Hidden Moth-Chapter 579 - 331: Tired of Looking at Those from Qingshan

The plan is set, and as the sect's council meeting nears its end, Er Ji proposes a request. He wishes to stay here for cultivation and simultaneously oversee Floating Colors Grotto Heaven, coordinating various construction tasks.

Upon Er Ji's proposal, Chang'an Residence also expresses the desire to cultivate here.

He Kao asks, "Do both of you have enough time?"

Er Ji replies, "I am a monk who usually wanders and stays wherever I please, no need to remain in my native temple, consider it as traveling."

Chang'an Residence answers, "These years, I've trained a batch of disciples who can manage on their own. My specialized hospital doesn't need me present daily, just to appear at critical moments."

He Kao thinks it over, "Here's the deal: you organize your affairs and next week I'll open the portal. Once arranged, you can enter, flexibly coordinating your stay duration."

Then I'll open the portal weekly; anyone with matters to attend to can leave, while those free can stay, including Lan Jiwan and Ye Liangcheng.

The situation at Floating Colors Grotto Heaven is unique, as it lacks a tangible portal, needing He Kao to open it with a painting that others, even Er Ji, can't do.

So He Kao decides to open the portal once a week; anyone wishing to enter for cultivation must plan external matters in advance, staying for at least a week.

It's easy for Chang'an Residence and Er Ji, as they control their schedules themselves, but Lan Jiwan and Ye Liangcheng have other external commitments, hence He Kao's arrangement.

Cultivating in Grotto Heaven Blessed Land obviously has its advantages, making everyone pleased.

Today is just a tour; once the meeting concludes, He Kao unfurls the painting, casting a spell to open the portal, bringing everyone to the abandoned industrial park where Ye Liangcheng, the chef, hosts a meal gathering.

Not mentioning how everyone coordinates their affairs, He Kao returns to contact Li Xiuyuan, hoping for a face-to-face report. Their meeting is set for the early hours the next day, still at Dragon Scale Slope.

The formal acceptance of Er Ji into Hidden Moth Sect, receiving secondary inheritance at Floating Colors Grotto Heaven, is something he must communicate with the elders. Elder Jiang is in seclusion, enduring the trials, while Elder Gu oversees the Immortal Pot; it's convenient to see Li Xiuyuan now.

Er Ji being Zhang Yanfei isn't known to others, but it's unavoidable to inform the elders.

Li Xiuyuan sighs deeply after listening, "Handling it this way is good. Now, there is no Zhang Yanfei, only Er Ji within Hidden Moth Sect."

He Kao says, "There's another matter, not sure if I should ask."

Li Xiuyuan glances at him, "Speak if it's appropriate, shut up if it's not. Don't ask what's appropriate or not; who knows what you plan to say?"

He Kao asks, "Zhang Yanfei gave Wan Zhongle a fake painting back then, being a Micro Realm Sect disciple, he deceived the Alchemy Sect's steward by not being truthful; does this count as cheating the sect?"

Li Xiuyuan responds lightly, "You think I didn't verify it? Based on Wan Zhongle's account, Zhang Yanfei was heard inquiring about 'Tan Xian's Walking Stick Painting,' so he approached him.

Wan Zhongle asked Zhang Yanfei why he was probing these matters, was he familiar with 'Tan Xian's Walking Stick Painting'? Zhang Yanfei produced a painting without asserting its authenticity, only asking if Wan Zhongle could trace its origin?

Wan Zhongle immediately took the painting, leaving antique materials for Zhang Yanfei to replicate back. Wan Zhongle couldn't confirm the painting's authenticity or origin as it was known only through sect texts.

The Nanhua Academy of Fine Arts' collection might also be reproductions, yet its symbolic significance matters, at least proving sect record authenticity."

He Kao remarks, "This indeed matches Er Ji's disclosed situation."

Li Xiuyuan says, "Determining it as the Alchemy Sect ancestor's relic was impossible, though after centuries, possession is uncertain. Rightfully, it's Nanhua's asset, not even Zhang Yanfei can privately transfer it.

Regarding later developments, you're more aware than I."

