Chapter 1240: White Deer Institute

Chapter 1240: Chapter 1240: White Deer Institute

"Let me consider this matter! As you know, I am merely a member of the investigation team, and though my words carry some weight, I cannot decide everything by myself. I need to discuss this matter with my colleagues." Pei Yan thought for a moment and decided not to immediately agree to the other party’s request, as he and the investigation team had yet to decide if they should cooperate with the Immortal Palace or the Embroidered Robe Envoy, or remain balanced between the two.

It’s imperative to identify the bad apples within the organization to prevent disastrous consequences. As for other sects, Pei Yan wanted to see the Immortal Palace’s power diminished, yet not so severely that it would lead to the Daoist Plane being at a disadvantage before the war began.

Xiang Zixiong and his third brother Ni Hong exchanged a glance. Pei Yan’s response was not unexpected for them; they had anticipated that he wouldn’t provide a definite answer right away. These matters couldn’t be rushed, so Xiang Zixiong didn’t push Pei Yan further, but instead bowed to him and said, "Then we’ll wait for your good news, Mr. Pei. Starting today, we will deploy our guards as agreed previously for the investigation team. My brother and I will stationed to ensure the safety of the investigators. Our chief commander also mentioned that if there are any issues in the investigation, don’t hesitate to reach out—whatever the Embroidered Robe Envoy can accomplish, we will do for you."

"Oh! There’s indeed a small matter I want to ask you." Pei Yan became interested upon hearing this, drumming his fingers on the table and curiously asked, "I heard from your brother that besides dispersing and sealing the earth veins, the Embroidered Robe Envoy is also responsible for monitoring the movements of major sects. Is this causing a manpower shortage?"

Xiang Zixiong, hearing Pei Yan’s question, candidly responded, "Indeed, Mr. Pei, my brother did not deceive you. This is true. My two sworn brothers and I just returned from external missions, which led to the unexpected encounter on the long street with my brother, resulting in a conflict with you. I went to seal the earth veins in the north, around Glazed Mirror Moon Lake, while my two brothers were dispatched to monitor the White Deer Institute and the Infinite Thunder Sect."

Pei Yan’s eyelids flickered slightly as he inquired further, "The White Deer Institute? Who is responsible for monitoring the White Deer Institute?"

"Ah! It’s my second brother, Lu Heguang!" Xiang Zixiong was unsure why Pei Yan asked but answered truthfully nonetheless.

"Could you let him in so I can ask him a few questions?"

"Of course, this is possible!" Xiang Zixiong responded, then walked out of the hall to the courtyard and loudly called his brother’s name. Shortly after, Lu Heguang, who had just left, returned to the hall with Xiang Zixiong.

Pei Yan gave the newcomer a once-over. Compared to the brashness of his elder brother, Xiang Zixiong, and the meticulous smoothness of Ni Hong, this short and taciturn man seemed much more stable. Pei Yan nodded at him and with a smile asked, "You are responsible for monitoring the White Deer Institute."

"Mr. Pei, I am just a Deputy Commander; the true leader is my superior. However, during the monitoring process, specific tasks are arranged and directed by me." Lu Heguang responded with a respectful voice.

"Oh! Then you must be quite familiar with the White Deer Institute?"

At this point, the three brothers understood that there must be an issue at White Deer Plain to warrant Pei Yan’s attention. Facing Pei Yan’s questioning, Lu Heguang maintained a calm demeanor and replied without arrogance or submission, "I wouldn’t say so, but since I’m responsible for monitoring them, I’ve naturally done some homework on this sect, knowing some past information about them."

"Tell me more!"

"The White Deer Institute wasn’t one of the earliest established members of the Six Mansions of the Immortal Palace, yet it wasn’t founded late either. They established the sect around the period of the Garden of the Immortals’ dissolution and the Immortal Palace’s rise. Initially just a small academy, they coincidentally survived amid the transition of major powers, where sects were competing and clashing fiercely in the Daoist Plane. The first few generations of White Deer Institute’s leaders were extraordinarily talented and survived in the crevices while focusing on recruiting individuals from defeated and extinct sects to serve their purposes. This move at the time sparked resentment from many, as those sects hostile to these recruited individuals wouldn’t allow their enemies any chance to regain strength. Thus, they demanded White Deer Institute hand over their enemies, but the Institute remained firm, refusing to comply, leading to several shocking battles in the Daoist Plane. The White Deer Institute not only survived the ensuing siege but continued to grow, systematically neutralizing the sects that targeted them, and acquiring their sects’ secret teachings. This cemented the sect’s status and structure in the manner of drawing from many sects. Today, the White Deer Institute boasts the most diverse and open collection of teachings among the Six Mansions. Anyone embarking on the path of cultivation can join their ranks and study the collected texts, and those with talent and willing to join the White Deer Institute may be selected as Inner Courtyard Disciples to further pursue advanced Cultivation Techniques." Lu Heguang patiently recounted all he knew of the White Deer Institute.

"Oh, so the White Deer Institute is quite inclusive, huh! Back then, the conflicts in the Daoist Plane were indeed fierce, why didn’t the Immortal Palace intervene?" Pei Yan nodded continuously, acknowledging that this was consistent with the data collected by the investigation team and then proceeded to question further.

Lu Heguang chuckled and shook his head, "Mr. Pei, this situation is actually quite common in the current Daoist Plane. Don’t forget, these sects are subjects of the Immortal Palace, but they are also its competitors. Ah! Every five hundred years, the Sword Discussion Conference sees these powerful sects as potential enemies of the Six Mansions. Therefore, the Immortal Palace adopts a laissez-faire attitude towards the disputes among sects, as long as they don’t practice some outrageously heinous evil techniques or commit actions that breach the Daoist Plane’s rules and invoke the ire of the sects, the Immortal Palace historically prefers to let these conflicts run their course. Especially back then, when the Immortal Palace had just replaced the Garden of the Immortals and was still securing its foothold, the sects’ conflicts were precisely what they hoped for, and they naturally wouldn’t interfere."

"That’s indeed the case!" Pei Yan agreed with Lu Heguang’s reasoning, nodded, and then changed his tone to probe, "So based on Mr. Lu’s observations in recent days, do you think there’s anything unusual about the White Deer Institute?"

The key question had finally come! Lu Youguang discreetly glanced at his elder brother, sensing both their hearts tightening as Pei Yan, at last, approached the real inquiry. With Xiang Zixiong’s gesture of indication, Lu Youguang bowed low to Pei Yan, lowered his voice, and responded, "Mr. Pei, do you hope there is or there isn’t?"

"Hahaha!" Pei Yan paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, realizing that if he indicated he hoped for issues, these Embroidered Robe Envoys would find ways to fabricate some, turning any real trouble into his responsibility by claiming he instructed it! What a joke! Do they think I’m some naive youngster fresh on the scene? Reflecting on this, Pei Yan withdrew the smile from his face and casually remarked, "Mr. Lu, what do you mean? Our investigation department always operates impartially; we don’t partake in baseless framing! So Mr. Lu, just speak the truth without embellishing it."