Chapter 609 - 89: Old Acquaintance

Xia Wen Yi and Yuan Zheng had arrived in a hurry, and their departure was even more rushed.

Xia Wen Yi would be responsible for secretly recalling the sect’s Entry-level Disciples, while Yuan Zheng needed to take inventory of various elixirs and supplies to prepare for any potential changes in the situation.

After the two left, Wang Ping extended his Primordial Spirit Consciousness over the entire Qianmu Temple. He saw Liu Shuang, Yang Rong, and Shen Xiaozhu in their secluded cultivation, then the disciples in each courtyard cultivating diligently, and finally, every blade of grass and every tree in Qianmu Temple.

Everything here was a memento left by his master, along with the legacy of Qianmu Temple that his master cared about most.

"In the past, I cultivated under Master’s protection. I didn’t have to worry about anything. I could just ignore the world and focus solely on cultivation. I really miss those days!"

Wang Ping said softly, looking at Yu Lian.

Yu Lian tilted her head and replied, "Oh, yes. I’d almost forgotten. We were so carefree back then. Even if something came up, Master would have already thought of it."

Wang Ping looked up at the sky. The winter sky was incomparably gloomy, just like his current mood. After a moment, he said, "Hiding like Zi Luan might be a good idea, but I could miss this chance to advance to the Fourth Realm."

Zi Luan had already perfected the Third Realm. He was likely just a hair’s breadth away from advancing to the Fourth Realm, but unfortunately, he never dared to try. It made sense for him to go into hiding now to seek that slim chance.

But Wang Ping still had a ways to go. Without the help of Qianmu Temple and the Chu Kingdom Court, relying on himself alone, even cultivating with the Qi Fortune Array, the cost of the depleted Array Materials would be a huge headache for him.

"There’s no need to overthink it at a time like this. The Fourth Realm is worth staking everything on. If things become impossible... we can take Xiaozhu, Shuang’Er, and the others to Hu Mountain Country to find my parents."

Yu Lian said, looking at Wang Ping.

Wang Ping’s eyes glinted at her words. He said, "Your parents’ place would indeed be an excellent location for my advancement. I just don’t know if they’d be willing."

"The place is huge. They should be willing, right?"

"I’ll have a puppet go and ask." Wang Ping immediately sent a message to the puppet in Hu Mountain Country, simultaneously resolving in his heart to make Yu Lian’s parents’ home one of his final choices for a place to advance.

"Great!"

Yu Lian’s golden, vertical pupils shone brightly.

Just then, Wang Ping’s Primordial Spirit Consciousness noticed Leng Kezhen waiting for an audience in the front hall. ’I wonder what his purpose is in coming to Qianmu Temple,’ he thought. He then sent a voice transmission to the Chief of the front hall, telling him to bring Leng Kezhen to the Mountain Peak Dojo.

"This person has a heavy killing intent, but his karmic ties aren’t deep. It’s very strange." After Wang Ping sent his transmission, Yu Lian also used her Primordial Spirit to probe Leng Kezhen and offered a word of caution to Wang Ping.

"What do you think he wants with me?"

"He’s probably here to pledge his allegiance to you!"

"Is that so?"

It was indeed just as Yu Lian had guessed.

When Leng Kezhen saw Wang Ping, he ignored the presence of the front hall Chief who had led him up and immediately performed a full kowtow, prostrating himself completely, expressing his desire to join Qianmu Temple.

Wang Ping first waved his hand at the front hall Chief to dismiss him. He then looked at Leng Kezhen, who was still prostrated on the ground, and his memory instantly flashed back to when he had first met him. The Leng Feng of that time, Leng Qianhu, was slick, but he was a good person who despised evil. Unfortunately, he ended up as a discarded pawn.

When he saw him again later, he had already become Leng Kezhen, and his temperament had changed drastically, but he had survived in the end.

Meeting again now, this man no longer had the high spirits of their first encounter, nor the sinister ruthlessness of their second. He seemed to have reached the twilight of his years.

"Get up and speak. There’s no need for such formalities between us."

Wang Ping extended his right hand and made a lifting gesture.

Leng Kezhen scrambled to his feet. "Thank you, True Man!"

"Sit."

