Chapter 100: Revisiting an Old Place

During his time in Qing’an City in the mid Foundation Establishment stage, it was impossible for him not to have heard about it... Moreover, the Joyful Sect’s leader had been driven out of Joyful Mountain by multiple factions, so he was somewhat concerned about the situation in Qing’an City.

“May I ask your name, fellow Daoist? Perhaps I, Sang, might know something,” the Joyful Mountain Sect Leader smiled.

“Li Guanxuan.”

“...” The Joyful Mountain Sect Leader searched his memory but couldn’t recall anyone by that name. He cupped his hands and apologized, “I, Sang Shaoxian, have been the leader of Joyful Mountain for many years but have never heard of Daoist Li.”

Sang Shaoxian was his real name.

Li Guanxuan returned the gesture. “Back then, I was just a scattered Qi refiner; it’s normal that Sect Leader Sang hasn’t heard of me.”

A scattered cultivator...

Sang Shaoxian smiled slightly, understanding that Li Guanxuan feared he might be seen as an enemy. After all, he had been driven out by many forces and was now gathering strength to reclaim his position. Hearing that a mid Foundation Establishment cultivator had come from Qing’an City naturally made him more attentive.

Once he learned Li was a scattered cultivator, Sang’s vigilance eased. After all, those associated with Zheng Huangjin were unlikely to be sect disciples.

Then Sang looked at Zheng Huangjin and smiled, “Shopkeeper Zheng, it’s been years. I didn’t expect you’d also reach mid Foundation Establishment—congratulations.”

“By luck, by luck...” Zheng Huangjin bowed politely, a broad smile on his face.

Sang glanced around and said, “The seats are all taken. I hope you don’t mind if I join you?”

“The honor is ours.”

Li Guanxuan smiled and held out his hand, “Please, Sect Leader Sang.”

“Thank you,” Sang nodded slightly, his gaze briefly scanning over Qin Jiyue and the two others. After roughly assessing their cultivation, he was unimpressed.

Soon, Cao Feng gave a speech, and after the congratulatory cheers, the wedding banquet officially began.

Cao Mang, used to overeating, was somewhat restrained in front of a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator, eating with a bit of caution.

Li Guanxuan ate at a normal pace.

“I heard Daoist Li is a second-rank superior-grade talisman master?” Sang Shaoxian asked with some curiosity.

Li Guanxuan nodded slightly, smiling, “It’s precisely for that skill that I became a guest official of the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion.”

He had now taken on the guest official title to prevent troublemakers from bothering him. After all, reaching the Foundation Establishment stage attracted attention from some Qi refiners.

With many eyes on him, it was hard for the major Foundation Establishment cultivators nearby not to recognize him.

“Impressive, impressive...” Sang smiled and then asked, “Daoist Li should be aware of my situation. I plan to return to Qing’an City next year. Would you be able to sell me a few second-rank superior-grade offensive talismans?”

“No problem at all.”

Li Guanxuan agreed readily but asked out of curiosity, “I heard the Moonfall Valley Sect Leader is severely injured, but the Bloodhand Sect, the Absolute Kill Tower, and the Azure Thunder Sect all plan to divide the valley. Sect Leader Sang, are you confident in returning next year?”

“Just to stir up trouble,” Sang scoffed with a hint of mockery. “The Bloodhand Sect and Absolute Kill Tower are sects formed by bandit cultivators—not worth worrying about. As long as the price is right, they’ll behave. Once I kill the Azure Thunder Sect Leader, I can immediately take his place without bothering Lord Cao’s protection anymore.”

Hearing this, Li Guanxuan understood Sang had set his sights on the Azure Thunder Sect.

As for Moonfall Valley...

With its leader gravely wounded and dying, only a few years remained.

By then, once the Bloodhand Sect and Absolute Kill Tower were dealt with, reclaiming Joyful Mountain would naturally be possible.

