Sect Leader

On the second day of staying at the inn, Shi Jingzhi slept until late morning as usual. He habitually reached out beside him, but only felt a cold, empty space.

Sect Leader Shi, who had been drifting in a gentle dream, now crashed back to reality. From the room's layout to the snow falling outside the window, everything was frighteningly familiar. He unconsciously formed a terrifying guess.

Could everything in his memory have been just a one-night illusion? Perhaps he had only fainted in the snowy wind, experiencing nothing more than a fleeting dream.

Desire Child, Suspended Tree, the immortal founding general, the beloved soulmate. For someone who had just stepped into the mortal world, any of these seemed like absurdly distant stories.

As soon as this thought arose, Shi Jingzhi was wide awake from head to toe. Wearing only his sleeping robe, he got out of bed barefoot and rushed to the doctor's flag in the corner. After confirming that the characters on the flag were indeed written by Yin Ci, and that the master's jade pendant was hanging intact, Shi Jingzhi finally caught his breath. He shivered belatedly, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.

Madam Li's inn was rudimentary, and the room wasn't particularly warm. As a small breeze blew in, Shi Jingzhi suddenly felt cold all over. Just as he stood on tiptoe, about to dash back to the bed, he caught sight of Yin Ci at the door, holding a bowl of chicken noodle soup.

Yin Ci was dressed neatly, and the fragrant aroma of the soup wafted through the air. Master Shi looked at the tray, then at the bed, immediately caught in an internal struggle.

Yin Ci: "..."

Yin Ci put the soup on the table: "Get back in bed first. Why are you running around looking so disheveled? You'll catch a cold."

Shi Jingzhi naturally didn't listen. He quickly slipped on his shoes and embraced Yin Ci fully, shamelessly stealing the other's body heat.

"I thought all of this was a dream," Shi Jingzhi mumbled, his nose buried in the crook of Yin Ci's neck.

Yin Ci was stunned for a moment, then his lips curled into a smile: "The old lady gets up early and probably doesn't want to cook for herself. I was afraid she'd be hungry waiting, so I got up a bit earlier... How about next time, I leave half a sleeve for you?"

Shi Jingzhi immediately stopped moving and fell silent, as if seriously considering the feasibility of this suggestion.

Seeing his nonsensical behavior, Yin Ci said with amusement: "Alright, alright. Today, you prepare your own medicine, and I'll sew you a calming sachet. Tomorrow you can hang it at the head of the bed, so you'll see it at first glance."

Shi Jingzhi finally let go of him: "I'll go wash up, so the noodles don't get soggy."

Madam Li had originally planned to save some soup to dip her bread in as a snack at noon. Who knew that the fox spirit would eat chicken without blinking an eye, refilling the large bowl three times, and finishing the entire pot. But since they had paid for it, and they had made it themselves, Madam Li couldn't say anything. She could only pray that these two immortals would stay longer.

Now Shi Jingzhi was full and content, having dragged two benches to the doorway to admire the snow. Shi Jingzhi warmed the wine with his inner energy, and the master and disciple drank casually. Everywhere they looked was vast white snow and clear blue sky. Paired with hot wine and cold wind, even time seemed to slow down.

Yin Ci, feeling relaxed, wanted to casually prepare some small dishes to go with the wine. Madam Li seized the opportunity and quietly tugged at his sleeve.

"Young lad, how long are you and that fo... your master staying?"

"Not sure, probably about half a month."

"Well, that's good news." The old lady breathed a sigh of relief, now assured of having food for half a month.

After rejoicing silently for a moment, she suddenly realized something: "Wait a minute, we're in the deep mountains here, far from any village. What are you two doing staying here?"

Could it be that the fox immortal's den was in Ku Mountain?

Yin Ci prepared two small dishes and smiled: "A sect will be built here, and it will be lively in the future."

"You're just fooling me. Even bandits don't want to come to this place, who would build a sect here!"

