Chapter 57: Whispers of the Wind

Lord Qi Shengjun gathered everyone and went with them to the Gate of No Life. Those who had fled first, such as Old Angler of the Brook and Poisonous Thousand Hands, each returned to their own sects. Even Lian Hen, who had sensed danger earliest, also returned to the royal city with Baili Leren.

It goes without saying that upon their return, Baili Liunian immediately dragged his son to the White Duckweed’s Furious Waves for a stern scolding.

“Why are you silent?” Baili Liunian sat upright behind his desk, waiting for his son’s explanation.

But Baili Leren was so guilty at this moment that he scratched his head, looked around nervously, and avoided answering directly. How could he respond? Should he say he was dissatisfied with Baili Suhe and thus ignored Lian Hen’s warnings to ambush someone in secret? Or should he simply confess his intention to seize the Emperor Stone? If he confessed, wouldn’t his father beat him again? Since he’d get beaten either way, he might as well keep some secrets. Besides, his father had already given him a hard beating last time over the token incident; he didn’t owe him anything more.

Baili Liunian could see clearly what tricks his son was playing at. He set aside his book and turned his head, calling, “Lian Hen.”

“At your service,” Lian Hen replied, stepping out from the void with his sword.

“Tell me, I assigned you to protect the young master. Where has he gone and what has he done these past days? Give me a full account,” Baili Liunian ordered.

Let’s see if I can’t get to the bottom of this, he thought.

Seeing Lian Hen appear, Baili Leren’s face turned ashen, and he desperately shot glances, signaling him not to speak.

Lian Hen bowed and replied, “Master, recently, rumors have been rampant in the royal city that Baili Suhe, together with Huai Yin and Yi Qingchen, went to Emperor Island to hunt for the Emperor Stone. Thus, the young master intended to intercept them near Emperor Island.”

“Hmph, you don’t need to make it sound better for him. Just tell me, did he succeed or not?”

At these words, Baili Leren could barely stand. What did he mean, ‘make it sound better’? So he didn’t succeed—was that so bad?

He quickly retorted, “Enough with the performance! If you want to know, I’ll tell you myself. Why don’t you just go cool off somewhere else?”

After all, he was still the young master—how could he let a servant speak ill of him? He waved his hand to dismiss Lian Hen, who, receiving a subtle signal from Baili Liunian, said no more and disappeared into the void.

“Now speak—what is Baili Suhe’s situation?” Baili Liunian pressed.

“When I left, he was still alive,” Baili Leren replied petulantly.

“Be clearer.”

“In other words, I wasn’t the only one after the Emperor Stone—others tried as well.”

“Who?”

“Known parties include Old Angler of the Brook from the Healing Sect, Poisonous Thousand Hands from the Poison Sect, and Yin from the Soul Command Sect. As for those who came later, your son does not know…” After this lengthy explanation, his mouth was dry. Yet, judging by his father’s demeanor, there was no intention of offering tea. So he walked over, picked up the kettle, and poured himself a drink.

“You mean they were also there for the Emperor Stone?” If that was the case, the news had spread far beyond the royal city. After all, each sect was separated by thousands of miles, yet they all appeared at the same time. Clearly, there were deep waters here.

After swallowing a mouthful of water, Baili Leren looked at his father and said, “Otherwise? Everyone was there to snatch the stone—no need to dress it up with grand excuses. ‘Research,’ ‘a gift’—all nonsense.”

Hearing this, Baili Liunian more or less understood what was at play and what his son was thinking. “That’s enough. You may leave.”

So generous? He wasn’t even being compared to Baili Suhe this time. Baili Leren put down his cup with suspicion and, pursing his lips, asked, “Really? Then… I’ll go?”

With that, he began tiptoeing toward the door.

Watching his son’s antics, Baili Liunian was both amused and exasperated. “What’s this? Can’t bear to leave? Still want to keep your old man company?”