The plan was likely more complex... Li Guanxuan thought silently. Sang might only be revealing part of it.

But since Sang was confident about returning, he must have prepared thoroughly.

Li Guanxuan said, “During the great upheaval in Qing’an City, my wife once disguised herself as a man under the name Qin Wuji and joined Moonfall Valley...”

At this, Sang’s chopsticks paused mid-air as he looked at Li with quiet expectation.

He had met Qin Wuji before—after all, she had saved Cao Feng’s life. If Li was pleading on her behalf, Sang would have to consider carefully.

Li noticed Sang’s gaze and smiled, “Sect Leader Sang, rest assured, my wife was long ago expelled by Moonfall Valley’s leader and has no attachment there, only a few friends remain.”

Sang finally relaxed, relieved it wasn’t a plea for mercy toward Moonfall Valley’s forces.

After all, he bore a deep grudge against Moonfall Valley and its factions. His master had been driven to death by them. This grudge would remain unresolved until avenged.

“Speak freely, Daoist Li,” Sang smiled.

“We plan to revisit old places and friends next year. Since Sect Leader Sang plans to return as well, we’d like to go back in six months to pay a visit. What do you think?” Li Guanxuan was candid.

Sang studied Li intently. He wasn’t worried about leaking information. Once Moonfall Valley’s leader died, the valley would surely fall.

The cultivation world was ruthless—survival of the fittest.

Li’s accompanying his wife might truly be to see old friends. Other motives were hard to imagine.

After all, life in Qing’an City was less comfortable than in Silver Maple City.

At least here, Cao Feng, a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator, could protect them.

“Of course, no problem,” Sang nodded, showing no objection.

He could dispatch someone to investigate whether Qin Jiyue truly had friends in Moonfall Valley.

“Thank you for understanding, Sect Leader Sang. I’ll drink to that.” Li raised his cup and drained it, feeling relieved.

With these matters clarified, his return to Qing’an City would be less suspect.

Though watched, it was better than being constantly doubted.

...

After the banquet, Li Guanxuan left the city lord’s mansion and went home to make plans.

“Are we really going at this time? What if Sang Shaoxian gets suspicious?” Qin Jiyue worried.

“We have no choice,” Li said gravely. “If Sang reclaims Joyful Mountain, it will be harder for us to bring Zhiqiao over there later. Better to go once now and return quickly.”

He looked at Qin Jiyue, “But you must meet your friends in Moonfall Valley to ease any suspicion.”

“Don’t worry, husband. I’ve checked. Those close to me are now officials in the valley,” Qin Jiyue nodded.

“What... what are we going there for?” Song Zhiqiao asked, confused.

“You’ll know in time,” Qin smiled.

Wen Rongxin also nodded gently, “Whatever it is, don’t tell anyone. No exceptions.”

Seeing her brother and the two sisters serious, Song Zhiqiao obediently nodded.

She sensed this trip to Qing’an City was for her.

Though puzzled, she trusted them unconditionally—they were family now.

...

Half a year passed in a blink.

Fully prepared, Li Guanxuan left Silver Maple City, steering his flying boat toward Qing’an City.

Not in a hurry, they took their time, stopping to enjoy the scenery along the way.

No longer mere Qi refiners, they no longer needed to be so cautious.

Ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators encountering Li and Qin Jiyue sensed their terrifying sword intent and fled without ill intent.

Such was the convenience of great power.

Another half year later, Li finally saw Qing’an City, where he had lived decades ago, and felt a surge of emotions.

When the demon cultivators attacked Tianya City and entered the Immortal Ruins, panic spread, and none dared stay.

But since the demon cultivators did not massacre on a large scale and settled there, Qing’an City narrowly escaped disaster.

Now, many demon cultivators lived there, but even Moonfall Valley dared not easily control them.

Li and Wen Rongxin also saw their old shantytown home from their wedding—now inhabited by others.

Even the house of Chen Yinshan and his wife was occupied.