Not to mention anything else, on this mountain, apart from her inn, there were only scattered huts built by hunters. Without anyone tending to the surroundings, the flowers and plants grew wild, hardly a scenic spot. Over the next mountain peak, on the other side of Ku Mountain, there was even a valley full of demons and spirits. Madam Li thought long and hard but couldn't think of any benefit to living on Ku Mountain.

Could it be that they were bored and wanted to cultivate the wilderness?

"I'm not deceiving you. This place will become the birthplace of the Martial Arts Alliance Leader's sect in the future."

Madam Li stood rooted to the spot, nearly dropping the bread in her hand. Martial Arts Alliance Leader? She had never even seen a proper disciple from a major sect, let alone someone of the Martial Arts Alliance Leader's caliber. But judging from Yin Ci's attitude, it didn't seem like he was joking to fool her.

Madam Li was dumbfounded for quite a while. Not caring if she was interrupting, she rushed over to Yin Ci's side.

Shi Jingzhi was happily eating bamboo shoots when he was startled by the old lady's sudden storm-like approach, nearly choking on the spot. This time, Madam Li didn't care about any fox immortals. She grabbed Yin Ci quite helplessly: "You've been out in the world, you know more. If that whatever sect is built, what should I do?"

"My son married into a wealthy family and doesn't want his old mother to be a burden. My daughter married far away, and her family is just ordinary, I can't go and be a burden to her... This inn is my last connection to my old man, I can't bear to part with it!"

Shi Jingzhi finally swallowed the bamboo shoots and coughed for a while: "Building a sect means more customers, why are you making it sound so serious?"

"More people coming means the shops in town will come up here too. With my old arms and legs, I can't make many dishes, and I can't hire many people. How can I compete with them!"

Shi Jingzhi and Yin Ci: "..."

Is the "few" dishes really the problem?

"If- if you're not busy, could you lend a hand here, or find someone willing to come? Demons are fine too, anything will do. I can provide food and lodging, I can at least afford to hire one person."

The master and disciple pair looked at each other, neither saying a word.

Seeing no one speak, Madam Li became even more anxious: "If you find someone to come, I'll offer a fat mountain chicken to this Fox Immortal Grandpa every month!"

As she said this, she was about to kneel down.

Shi Jingzhi, quick as lightning, supported the old lady: "No need, no need. We have quite a connection with this place. How about you name a price, and we'll buy the whole thing. What do you think?"

This time, Madam Li's legs really went weak, and she couldn't stand straight for a long time. She panted heavily for a while, and when she finally recovered, she resolutely shook her head: "Not for sale."

Shi Jingzhi put on a listening pose.

"I told you, this is the place of me and my old man. Even if I had money in my pocket, I wouldn't want to leave here."

As she said this, Madam Li looked at the flying snow outside the window, revealing a somewhat melancholic expression.

Yin Ci instantly understood that in all these years he had stayed on Ku Mountain, Madam Li had been concerned about her children, but he had never seen that pair of children come back to visit her. Even if the old lady had money to live elsewhere, she might not be any happier.

Shi Jingzhi's eyes rolled: "Then how about you manage the inn, and we'll provide money to hire people. You can help look after the inn and do the accounting, and I'll give you two taels of silver a month. You've taken care of Zi... Ah Ci for so long, as his master, I certainly need to show my appreciation."

As he finished speaking, Sect Leader Shi's hand affectionately rested on Yin Ci's shoulder. The latter didn't dodge or move away, but instead relaxed even more. Their appearances, set against the snowy scene outside, even made the inn's crudeness seem rustic and charming. However, looking at those gazes, the atmosphere was visibly becoming more and more intimate.

Madam Li: "..." At her age, it really wasn't appropriate to watch this.

The old lady's eyes widened: "Well, I'll name my price then. I want two hundred taels of silver, can you afford that?"

"Of course I can."

"It's a deal!"

One month later.

