Leaving After the Matter, Deeply Hiding the Black Pot's Name (Seeking Collection! Seeking Recommendation Tickets!)

City Lord Duanmu quickly stepped forward to help him up, "You're too kind, young friend. We are all disciples of the Sacred Sect, and we should support each other. By the way, my son, Duanmu Mingyan, is also in the Outer Sect's Ghost Willow Peak. When you return to the sect, if you have free time, perhaps you could interact more with him."

After exchanging pleasantries for a few more moments, City Lord Duanmu brought up the previous topic, urging Pei Ling to return to the sect. He said, "It's not that I don't want to keep you here for a heart-to-heart talk, but this is for your own good. After all, you and your companions came out together, and now only you are returning safely. By all accounts, wouldn't people suspect you of harming your companions?"

"City Lord, I..." Pei Ling's attempt to argue was cut off. City Lord Duanmu said with a kind smile, "Of course, I know you're not that kind of person! But words can be devastating! If too many people suspect you, and the Deacon Hall investigates repeatedly, wouldn't it be a waste of your time and hinder your cultivation?"

"Therefore, you need to hurry back and report this matter. That way, the deacons can investigate immediately, and I can testify for you to clear your name!"

"Otherwise, if someone harbors doubts in their heart, and it's brought up to attack you at any time, wouldn't that become a hidden danger?"

With the conversation at this point, how could Pei Ling dare to say he wanted to stay?

If he made another excuse, what if this old man became suspicious and contacted the families of Li Siguan and the others, and arranged for him to be dealt with?

"City Lord, you are absolutely right!" Pei Ling nodded emphatically and said a few words of immense gratitude, then added, "Then I will pack my bags and leave immediately!"

City Lord Duanmu showed a slight smile, "I'll escort you to the Cloud Platform."

The Cloud Platform?

Pei Ling immediately understood it was the high platform they had arrived on. He quickly said, "No need, City Lord. The Yin Corpse Cloud is too expensive, I can't afford it. I'll just walk back!"

"You're joking, young friend. Walk back? How long would that take?" City Lord Duanmu chuckled in amusement, then continued, "And you don't need to worry, the Yin Corpse Cloud is for round trips. When you came before, the cloud merely descended into the Cloud Platform temporarily. When you return, just summon it."

Damn it, so I don't even have a chance to slip out of the city and escape?!

Pei Ling's expression flickered, but he had no choice but to force a smile and thank him again.

As they walked out of the City Lord's mansion, he suddenly remembered something and said to City Lord Duanmu, "City Lord, I heard that the maid who served me recently was punished because of me?"

City Lord Duanmu understood the implied meaning immediately. "I am not yet aware of this matter. However, since you wish to forgive her, I will have her released later and give her some rewards."

"Thank you, City Lord." Pei Ling breathed a sigh of relief. That mortal maid had, in a way, suffered undeserved disaster because of him.

This outcome was also a fulfillment of his promise to her sister.

And so, City Lord Duanmu personally escorted Pei Ling to the side of the Cloud Platform, personally summoned the Yin Corpse Cloud for his return to the sect, and finally sent the two mission-bound demonic beasts and Pei Ling onto it before waving goodbye...

"City Lord, this brat is only at the fourth level of Qi Cultivation. Why give him so much face?" After the Yin Corpse Cloud ascended high into the sky, and Pei Ling could no longer hear the sounds from below, the steward stepped forward and said, "It's a fact that the Human-Faced Spiders were chasing them. Why not let him perish with them? Wouldn't that be cleaner?"

City Lord Duanmu glanced at him and said calmly, "And then what? Chen Huan and his group were somewhat famous on Huaiyin Peak in the Outer Sect. They brought a newcomer to Luoshan City, and everyone knew what they intended to do. In the end, not only the newcomer but also they themselves were gone, and the Soul Summoning Banner fell into my hands. Once the news spreads, what will the Outer Sect of the Sacred Sect think?"

"They will definitely think I killed them for treasure for Mingyan!"

"Killing a Qi Cultivator with a Foundation Establishment cultivator is bullying the weak. The fine would be enough to make those mad dogs in the Deacon Hall go into hysterics and investigate thoroughly!"

