Elsewhere, Chen Qing ran toward the distance. When he realized Yu He was not pursuing him, doubt rose in his heart. Could it be that Yu He's target had not been him?
But he quickly dismissed that thought.
Then why had Yu He not chased after him? Could it be... that he had mistaken him for someone else?
Chen Qing suddenly recalled Jiang Chuanqiao's deliberately loud shout at the end, and his heart stirred.
That old devil had deliberately exposed his identity, then fled first. He had clearly intended to divert the disaster eastward, making Yu He mistake the one who shouted for Chen Qing and chase in the wrong direction!
Could Yu He have mistaken someone else for him instead?
Chen Qing stopped dwelling on it. He pushed the Startling Swan Shadow Escape Art to its limits and swiftly left that place of conflict, racing without pause along mountain paths through the forest.
Three days later, a travel-worn Chen Qing finally returned to the mountain gate of the Wutai Sect.
Not long after returning to Qingmu Institute, before he even had time to rest, a deacon came with word that Elder Sang wished to see him.
Chen Qing's heart stirred slightly. After briefly straightening his robes, he followed the deacon to the Assembly Hall.
Elder Sang and Shen Xiuyong were both inside the hall.
Elder Sang's expression was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger. Shen Xiuyong sat to one side, a trace of inquiry in his gaze.
"Elder Sang, Uncle Shen." Chen Qing stepped forward and cupped his fists to the two men.
Elder Sang's gaze swept over him as he slowly said, "You're back? Are you all right?"
Though his tone was flat, it carried a hint of concern.
"Thank you for your concern, Elder. This disciple is