Madam Li was utterly convinced that the fox immortal grandpa was a genuine fox immortal. Not to mention that she had received her two hundred taels of silver, but the master and disciple pair had also taken the time to select some good craftsmen from the town and renovated the inn from top to bottom. They even personally chose a quiet and spacious guest room and turned it into their own room.

That room was decorated in a way that could rival an immortal's cave dwelling.

Madam Li, with food and drink taken care of and nothing else to do, sat at the entrance examining the materials. The materials chosen by the fox immortal grandfather weren't extravagant, but they were indeed high-quality wood that was resistant to moths and moisture. Just the labor and material costs were beyond measure. Not to mention all those bottles and jars, which were clearly top-notch goods at a glance.

Who knows where the money came from.

The old lady was at most a righteous dog-butcher type, without the sense of justice to investigate thoroughly. She had changed into new clothes made from the fabric, and for the first time, her clothes were even scented. Madam Li watched the craftsmen work, happily brewing tea and cracking melon seeds. This liveliness was one of a kind; she hadn't tasted such pleasure in decades.

As for Shi Jingzhi and Yin Ci, those two had gone out early to hunt and play in the snow, enjoying themselves immensely. Before leaving, they had left a message saying that an acquaintance would be coming today. The old lady had specially saved a bowl of steamed meat, thinking of serving it to the guest at noon.

As noon approached and the craftsmen were drinking and eating, a man in tattered clothes entered.

Madam Li quickly rubbed her hands: "Looking for someone?"

The man was empty-handed and filthy all over, with only a short knife at his waist. Judging by his appearance, he didn't look like the usual customers who came to do business. The old lady noticed his broad shoulders, wide face, and bulging stomach, with a strong smell of wild beasts about him. Her eyes rolled, and her voice suddenly lowered: "Could it be the Great Bear Immortal?"

The newcomer: "..."

He looked suspiciously at the old lady. This inn looked like it was run by rich people, how come the owner seemed foolish?

The newcomer was none other than the desert bandit Ma Shili.

Years ago, when the martial arts world was in turmoil, Ma Shili had been caught by Shi Zhongyu and brought to the Martial Arts Assembly as a token criminal. Later, when the National Teacher's faction was exposed and Taiheng had a traitor like Qu Duanyun, the faction was in chaos for quite some time. Ma Shili, being a small fry among bandits, actually managed to seize the opportunity to escape.

Unfortunately, the chaotic world he had hoped for didn't come to pass.

The seriously ill emperor of Dayun gradually recovered, and two celestial immortals descended to drive the Luojiu army back to their old home. The area around Shafu once again fell under the influence of the Red Hook Sect, and the new sect leader was ruthless. His old subordinates didn't dare to harass the common people anymore and had long since scattered.

Ma Shili had barely managed to stumble back to Shafu, only to find himself a general without an army. With the desert bandits existing in name only, Ma Shili had the idea of becoming a mountain bandit.

It was said that Ku Mountain was desolate and remote, without even a single mountain bandit. Well, Ma Shili would be the first mountain bandit here!

However, the name Ku Mountain sounded a bit inauspicious, always reminding him of that demonic Ku Mountain Sect. But this place was so desolate, it couldn't possibly produce any demons. After the Martial Arts Assembly, how many people had investigated the Ku Mountain Sect? They couldn't even find the location of the sect!

It must be just a coincidence of names. This time, just as he came up the mountain, he encountered such a fat sheep. This must be a sign from heaven for him to make his move.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Madam Li thought this person... this demon was being cautious in front of humans. She laughed a few times and said mysteriously: "Ha, Great Bear Immortal is nothing, I've even seen the Fox Immortal."

Ma Shili shook his head inwardly, this old woman was truly crazy.

"I'm here to find someone," he said vaguely, his eyes darting around the resting craftsmen in the inn, occasionally glancing at the exquisite decorations. "Old lady, take me to see him, if you please."

