Chapter Fifty-Six: Purity Emerges from Filth

“Show yourself if you dare—what am I to fear from you?”

The words had barely left his lips when a figure emerged from the shadows.

Su He glanced back in surprise. Senior Que? Why had he come?

Upon seeing the newcomer, Lord Qi’s lips curled in a sneer. So it was only the old Que from Lion’s Isle. Was he not just a bag of bones? How dared he come to meddle in his affairs?

“Que Yunzi, why aren’t you staying on Lion’s Isle? Why stand in my way? Haven’t you heard—a good dog never blocks the road?”

“Tsk tsk, Linglongzi, you’re no youth yourself. Yet here you are, letting these greenhorns goad you with a few words?

It seems the only thing you’ve grown over the years is your cultivation, not your wits. How about I prescribe you a remedy?”

With that, Que Yunzi placed one hand behind his back in the manner of a master, and with a grand air, motioned for Su He to rise.

His small eyes blinked rapidly—impatiently.

Brat, get up quickly. Any longer and this old man’s act will fall apart.

Su He rose as directed and stepped aside, lowering his voice. “Senior, why are you here?”

Que Yunzi stroked what little remained of his white beard, casting an arrogant gaze over Lord Qi and the others—Fishing Brook Elder and Thousand-Handed Venom—who lingered, eager for a spectacle.

“Isn’t it because some people grow old and their eyes fail them?” he replied.

Lord Qi’s fury was immediate; he almost jabbed a finger at Que Yunzi’s nose as he snarled, “Old Que, don’t think that knowing a handful of herbs makes you anything special! If not for our past acquaintance, I’d send you straight to the King of Hell today.”

“Oh, I’m so frightened, old man! Would you like me to air out those little scandals of yours from back in the day?” Que Yunzi feigned terror, patting his chest, his eyes flickering deliberately toward Yi Qingchen.

Lord Qi’s face flushed red. Hastily, he gestured for Que Yunzi to be quiet. Unwillingly, he said, “Speak, then. How is avenging my brother shameful? If you can’t give a satisfactory answer, I’ll make you pay dearly.”

He shot a fierce glare at Fishing Brook Elder and Thousand-Handed Venom. You two had better pray you hear nothing.

Fishing Brook Elder was no fool. Though not of Lord Qi’s generation, he was a wily old monster, long seasoned in worldly affairs. Sensing what was to come, he quietly edged back, then suddenly drew upon his cultivation to escape the scene.

Today’s plan was doomed with Que Yunzi meddling. He still coveted the Stone of Snow’s vengeance, but there was no need to act now. If Lord Qi was persuaded by Que Yunzi, escape would be far more difficult later.

Thousand-Handed Venom sensed trouble and tried to slip away, but Que Yunzi shot Lord Qi a look and drawled, “Oh? Little Many-Hands, leaving so soon? Don’t you want to hear? I’ve been cooped up on the isle, bored to death and holding onto all sorts of juicy tales. Why not stay and listen?”

Lord Qi’s anger surged, his aura so oppressive that Thousand-Handed Venom’s knees nearly buckled.

“Trying to leave, are you?”

Sweat beaded on Thousand-Handed Venom’s brow as his eyes darted for an escape, stealing a glance at Lord Qi. “Please forgive me, Lord Qi. When I saw Fishing Brook Elder suddenly depart, I feared he might have some hidden agenda. I intended to pursue him, not realizing Senior Que might misunderstand.”

“Oh? So you’re saying I’ve wronged you?” Que Yunzi scratched his disheveled head, sending a tuft of white hair flying.

“I…”

“Enough, you little scoundrel. Think I don’t know what’s in your hearts? I’ve kept silent out of respect for your forebears—building their legacies was no easy feat. You juniors ought to know the value of restraint.” Lord Qi flicked his sleeves in anger.

“Your lesson is well taken, Senior.”

“Go on, then. Don’t be an eyesore.”

“Yes, sir.” Thousand-Handed Venom bowed and withdrew, but cast Su He a venomous look as he turned.

Que Yunzi pursed his lips, waggling his brows. “Since when have you cultivated virtue and tamed your temper? Letting them off so lightly?”

Lord Qi looked back, exasperated. “Quit changing the subject. If you can’t give a good explanation today, you’ll know what temper truly is.”

“I’ll speak. You two”—he nodded at Su He and Huai Yin—“take those three out of here. I have words for the old man alone.”

“Yes, Senior.”

They lifted Bai Lu Tongzi and the others, carrying them over to Yi Qingchen.

Once the others had gone, Lord Qi said, “Enough of your theatrics. What is it you want to say?”

Que Yunzi produced a wine jar, cracked the seal, and poured the entire contents onto the ground.

The liquor quickly pooled in a muddy hollow.

Lord Qi frowned, baffled by the old man’s antics. If he wanted to lose his mind, he could do so elsewhere—why delay vengeance for his brother?

“Patience. Just watch.”

“This is nonsense.”

“Can’t be helped—your mind doesn’t work like others’. Extraordinary people require extraordinary methods.” Que Yunzi fetched a branch from the woods, whittled it swiftly into a stick, then pulled out a pale wild boar’s stomach—presumably leftovers from a recent meal.

He stuffed the stomach with a handful of crimson jewel-leaves, rammed the stick inside, plucked a hair, blew on it, and lashed the bundle together with a few deft knots.

Lord Qi watched, bewildered and barely restraining his temper.

Que Yunzi continued unfazed, dunking the prepared stomach into the muddy liquor, washing it thoroughly. By the time he was done, Lord Qi was on the edge of fury.

He was about to speak when Que Yunzi cut him off.

“Do you understand now?”

“…” He understood nothing. If the old man had at least cooked up a dish, he’d be grateful. But dunking it in filthy water—what was there to see?

