Unexpected Clue

This was Chen Yan's first time meeting the Empty Mountain Sect's foreign-affairs consul.

In his first cycle of reincarnation, Chen Yan had spent more than ninety years languishing in the Outer Court.

Chen Yan had finally reached the mid-stage of the Qi Condensation Realm at the age of forty-one. For the next fifty-odd years of his life, he had worked tirelessly to break through to the Martial Spring Realm.

Alas, he had no talent, no resources, and no opportunities. Even when he died, he had still been stuck at the mid-stage of the Qi Condensation Realm.

To earn more contribution points from Shang Gong Hall and exchange them for the pills and cultivation-method manuscripts he needed, Chen Yan had spent no small amount of time rushing from place to place.

He had spent far more time traveling than he had at the sect.

And as the largest city near the Empty Mountain Sect, Taiyun City was naturally where Chen Yan stopped most often.

He had dealt with the Empty Mountain Sect's future foreign-affairs consuls in Taiyun City many times.

The current consul, the old man before Chen Yan wearing an Outer Court Daoist robe, should have been the predecessor of the foreign-affairs steward he knew.

"This junior Chen Yan pays his respects to Senior."

Chen Yan cupped his hands.

"Calling this old man Senior is far too much honor."

The white-haired old man in the courtyard smiled as he replied,

"Though I've lived over a hundred years, I'm only a rotten piece of wood stationed here to handle the sect's worldly affairs. I'm hardly worthy of such courtesy from a distinguished disciple of Kongyuan Mountain."

Chen Yan smiled faintly. The foreign-affairs consul certainly knew how to handle people better than those disciples up on the mountain.

"Senior has guarded Taiyun City for many years and helped countless Empty Mountain Sect disciples passing through. Your service and toil have been immense. You naturally deserve to be called Senior."

Chen Yan spoke graciously, giving the consul plenty of face.

The old man was clearly pleased. Beaming, he cupped his hands toward Chen Yan in return.

"May I ask what brings you here, Daoist?"

"I need to draft an urgent report."

Chen Yan said, then paused briefly.

"This concerns the County Princess of Cloud King's Mansion joining the sect. I hope Senior can make an exception and expedite it."

As the foreign-affairs steward stationed in Taiyun City, the old man knew all about the major events unfolding there. He was well aware that Qin Yue, the County Princess of Cloud King's Mansion, had caught the eye of an Attendant Elder from Xingtian Gate, who wanted to take her on as a Personal Disciple.

In fact, even Cloud King Qin Ming's contact with the Empty Mountain Sect had to go through the Consulate Office.

He knew full well how important Qin Yue's entry into the sect was. The foreign-affairs steward even knew which elder of Qingchan Peak had taken a liking to her Glass Purity Body and decided to accept her as a disciple.

That was a truly influential figure.

"Of course."

The foreign-affairs consul replied, then turned toward the little page standing by the back courtyard's entrance.

"Child, how many Sound Swift Sparrows do we have left?"

"Reporting to Immortal Master, there are four. Two have only just returned with messages and need to rest for a few hours, so there are two sparrows ready to take flight."

The little page answered.

The Sound Swift Sparrow was an exceptionally unusual, small, low-tier Demonic Beast. It was docile and highly intelligent, and flew at nearly the speed of sound. That was why it was called a Sound Swift Sparrow.

"How many urgent reports are still waiting to be sent?"

The foreign-affairs consul continued.

"Three, Immortal Master."

The little page answered.

"Set those aside for now. Once this Immortal Master gives you his urgent report, send it to the Empty Mountain Sect's..."

As he spoke, the foreign-affairs consul glanced toward Chen Yan.

"Qingchan Peak," Chen Yan said.

"Send the report to the message pavilion at Qingchan Peak."

The foreign-affairs consul ordered.

"Yes, sir."

The little page replied.

Chen Yan took the paper and brush the little page handed him and, following Lu Li's instructions, drafted an urgent report. Then he passed it to the waiting page.

The page took the report from Chen Yan and hurried out of the back courtyard.

What a sharp kid.

"Thank you, Senior. I'll take my leave now."

Chen Yan cupped his hands toward the consul again.

"What's the hurry?"

The old man urged him, beckoning with a hand.

"Have a cup of tea and rest a while before you go."

"I'm afraid I must decline. I need to return to the mansion at once and report to Senior Lu Li, who's in charge of this matter. I'll come pay my respects another time."

Chen Yan said.

"Lu Li?"

The old man paused in surprise, then asked,

"Do you mean the Lu Li who currently serves as an instructor at the Scripture Hall on Qingchan Peak?"

"That's right."

Chen Yan replied,

"Are you acquainted with Instructor Lu?"

"We go way back."

The foreign-affairs consul replied.

"Twenty years ago, when he was still a disciple of Yuanhua Mountain, I met him a few times here at the Consulate Office."

Lu Li had once been a disciple of Yuanhua Mountain?

Chen Yan had never heard that before.

"But I suppose it makes sense. Lu Li is a great favorite of that one now. It stands to reason he'd be the one handling Qin Yue's return to the sect."

"I don't understand what you mean, Senior..."

Chen Yan was utterly bewildered.

"You don't know?"

The foreign-affairs consul gave Chen Yan a strange look.

"Qin Yue's master is Bai Qiming, Elder Zhengfa of Qingchan Peak."

Chen Yan's breath caught. Even his heartbeat seemed to miss a beat—

He remembered.

He remembered everything!

Memories from his first life came flooding back. During the calamity more than two years later, the Outer Court suffered enormous losses, and the sect's Inner Court underwent great upheaval as well.

Qingchan Peak was affected more than any other.

Not long after the calamity ended, Chu Xiyao resigned as Chief Disciple of Qingchan Peak. Her successor was Qin Yue, Personal Disciple to Bai Qiming, Elder Zhengfa of Qingchan Peak.

After that, Chu Chen, Qingchan Peak's Sword-wielding Elder and Chu Xiyao's father and master, went into seclusion. Fu Qian, the Martial Suppression Elder, shut himself away in Cangwu Study and stopped concerning himself with the affairs of the peak. Several decades later, Lu Li succeeded him as Martial Suppression Elder...

A terrifying possibility took shape in Chen Yan's mind. It was only a guess, but it was entirely possible.

"Senior, I'll take my leave now."

Chen Yan cupped his hands toward the foreign-affairs consul once more.

"Very well. If you pass through Taiyun City again, come have a cup of tea with this old man, if you have the time."

The foreign-affairs consul said with a hearty smile, completely unaware of the turmoil within Chen Yan.

"And if you rise to a high position someday, I'll be counting on you to give this old man a little guidance."

Of course, the old man was only joking with that last remark.

"You're teasing me, Senior. Farewell."

Chen Yan replied. He wasn't in the mood for jokes—not even a little.

The Outer Court calamity, the Black Flood Dragon Remnant Soul, Song Mingde's list, Zhang Xishun, Lu Li, Qin Yue... Elder Zhengfa, Bai Qiming.

Chen Yan wanted to connect all these dots, but he didn't dare.

Because if it really was the truth, then it was far too dark, far too terrifying.

As he strode along the streets of Taiyun City, Chen Yan thought it over.

He looked up at the sun. It shouldn't be past the hour of the Goat yet. There was still time.

He needed to hurry to the Immortal Gambling House first.