With his mediocre skills, he was no match for these strong and healthy craftsmen. He had to first isolate this old fool.

The "old fool" didn't fall for it at all: "Those two have gone out and won't be back for a while. Why don't you eat something first? I specially saved a bowl of steamed meat. Since you're acquainted with them, you must know about our Yin boy's cooking skills... It's so fragrant, oh my!"

Hearing this, it seemed the inn was run by a daughter and son-in-law. They probably made a bit of money and came back to help the old mother. A young couple in the mountains, what abilities could they have? Once these strong craftsmen left, wouldn't they be at his mercy?

Ma Shili was overjoyed and immediately sat down: "Bring on the wine and meat!"

"Right away!"

Madam Li happily brought out warmed fruit wine, added winter bamboo shoots and steamed meat, clear-stewed radish, and a large bowl of white rice. Ma Shili didn't stand on ceremony and immediately began to feast. He had thought that in such a remote mountain area, he wouldn't be able to eat anything decent. Who would have thought that the meat and vegetables would be so delicious and perfectly prepared? Ma Shili took one bite and nearly burst into tears of joy.

He truly ate like a bear, holding the bowl and turning rice grains into flying projectiles, scattering them everywhere. The two dishes were scraped clean, even cleaner than if they had been washed.

While Ma Shili was eating happily, his spirits soared.

This old madwoman really had a good daughter. Could it be that the young couple made their fortune by running a tavern? Later, he would have to take a look at that young woman. If she was beautiful, he'd snatch her away, and he'd have good food to eat every day from then on.

The craftsmen were also full of food and drink. Only one was left to guard the tools, while the rest took advantage of the daylight to go down the mountain and fetch materials. Seeing that people had gone far, Ma Shili immediately changed his expression and flipped the table. The previously intact dishes and bowls fell to the ground with a clatter, shattering into pieces.

Madam Li's kind smile slowly disappeared.

"Silver notes, strings of coins, bring them all out for your lord."

Ma Shili stepped on the fallen stool and let out a satisfied burp. The craftsman left to guard the tools was a carver, small in stature, and now he was as silent as a cicada in winter.

"Your lord is in a good mood today, so I won't harm your family's lives first. When your daughter comes back later, you behave yourself. Who knows, we might become one family soon."

Madam Li: "...?" Strange, she hadn't drunk any strong liquor, what was this person talking about?

"Your lord happens to be in need of a little lady to warm my bed, *burp*, this is the position of a proper wife, who will be the future mistress of this Ku Mountain stronghold..."

Madam Li said calmly: "A mountain bandit? So that's what you were getting at earlier."

For some reason, Ma Shili detected a hint of disappointment in her tone. But before he could fully process this, he felt a sharp pain in his head. This old woman was surprisingly quick, directly picking up a stool and smashing it on his head.

The stool wasn't heavy, so the damage was limited. So Madam Li kept hitting him one blow after another, cursing in local dialect so vulgar that even Ma Shili, a rural bandit, couldn't bear to listen.

The old lady was like an enraged badger, each blow of the stool more vicious than the last, as if she couldn't even see the short knife.

Ma Shili was stunned by the beating. He himself was reckless, but who would have thought this old woman was even more so. He was clearly here to rob and kidnap, but now, relying on his thick skin and sturdy bones, he could barely maintain consciousness. The good mood from eating delicious food was completely beaten away, and Ma Shili also revealed his bandit nature.

He raised his knife recklessly, stabbing directly towards the old lady's heart.

Smack.

Before Ma Shili's knife could stab out, a snow-covered pebble struck his wrist. Ma Shili's wrist immediately went numb, and the short knife fell to the ground with a clatter.

Madam Li didn't hesitate either. She didn't care where the pebble came from, directly picked up the short knife, and was about to stab back. A figure descended from the sky, two fingers easily pinching the blade, and flicking it aside.

