Disgraces to the sect

Gongsun Xiangyang nodded silently, then turned to the maid under the eaves and instructed her:

"Notify the kitchen to prepare medicinal cuisine for the young lady; the more nourishing, the better."

The father and daughter entered the study. Gongsun Xiangyang opened a hidden compartment behind the bookcase, took out a wooden box, and opened it in front of Gongsun Xiu.

Inside the box lined with yellow silk, lay a wrinkled, unsightly purple ginseng root. It was only about the length of a middle finger, but its roots were densely packed, like intertwined lines.

This quality is extremely rare among ginseng.

"This Purple Jade Ginseng King is one of Father's most treasured possessions. It grew to the size of a radish in sixty years, and will grow another sixty years..."

Gongsun Xiangyang pointed to the box and said, "It's become like this, a concentrated essence, a top-notch tonic. When Father gets old, he'll rely entirely on it."

Gongsun Xiu glanced at it, shook her head, and said, "Since Father is keeping it to prolong his old age, I don't need it. I don't absolutely need to eat these things."

Gongsun Xiangyang, shameless as ever, chuckled twice.

"This stuff won't prolong your life. It's for when your father gets old and you have younger siblings, so it's a powerful tonic. Even an eighty-year-old man can regain his virility."

"."

Gongsun Xiu retorted irritably, "No matter how many sons you have, none of them can beat me. The position of family head will definitely be mine."

Gongsun Xiangyang chuckled and said, "We still have to have children. If we have a genius, he can put pressure on you. At the very least, he can give you a few helpers."

Gongsun Xiu rolled his eyes, took the few tufts of roots his father had plucked, chewed them a few times, and swallowed them.

When he was young, the head of the family, Gongsun Xiangyang, was an interesting person. He was proficient in eating, drinking, gambling and whoring. If it weren't for his extraordinary talent, he would never have been able to sit on the position of head of the family.

Having been the head of the family for so many years, his personality remains the same; he's not exactly frivolous, but the dignity of a superior is almost entirely absent from him.

When the father and daughter discussed the matter of who would succeed them as head of the family, they became more open and relaxed.

Seeing a blush rise to her daughter's cheeks and her complexion improve considerably, Gongsun Xiangyang felt a quiet sense of relief and said:

"Try to refine the medicinal power, don't waste it. Did you encounter danger in the tomb?"

Gongsun Xiu sat down on the large chair, refining the burning heat in his lower abdomen as he spoke:

"My judgment was correct. Those who died in the tomb did not die from the formation, but from a powerful Yin entity. Last night, we successfully lured it out and killed it after a fierce battle. If we had encountered it underground, it would have taken many more lives to kill it."

He then recounted the events of surrounding and killing the evil spirit to his father.

"Well done."

After listening, Gongsun Xiangyang nodded slightly.

"Then we organized eighteen skilled men to descend into the tomb. The tomb had previously experienced a massive collapse, destroying most of it, making it impossible to find anything of value until we reached the main burial chamber."

At this point, fear and lingering apprehension flashed in Gongsun Xiu's eyes.

Gongsun Xiangyang's heart skipped a beat, and he pressed, "What's in the main tomb?"

Gongsun Xiu took a breath. "There's an ancient corpse in the underground tomb, its age is unknown. We encountered it when we went down into the tomb. It was extremely powerful; it could create a vortex of air with a single breath."

She emphasized the horror of the ancient corpse, leaving the group of eighteen people utterly powerless to resist.

Gongsun Xiangyang jumped up with a "whoosh," bracing himself on the table with both hands, his eyes wide open:

"There's such a terrifying monster in Yongzhou? That can't be right, it can't be right. If that were the case, it couldn't have remained silent for so many years. From what you've said, it seems to be extremely thirsty for Essence Blood."

The head of the Gongsun family was both shocked and frightened. Yongzhou was the stronghold of the Gongsun Aristocratic Clan. If there really was something so terrible underground, it would be a major disaster for Yongzhou.

Gongsun Xiangyang's first reaction was to notify the government and have the Yongzhou Provincial Governor write to the imperial court, which would then dispatch an expert to handle the matter.

That ancient corpse is definitely not something that can be determined by the fourth rank. It is strange and terrifying. Perhaps, perhaps it is the third rank. The imperial court does not have any third-rank martial artists, but the Warlock of the Bureau of Astronomy can handle it. In any case, we should just report the matter to the higher authorities.