Baili Leren stopped, straightened his clothes, and replied with mock solemnity, “How could you say that, Father? Of course I’d like to keep you company, but I haven’t seen Mother in a long time either. I came straight to you upon returning and haven’t had a chance to greet her yet. Let me pay my respects to her, and then I’ll return to keep you company. Is that all right?”

“Go on, you rascal. Who wants you hanging around? Off you go, quickly!” Baili Liunian glared and waved him away.

“Then… I’ll be leaving.” Though he spoke hesitantly, his body had already slipped out the door.

Baili Liunian shook his head with a sigh and got up to close the door.

“Lian Hen.”

“Master.”

“What is your view on all of this?” Baili Liunian asked, sitting down by the tea table.

Lian Hen raised his eyes, then lowered them again. “I believe there is someone manipulating events from behind the scenes.”

“Oh?” Baili Liunian paused, cup in hand, and after a moment of silence, exhaled a long breath. “Any leads?”

“On the surface, it appears that Xiao the Fourth rallied others to avenge Yi Daishan, spreading the news of Baili Suhe’s return throughout the Sea of Desire.”

“You suspect Xiao the Fourth is being used by someone?”

“Master is not often present in the Sea of Desire and may not be familiar with its people and affairs. Xiao the Fourth is insignificant on his own, hardly daring to challenge Baili Suhe. Even if traces at the Shuxing Pavilion scene pointed to Baili Suhe’s Mingshu Sword, anyone discerning would know that Baili Suhe alone could not have slaughtered the entire Pavilion. Yet Xiao the Fourth used this pretext to stir the masses, operating under the banner of justice and repeatedly targeting Baili Suhe. There is something quite intriguing about this.”

Baili Liunian nodded. Such an obvious frame-up, done with such crude methods. The other party clearly wanted suspicion to fall on Baili Suhe, who, because of the unique nature of the Mingshu Sword, could not clear his name. Even if he had grievances, he could not defend himself—any defense would only worsen suspicion, making an already murky situation even more convoluted.

Yet, intelligence from Siyou suggested there had been no recent action taken against Baili Suhe from within. So, aside from internal threats, who else in the Sea of Desire could annihilate the entire Shuxing Pavilion in a single, undetected instant? Such strength was terrifying—demigods seemed like ants in comparison…

“Has anyone investigated who’s backing Xiao the Fourth?” Baili Liunian asked.

“No. Although he lacks true influence, his eloquence is unmatched. He moves freely through the Sea of Desire and has a wide network of acquaintances.”

“Look into his recent contacts—see if he’s approached anyone unusual.”

“You think—?”

“Xiao the Fourth is a big fish. Keep close watch; perhaps we’ll reap unexpected rewards. By the way, during your trip with Leren, did you confirm that the Emperor Stone is with Baili Suhe?”

“No, but I am almost certain. I saw one among them who was of the Bird Clan, carrying a child. Baili Suhe and the others risked their lives to protect them, which must be connected. Moreover, they have only appeared near Emperor Island recently; it’s not hard to guess the link.”

“Is that so?” Baili Liunian mused, recalling the assassination in Weiye Valley. “What of the investigation into the token I asked you about last time?”

“I checked the bodies at Shouyang Mountain—all unfamiliar faces, with no traceable origins.”

Baili Liunian fell silent, then dismissed Lian Hen with a wave.

After Lian Hen departed, he walked to his desk, picked up a brush, and began writing. When finished, he dried the ink, took out a Bagua jade platform, sealed the letter, and placed it inside. Once the message vanished, he put away the jade platform and leaned back, closing his eyes.

Who is plotting against the Baili family…?

And if Baili Suhe truly obtains the Emperor Stone, his value will be spent. That is his fate.

Meanwhile, Old Angler of the Brook returned to the Healing Sect with Twenty Wen, arriving at Golden Crow Brook.

“Elder Xi, the sect leader requests your presence,” said a young apprentice, one who attended the sect leader.

Old Angler shot a glance at Twenty Wen. “Keep watch over Golden Crow Brook. I’ll return shortly.”

“Yes, Master,” Twenty Wen replied.

“Lead the way,” Old Angler told the apprentice.

