Qū Dōng Liú's Injury

On the highest peak of Shalu Mountain, a magnificent yet solemn grand hall stood tall. Outside the hall, a large bluestone, cast into an arched structure, served as a gateway before the hall. The words "Golden Cauldron" were carved on both sides, exuding a powerful and majestic aura.

In a spacious, sun-drenched room behind the main hall, Zhao Yu, who had just returned, stood expressionlessly in the dimly lit northern corner, his head bowed low. He appeared extremely respectful.

At this moment, he was like a bat nesting in darkness. The cheerful and sunny demeanor he displayed when facing Duan Yi and Bai Xi Wen had vanished, replaced by a chilling aura. Though his handsomeness remained, it was enough to inspire awe and fear.

"How did the matter I asked you to handle go? Cough cough, cough cough. After he received the wedding invitation, did he have any message for me? Will he attend the wedding banquet?"

Unlike Zhao Yu, who was in the darkness, the person speaking leaned by the window, half-supported by the windowsill as he gazed at the scenery below the mountain. Sunlight streamed directly onto him, as if he were draped in a golden cloak.

He was tall but appeared weak and frail. His thick eyebrows were well-defined and heroic, yet his face was as pale as snow. He coughed once or twice intermittently, indicating his health was not good.

However, his eyes were exceptionally striking, like a deep spring, exuding a chill that made it impossible to gauge their depth.

Qū Dōng Liú, the current sect leader of the Golden Cauldron Sect, was one of the masterminds behind the plot with Yuè Bì Nǔ to overthrow the Moon Worship Palace. He should have been in high spirits and invincible, but he was clearly facing some issues, with his health in question.

"Reporting to Master, Uncle Bai asked if you had invited any experts from other sects to the wedding banquet. After I truthfully answered, Uncle Bai didn't say much more, only that he would attend the wedding.

Oh, and also, I saw that Uncle Bai seemed to attach great importance to the young man who just ascended the mountain. He even asked me to have someone make him some new clothes later."

Upon hearing Zhao Yu's words, Qū Dōng Liú finally turned around. His thick eyebrows twitched, and a flicker of doubt flashed in his deep eyes.

"Is that the young man Wang Jin Gui reported, the one who came to visit relatives? Tell me about him. What do you think of him? Is he really Bai Xi Wen's illegitimate son?"

After saying just these few sentences, Qū Dōng Liú coughed several more times. A flush spread across his pale face, clearly due to a surge of blood.

"This young man is about fourteen or fifteen years old, with sword-like eyebrows reaching his temples and delicate, handsome features. In terms of appearance, he is the most outstanding I have ever seen in my life. It's quite a stretch to say he resembles Uncle Bai.

His build is taller than others his age, and he has a steady temperament with lively eyes, appearing very opinionated.

However, judging by his breathing and footsteps, he should have cultivated True Qi, but he is not the ordinary person Junior Brother Wang described.

As for whether he is Uncle Bai's illegitimate son, this rumor should just be Junior Brother Wang's personal opinion and not to be taken seriously. I heard Uncle Bai call that young man 'cousin,' so they are likely related by blood."

Zhao Yu felt a slight discomfort when mentioning Duàn Yì, as the latter's attitude had been indifferent at the time, which was quite unusual for him, who was highly respected by disciples in the Golden Cauldron Sect.

However, since Qū Dōng Liú was asking, he dared not hide anything, so he summarized briefly.

"Wang Jin Gui is the direct disciple of Junior Brother He. While his martial arts may not match yours, his eyesight is not much weaker.

I suspect that in these few short days, Bai Xi Wen has trained this young man from an ordinary person into a novice who has begun to grasp internal energy. This skill is not simple. Do you think he would teach the martial arts from the Invincible Treasure Codex to this young man?"

Taking a silk handkerchief from his bosom, Qū Dōng Liú covered his mouth and coughed violently several times. He then opened it to reveal spots of blood, which was startling. However, he seemed unconcerned.

To cultivate True Qi in someone without any foundation and achieve some success within a few days, besides the person's own talent, the internal energy they learned must also be extraordinary.

"This... I really dare not speculate, Master. What do you mean?"

Zhao Yu's heart skipped a beat, his mouth felt dry, and the image of Duàn Yì flashed in his eyes, revealing a hint of greed.

The words "Invincible Treasure Codex" alone represented the Golden Cauldron Sect's highest martial arts achievement, which was even more enticing than the sect's martial arts heritage.

The Golden Cauldron Sect was an old sect in Wei Prefecture with a long history. Its founding ancestor learned the internal martial art Pure Yang Divine Skill from a golden cauldron, after which his martial arts advanced greatly, leading to the establishment of the Golden Cauldron Sect's foundation.

This Pure Yang Divine Skill was immensely powerful, cultivating a pure Yang True Qi that was refined, pure, and also fierce and overbearing. Unfortunately, it was a martial art that could only be practiced by those with a pure body. Once the cultivation was broken, its power would drop drastically, and there would be no possibility of further advancement.

For men, starting a family, establishing a career, and continuing the lineage were life's important matters. To give up all these for a mere martial art would be too regrettable. At least, when there was a choice, most people would not choose such martial arts.