Even though the dynasty is now severely weakened, it still cannot be compared to the forces of the martial arts world.

Etc!!

In a flash, Gongsun Xiangyang suddenly realized something, and he stared wide-eyed at his daughter:

"How did you all get back?"

If the ancient corpse was truly as sinister and terrifying as she described, then the one standing before her now should be her daughter's ghost—no, it probably wouldn't even be a ghost.

"Because we met a master."

"A master?"

Gongsun Xiu nodded. "It all started yesterday at noon. I was hosting a banquet for some chivalrous people at Yangbai Lake when I inadvertently saw a child fall into the lake from the 'Wang's Fish Shop' boat. Master Qinggu said that it was the work of the Dark Gu Clan."

"So I wanted to invite him to explore the tomb together. Someone with such unpredictable methods could be more useful in a tomb than a warrior. He didn't agree, but before he left, he left us with two sentences."

Gongsun Xiangyang couldn't help but narrow his eyes, seemingly shocked, but he patiently listened to his daughter continue without interrupting.

One line is. "If you encounter danger in the tomb, you can say: 'Have you forgotten your promise to that person?' Another line is: 'It's going to rain heavily tonight, remember to bring rain gear.'"

Gongsun Xiangyang immediately looked out the window. A light drizzle was falling, proving that the expert possessed the ability to predict the weather.

"What does the previous sentence mean?" He asked, his face serious, yet unable to contain his curiosity.

Gongsun Xiu did not answer directly, but continued:

"Last night, after entering the tomb, we encountered an ancient corpse in the main burial chamber. We were certain to die, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to say it out loud. And then..."

"What was the result?" Gongsun Xiangyang leaned forward slightly.

"The ancient corpse did indeed stop and didn't kill us."

"."

Gongsun Xiangyang's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly as he analyzed:

"Did that expert have any dealings with the ancient corpse? Is it because of that expert's existence that the ancient corpse has remained in the tomb, refraining from causing trouble?"

Gongsun Xiu nodded, giving an affirmative answer:

"The ancient corpse was sealed by that master, and the collapse in the tomb was caused by their battle. All of this happened in less than a year. Afterwards, that master appeared in the tomb and seemed to have a deep conversation with the ancient corpse. I could sense that the ancient corpse was very wary of him."

He was extremely wary of him; a sinister and terrifying ancient corpse was extremely wary of him. Gongsun Xiangyang stared into his daughter's eyes and said:

"What happened next? Did that expert reappear? Did anyone know his background?"

Gongsun Xiu revealed a hint of admiration and said, "I probed his identity, but he didn't say it directly, though he left a poem."

What poem?

Gongsun Xiangyang's voice suddenly rose in pitch.

"Eight hundred years have passed since I attained enlightenment, and I have never taken a head with my flying sword. The Jade Emperor has not bestowed any heavenly decree upon me, and I merely sell black gold to circulate among the world."

Eight hundred years have passed since he attained enlightenment. Gongsun Xiangyang clenched his fists, which trembled slightly.

"Xiuer, you have encountered a reclusive master, no, a master who plays the game of life. This is a great fortuitous opportunity, a truly great fortuitous opportunity."

"Third-rank masters are extremely rare in this world, but those who reach this level have long lifespans. Over thousands of years, they will inevitably accumulate some. These masters either live in seclusion or roam the world, and even if you see them, you won't recognize them."

"What an incredible fortuitous opportunity it is to meet such a remarkable person. I knew you were a blessed child, and choosing you as the head of the family was the best decision I ever made."

He looked excited and thrilled.

"Father, before that master left, he instructed us not to enter the tomb again, and told us to guard it well and not let anyone in, especially Rogue Person."

Gongsun Xiangyang calmed himself down and nodded, saying, "That's only right. With the emergence of the ancient corpse, Yongzhou is not at peace, and neither are we."

The forces of the underworld have a strong sense of territory. While enjoying their wealth, they will also try their best to maintain the stability of their area, because this is also to protect their own interests.

The imperial court tolerated the Jianghu gangs, and neither Wang Zhenwen nor Wei Yuan deliberately suppressed them, precisely because of this.

A law-abiding gang can actually play a positive role in maintaining public order. What are the real destabilizing factors? They are the wandering Rogue Person.

Those guys could kill one person every ten steps, leave without a trace after the deed was done, and still manage to keep their merits and fame hidden.

The phrase "using force to break the law" often refers to this group of people.

