatred.
As Tao Hong's most favored disciple, he knew that Tao Hong's past actions were now public knowledge, and Tao Hong deserved to be infamous for eternity.
In ancient times, there was the crime of implicating nine generations of one's family; even today, the consequences of wrongdoing are far-reaching. If the master makes a mistake, the disciple cannot escape responsibility. Tao Qian doesn't ask for much; he'd be grateful to be able to stay peacefully in Peach Blossom Spring. The Peach Master of Peach Blossom Spring? He dares not even think about it.
"No, Tao Qian is the most suitable candidate to be the Peach Blossom Spring Master."
Liao Kongmin recounted the whole story, "Before Elder Tao Hong died, she passed on all her cultivation to Tao Qian. With Tao Qian's cultivation and strength, he can be considered the strongest in Peach Blossom Spring. The responsibility of the Peach Master is to protect Peach Blossom Spring. The stronger the Peach Master is, the safer Peach Blossom Spring will be. Elders and sages, do not look at an outstanding disciple with prejudice. His ancestors may have made mistakes or committed crimes, but these were not his doing or his intentions. For ten years, Tao Qian has diligently managed Peach Blossom Spring in an orderly manner. Isn't he wholeheartedly for the good of Peach Blossom Spring and for the good of everyone in Peach Blossom Spring?"
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