Furthermore, the cultivation difficulty of Pure Yang Divine Skill was extremely high. Even Qū Dōng Liú, after cultivating for so long, had difficulty breaking through to the True Essence realm, far inferior to the fierce and rapid progress of Bai Xi Wen's Invincible Treasure Codex.

Not long ago, during the battle at Moon Worship Palace, he was severely injured by a desperate strike from Yán Susu. A wisp of Bright Jade True Qi crippled a significant portion of Qū Dōng Liú's Pure Yang Divine Skill, and his internal injuries had not yet healed.

Qū Dōng Liú's words now revealed his fangs. If Duàn Yì truly inherited the martial arts from the Invincible Treasure Codex, he would likely not be at peace sooner or later.

"Keep an eye on this person. Find an opportunity to test his martial arts. If it really is the Invincible Treasure Codex, report it to me immediately."

After thinking, Qū Dōng Liú said to Zhao Yu, though he didn't hold much hope.

The Invincible Treasure Codex was incredibly powerful. Bai Xi Wen relied on it to roam freely in Hebei; how could he easily pass it on to others? He was just taking precautions.

Finally, Qū Dōng Liú flicked a letter from his fingertips, which landed in Zhao Yu's hand.

"Take a look at this letter."

Zhao Yu took out the paper filled with writing from the envelope. With just a glance, his expression changed drastically, and his eyes widened in surprise. Without looking at Qū Dōng Liú, he lowered his head, trembling with fear.

"This... Uncle Liu was murdered in his home! If Uncle Bai finds out about this, he will never let it go. Master, could it have been you?"

The current sect leader of the Golden Cauldron Sect, the two vice sect leaders, and the six great elders were all direct disciples of the previous sect leader. Experts from other factions were excluded from the center of power and dispersed to various locations.

The Uncle Liu mentioned by Zhao Yu was a disciple of one of Qū Dōng Liú's uncles. After Qū Dōng Liú gained power, he returned to his hometown and opened a martial arts school as a subordinate force of the Golden Cauldron Sect, living a rather comfortable life.

When they were on the mountain earlier, the Uncle Liu mentioned by Zhao Yu had a very good relationship with Bai Xi Wen. They met on the mountain once every year, almost like family.

Now that he had been killed at home, how could Bai Xi Wen not seek retribution?

Zhao Yu suspected that Qū Dōng Liú was the perpetrator, intending to lure Bai Xi Wen down the mountain and then set a trap for him, all for the sake of the supreme skill, the Invincible Treasure Codex.

Before he could finish speaking, Qū Dōng Liú snatched the blood-stained handkerchief from his hand and threw it in front of Zhao Yu, his eyes flashing with cold anger as he said, "What nonsense are you spouting? The first rule of the Golden Cauldron Sect is not to deceive or betray one's master, and the second is that fellow disciples shall not harm each other. Would I knowingly break these rules?

This incident is peculiar. It happened precisely when I was severely injured and about to marry Bi Nu. I suspect someone wants to use this to lure Bai Xi Wen away from the mountain so they can deal with me.

Therefore, I have withheld this letter and kept it secret, because Bai Xi Wen absolutely cannot leave the mountain right now."

Zhao Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness.

If Qū Dōng Liú had succeeded, this letter might have been his death warrant. Even if he were safe for now, he would eventually die an unnatural death, but this hidden danger has now been eliminated.

"However, fire can't be contained by paper forever. If Uncle Bai holds us accountable later, how will we respond?

Also, Yuè'er is currently on the mountain, and the two elders by her side are highly skilled. Even if someone harbors ill intentions, it's unlikely they'll succeed, right?"

Mentioning Yuè'er, Zhào Yù's eyes flashed with a hint of brightness, and his heart stirred with desire.

A beauty capable of toppling cities. If he could just get close to her, it would not only fulfill his own wish but also allow him to advance his relationship with his master. How wonderful would that be?

For days, he had even neglected his sect duties, all to accompany Yuè'er, attempting to win her heart and thus soar to success, saving himself twenty years of struggle.

Unfortunately, those two elders were inseparable from Yuè'er, watching him as if he were a thief. Coupled with their high martial arts skills, he was utterly helpless.

"Outsiders are still outsiders. Moreover, while those two old men are formidable, they are only protecting Yuè'er and don't think much of me. They even questioned me before regarding Zhou Xiong, so I can't rely on them.

Alright, I have my own plans for this matter. The reason I'm telling you this is to make you understand that the current situation isn't good. You need to properly manage everyone on the mountain, maintain strict vigilance, and not give anyone an opportunity.

Remember, you need to pay close attention not only to outsiders but also to people within the mountain.

Once the wedding is over and Bì Nǔ and I consummate our marriage, I can use her newly cultivated Bright Jade True Qi to heal my internal injuries, and all schemes will crumble on their own."

Zhào Yù's heart skipped a beat. Even if his internal injuries were healed, his Pure Yang Divine Skill would be greatly weakened once his virginity was broken, and he would never be able to advance further. How could he possibly remain stable in his position as sect leader?

However, this was not something he could ask aloud.