Chapter 1243: Chapter 8: Betraying the Master and Breaking the Sect (Part 2)

Yong Fu stepped down from his seat, walked to the bottom of the stairs to greet, and smiled while returning the greeting, "I didn’t expect Sect Leader Chu to visit the mountain; I apologize for not welcoming you earlier. Someone, bring a seat."

Immediately, two maids brought chairs and placed them at the bottom of the stairs; Daoist Chu was not courteous and slightly moved his body before settling down.

Yong Fu also returned to his seat in the hall, and after the maid served tea, he asked, "Sect Leader Chu, you are truly an infrequent guest. We’ve been neighbors for over three hundred years, yet it’s your first time at our temple’s door, isn’t it, fellow Daoist?"

Daoist Chu replied indifferently, "I am no longer the Sect Leader of the Han Yuan Sect; True Master Yong can just call me by my name."

Yong Fu feigned surprise, uttered an "Oh," and asked, "Then who has succeeded as Sect Leader, is it Daoist Wen or Daoist Zhao?"

Daoist Chu said, "Neither; it is a senior brother of mine."

Yong Fu seemed surprised, "So Daoist Chu actually has a senior brother. I must have been quite ignorant; I wonder how this fellow Daoist is called?"

Daoist Chu straightforwardly said, "The Sect Leader of our sect is surnamed Zhang, and he is also a Nascent Soul cultivator. Today, I have come at the command of the Sect Leader to arrange a meeting with True Master Yong on a selected day."

Upon hearing that he was to meet himself, Yong Fu’s expression became solemn, and he said in a deep voice, "I wonder when and where it will take place?"

Daoist Chu said, "Our Sect Leader mentioned that this can be decided by True Master Yong."

Yong Fu pondered for a moment and said, "Our E Mountain Sect and your sect are neighbors. When your Sect Leader takes charge of the mountain gate, I should pay a visit with abundant gifts. However, our mountain gate is burdened with mundane affairs, and the Sect Leader is in seclusion, refining his cultivation, unable to leave easily... How about meeting two days later, a hundred miles away at Fish Scale Slope?"

Daoist Chu secretly scorned, knowing that Fish Scale Slope was still within the E Mountain Sect’s sphere of influence; indeed, Yong Fu was very cautious.

Although Zhang Yan had told him not to mind the meeting place, he still argued, "Fish Scale Slope is known for its treacherous terrain and desolation. It’s not suitable for the respected elders of both sects to meet there."

Yong Fu laughed, "Daoist Chu is right. Then let’s move three hundred miles east to Iron Soldier Mountain’s Suxing Valley for the meeting. The scenery there is beautiful; though the frost color outside the mountain is thick and the snow piles high, inside the valley it remains spring-like, with blooming flowers. Such a wonderful place must suit your Sect Leader’s taste, right?"

Daoist Chu was stunned, not expecting this location to await him. Iron Soldier Mountain was adjacent to the Xuyi Sect, which had always been close to the E Mountain Sect, benefiting the other party greatly.

Though he still wasn’t entirely satisfied, meeting there was better than meeting in front of the E Mountain Sect’s mountain gate, so he reluctantly agreed, "Then let’s settle it this way."

Not wanting to linger, he spoke a few more words with Yong Fu before standing up, bowing deeply, and saying, "True Master Yong, the Sect Leader is waiting for me to report back, so I bid farewell."

Yong Fu laughed, "Why the rush, fellow Daoist?"

Pointing to the tea on the table, he said, "This is our mountain’s Washing Scripture Tea. Wouldn’t you like to drink it before leaving?"

Daoist Chu said, "No, True Master Yong, please stay."

After making another Daoist bow, he turned around and exited the hall, flicking his sleeves as he left.

After he left, a disciple below sneered and said, "That Chu Muran runs fast, fearing we’ll detain him, no doubt?"

Someone chimed in, "I think not. It’s said that Mrs. Chu was a beauty, taken away by that disciple of his, and rumors say he took a concubine later, whose appearance and figure are all first-class. Perhaps he fears being late and letting some junior gain the advantage?"

Such words triggered a burst of laughter. For the past two hundred years, Han Yuan disciples have had several bouts of fighting with E Mountain Sect disciples, yet always lost, losing the territory outside the mountain gate, leading these disciples to look down upon Chu Muran.

Chief disciple Bai Jiyin, upright and steady, frowned upon hearing this and scolded, "All of you, shut up! Before the master’s seat, how dare you be so impudent, gossiping about others’ private matters? Where’s the conduct of a cultivator? Now all of you retreat and copy the Three Constellations Dao Scripture a thousand times."

The disciples below listened, immediately cried out in distress, yet had no choice but to obey; after saluting in the hall, each left with a grimace.

Bai Jiyin approached Yong Fu with a solemn expression, asking, "Master, are you really going to keep the appointment?"

Yong Fu stroked his beard and said, "Since it’s agreed, of course I will go."

Bai Jiyin spoke with concern, "But according to Gao Zhongyuan, that True Master Zhang has high Daoist cultivation, and if Master Shen sent him here, he must not be an easy person. Maybe he will be bestowed with some powerful Dharma treasure."

If it were anyone else, he wouldn’t worry for his master’s sake, but Shen Baishuang had been highly renowned; back at Divine House Mountain, no cultivator who fought him ever lived.

Such a formidable person, it’s unlikely for his fellow disciples to be significantly inferior. If he clashed with Yong Fu, the outcome would be hard to predict.

Yong Fu waved his hand and said, "There is now another Nascent Soul True Master at Divine House Mountain; meeting this person is inevitable. If not today, then in the future I’ll have to meet him."

Bai Jiyin was helpless too; the sect leaders of Divine House Mountain have always been the highest cultivators among dozens of sects. With a Nascent Soul True Master, should they propose re-discussing the immortal city’s leadership, Yong Fu couldn’t avoid seeing him.

Yong Fu paced a few steps in the hall, suddenly turning back and saying, "Over the years, I believe I’ve handled things with room to spare, never enemies with the Han Yuan Sect. I don’t think a meeting will turn into a deadly fight. However, I’m unsure of this person’s character and cannot be unguarded. Jiyin, take my token and head to Qu Country immediately; ensure you borrow Master Fang’s Dharma treasure for me."

Bai Jiyin sternly accepted the command, instantly stepping forward, conjuring a smoky haze from the ground, enveloping him as he flew outside the hall toward the southeast.

... 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

...(To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)