"That's enough, Granny. It's truly not worth dirtying your hands for this kind of waste." The person said with a smile. "How about I kill him and make a few human meat buns for you to vent your anger?"

That young man was also extremely handsome. With willow leaf eyes accompanied by a jet-black beauty mark, there was a hint of allure between his brows, with an undisguised air of mischief.

Madam Li understood. Just by looking at his appearance, she knew this was truly an acquaintance of that fox immortal.

"Ah Si, don't make trouble." Another helpless voice sounded. "... Madam, we will deal with this person. Please rest easy for now, I'll check your injuries later."

Seeing the person who walked in, Madam Li understood again. This one even had red eyes, he must be a demon! That fox immortal was quite righteous, having made his fortune, he still remembered to bring his friends from the forest out of the mountains... But wait, didn't the fox immortal grandfather say only one person would come?

"Ah Si" clicked his tongue loudly, casually hitting Ma Shili's pressure points: "Just kill him, in these deep mountains, we can just find a hole and bury him. We know this guy, he's a murderer and robber, with over a dozen lives on his hands."

"Him escaping was Taiheng's negligence, this matter should-"

"Should consider the big picture, should find and fix the loopholes, should follow the rules of the righteous path in the martial arts world." Su Si hummed expertly, "Can't we be flexible occasionally?"

Though his words were harsh, he still obediently tied up Ma Shili and threw him into a corner.

Having just recognized the great leader Su, Ma Shili was completely dumbfounded. He had been a desert bandit in Shafu after all, and this face was practically etched into his nightmares. Unfortunately, his pressure points had been completely sealed, and he couldn't squeeze out even half a word. The red-eyed one was even easier to recognize, clearly the Martial Arts Alliance Leader from Ku Mountain Sect, Yan Qing.

What were these two, one righteous and one evil, doing here? Leader Su, you came all the way to Ku Mountain, aren't you managing Red Hook? And what's with the intimate and familiar atmosphere between the two?

Collusion between good and evil, this is collusion between good and evil! Ma Shili's eyes nearly popped out of his head.

Yan Qing acted as if he had heard all of Ma Shili's inner thoughts, sighing helplessly: "I heard that a great tomb appeared in the desert, and Red Hook is going to explore it. You came here yourself, don't your guardians and protectors care?"

"They can't control me."

"This time I came to discuss the matter of establishing a sect, there's nothing interesting. You've worked hard to build your prestige, don't delay important matters."

"Well said, I came for important matters!" Su Si propped up the table that had fallen to the ground and pretended to slap it. "You know, that bastard Shen Zhu stole my goose, what will my Red Hook Divine Sect use for divination now? So, Alliance Leader Yan has superb divination skills, I've come specially to request a reading."

Yan Qing furrowed his brows, his tone serious and solemn: "This is the 236th time you've come to me for a divination. If it's truly so inconvenient, I can send someone to contact Miss Shen and ask her to return Lord Bai."

Su Si: "..."

Su Si: "Hey, hey, hey, don't! She's gone to deal with that Luojiu Suspended Tree, it's a great thing for the country and the people. How would it look for you, a righteous person, to ask for the goose back! Me coming to you for divination can be considered as the righteous path compensating my sect, it's reasonable!"

Yan Qing suddenly realized and hurriedly nodded in agreement.

Ma Shili's eyes were rolling so hard they nearly turned inside out. People in the martial arts world all said that Alliance Leader Yan was strong in ability, efficient and fair in handling matters, and rarely had any ambition. Now it seems, not only does this person lack ambition, but his mind is also simple! And that usually willful and poisonous Sect Leader Su, right now he doesn't have a hint of ferocity or killing intent, he's simply... simply like an ordinary person.

But the martial arts of those two was real and undeniable. Ma Shili felt a wave of exhaustion in his heart, wishing he could just faint and be done with it.

What kind of background must that "young couple" have to make these two come specially to meet them? The "young lady" he had secretly coveted was probably that disciple from Ku Mountain Sect with terrifying martial arts.