"If I were to hide the Soul Summoning Banner, or sell it off, I might be able to cover up the news. However, wouldn't that delay Mingyan? After all, the path he's taking is most compatible with this Soul Summoning Banner."

"By leaving Pei Ling, an entire team is dead, and only he returns alive... and even completes the previously impossible Purple-Eyed Sable mission... At that time, with a little guidance, no, even without doing anything, someone will suspect that Chen Huan and the others, who have hunted geese for years, were finally pecked by the goose."

"This Pei Ling not only outmaneuvered Chen Huan and his group but also used the Soul Summoning Banner as a favor, bribing me to turn a blind eye!"

"So, we get the main benefits, and Pei Ling takes the blame... What are a few Spirit Stones and two demonic beasts to him?"

The steward listened respectfully and quickly said, "City Lord, your foresight is profound. It was my own foolishness!"

"Now, we just wait." City Lord Duanmu stroked his short beard and said, "Wait for this brat to return and notify the Deacon Hall to come... At that time, we can also legitimately give the Soul Summoning Banner to Mingyan."

He raised his eyebrows slightly, "Although this Pei Ling is young, he has some resourcefulness. Later, inquire about his background. If possible, have Mingyan interact more with him, it wouldn't hurt."

"It is truly fortunate for this brat to catch the City Lord's eye!" The steward nodded, "I will have someone inquire about it later."

At this moment, Pei Ling, on the Yin Corpse Cloud, was unaware that he had already been designated as a companion for the young master of Luoshan City. He was anxiously pondering what to do if he encountered the families of Li Siguan and the other two upon his return to the sect.

No, there was no "if." Those three had backers. It was fine that he had escaped quickly before, but now that he was going back, it would be strange if they didn't come looking for him!

"Fortunately, I meticulously destroyed all traces before I left. The Outer Sect is so vast, perhaps they are still looking for people...?" Pei Ling comforted himself, "This way, maybe I can get away with it..."

However, around the same time, at Huaiyin Peak in the Outer Sect of the Chongming Sect.

In the residence of Li Ping, an Outer Sect Elder, a middle-aged woman in a beautiful dress was kneeling before him, tears streaming down her face, begging him desperately, "My Lord! Siguan is your own grandson! Our son is already dead, and he is our only remaining bloodline. You cannot ignore him! You must avenge him!!!"

The woman wailed loudly, "Poor Siguan, he was so young! How could he have met such a tragic end! You are an elder of Huaiyin Peak, how dare that brat Pei Ling... how dare he?! This is not only insane, but it's also showing you no respect... sob sob sob..."

Li Ping frowned slightly, looking at his beloved concubine, who had consumed considerable resources but, due to her aptitude and willpower, had only reached the second level of Qi Cultivation so far. "Are you sure it was that Pei Ling?"

"Certain!" The woman wiped her face haphazardly, not even bothering with her smudged makeup, and choked out, "That brat, upon entering the sect, was extorted by the disciple responsible for arranging accommodations. That disciple deliberately placed him in Siguan's room. The next day, a message came from the Logistics Peak stating that the Life Soul Lamps of Siguan and the other two had extinguished the previous night, at their residence on Huaiyin Peak! Afterward, the Deacon Hall sent people to investigate and said... said the three children had... had been reduced to ashes!!!"

Thinking of her grandson's tragic end at such a young age, her heart ached, and she could barely speak. But seeing Li Ping's expression unchanged, still listening carefully, she could only suppress her grief and continue, "That brat had just joined the sect and didn't understand the Sacred Sect's various methods. The actions he took were based on mortal thinking. The Deacon Hall's deduced sequence of events was that the brat cultivated an extremely powerful blade technique and a very fast escape technique. However, after a conflict arose, he feigned weakness and deliberately fled to a secluded mountain forest."

"When the three children let down their guard, he launched a surprise counter-attack! He first sneak-attacked and killed our Siguan, and then killed the children from the Miao and Zhou families..."

"That brat is utterly wicked!!!"

"What kind of dispute warrants such a treacherous plan to kill three fellow disciples of similar age!?"

"They say he's only eighteen, and already so malicious. What will he become in the future?"

"What about the disciple who arranged for him to be in Siguan's room?" Li Ping suddenly asked when he heard this.