’This is a time when I need people,’ Wang Ping thought, pointing to the stool beside him. ’This man served as the Commander of the Imperial Guard for several hundred years and has the best understanding of the complex situations throughout Zhongzhou. I could make use of him, but I don’t know if he can be trusted.’

"How can I trust you?" Wang Ping didn’t beat around the bush.

"What would you have me do, True Man?" Leng Kezhen did not sit, but stood respectfully to the side, clasping his fist as he asked.

"I haven’t thought of anything yet..."

Wang Ping looked up at the sky. An auspicious cloud rose over the Mountain Peak Dojo; it was Xia Wen Yi leading the Patriarch of the Liu Family to pay their respects. He waved his hand lightly and said, "You are dismissed for now. We’ll talk again when I’ve thought of a use for you!"

He said it so bluntly on purpose.

"Yes!"

Leng Kezhen nodded without hesitation and then decisively exited the small courtyard.

After he left, Yu Lian said, "The man has several hundred years of cultivation and has frequently handled the dirty work of the Xia Imperial Family. Do you really think a little verbal test like that is effective?"

Wang Ping didn’t answer, his gaze falling upon the two people who had suddenly appeared outside the small courtyard.

When Xia Wen Yi met Wang Ping’s gaze, he immediately clasped his fist and made the introduction. "Master, this is the current patriarch of the Liu Family, Liu Qin."

Liu Qin had the appearance of a middle-aged man, with a cultivation at the Foundation Establishment level. He was dressed in a wide-sleeved, cotton-padded long robe, popular in Zhonghui County Town during winter, with a White Jade Waistband at his waist and the golden coronet of a First-Grade Duke on his head.

The golden coronet was the first thing to lower in Wang Ping’s presence as its owner performed a deep kowtow. "Greetings, Ancestor! May the Ancestor be in good health!"

Being called ’Ancestor’ left Wang Ping feeling a bit dazed.

Xia Wen Yi explained with a smile, "He is a direct descendant from the line of Eldest Senior Sister’s younger brother. It’s not wrong for him to call you, Master, ’Ancestor’."

In that moment, the overlap of the Cultivation Realm and the Mortal Realm made Wang Ping acutely aware that he had already lived for over four hundred years.

Just as Wang Ping was about to speak, his Communication Token suddenly pulsed with intense energy fluctuations, and it didn’t stop. A bad premonition instantly arose in his heart. He waved his hand at Xia Wen Yi, took out the Communication Token, and probed it with his Primordial Spirit.

The first thing that came through was Wu Quan’s consciousness. Before Wang Ping had time to read it, Yuan Zheng’s aura descended from the sky, landing hastily outside the courtyard. Following that, messages from puppets began pouring in through the Pocket World Mirror.

Wang Ping formed a seal with his left hand, using his Primordial Spirit Consciousness to suppress the unease in his heart. He glanced up at Yuan Zheng, who stood at the entrance looking like he wanted to speak but was hesitating. Then, he picked up the Communication Token to read the message from Wu Quan. It was a single sentence: The whole world is now spreading a rumor that you ambushed Fellow Daoist Zi Luan, leading to his demise!

"Interesting!"

Wang Ping, however, let out a soft laugh. He then summoned the Pocket World Mirror. Five Puppet Birds were now circling in front of Xia Wen Yi, there to deliver messages. Wang Ping glanced at Xia Wen Yi, whose expression had subtly changed, and read the messages from the Pocket World Mirror.

The messages were all from puppets in Jinhuai City. Just as Wu Quan had said, the news that he had ambushed Zi Luan, causing his demise, was currently spreading all over Jinhuai City.

"Haha, interesting. Hongyuan and Qin Zifeng just left my place, and already the rumor has spread throughout Jinhuai City and even reached Wu Quan, who is all the way in Mozhou Road." Wang Ping’s gaze swept over Yuan Zheng and Xia Wen Yi, finally landing on the bewildered Liu Qin.

Yuan Zheng said urgently, "You must make a decision quickly. With Zi Luan missing, Wu Quan has already moved with his disciples to Mozhou Road. Our only remaining ally on Nanlin Road is the Loose Cultivator Alliance. Now... everyone is looking to you!"