nyslfriends Chapter 86 Acting
Chapter 86 Acting
Shen Qing continued, "According to my disciples, the county magistrate arranged jobs for them on the mountain, preventing them from ending up on the streets. I will always remember this kindness."
A smile finally appeared on Zhao Yuanlang's lips. Mo Wentian's words seemed to be a thank you, but in reality, they were a statement to him.
Mo Wentian was thus bringing up the matter of how he and Huang Yuanji had conspired to scheme against Qingyun.
"It was nothing, Brother Dao, you don't need to mention it."
Zhao Yuanlang's tone relaxed considerably. "I am ashamed. The Huang family harbored wolfish ambitions and committed heinous crimes. Now that Qingyun has been restored to power, I, Zhao, have a small gift to offer as a token of my apology."
Shen Qing nodded slightly, but did not continue the topic. Instead, she suddenly changed the subject.
"However, there is one thing that I, Mo, do need to explain to the county magistrate."
Zhao Yuanlang's gaze sharpened. "Oh? Please speak, fellow Daoist!"
Shen Qing calmly said, "After I killed Huang Yuanji, Huang Wenyuan handed over the land deed of the Huang family mansion in order to protect himself. I then used my divine sense to investigate and found that there was a spiritual eye hidden under the Huang family ancestral hall. Although it was of low grade, it was undoubtedly a spiritual vein."
After a pause, Shen Qing said sincerely, "Spiritual veins are extremely scarce within Qinghe County. I personally believe that the Qingyun Sect has no right to dispose of this item without authorization. Since the County Magistrate has returned today, this matter shall be decided by the County Magistrate."
These words were so well-spoken that Shen Qing's claim that the Huang family's spiritual vein was "handed over voluntarily" was obviously a lie.
Huang Wenyuan was terrified and offered up all of Huang's possessions in order to save his life.
However, Shen Qing's statement at this moment was giving Zhao Yuanlang a great deal of face.
Look, I've found the spiritual vein, but I haven't kept it for myself. I'm telling you this so you can decide.
Moreover, judging from Zhao Yuanlang's behavior, Shen Qing confirmed one thing.
Zhao Yuanlang seemed unaware of the existence of a spiritual vein in the Huang family, which indirectly confirms that the Qingyun Sect appears to be more honest than the Huang family.
Zhao Yuanlang pondered for a moment and said, "I will handle the matter of the spiritual vein properly, so please rest assured, fellow Daoist."
He gently placed the teacup back on the table, making a crisp sound. "Speaking of which, I just remembered something. When Huang Yuanji came to me that day, he kept saying that Qingyun Mountain contained the 'Mysterious Sound of the Great Dao'."
"I asked him where the mysterious sound was, but he couldn't explain it. I asked him how to trigger it, but he couldn't answer that either. Now that I think about it, it's probably because the Huang family ancestors spread rumors and attributed the origin of the fragmented stone tablet to some kind of secret treasure of a fairy mountain."
His tone suddenly became meaningful. "Huang Yuanji said that his ancestor once heard the sound of Taoism in the mountains by chance, and thus successfully established his foundation. Now that I think about it, his words are probably half true and half false."
Shen Qing's heart stirred slightly. Zhao Yuanlang's words, on the surface, were a denial of Huang Yuanji's theory of Daoist sound.
In reality, he was just trying to save face—the reason I got involved in this matter was because I was deceived by the Daoist chant fabricated by Huang Yuanji.
However, this was exactly what Shen Qing wanted.
"Your Excellency, the spiritual energy of Qingyun Mountain is scarce. I have lived here since childhood and know every inch of the mountain like the back of my hand. If there were truly a treasure in the mountain, I would not have needed to travel for more than twenty years in search of opportunities."
"As for Daoyin—it's like water without a source or a tree without roots; it's mostly a lie fabricated by Huang Yuanji to persuade the county magistrate."
