Sect Master Husband

Not taking the proper path, Tu Han led the person along a small trail to the Protector Elder's place of quiet cultivation.

Su Po, as the Protector Elder, did not make things difficult for the disciple. After confirming the situation, he warned the disciple, "Do not mention this matter to anyone else, understand?"

The disciple didn't yet know what had happened, but he knew it was definitely related to the food box he had delivered. He vaguely guessed that Song Yanqing might have tampered with it. He couldn't afford to offend Song Yanqing, so he wouldn't dare to say anything rash. He nodded subserviently, "This disciple understands."

Su Po waved him away.

After confirming the disciple had left by the doorway, Tu Han returned, leaning on his staff. In his hoarse voice, he said, "Elder, the Shangqing Sect is a renowned righteous sect, yet a disciple resorted to such a despicable and venomous underhanded tactic. Are we just going to let this go unpunished?"

Su Po was silent for a moment, then retorted, "Punish? How do you propose we punish him?"

Tu Han said angrily, "Song Yanqing is fearless because he relies on his Song Family background. He knows the Shangqing Sect wouldn't dare punish him, which is why he dares to act so recklessly. Why don't we expose this matter and make a big fuss? With the sect rules in place, the other two Elders won't be able to avoid punishing him!"

Su Po slowly closed his eyes. "You know better than anyone that with Prince Ning's involvement, the imperial court is intent on clearing out Prince Ning's 'remnants.' Some major sects are watching covetously. If not for their fear of the Song Family, the Shangqing Sect would have likely been annihilated already. Offending the Song Family, and they only need to hint at it slightly to push the Shangqing Sect into a desperate situation! Is one Song Yanqing more important, or is the survival of the Shangqing Sect more important?"

Tu Han said with great distress, "Elder, the Shangqing Sect is actually of no use to the Song Family anymore. The reason they reluctantly support it is because Song Shu is a disciple of the Shangqing Sect. The reputation of betraying one's master and ancestors is not easily borne, especially given the Song Family's status. It's purely for show to the world. Now, the Song Family is just waiting for an opportunity, an opportunity to legitimately abandon the Shangqing Sect. It's not because the Song Family truly wants to protect the Shangqing Sect. This day will come sooner or later! I still suggest we abandon this place, go into temporary seclusion, and wait for a better time. Otherwise, we're just sitting here waiting to die!"

"This is not like your military campaigns where you can decisively abandon something when ordered. You can say this to me, but absolutely do not say it in front of others, lest they suspect your identity!" Su Po sighed softly, tilting his head to look at him. "If the day you speak of truly comes, remember, do not concern yourself with this place. You must leave immediately and go to Demon Ridge to find your master!"

Tu Han wanted to speak but stopped. Su Po raised his hand to stop him. "Alright, that's enough. Go back, and be sure to protect Niu Youdao. Dongguo Haoran is quite skilled in physiognomy. Since he took Niu Youdao as a disciple, there must be a reason, and he wouldn't act without cause. Don't let anything happen to him!"

"Yes!" Tu Han silently agreed and turned to leave.

If it's fortune, it's not misfortune; if it's misfortune, it can't be avoided. The auspicious day has arrived. Niu Youdao, who had never married in his previous life, made up for it in this life, a fresh and naive completion.

Red lanterns hung from the peach trees, their light illuminating the peach blossoms, swaying in the wind on the cliff, creating a somewhat tragically beautiful scene.

Although Peach Blossom Spring was decorated with lanterns and looked festive, the Shangqing Sect did not hold a grand wedding ceremony. There wasn't even a proper wedding banquet, let alone sending out wedding invitations to other cultivation sects.

A group of inner sect disciples made an appearance. Song Yanqing, mixed among them, stared as Tang Yi, dressed in red and veiled, and Niu Youdao performed the wedding rites. His eyes were practically spitting fire.

He was subtly guarded by people on both sides, who were prepared to stop him if he acted out.

"Send them to the bridal chamber!" the Master of Ceremonies loudly announced. The newlyweds were escorted away.

The guests, who had only taken a few symbolic sips of wedding wine, dispersed, some sighing, some shaking their heads, with various expressions.

However, many people found it amusing to watch Song Yanqing, whose face was as dark as the bottom of a pot. Everyone in the Shangqing Sect knew that this fellow liked Tang Yi. Everyone liked a beautiful woman, but no one dared to compete with Song Yanqing. Now, an unknown junior had ruined his good fortune, and some people were secretly gloating.

On the bridal bed, the newlyweds sat side by side, looking at the burning red candles.

After drinking the cross-cupped wine and lifting the red veil, the female disciple who guided the ceremony withdrew and closed the door, leaving the space for the couple to have their way.

As the faint scent of her body wafted over, Niu Youdao, who was feeling somewhat bored, kept glancing at the bride beside him, who was dressed exquisitely. He didn't know what to say. More importantly, he couldn't figure out what these people were trying to do and remained vigilant, pondering.

Tang Yi, on the other hand, sat there quietly, her expression unusually calm.

They sat like that until dawn, without even properly touching hands. When someone knocked on the door to announce the morning, Tang Yi finally got up and left.

Later, a female disciple came in and told Niu Youdao, "Martial Uncle Tang said there are still some sect matters to handle, so she left first."

"Oh!" Niu Youdao nodded in acknowledgment.

With no outsiders around, he collapsed into sleep and slept until evening before getting up.

When he walked out of the room again, the festive lanterns and red silk in the quiet courtyard seemed a bit glaring. Everything gave the impression of a fleeting dream.

Outside the main gate, he saw Tu Han tending to the lanterns under the peach tree. After lighting the outside, the silent Tu Han brushed past him and entered the courtyard to light the inner lanterns.