The apprentice stepped aside respectfully. “Elder Xi, after you.”

Old Angler eyed him, then swept his sleeves and left, hands clasped behind his back. The apprentice followed closely, head bowed.

Soon, they arrived at the sect leader’s residence, Wintergreen Abode. The sect leader was tending the garden with a hoe, loosening the earth around the flowers and plants.

Before Old Angler could enter, the sect leader spoke without looking up, “You’re back. How did it go?”

“I did not succeed,” Old Angler replied. The apprentice quietly withdrew.

“I’ve told you before—once you attain the Great Way, why chase after such external things? Why not focus on diligent cultivation and seek further progress?” The sect leader set down the hoe, wiped his hands on his robe, and led Old Angler to a pavilion to sit. He poured a cup of tea and pushed it over, then poured another for himself.

Old Angler picked up the cup, glanced at it, brought it to his lips, then set it down again. “I must disagree with your view, Sect Leader.”

“Oh?”

“My pursuit of the stone was not solely for personal gain, but to elevate the sect’s prestige. If you judge it as mere greed for treasure, wouldn’t that make my intentions impure?”

The sect leader gazed into his tea and laughed lightly. “Do you know why our founder established the Healing Sect?”

“To heal all ills of mortals, and to grant immortals power over life and death. But as the world despised healers, our founder created this sect so that others would not dare belittle us, and so that healers ascending to the higher realms would have a place to dwell.”

Seeing that further persuasion was useless, the sect leader changed the subject. “I hear only you and Twenty Wen returned. Is Baili Suhe so formidable?”

At this, Old Angler drained his tea in one gulp, his expression grave. “He is a difficult opponent. With Huai Yin and Yi Qingchen aiding him, it will take some effort to seize the stone.”

“Even so, the three of them shouldn’t have been able to defeat Golden Crow Brook’s seven disciples, leaving only Twenty Wen alive, should they?”

Old Angler slammed his cup on the table with a sharp clang, angered. “That was the doing of Poisonous Thousand Hands! If he hadn’t entangled me, Twenty Wen and the others wouldn’t have acted so rashly.”

“Oh? The Poison Sect was there as well—who else?”

“The Soul Command Sect, the young master from the Baili family of the royal city, and Lord Qi Shengjun.”

The sect leader rose, pacing in thought. “The royal city? The Baili family, Lord Qi Shengjun?”

He looked Old Angler up and down. “So Lord Qi Shengjun has emerged from seclusion?”

“Yes. He wanted to avenge the destruction of Shuxing Pavilion by hunting Baili Suhe, but was thwarted by Que Yunzi from Lion Island. I doubt he’ll succeed.”

“Que Yunzi, too? It seems that Baili Suhe has stirred up many. Is the calm of the Sea of Desire about to be shattered at last?”

With that, the sect leader warned, “For now, leave the Emperor Stone aside. Instruct all disciples to remain within the sect for the time being.”

Old Angler stood, meeting the sect leader’s gaze. “Are you telling me to simply swallow the loss of our disciples?”

“No. I fear great events are about to unfold in the Sea of Desire. For now, keep your distance from Baili Suhe—otherwise, we may be dragged down with him.”

“Forgive me, but I cannot comply. As a teacher, I cannot forsake vengeance for my disciples,” Old Angler declared, then turned and left in anger.

The sect leader’s eyes glinted, then dimmed. He called, “Zhengyue.”

The apprentice entered the courtyard. “What are your orders, Sect Leader?”

“Pass down my command: no disciple of the Healing Sect is to leave their mountain for the time being—all are to stay and cultivate.”

“But, Sect Leader, what if someone disobeys?”

“Then let them bear the consequences of life and death. Should anyone perish, the sect will not intervene.”

“Understood. I will inform all the peaks.”

“Go.”

As Zhengyue departed, the sect leader was lost in thought.

The Poison Sect, the Soul Command Sect, these were the factions moving openly. But what of those lurking in the shadows—Spring and Autumn Brush, the Gate of No Life?

What of them…?

(End of chapter)