Shen Qing continued, "However, things have come to this point. Regardless of whether there are any secret treasures on Qingyun Mountain, this matter is already unclear. Since Qingyun Mountain is within Qinghe territory, if the county magistrate wishes to report to the Heavenly God Sect, I, Mo, will have no objection. The Qingyun Sect can even withdraw from Qingyun Mountain and choose another place to live."
Shen Qing's words were a strategic retreat, bringing the matter directly to the forefront and seemingly handing the initiative over to Zhao Yuanlang.
However, based on his previous conversation with Zhao Yuanlang, Shen Qing had already anticipated Zhao Yuanlang's reaction and knew that he probably wouldn't report the matter to the Heavenly God Sect.
Even if Zhao Yuanlang reports to the Heavenly God Sect, Shen Qing is not afraid, since there are indeed no secrets on Qingyun Mountain now.
Zhao Yuanlang shook his head as expected.
"Brother, you flatter me. Qingyun Mountain is the foundation built by the Qingyun Sect over generations. I, Zhao, would never take advantage of someone in distress. A mere mountain is not worth disturbing the sect. You can simply stay on the mountain in peace."
Shen Qing breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, but Zhao Yuanlang's next words made his heart jump again.
"but--"
Zhao Yuanlang abruptly changed the subject, his gaze falling on Shen Qing, his tone suddenly becoming serious, "Isn't it a pity that someone of your stature, Brother Dao, is confined to a corner of Qinghe?"
Shen Qing did not respond. Although he appeared calm, his knuckles unconsciously tightened slightly beneath his wide robe and sleeves.
Zhao Yuanlang continued, his tone sincere and earnest: "Although I am only an outer disciple of the Heavenly God Sect, I still have some influence within the sect."
"If you are interested, Brother Zhao, I can introduce you to the sect elders. With your aptitude, you would at least be an inner disciple of the Heavenly God Sect, with the Golden Core stage within reach and the Nascent Soul stage within hope."
"At that time, not only will Brother Dao attain enlightenment, but the entire Qingyun Sect will also be brought under the sphere of influence of the Heavenly God Sect and receive its protection. Wouldn't that be far better than enduring hardship in this remote place?"
Shen Qing felt a sense of foreboding; Zhao Yuanlang's probing had struck at his weak point perfectly.
He just said that Qingyun Mountain has no secrets, but the Heavenly God Sect is a behemoth that dominates a continent. He can keep Zhao Yuanlang in check, but how can he face the Heavenly God Sect?
Shen Qing had no idea what Zhao Yuanlang might do next if he was just trying to keep him calm.
But Shen Qing quickly calmed down.
If Zhao Yuanlang really wanted to take action, given the other party's status and sect background, he could have tried to appease him first and then use force, keeping him calm until the sect's experts arrived.
But Zhao Yuanlang's words sounded like a test, yet they were also somewhat sincere. If he really wanted to report to the sect, why would he reveal his intention at this time?
Most likely, they were probing Mo Wentian's background.
Having figured this out, Shen Qing felt somewhat at ease.
After gathering his thoughts, Shen Qing spoke with sincerity and candor.
"I appreciate the county magistrate's kind intentions."
Shen Qing's voice was not loud, but it carried a sense of composure that came with experience.
"However, what I fear most in this life is forgetting my ancestors."
After he finished speaking, Zhao Yuanlang's expression hardened slightly, but he did not interrupt him, instead waiting for him to continue.
"To be honest, Your Excellency, although Qingyun Sect is small, I am familiar with every brick and tile of it. If I were to abandon the legacy of my ancestors and join another sect for a few spirit stones and pills, how would I face the ancestors of Qingyun Sect when my life comes to an end?"
After a pause, Shen Qing raised her voice slightly.
"Qingyun Sect may be small and poor, but it nurtured me; it is my root. As long as the root is there, I am here. If the root is severed, I am nothing but a rootless duckweed."
Zhao Yuanlang held his teacup, his eyes flickering slightly.
He seemed to want to say something, but Shen Qing raised his hand to signal him to wait and continued.
"Since the county magistrate has been so open and honest with me, I won't hide anything from you, Brother Zhao."