"But the Gongsun family can't bear this burden entirely. I'll visit Dragon God Fortress later and tell Lord Lei about the situation at the Great Tomb. We must drag them into this mess no matter what."

After Gongsun Xiangyang finished speaking, he thought for a few seconds and then said:

"Send someone to ask the people at 'Wang's Fish Shop.' If they can't remember the master, send someone to secretly inquire in the city. If we can find him, Father will personally pay him a visit. If not, then so be it."

Clouds and mist swirl around the sacred mountain, which appears and disappears in the mist; white cranes cry out, and monkeys climb rocks.

Bingyi Yuanjun rode on a crane, her robes fluttering, with celestial mountains shrouded in mist beneath her. The crane flapped its wings, carrying her toward the main peak.

Before long, a magnificent celestial palace appeared, nestled among evergreen forests, standing proudly atop the peak.

A red light flashed in Bingyi Yuanjun's clear, glass-like eyes. A red ribbon flew from afar, entwining a middle-aged Daoist priest with an air of otherworldly grace.

"Senior Brother Xuancheng."

Bingyi Yuanjun parted her red lips slightly, her voice like ice cubes colliding, clear and melodious.

"Junior Sister Bingyi."

Master Xuancheng nodded, his expression equally cold and indifferent.

Without another word, the two mounted their respective mounts and Law Artifact and headed towards the celestial palace, landing in the huge plaza outside the palace.

The celestial palace is majestic, with eighteen pillars supporting a high dome, and a red carpet leading to the end of the palace.

At the end of the red carpet, on a platform two zhang high, sat an old man in a black Daoist robe. He had white hair and beard, and wore a lotus crown on his head. He sat cross-legged on a pure white lotus flower.

Behind his head was a halo of four colors rotating, symbolizing earth, wind, water, and fire.

On either side of the red carpet stood seven Daoist priests, some wearing Kun crowns and others Qian crowns, each with piercing eyes and a cold, indifferent demeanor.

The equally cold and ruthless Ice Queen and Daoist Xuancheng flew into the main hall, bowed coldly, and spoke coldly:

"Heavenly Venerable!"

The old man, dressed in a black Daoist robe, sat cross-legged on the lotus platform, his eyes lowered and seemingly unaware of anything.

But his voice echoed within the hall:

"A disciple sent back intelligence that Li Miaozhen, after two years in the mortal world, has become a renowned heroine, the Flying Swallow Heroine, whose fame resounds throughout the Central Plains."

Bingyi Yuanjun said calmly, "Entering the world first and then leaving it is excellent."

Li Miaozhen was her personally taught disciple.

The Celestial Venerable remained with his brows lowered and eyes closed, as if asleep, his voice ethereal and echoing.

"She first acted chivalrously, robbing the rich to help the poor, and gained fame in the Central Plains. Later, she organized an army in Yunzhou to suppress bandits, and was praised by the Da Great Feng court and the people. Not long ago, the Great Feng emperor was executed, and she was among those killed."

"Bingyi, are you teaching martial arts heroes or disciples of the Heavenly Sect?"

"Disciples of the Heavenly Sect must maintain a proper balance when engaging in worldly cultivation; they must not become swayed by worldly desires. Li Miaozhen has already gone astray. As the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect, she should be a role model for the disciples."

Ice-Yi Yuanjun coldly replied, "What does the Heavenly Venerable wish for me to do?"

"Capture Li Miaozhen and bring her back to the sect to re-examine the Heavenly Sect's sacred texts."

"Respect the Dharma decree!"

Master Xuancheng looked at the Celestial Venerable and said coldly, "Why has the Celestial Venerable summoned my junior brother?"

"The Holy Son disappeared a year ago."

Master Xuancheng glanced at Bingyi Yuanjun and said, "This disciple will go down the mountain to search for her immediately."

"Capture the Holy Son and bring him back to the sect for a renewed study of the Heavenly Sect's sacred texts."

A hint of confusion appeared on Master Xuancheng's usually indifferent face. "What does this mean?"

"After entering the martial arts world, he formed romantic relationships with over a hundred women within a year."

Master Xuancheng's icy face twitched slightly.

A female Daoist priest coldly said, "Celestial Venerable, why not depose the Holy Son and Holy Daughter and appoint new ones? These two disgraceful members of the sect should be expelled from the Heavenly Sect."

The Celestial Venerable remained silent, his brows lowered and eyes closed, as if he were asleep.