The Wind Was Rising

The carriage stopped in front of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Xue Qinghe was focused on purifying his bloodline at the Crown Prince's Residence.

Su Chen, meanwhile, wanted to ask about a few things.

He lifted the curtain and stepped down from the carriage.

The guards had recognized the young man in blue long ago. They did not stop him, but respectfully led the way.

They passed through corridors and went straight to the main hall.

Inside the main hall.

The fragrance of tea drifted through the air.

Ning Fengzhi sat in the seat of honor. He personally poured a cup of tea and pushed it toward the seat opposite him.

"It's rare for Young Master Su to visit alone today. His Highness the Crown Prince didn't come with you?"

Su Chen took a seat.

"The Crown Prince's Residence is swamped with official business, so he couldn't get away. I came today just to clear up a few questions."

Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly and gestured for him to speak.

"Oh? Young Master Su is blessed with extraordinary talent. You saw through the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda's fundamental flaw at a glance. What could you possibly need clarified?"

Su Chen leaned forward slightly, staring at the refined, middle-aged man across from him.

"Sect Master Ning must have heard about what happened at the Crown Prince's Residence last night."

Ning Fengzhi nodded and picked up his teacup.

"I heard a little about what happened at the morning court. Prince Xue Xing was eager to save His Majesty. Though a little rash, he was at least doing his utmost for the empire. As for those bandits, they got what they deserved."

Su Chen let out a cold laugh.

"Bandits?"

"An eighty-ninth-rank Evil Soul Master unleashed the Blood Fiend Domain, filling the sky with baleful energy. You call that a bandit, Sect Master Ning?"

Ning Fengzhi looked surprised, his brows drawing together.

"An Evil Soul Master? Such a monster actually slipped into Heaven Dou City? For the City Defense Army to have failed to notice is truly dereliction of duty."

Su Chen ignored the act and continued probing.

"The Evil Soul Master aside, he was easy enough to kill. But afterward, a rift in space split open in midair, and a hand reached out and seized Prince Xue Xing."

"To tear open space without a sound in Heaven Dou Imperial City—that kind of strength is far from ordinary."

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's intelligence network spans the world, and you have close ties with the imperial family. With such a figure hiding in the imperial city, did you really not hear a thing?"

Ning Fengzhi lifted his teacup and blew across the steam.

His expression remained perfectly calm.

"You jest, Young Master Su. The power of space is profoundly mysterious. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is merely an auxiliary sect. We usually just do a little business and teach our disciples."

"If an unparalleled powerhouse is determined to hide, who could possibly find them?"

"Besides, since the Emperor has already declared at court that it was a bandit attack, then there are no Evil Soul Masters or mysterious figures in the imperial city."

"Some things are best left unclear. Young Master Su is young and promising. You ought to focus your thoughts on cultivation."

Old fox.

His words seemed to say nothing, yet they seemed to have already set everything in stone.

The imperial family and the sects had all reached an unspoken understanding beneath the shadow cast by this mysterious figure.

Even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect did not dare touch that delicate subject.

Ning Fengzhi's pretense of ignorance only proved that the waters ran unfathomably deep.

The more nonchalant he seemed on the surface, the more it proved that he was afraid beneath it.

Su Chen had no intention of letting this chance to probe slip by.

"It's not that Sect Master Ning won't speak. You simply think the Crown Prince's Residence can't protect the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"The Evil Soul Master last night was surrounded by baleful energy. Without someone backing him, he wouldn't dare unleash the Blood Fiend Domain in Heaven Dou Imperial City, even if he had a thousand times the courage."

"That powerhouse who tore open space made even the Emperor give way. A deterrent like that couldn't have been built in a day."

Ning Fengzhi's hand paused as he poured the tea.

He looked up, his gaze complicated.

"If you already see things so clearly, Young Master Su, why press me so hard?"

"Some things are better understood than spoken aloud."

"The situation in Heaven Dou City changes in the blink of an eye. I can't afford to gamble."

Su Chen studied the man across from him.

"Very well. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has its own difficulties. It makes sense that you don't want to wade into these troubled waters."

Ning Fengzhi set down the teapot and changed the subject, breaking the deadlock.

"The struggles at court are a storm of shifting winds and clouds. They aren't something a sect should meddle in. Young Master Su has extraordinary talent. You shouldn't waste your energy on this kind of scheming and deceit."

"Since our last meeting, I've thought day and night about your insight into the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda's flaw. I was deeply shaken."

Su Chen tapped his fingers on the table without replying.

Ning Fengzhi continued.

"Rongrong is a gifted girl, but the sect has spoiled her. If she had someone like you to guide her, she would surely benefit greatly."

