Lu Li's Secret

Chen Yan, standing at the entrance of the courtyard, was initially stunned. Then, the people inside the courtyard also noticed Chen Yan outside.

Qian Xun was still lying on the ground, unconscious. The wounds on his body from breaking free from the Shadow Binding Rope had scabbed over, but it looked like even if they healed, scars would remain.

The cultivator from Yuanhua Mountain smiled slightly in Chen Yan's direction, as if offering a greeting.

"Chen Yan."

Lu Li calmly called his name.

"Come, describe the detailed events that happened to this senior from Yuanhua Mountain."

Chen Yan walked into the courtyard and then bowed to the unfamiliar Yuanhua Mountain cultivator.

"Disciple Chen Yan of Kongyuan Mountain, greetings, Senior."

"No need for formalities."

The Yuanhua Mountain cultivator waved his hand with a smile.

"I know you, Fellow Daoist. Your deeds are quite controversial."

Chen Yan also gave an awkward smile. He knew the other person wasn't mocking him, just teasing.

The matter of Chen Yan and Lin Qifeng "cheating" in the Outer Court Grand Competition had already spread throughout the seven major peaks of the Empty Mountain Sect.

It wasn't just the Empty Mountain Sect; even sects with well-informed channels across the Chenping Continent had heard about it.

However, as the news spread wider, the definition of the incident gradually changed.

After all, Lin Qifeng, as an Outer Court Elder and a direct disciple of the Sect Master, gained almost nothing from cheating in a minor competition like the Outer Court Grand Competition with his own disciple.

The current most conspiratorial theory suggested that Lin Qifeng's motive for cheating was to eliminate Qi Yadong.

But this was clearly a conclusion that couldn't stand. After all, Qi Yadong's Master, Song Wencheng, was the one who initiated the conflict.

If it weren't for Song Wencheng, Qi Yadong wouldn't have entered the ring to spar with Chen Yan, and then he wouldn't have died.

Could it be that Qi Yadong's Master, Song Wencheng, wanted to kill his own precious disciple, who was even a contender for the Chief Disciple position of Kongyuan Mountain?

Moreover, Lin Qifeng insisted that he was just concerned about his reputation and wanted his disciple to look impressive in the Outer Court Grand Competition, thus making himself look good too.

As a result, he was still confined by the Sect Master to reflect on the back cliff of Kongyuan Mountain.

Even Chen Yan's second martial uncle, Yue Chi, couldn't see him.

"I am Li Hanzhou, a Guidance Counselor from Yuanhua Mountain. Not long ago, Qingchan Peak received an urgent report from the Taiyun City Consulate, stating that a Yuanhua Mountain disciple on official duty in Taiyun City had encountered problems."

The Yuanhua Mountain cultivator in front of Chen Yan explained.

"So, Qingchan Peak forwarded the urgent report to Yuanhua Mountain. Just now, a senior from Yuanhua Mountain transmitted a message to me saying that the disciple falls under my jurisdiction on this peak.

"As I happened to be near Taiyun City, I rushed over to take a look."

Guidance Counselor—perhaps it could be better summarized by a profession from Chen Yan's previous life: a university counselor.

Guidance Counselors in the Outer Court were usually cultivators at the Qi Condensation Realm, while in the Inner Sect, they were at the Martial Spring Realm.

Typically, older disciples were appointed to these roles.

In a situation like Qian Xun's, his Guidance Counselor would indeed be the most knowledgeable.

So, Chen Yan explained the situation to Li Hanzhou.

He spoke in detail, from leaving the mountain gate, Qian Xun's initial alienation from Li Xiuxiu, Zheng Fei, and others; to his disrespectful remarks in Taiyun City; and finally, the complete escalation of conflict in the prince's mansion, he told Li Hanzhou everything clearly.

"I see."

Li Hanzhou nodded. "Then, the injuries on Qian Xun's body are...?"

"They were inflicted by a magical artifact gifted to me by my Master."

Chen Yan replied.

Lin Qifeng had already taken the blame for him; taking a few more wouldn't matter.

After all, they were all in the same boat.

Chen Yan thought to himself.

Li Hanzhou didn't press further. In fact, he didn't care whether Qian Xun's injuries were serious or not.

However, his expression remained serious because he found the incident very strange.

"I believe this matter is rather peculiar," Li Hanzhou said. "Since Qian Xun joined the sect, he has been under my jurisdiction. I believe I have a good understanding of Qian Xun's temperament."

"What do you mean?"

Lu Li, who was beside them, asked slowly.

"I am well aware that Qian Xun has always had reservations about Outer Court Disciples, but he is by no means a sharp-tongued person. He is usually gentle with others, and I've never even seen him directly express dissatisfaction with Outer Court Disciples on Yuanhua Mountain."

Li Hanzhou continued, "The reason I know Qian Xun has some reservations about Outer Court Disciples is from the emotions he inadvertently reveals in his usual speech."

"Therefore, I find it hard to imagine Qian Xun actually speaking disrespectfully to Outer Court Disciples."

Zheng Fei, upon hearing this, appeared anxious:

"But he did! At the Prince's manor, he openly insulted me, Junior Sister Xiuxiu, Senior Brother Chen, and even the direct disciple Lin!"

Li Hanzhou simply smiled calmly in Zheng Fei's direction:

"I am not doubting you. I believe Qian Xun did say those words, but at the same time, I believe it wasn't Qian Xun who said them."

Hearing Li Hanzhou say this, Zheng Fei became even more bewildered.

So convoluted.

Chen Yan also grumbled inwardly, but he understood what Li Hanzhou meant.

Qian Xun is attached to appearances.

"If possible, I would like to take Qian Xun back to Yuanhua Mountain now, so that the Sect Elders can assess Qian Xun's condition,"

Li Hanzhou said, cupping his fists.

"Once everything is clear, I will definitely give you all an answer."

Li Hanzhou was not being protective. It was because the people present lacked the ability to accurately judge Qian Xun's situation.

The highest cultivation among them was Lu Li, whose current cultivation was roughly at the Half-step Qi Sea Realm.

If it was truly a matter of state of mind, at least a cultivator at the Spirit 통 Realm or above would be needed to resolve it.

As for County Princess Qin Yue's acceptance into the Sect, it was a major Sect affair. The Elders of Yuanhua Mountain would surely give Bai Qiming face and thoroughly investigate this incident.

"Then we'll have to trouble you, Consul Li,"

Lu Li said.

Li Hanzhou looked at Lu Li, then smiled slightly:

"You're too kind, Instructor Lu. When you were still at Yuanhua Mountain, I also received much kindness from you."

Lu Li did not speak, merely nodding.

Chen Yan had heard people mention before that Lu Li was once a disciple of Yuanhua Mountain.

"Then, I will return to the Sect now. Everyone, take care."

Li Hanzhou clasped his hands and then left with Qian Xun.

Watching Li Hanzhou's departing back, Chen Yan's thoughts raced.

"Why so slow?"

Unknowingly, Lu Li had appeared beside Chen Yan and questioned him.

Furthermore, whether intentionally or not, Chen Yan felt a faint pressure emanating from Lu Li.