Beautiful indeed, but one finger could crush him to death.

Ma Shili regretted deeply. He hadn't heard that Yin Ci had a mother, how did Yueshui Bureau do their work so poorly?

Although Madam Li didn't understand the ins and outs, she could hear the general situation. She turned to Yan Qing with a smile: "Bringing a guest on short notice, I understand. Tsk, what a pity about the meat dishes I had prepared, all fed to pigs and dogs."

As she finished speaking, she didn't forget to glare at Ma Shili.

Yan Qing said cheerfully: "It's alright, it's alright, Granny. You take this silver and bring us two simple home-style dishes."

......

When Yin Ci and Shi Jingzhi returned to the inn, Su Si was lying on the table with a sickly face, using chopsticks to pick at overcooked noodles, his gaze somewhat unfocused. Yan Qing was busy at the stove, sweating profusely. Poor Yan Qing had been the Martial Arts Alliance Leader for many years, constantly busy with affairs, and hadn't cooked for who knows how long, let alone use such a large pot. Judging by the smell coming from the pot, Yan Qing's results weren't very promising.

Seeing Yin Ci, Su Si bounced in his seat, showing an expression of wanting to rush over but not daring to. He held back for a long while, finally managing to stand straight and proper, and gave a formal bow.

"Senior, saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda," Sect Leader Su said sincerely. "The taste in my mouth is really grinding my tongue, with your great kindness and virtue, please make something new."

His voice wasn't loud, but Madam Li's sharp gaze still shot over: "What are you saying, hm?"

Su Si immediately shrank his neck.

Yin Ci glanced at Ma Shili in the corner. By now, the craftsmen bringing materials had all returned. Ma Shili was tied up in a bundle, surrounded by a group of busy people, looking particularly eye-catching. Ma Shili had lost all feeling, with some noodles still stuffed in his mouth. The remnants of the noodles looked very similar to those in Su Si's bowl, emanating a certain vengeful flavor.

Even the usually honest Yan Qing raised his head, his eyes full of a plea for help. Yin Ci couldn't resist and took over Alliance Leader Yan's position. Shi Jingzhi also moved to the stove, using his yang fire to remove the gamey smell from the pork skin.

After sunset, the stewed meat was finally ready. The red, soft, and crispy pork belly trembled slightly, stewed together with refreshing white radish. It was fatty but not greasy, with the aroma of chili peppers exploding on the tongue.

Su Si immediately fell silent, eating with both elegance and speed, a glimmer of tears seeming to flash in the corner of his eye.

Yan Qing obediently didn't move his chopsticks: "Sect Leader, you specially called me back this time, is there something you need help with?"

It was now common knowledge that Ku Mountain Sect was going to establish a sect on Ku Mountain. After Dayun stabilized, the master and disciple of Ku Mountain Sect spent their days touring mountains and playing in waters, only going to Yueshui Bureau each year to pay some silver to keep the sect's name. After all these years, Yin Ci was still the only formal disciple of Ku Mountain Sect.

Yin Ci: "You've been the Alliance Leader for these years, and they've come to accept you. You still bearing the title of Ku Mountain Sect's servant is a bit much."

The matter of Suspended Tree was widely spread, and Yan Budu's identity as a Desire Child also became known. The martial arts world naturally wouldn't forgive that madman, but when the National Teacher faction's goal of "designing to hunt down Yan family descendants, just to prevent Desire Children from falling into outside hands and becoming uncontrollable" was exposed, the righteous path of the martial arts world couldn't make things difficult for Yan Qing.

Yan Qing had a gentle nature and was extremely thorough in his work, leaving no room for criticism. As time passed, no one challenged this temporary Alliance Leader, and he somehow muddledly held the position for so many years.

Regarding his own identity as a "Ku Mountain Sect servant," Yan Qing himself didn't mind at all. Blood-red ghostly eyes, Yan family bloodline, which of these didn't invite more discussion?