Que Yunzi set the stomach aside and sighed. “Linglongzi, you’ve followed Yi Daishan for years. Has he never taught you this principle?”

“What principle?”

“From clarity comes obscurity; from filth comes purity.”

At these words, Lord Qi fell silent.

“What you see may not be truth; what you hear may not be kind. Care for a drink?” Que Yunzi beckoned. With a wave, the muddy water leapt from the ground into the empty wine jar.

He handed it to Lord Qi.

Lord Qi almost lost control, shoving the jar away. “If you want to drink filth, do it yourself.”

Que Yunzi shook his head, swirled the jar, and poured out a stream of clear wine, gesturing for Lord Qi to look inside. “Now do you see?”

“You mean…” Lord Qi’s eyes lifted to Que Yunzi, a hint of realization dawning.

Was he suggesting that he’d wronged this young man?

His gaze flickered unconsciously to Su He, then lingered on Yi Qingchen.

Could it be that Xiao Chen’er hadn’t been abducted or used by him at all?

Yi Qingchen shook her head gently. Uncle Qi, he truly isn’t the culprit.

Lord Qi’s expression grew grave as he stared at Que Yunzi, who shrank back with the wine jar, muttering, “W-what do you mean? Let’s talk this out—no need for violence.”

“How did you know it wasn’t him?”

“That’s hardly difficult. What cultivation does the brat have? What sort of figure is Yi Daishan? You think he could accomplish such a thing?”

“Hm… I considered that too. But what if he’s hiding something, or used trickery or poison?”

“If he had that ability, would he have nearly been killed by Huan?”

“Huan? They fought?”

“Yes, they fought. In order to protect your niece, he nearly died. Where else would you find such a good nephew-in-law? Didn’t you see how anxious the girl was? You ought to think about that.” He cast Lord Qi a sidelong look, then grinned at Yi Qingchen.

His gaze darted between her and Su He, making even the usually composed Yi Qingchen blush, her cheeks turning to creamy jade, sending Huai Yin’s heart spinning.

Yi Qingchen glared at Que Yunzi, then snuck a glance at Su He, who remained the very image of a gentleman, unmoved.

In that instant, shyness and sweetness tangled in her heart.

Yet her embarrassment was short-lived, for Lord Qi soon declared, “Even so, that doesn’t mean he didn’t encourage Xiao Chen’er to take risks.”

He turned. “Boy, for the matter at Shuxing Pavilion, I’ll let it pass, in light of your service to Chen’er. But you and she are not destined for the same path. Until the mess in your Baili clan is resolved, you are not to approach my Chen’er.”

With that, he said to Yi Qingchen, “Xiao Chen’er, come with your uncle.”

Yi Qingchen glanced at Su He and lowered her eyes. “Uncle Qi, I cannot leave with you.”

“Why? Because of that boy?”

“N-no…”

“Then come with me.”

“I cannot. I promised Aunt Feng to return Wulei safely to the Gate of No Life. She once saved my life—I cannot abandon her now.”

“Aunt Feng? Wulei?” Lord Qi’s gaze fell on the child beside Bai Lu Tongzi. Indeed, he was the very image of Bufeng.

But wasn’t it said that Bufeng’s wife was abducted by the Shadow all those years ago, her fate unknown?

Yi Qingchen saw his hesitation and pressed on, “Aunt Feng has been alive all these years, never forgetting Uncle Bufeng. She endured until now for the sake of his only blood.”

“Then where is she? Why is she not here?”

“Aunt Feng… she stayed behind to cover our escape. I fear… she is no longer with us.”

At this, Que Yunzi abruptly set down the wine jar. “No wonder I noticed something odd in the direction of Lingyun Cave on Emperor’s Isle as I passed—so this is what happened.”

“What?” Yi Qingchen gasped.

If Lingyun Cave had collapsed, then Aunt Feng must be…

She turned urgently to Lord Qi. “Uncle Qi, let me go to the Gate of No Life just once. Once Wulei is safe, I will return with you. Will you allow it?”

At Shuxing Pavilion, no debt must go unpaid.

Lord Qi fell silent. Without Bufeng’s wife’s kindness, he might have taken Xiao Chen’er away. But to ignore a debt of gratitude would be unworthy of a true man.

Though he disliked her growing close to the Baili clan, he could not refuse her now.

He spoke. “A kindness to you is a kindness to me. I shall accompany you. When I have thanked Bufeng in person, you and I will return to Moon-Summoning Peak to restore Shuxing Pavilion.”

Yi Qingchen’s lashes trembled. She knew this was his final concession. Though reluctant, she nodded, “Thank you, Uncle Qi.”

With her answer, Lord Qi felt some measure of peace, though he still eyed Su He with displeasure. “Boy, others may not know your family’s affairs, but I know something of them. You know who you are and what you should or should not do—be mindful.”

Su He bowed deeply. “I understand, Senior. Thank you for sparing my life.”

Yet as he knelt, turmoil churned in his heart.

Sensing the tension, Que Yunzi shuffled over, nudging Su He with his elbow. “Hey, I’m alone in the world now. Since you owe me, from now on you’ll handle my wine. You’ll be the wine-boy—get used to it.”

“Senior?” Su He wondered, If you know who I am, why aren’t you keeping your distance, but instead drawing nearer?

“Senior nothing. Don’t you dare be ungrateful.”

“Of course not.”

“That’s settled, then. Here, take this. From now on, you’re the old man’s wine steward. Get some practice.” He shoved the wine jar into Su He’s hands.

Unable to refuse, Su He accepted it gratefully. “Yes.”

Lord Qi shot Que Yunzi a glare, well aware of his intentions.

“Hmph. Let’s go.”

With a sweep of his sleeve, he whisked the group away.