Niu Youdao, dressed in a large red robe, stood under the peach tree, gazing at the Shangqing Palace on the opposite cliff. The lights on the other side were also gradually lighting up.

As night gradually fell, scattered flower petals drifted down in the wind and landed on his shoulders.

It was only on the day of his wedding that he met with Tang Yi. In the days that followed, he basically never saw Tang Yi again.

He lived here, but Tang Yi did not. Only during the New Year would Tang Yi visit, sit face-to-face with him for a meal, and then she would not sleep in the same room, but rather stay in a side room for one night before leaving at dawn.

Quiet, peaceful, lonely – this was how Niu Youdao felt about his days after the wedding. When Chen Guishuo was around, there were occasional people to chat with. Tu Han, who replaced him, was quite dull and unattractive.

However, Tu Han seemed to enjoy alcohol, often drinking himself into a stupor with his wine gourd. It was only when Tu Han was drunk that Niu Youdao could seize the opportunity to chat with him, occasionally gleaning some useful information.

It was also from Tu Han's mouth that he learned Tang Yi had become the Sect Master of the Shangqing Sect not long after their wedding!

In other words, he had become the husband of the Shangqing Sect Master, yet he was under house arrest. Niu Youdao became increasingly confused. What was the Shangqing Sect trying to achieve by treating him like this? He had no clue, and no one offered him any answers...

Another spring breeze arrived.

Under the peach trees, which seemed to bloom eternally and brilliantly like a sunset, stood a young man with a straight posture, handsome features, and a well-defined face that exuded firmness and restraint. His gentle and tranquil demeanor, along with his long hair casually tied back in a ponytail, gave him an air of laziness. This was Niu Youdao.

Time flew by like a shuttle. In the blink of an eye, Niu Youdao had been under house arrest for five years, transforming from a young boy into a distinguished young man.

For ordinary young people, being confined like this would drive them mad. But he was fine. The cultivation from his previous life had subtly benefited him in this life as well. He could remain calm, meditate, and cultivate with a serene and detached mind, treating it as a period of secluded cultivation.

With things as they were, he was not in a hurry. He believed that one day he would be able to leave this place, to leave by his own abilities. Although the Shangqing Sect did not provide him with cultivation resources, the Protective Talisman within his body was his greatest reliance!

So far, he had only refined and absorbed two of the Protective Talismans within his body, but his cultivation had already reached the peak of Qi Refining.

As his cultivation grew higher, the speed of refining the Protective Talismans would naturally increase, which was his confidence!

Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul – not to mention the legendary cultivation levels beyond. Based on the information he had gleaned from Tu Han, there were not many experts at the Nascent Soul level in the world. Those who reached the Nascent Soul realm were all top-tier experts. Those at the Golden Core level were already quite formidable masters.

Currently, only three Elders in the Shangqing Sect had reached the Golden Core realm. Previously, there were two more, but unfortunately, the talented Golden Core masters Tang Mu and Dongguo Haoran had died. Most of their peers were still within the Foundation Establishment realm. Sect Master Tang Yi had only broken through to the Foundation Establishment realm last year with the combined help of the three Elders. The other disciples were still hovering in the Qi Refining realm. Therefore, considering this, his current cultivation was not low within the Shangqing Sect. He was just keeping a low profile and not revealing it. In this uncertain situation, without enough confidence to protect himself, he had no intention of showing his hand.

His mindset was quite good now. He had food and drink here, and it was quiet, making it an excellent place to cultivate peacefully. He had heard that the outside world was chaotic, and it might not be easy to find a better place for quiet cultivation, so he was not in a hurry to leave.

Relaxing his mood, Niu Youdao lay back on the lounge chair under the tree, smelling the faint, delicate fragrance of peach blossoms, and entered a state of lazy dozing...

In the capital city of the Yan Kingdom under the night sky, the lights were just coming on. Shops lined the streets, and the thoroughfares were bustling and very prosperous. The suffering of the common people seemed unrelated to this place. A large number of beggars huddled in dark corners seemed to live in another world.

Upon a residence that found tranquility amidst the bustle, the words 'Song Manor' were inscribed. This was the residence of Song Jiuming, the Minister of Justice of the Yan Kingdom.

A carriage arrived, and a man wrapped in a cloak alighted. He strode up the steps, stroking his beard, with a rather swaggering air.

A servant quickly emerged from the gatehouse, bowing and scraping, and said, "Mr. Cao!" Another servant quickly ran inside to announce his arrival.

After a few exchanges at the doorway, a man emerged from within and hurried out to greet him. Before even stepping out the door, he cupped his hands and chuckled, "What wind blows Mr. Cao here? Please, come in!"

The one who personally came out to greet him was Song Quan, Song Jiuming's eldest son, who already held an official position.

Although the guest, Cao Fengduo, was a commoner, he was one of the advisors and staff members around the Grand Secretary. This was why Song Quan was alerted and came out to greet him personally.

The two entered side-by-side, chatting and laughing, all the way into the inner courtyard's living room for tea.

After a short wait, Song Jiuming, dressed in casual attire and with a fair complexion, arrived unhurriedly. Both his appearance and complexion seemed well-maintained. The two men in the hall stood up.

Cao Fengduo cupped his hands in greeting, "Greetings, Minister!"

Song Jiuming grunted and walked directly to the main seat, sitting down. Without cracking a smile, he asked, "Mr. Cao's personal visit, does the old official have any instructions?"

"Indeed!" Cao Fengduo replied, then lowered his voice, saying, "Tomorrow, Prince Ning's son, Shang Chaozong, will be released from prison..."

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