Thinking about how this meeting was supposed to be private, Yan Qing suddenly realized: "Ku Mountain Sect has shown me great kindness. Sect Leader, even if just as a servant, I want to keep my Ku Mountain Sect identity."

"Indeed," Su Si finally pulled his head out of his rice bowl, "Taiheng hunted down the most Yan family descendants, and even offered to take him as an elder to atone for their sins, but this person refused. Don't think about driving him away, giving him an official title is more appropriate."

Shi Jingzhi's chopsticks paused, his expression turning serious: "A man of his word keeps his promises, I really will only take one disciple. Calling him here this time was for a completely different matter. Yan Qing, going to Yueshui Bureau every year to do the paperwork is truly troublesome. I don't want to be the sect leader anymore, you take over."

Su Si's chopsticks "clattered" onto the table, while Yan Qing slowly froze.

"Since when does a sect leader pass their position to a servant?!" Su Si was so shocked his voice changed.

"Now there is," Shi Jingzhi said solemnly. "Yan Qing's current reputation is sufficient, his accumulation is about right, he's worthy of this important task. As for me, being a Grandmaster is quite comfortable... Don't worry, you can freely take disciples, Zizhu and I will come back from time to time to guide them."

"...I see you two want the sect to be passed down through generations, but are too lazy to manage the miscellaneous affairs, what a good way to shift the burden." The current Sect Leader Su Si muttered. Catching Yin Ci's sharp glance, Su Si hurriedly picked up his bowl and started eating one grain of rice at a time.

"We don't intend to force him to inherit."

Yin Ci poured a cup of wine and swirled the liquid.

"Managing a small sect won't take much of my attention. But having the title of sect leader can truly influence this martial world... I think Yan Qing needs this path more than I do."

This time Su Si didn't say anything.

He knew Yan Qing had no ambition. But a person without ambition doesn't mean they have nothing they want to do. Every year on Monk Juefei's death anniversary, Yan Qing would climb Huilian Mountain rain or shine to pray for Monk Juefei. Su Si would also go with him under the banner of "an exchange between good and evil."

Facing the pagoda forest, Yan Qing would always carefully recount and organize everything he had done, and then reflect for three days.

The title of Martial Arts Alliance Leader was grand, but as the martial world became increasingly peaceful, it wasn't appropriate for him to interfere too much in other sects' internal affairs. The last time, after Yan Qing reported what he had done this year, there was a hint of worry between his brows.

He could change fewer and fewer things.

Had Yin Ci seen through this point? Su Si couldn't quite guess.

Sure enough, Yan Qing didn't have a single word of complaint. After reacting, he immediately agreed: "Thank you both, it's my honor."

Shi Jingzhi: "Very good, very good. Su Si, you keep an eye on him when he's choosing disciples. It's fine to follow the righteous path, but our good Ku Mountain Sect, don't let it become a second Taiheng... That rigid style, I really can't stand it."

He removed the sect leader's jade pendant from the flag and pushed it towards Yan Qing: "Take it, take it. Go to the Yueshui Bureau another day to handle the formalities. Your master and I still need to go see the snow mountains, we really don't have time."

The jade pendant rolled across the wooden tabletop. If not for Yan Qing's quick reflexes, the thing would have fallen to the ground.

Yan Qing: "..."

Just like that?

The handover of the Ku Mountain Sect's leadership was far too casual! When it's his turn, he'll definitely improve the process.

However, Yin Ci has always indulged Shi Jingzhi's antics, and this time he noticed something else: "Where's your Compassion Stone Sword?"

Yan Qing used to be inseparable from his sword. Even if he didn't carry it, he would check on it every so often. This time, from start to finish, Yan Qing hadn't spared it a glance, and there was no sign of the Compassion Stone Sword in the room.

"Don't mention it, he returned it to Jianchen Temple a few days ago," Su Si drank an entire cup of wine. "Such a fine treasure, gone just like that!"

