Decision (Seeking Follow-up Reads!)

"That is of no concern."

Ruan Chen waved his hand and then swept his gaze across the crowd.

"In fact."

"Every single one of you present here has come with the intention of joining the Divine Fist Sect, but the decision does not lie with me, but with Deacon Baili. If he gives the nod, we can examine your aptitude today."

As soon as these words fell.

The figures around them couldn't help but hold their breath.

No one expected Ruan Chen to be so blunt.

"However..."

At this moment.

Ruan Chen changed his tone, a meaningful look appearing on his face as he said, "We have been exhausted from our travels, and Deacon Baili is currently troubled by his attempt to break through beyond the Internal Strengthening realm, so naturally, he has no heart for this at the moment."

"Our sect has strict requirements for selecting disciples."

"Therefore, it requires a great deal of energy."

"If we were to just pick people haphazardly, it would lead to a reduction in sect rewards, leaving Deacon Baili without sufficient resources to exchange for breakthrough treasures. That is the last thing he would want to see, so..."

Hearing him go in such a large circle.

Let alone Qin Jiu.

Everyone else had realized by now that this was nothing more than an attempt to scrape some grease off them while they had the chance.

The smile on Qin Jiu's face deepened.

As long as they had a price, things would be easier to handle.

But before he could speak.

Han Qingyue spoke up once more: "I recall Senior Brother mentioning that within the Divine Fist Sect, one can exchange various rare treasures for contribution points. The Qin Family possesses a secret recipe for raising spirit beasts, which I imagine should be worth quite a few contribution points."

"Oh?"

At this moment.

The deacon, whose expression had been utterly indifferent until now.

A look of surprise immediately appeared on his face.

"A secret recipe for raising spirit beasts?"

"That is something this old man has never heard of."

"It can only raise first-tier spirit beasts," Han Qingyue shook her head and said, "but I imagine it should be enough for Deacon Baili to exchange for a sum of contribution points. If it can help you achieve your breakthrough, it would be a great fortune."

The two exchanged questions and answers.

The smile on Qin Jiu's face had already vanished.

It wasn't that he was reluctant to part with the recipe.

On the contrary.

If a single recipe could allow the Qin Family to enter the pass alongside the Divine Fist Sect, it would be a tremendous stroke of luck. After all, he had already given one to Li Yuan of the Four Seasons Pharmacy, so what harm was there in giving another to the Divine Fist Sect?

However, the way Han Qingyue spoke, as if she were offering up her own possession, filled him with disgust.

"Cough, Qingyue..."

Han Qing had a face full of wrinkles at this moment.

Upon hearing this.

Han Qingyue said nothing more.

"Young friend of the Qin Family, what do you think?"

On the other side.

Baili Ce's gaze landed on Qin Jiu.

The latter bowed slightly: "This is a matter of great importance; allow this humble one to return and consider it."

"As you wish."

The smile on Baili Ce's face faded instantly.

Seeing this, Han Ning curled her lips.

"Truly ungrateful."

"An opportunity to join a great sect is right in front of him, yet he hesitates like this. It's a waste of my sister pointing out a clear path for him."

"Qin takes his leave."

Qin Jiu bowed slightly to Han Qing.

Then he led his people away.

The latter's eyelids twitched, and he could not help but let out a long sigh.

"Xuanzhou, what is your take on this?"

Inside the carriage.

Qin Jiu gazed at the frost and snow outside the window, asking in a daze.

"It is hard to say."

Qin Xuanzhou pondered, "Although the other party is interested in the secret recipe, they have not stated any specific conditions. If you were to offer the recipe up, but that sect deacon did not agree..."

"Roar!"

Suddenly.

A roar erupted from the other side of the long street.

Qin Xuanzhou's expression shifted, and he said, "That is the aura of a Demon. Family Head, we should..."

"Take a detour."

Qin Jiu flicked his finger against the wooden window.

He then sighed again, "Find a time in the next few days to invite the people from the Divine Fist Sect to the Qin Mansion to sound them out. If we can use the secret recipe, or even some gold and silver, to gain entry into a major sect, it would be well worth it."

"Our Qin Mansion must not only leave Songshan County."

"We must leave this land beyond the passes entirely."

At dusk.

Han Mansion.

The guests had dispersed, and inside the mourning hall, only the members of the Han family remained to keep vigil.

"Yue'er, you shouldn't have spoken up earlier regarding the matter of the Qin Mansion's secret recipe. This move was truly too offensive."

Han Qing sounded with an aged voice.

Han Qingyue shook her head, "I did not offend anyone."

"You..."

Han Qing was choked with anger, but since she was not his own granddaughter, he could only shake his head, "With this temperament of yours, you will bring disaster upon the family sooner or later, whether it be the Qin family or those few from the Divine Fist Sect."

"Please do not rely on your age to lecture me."

Han Qingyue said with displeasure, "I have my own measure of how things should be done, and I am by no means as ignorant of the ways of the world as I appear. Take Deacon Baili, for instance; I have done him a favor, and when the Han family eventually goes to the Divine Fist Sect, the benefits will naturally manifest."

"What do you know?"

Han Qing's tone held no anger, only a listless weariness, "Your Third Grandfather was once a Three Refinements expert. Having lived a lifetime, what kind of people have I not seen? That lad from the Qin family was born a killer; the thick scent of blood on him cannot be hidden from my old eyes."

"And that Ruan Chen from the Divine Fist Sect."

"Do you truly believe he is as simple as he appears on the surface?"

"The day Zheng'er agreed to the marriage with the Qin family, without considering your past ties with that person, why do you think he did it? If the Han family could truly rely on a core disciple of a sect, would we have let you go to Qin Jiu..."

"Shut your mouth."

Han Qingyue's slender brows stood on end, and she said coldly, "Just because my father is dead does not mean you can usurp his position."

"Usurp?"

Han Qing's face turned ashen instantly.

He then shook his head powerlessly, "I am nearing the end of my days; I only wish to find a quiet place to wait for death."

"Since you have made up your mind to take the Han family to the Divine Fist Sect."

"I cannot stop you, but my children and grandchildren cannot go with you. And your third brother—he is merely a scholar. It would not be good for him to follow you to the Divine Fist Sect. It would be better if he left the Han family with me."

As Han Qing spoke.

He looked at a fair-skinned youth behind him, his expression kind, "Little Zhong Gui, would you like to go with Third Grandfather to seek an education elsewhere? As the saying goes, it is better to travel ten thousand miles than to read ten thousand books."

"I..."

The youth's eyes were clear, and he grew somewhat excited upon hearing this.

But when he turned his head and saw Han Qingyue's expression.

He shrank his neck back.

"No, I cannot. Sister would be unhappy."

"Sigh."

Han Qing said nothing more.

He simply leaned on his cane and walked slowly toward the hall entrance.

The next day.

When Qin Jiu heard the news about the Han Family.

He couldn't help but be stunned.

"That old man Han Qing, how could he break away from the Han Family? He treated Han Zheng like his own son, not to mention his deep attachment to the family."

"I don't know."

Qin Xuanzhou shook his head and said, "For now, I only know that his entire branch left last night."

"That includes one expert at the Three Refinements."

"Doesn't that mean the Han Family is now left with only two experts at the Three Refinements?"

Qin Jiu pondered for a moment.

He soon stopped dwelling on it and turned to give another order.

"Take some men to set up the reception hall. I am going to the Hundred Beasts Garden to slaughter a few spirit beasts; we are hosting the Divine Fist Sect today, so there must be no mistakes. Also, send someone to the Hundred Flower Pavilion to invite a troupe of performers."