“Give me the details,” the Tiansheng Sect’s Ancestor said, looking at the Tiansheng Sect Leader.
“Based on our investigation into those close to Ye Qingcheng, we discovered something,” the Sect Master began.
“She had become quite irritable lately, almost as if she were constantly agitated.”
The Tiansheng Sect’s Ancestor nodded, signaling for him to continue.
“Xiao Chen’s attack on Lu Ming a few days ago was also instigated by Ye Qingcheng.”
“Oh? It wasn’t simply out of his own jealousy?” the Ancestor asked, looking up with some surprise.
“No.”
“After Ye Qingcheng died, Xiao Chen seemed to have been shaken. He’s like a different person now. When we went to investigate, he confessed everything about how Ye Qingcheng had approached him.”
“Why did Ye Qingcheng want to kill Lu Ming?” the Tiansheng Sect’s Ancestor asked, stroking his beard in confusion.
“We don’t know,” the Sect Master replied, shaking his head.
“After Xiao Chen failed to kill Lu Ming that time, Ye Qingcheng had him contact the Tianqi Crown Prince and the others.”
At this point, the Sect Master glanced at the Ancestor with a dark expression. As the Sect Master, he was humiliated that the Saintess had done so much behind his back without him knowing.
“You have failed in your duty.”
The Ancestor’s voice wasn't loud, but the pressure he exuded sent a chill down the Sect Master’s spine.
“Yes, this disciple acknowledges his mistake.”
The Ancestor nodded and said nothing more.
Just then, a disciple came running in from outside.
“Reporting to the Ancestor and the Sect Master: Saint Lu has arrived!”
The Ancestor’s brow twitched. He turned to the Sect Master and asked, “The people sent to the Eastern and Northern Provinces—have they found the Qingshan Sect’s headquarters yet? Has any intelligence been sent back?”
“Reporting to the Ancestor... no...” the Sect Master answered hurriedly.
“Before we clarify the situation of the Qingshan Sect, keep Lu Ming here...”
“Yes, Ancestor!” the Sect Master replied before leaving to meet Lu Ming.
Upon arriving at the main hall, the Sect Master was somewhat surprised.
He hadn’t expected Ji Chen to be following Lu Ming as well.
Raising an eyebrow, he asked Lu Ming casually, “Where has Saint Lu been off to play lately?”
Lu Ming gave a slight smile. “Just wandering around the magnificent mountains and rivers of our Central Province.”
The Sect Master’s mouth twitched at the useless, hollow pleasantry.
Nevertheless, he put on a heavy expression and said to Lu Ming, “Saint Lu, I presume you’ve heard about the recent events.”
Lu Ming’s smiling face suddenly turned solemn. “I heard. The Tianqi Dynasty and the Yunhua Sacred Palace actually teamed up to beat you guys up!”
“I heard you were beaten quite miserably! In the end, you begged for mercy and ceded territory and paid reparations before they were willing to let you off...”
“Cough, cough!”
The Sect Master’s face stiffened, and he nearly choked on his own saliva.
He looked at Lu Ming with a face full of dark lines.
Even if you got your intel from a gossip on the street, it shouldn't be this unreliable!
“Saint Lu, your information is incorrect. There was merely a slight misunderstanding between us. We didn't actually fight!”
Lu Ming’s eyes went wide. “What? They didn't beat you until you begged for mercy?”
The Sect Master was speechless.
Does this guy really want us to be beaten into submission that badly?
“No!” the Sect Master ground out, taking a deep breath.
“Oh, oh... it seems the news I heard was false then.” Lu Ming nodded.
The Sect Master narrowed his eyes as he studied Lu Ming. Why did it feel like this guy was doing it on purpose?
Forget it, business first.
With that thought, the Sect Master looked at Lu Ming and said gravely, “Saint Lu, it’s like this. Our Saintess is dead.”
“We would like to know where your sect is located.”
“Our sect’s Ancestor wishes to personally find your elders to discuss what should be done.”
The Sect Master thought to himself that if they could find the Qingshan Sect’s location, they would finally know their true strength and situation.
Lu Ming shook his head repeatedly. “I don’t know. I really don’t know where our sect is located!”
He looked at the Sect Master and added, “I’m serious! I’m not lying!”
The Sect Master looked at Lu Ming, utterly at a loss for words. Did he even hear what he just said?
He didn't know where his own sect was?
If someone didn't know better, they’d think he’d managed to lose his entire sect.
Lu Ming then spoke up directly. “Regarding my marriage to your Saintess—I can make my own decisions. Since your 28th-generation Saintess is dead, let’s just call the whole thing off.”
The Sect Master looked at Lu Ming and hurriedly spoke up. “Saint Lu, although our 28th-generation Saintess is dead, we can always select a new Saintess to continue this fated bond with you!”
Lu Ming waved his hands dismissively. He had no desire to continue any 'fated bond' with them; he always felt they were up to no good.
“No need. The fate has ended; let’s leave it at that.”
Seeing Lu Ming’s firm refusal, the Sect Master narrowed his eyes before smiling slightly. “Since Saint Lu has made up his mind, we won't try to force a melon that isn't ripe.”
“How about this? The Ancient Ruins are about to open. Why don't you all stay here at our Tiansheng Sect for the time being?”
Without waiting for Lu Ming to refuse, the Sect Master called out to those outside, “Someone, come and arrange accommodations for Saint Lu and his companions!”
Lu Ming was stunned. He exchanged a look with Big Yellow and the others.
Holy crap, they were being detained!
But why did he feel kind of happy about it?
“No need, no need. We’ve already booked rooms outside!” Lu Ming said, still putting up a front of refusal.
“Saint Lu, you should stay at the Tiansheng Sect. Recently, many saints and saintesses from various sects have died. The Tiansheng Sect has a duty to ensure your safety!” the Sect Master said with a smile.
“If something were to happen to you, we wouldn't be able to explain it to the Qingshan Sect.”
“Besides, staying at our Tiansheng Sect will save you some money on lodging!”
Lu Ming really couldn't find a reason to refuse anymore.
They were even offering to save him money on rent; to refuse now would be unreasonable.
His eyes flickered as he laughed and said, “Then I’ll have to trouble you, Sect Master Shen!”
“It’s no trouble at all!”
After bidding farewell to Ji Chen and the others, someone led Lu Ming and his group away.
Watching them leave, Ji Chen then spoke up.
“Sect Master Shen, we won't disturb you any further then.”
He prepared to take his leave.
The Sect Master’s eyes gleamed as he hurriedly said, “Saint Ji, please wait!”
Ji Chen looked at the Sect Master with some confusion. “Is there something else, Sect Master Shen?”
The Sect Master hesitated for a moment before asking, “Saint Ji, could you please tell me about Sun Xiaosheng?”
Ji Chen’s heart skipped a beat. Here it comes!
However, he kept his face calm and replied, “I don’t know much about Sun Xiaosheng.”
“Wasn’t he your employer?” the Sect Master asked.
“No!”
Hearing Ji Chen say no, the Sect Master was stunned.
“Little Friend Zhu is our actual employer! Sun Xiaosheng is just our employer’s Saint!”
Hearing this, the Sect Master was speechless. They were all from the same family; was there even a difference?
Rate on N.U.