"Young Master Su turned me down last time, but after thinking it over, I feel that you and my daughter are about the same age. Why not settle your betrothal and forge a happy match?"

"When a man comes of age, he marries; when a woman comes of age, she weds. You could become engaged now and grow closer over time."

"If you agree to this match, the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will stand behind you as your staunchest support."

Su Chen refused without hesitation.

"I truly appreciate Sect Master Ning's kindness."

"I'm too young for that."

"This kind of marriage alliance would be better suited to the princes of the Heaven Dou Empire."

Ning Fengzhi showed no anger at the blunt rejection.

Instead, he sighed softly, a trace of anxiety impossible to conceal in his eyes.

"Young Master Su, you've misunderstood."

"I don't mean to use my daughter as a bargaining chip. It's just that the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda's fundamental flaw hangs over my heart like a sword."

"Rongrong is the future of the sect, and my only child. I must ask you to grant me this much."

Ning Fengzhi rose to his feet and cupped his hands, his manner exceedingly humble.

"Forget the betrothal. I only ask that you take Rongrong in and let her learn at your side."

"Whether she pours your tea or kneads your shoulders, as long as she can learn even a little about repairing the foundation, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is willing to pay any price."

"Has Sect Master Ning sensed something even more terrifying than the power of space?"

Ning Fengzhi stiffened slightly.

He took a deep breath.

"Young Master Su, the secrets of heaven must not be revealed."

"Some beings invite deadly calamity the moment you speak their names."

"As sect master, I bear the lives and livelihoods of several thousand people on my shoulders. I don't dare gamble."

Su Chen looked at Ning Fengzhi's faintly pale face.

A trace of understanding dawned in his heart.

By sending Ning Rongrong to the Crown Prince's Residence, Ning Fengzhi hoped to leave the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect an escape route when the coming storm broke.

He had spotted the trump card behind the Crown Prince's Residence and wanted to place his bet early.

Su Chen set down his teacup.

"Last time, that girl pointed at me and cursed, then tried to throw me out. It's only been a few days. Are you really willing to send this pampered young lady off to suffer?"

Ning Fengzhi's expression turned solemn.

"On the path to seeking the Dao, whoever has attained it may be a teacher. What hardship could she not endure?"

"Underneath Heaven Dou City, undercurrents are swirling. The powers are reshuffling, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is a towering tree that draws the wind. One misstep, and we'll be shattered to pieces."

"I ask for nothing else. I only hope Rongrong can learn some real skills for making a living at Young Master Su's side."

Footsteps sounded from a side door of the hall.

Ning Rongrong poked half her body out from behind a screen, her face full of reluctance.

Her eyes were red, clearly from crying not long ago.

She clutched a Hidden Weapon tightly in her hand, biting her lower lip as she glared at Su Chen.

Ning Fengzhi's expression darkened.

"Rongrong! Come over here and greet Young Master Su!"

Ning Rongrong shuffled slowly to the center of the hall.

"I'm not going! Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone protect me in the sect. Why should I go there and get pushed around?"

Ning Fengzhi slapped the table and sprang to his feet.

"Outrageous! We've spoiled you rotten, and now you won't even listen to your elders?"

He turned to Su Chen, his voice humble.

"Young Master Su, this girl has been spoiled, but her natural talent is exceptional. If you'll take her in, her life or death will be up to fate. I won't interfere."

Su Chen stood and walked up to Ning Rongrong.

He looked down at her.

"If you want to learn how to repair the foundation, tears won't help."

"Here, there's no young miss, and no pride in having the best auxiliary Martial Soul in the world."

"There's only an apprentice who obeys."

"If you can't manage that, go back and find Grandpa Sword now."

Ning Rongrong clenched both fists, feeling deeply wronged.

She wanted to argue, but when she saw her father's stern, pleading gaze, she forced the words back down.

Tears pattered to the floor.

"I can do it."

Su Chen looked away.

"I can take her in."

"But let me make one thing clear first."

"Once you enter the Crown Prince's Residence, you follow the rules. If you can't endure the hardship and run home, then don't bring up repairing the foundation again."

Ning Fengzhi was overjoyed and hurried to thank him.

"Rest assured, Young Master Su! I'll give her instructions right away. Even if she has to shed a layer of skin, I won't let her set foot outside the Crown Prince's Residence!"

Su Chen turned and headed for the main hall's exit.

He paid no attention to the standoff between father and daughter.

The moment he crossed the threshold, he stopped and turned his head slightly.

"Sect Master Ning, a storm is coming."

With that, he walked down the steps.

Ning Fengzhi stiffened slightly.

He stared at the departing figure, remaining silent for a long time.

The storm wasn't merely coming. It was already at their feet.