“I wonder how Chen Yinshan is...” Wen Rongxin nestled in Li’s arms, reminiscing.

“After Moonfall Valley, we’ll return immediately. I’ll personally visit the Red Needle Mountains then,” Li said, gently stroking her shoulder. “If Old Chen’s alive, that means Guili’s alive too. Maybe you’ll meet again someday.”

“May Heaven bless them,” Wen clasped her hands, praying devoutly.

“Let’s go to Moonfall Valley first. I’ve sent them a message; they’re waiting at the mountain gate now,” Qin Jiyue said.

Li nodded slightly, no longer staring at Qing’an City, and headed toward Moonfall Valley.

...

Soon, three mature women stood at the mountain gate. As cultivators, their appearances were far from unattractive.

But seeing Li and the others, they felt somewhat humbled.

“Daoist Qin, you really made us suffer,” one woman said with a look of grievance.

Back then, Qin Jiyue disguised as a man, and this woman had developed feelings for ‘Qin Wuji.’ Learning ‘he’ was a woman nearly shattered her.

“Alas, it was unavoidable. Please don’t blame me,” Qin laughed and handed over three spirit protection talismans, winking.

“But your gift-giving method hasn’t changed since then,” another woman chuckled.

After some pleasantries, Qin introduced Li and the others.

Led by the three women, they entered Moonfall Valley for a tour.

At the main peak, one sighed, “Jiyue, all these years, the Sect Leader has been thinking of you. Not just us officials, but many elders know too.”

Qin Jiyue was indifferent.

Now that the Sect Leader was severely injured and dying, it was natural she would be remembered if she returned.

If she were still healthy, she probably wouldn’t have been granted an audience.

The Velvet Flower Spirit Tree once rooted near the main peak; to get a velvet flower for Song Zhiqiao, they had to visit the Sect Leader.

“Alas, now my husband is a guest official of the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion...” Qin sighed wistfully, emphasizing her status.

As a member of the pavilion, she was unlikely to return to Moonfall Valley.

She then said, “I’ll go see her first.”

“Good. We’ll leave you here. You know the way to the Sect Leader best—she was fondest of you,” the three nodded, smiling, relieved.

Qin’s visit meant she still cared, perhaps able to help Moonfall Valley, which desperately needed aid.

Qin smiled faintly, indifferent. If not for the undercover agents she placed, Moonfall Valley would have long been destroyed.

Ascending the main peak, Song Zhiqiao marveled at the surroundings, deeply moved.

Only by following two mid Foundation Establishment cultivators could she step onto a sect’s main peak.

Li Guanxuan also set foot here for the first time; before, he only glimpsed the Velvet Flower Spirit Tree from afar, never close enough to approach.

“I wonder if the Velvet Flower Spirit Tree will change after we reach its old root...” Li thought silently.

There were likely many secrets within the tree unknown to him.

Only by steadily advancing cultivation and perfecting his aptitude might he uncover them.

Qin deliberately led Li and the others to the tree’s root area. After a circuit, they proceeded to the main peak’s great hall.

Li did not check the dark space within his body now—any strange phenomenon would be a major problem.

With the dark space isolating the outside, no one would notice anything unusual.

“Outside... is it Jiyue who has come?” came the voice of an elderly woman from inside the hall.

“Yes,” Qin Jiyue’s gaze was complex as she bowed without speaking.

“I have wronged you...” the voice sighed with regret, “If only I had kept you in Moonfall Valley back then.”

Qin sighed deeply, skilled in social interactions yet at a loss for words.

“You came back to see me, and that’s enough. If possible, please care for some of Moonfall Valley’s disciples,” the Sect Leader said.

“Sect Leader Sang knows I came to visit friends in Moonfall Valley,” Qin replied.

“...” Upon hearing this, the Sect Leader’s tone sharpened, “So... you’ve come for revenge as well?!”

(End of chapter)