"The Jade Bell Sword Technique doesn't rely on a specific sword. Becoming too dependent on the Compassion Stone Sword would also become an attachment," Yan Qing lowered his eyes. "Besides, Master Kongshi needs something personal to be recorded in Jianchen Temple's pagoda forest."

Shi Jingzhi, always sensitive about parting with treasures, immediately frowned: "Didn't they find Kong Shi's remains? Is there anything more personal than bones?"

"According to Abbot Juehui, Master Kongshi had already been buried by someone, in a place with a karmic connection to that mountain rock. Given the connection, it wouldn't be right to forcibly move the remains," Yan Qing explained.

"What a pity," Shi Jingzhi sighed deeply, his chopsticks trembling slightly as he picked up some meat. "That was a fine thing."

Yan Qing smiled a bit awkwardly and finally started eating. He put the sect leader's jade pendant in his inner pocket, where it pressed hard against his chest, slightly uncomfortable.

The master and disciple didn't pursue the matter further, and he didn't continue to explain.

The monks had indeed found the grave, but they only had it properly repaired. They held a grand ceremony, then quietly left.

They didn't take Kongshi away.

Yan Qing had seen the restored grave himself. It looked much more formal than before. However, it was still surrounded by flourishing apricot blossoms and lush green grass. The wild apricots went unpicked, and many new apricot trees had grown nearby. When the flowering season comes, every branch will be covered in what looks like thick snow, incomparably elegant.

It truly was an excellent resting place.

After paying respects to this unparalleled high monk, Yan Qing opened a bottle of light wine and poured it under the most luxuriant apricot tree. As the wine slowly seeped into the soil, Yan Qing hesitated for a moment but ultimately said nothing.

The faint fragrance of apricot blossoms mixed with the aroma of wine seemed to linger in his nostrils.

"...I will take many disciples and teach them to do good with all my might," Yan Qing suddenly said out of nowhere.

Su Si paused his movements, seeming to understand. He remained quiet for a while, not teasing Yan Qing.

"I'll also be a good demonic cult leader, and when I die, I'll be more famous than Yan Budu," he casually poked a piece of radish with his chopsticks.

Perhaps in a hundred years, red eyes will just be red eyes, and people will just be people.

The two exchanged a smile, tacitly understanding each other, then resumed eating. But when they looked up, they saw that the master and disciple pair had returned to the stove, brazenly starting another pot. Looking at the table, where was the braised meat? Only half a pot of meat soup and radishes remained. While the two were reflecting, those two beasts moved their chopsticks like the wind, making the meat disappear without a sound.

Su Si and Yan Qing: "..."

As expected of two monsters, they're ruthless.

At this moment, Aunt Li finally finished her chores. She skillfully scooped some white rice and went straight to the stove to distribute dishes. Finally, she came over to Su Si and Yan Qing's table, smiling particularly brightly.

"What kind of demons are you two? Tell me," the old lady winked mischievously. "I know that one over there is a fox, I watched Yin Ci grow up. What about you two? How many years of cultivation?"

Su Si gave her a long look and poked a piece of radish: "Snake demon, about twenty years of cultivation. Just took human form, got tricked by that fox."

"Ah Si, you're just—"

"Let me introduce you, this one here is a tree spirit. Handsome, isn't he? He'll be staying on the mountain in the future, probably coming to visit from time to time."

Yan Qing: "..."

Aunt Li hissed: "Really, anything can become a spirit these days, I've learned something new. I've heard people say ghost eyes are unlucky, can you change the color?"

Su Si stuffed some radish into Yan Qing's bowl: "Who says that? He's a cotton tree, the flowers are very auspicious when they bloom."

Aunt Li looked at the intimate master and disciple pair by the stove, then at the two lively young men beside her.

"That's true," she murmured. "It is auspicious indeed."

Author's note: Here comes a long extra chapter!