He Kao states, "In fact, the painting isn't the Alchemy Sect's relic; it's the Hidden Moth Sect's sacred artifact, having once fallen to Alchemy Sect ancestor Leidunzi, who added Tan Ancestor's portrait for disguise."

Li Xiuyuan says, "Thus, centuries later it returns to Hidden Moth Sect, seemingly ordained by fate."

He Kao asks another question, "Has Sect Law Hall investigated Wan Zhongle's matter?"

Li Xiuyuan's gaze suddenly sharpens, casting sideways, "Do you despise this person?"

He Kao lowers his head in silence; indeed, he harbors resentment toward Wan Zhongle, their rivalry spans back two years.

During the Qi Yuan disruption two years ago, Wan Zhongle's disciple Liang Kai intruded into He Kao's apartment at night, brandishing a gun demanding answers. Later, Liang Kai was killed by the then Hidden Moth Huang Xiaopang with no trace left.

Wan Zhongle's other disciple, Zhao Hai Zhen, commanded by his master, appeared in Qi Yuan, ostensibly investigating Liang Kai's disappearance while secretly assembling Magic Sect renegades to abduct He Kao and Gao Xue'e, trying to lure Hidden Moth.

Huang Xiaopang and He Kao eliminated these individuals, erasing traces."

After two disciples vanished, Wan Zhongle breached the ban arriving in Qi Yuan, resulting in a broken leg and a year-long punishment... with such experiences, how could He Kao possibly favor Wan Zhongle?

On the other hand, He Kao had a good relationship with Wu Yanjun. Xiaowu also mentioned Zhang Yanfei's past, believing that his master committed the crime due to being coerced and enticed by someone behind the scenes, possibly Wan Zhongle.

Wu Yanjun even suspected that his master's death was related to Wan Zhongle, although there was no evidence, but it was inevitable that his heart harbored hatred towards Wan Zhongle. Influenced by Xiaowu, He Kao had an even worse impression of Wan Zhongle.

Later, a lot of things happened in the Magic Sect, with the Alchemy Sect being at the center of the storm.

Xiaowu was almost killed in an ambush set up in Northeast Snow Village, and the hand behind it, uncovered by the Sect Law Hall, was Yu Pingzhou, the former steward of the Alchemy Sect. As for the recent conflict, the current steward Geng Yanxin even exposed his undercover identity in the Xiao Alliance.

What's even more shocking, Qi Nansheng, the former Sect Leader of the Alchemy Sect, turned out to be a sorcerer originally from the Xiao Alliance, showing how deeply and for how long the Alchemy Sect had been infiltrated by the Xiao Alliance. So, could Wan Zhongle, long serving as steward, be without problems?

He Kao, although silent, seemed to have his thoughts known by Li Xiuyuan, who spoke again: "Your little friend Wu Yanjun has always suspected his master Zhang Yanfei was harmed by Wan Zhongle, but now you know that's not the case."

He Kao couldn't help but speak: "But when Wan Zhongle first saw that painting, he instantly took it away, which is also a fact, so there is a suspicion of forceful seizure."

Li Xiuyuan nodded: "What Wan Zhongle did does seem quite domineering, but he isn't foolish. Before approaching Zhang Yanfei, he already investigated the situation at the Nanhua Academy of Fine Arts and was well aware of the corruption there."

What does this mean? What's the corruption at the Nanhua Academy of Fine Arts? Several genuine pieces by famous artists in its collection have gradually appeared in overseas auction markets, replaced by fakes.

This incident was revealed after the Zhang Yanfei case came to light, but Wan Zhongle had already investigated the situation at the Nanhua Academy of Fine Arts before the case and understood this issue.

So, in Wan Zhongle's view, the Nanhua Academy of Fine Arts couldn't possibly safeguard this historical treasure. It might be replaced by those pests and sent overseas at any moment, and it was likely already switched.

Even if Zhang Yanfei presented a copy, Wan Zhongle wouldn't be too surprised but would still take it away due to its significant symbolic importance.

In Wan Zhongle's eyes, as the curator, Zhang Yanfei couldn't possibly be unaware of this situation and might even have been a key participant, which is why he directly took that painting but left behind a batch of ancient painting materials, indicating this.

Wan Zhongle didn't reveal anything directly nor report to the police, which already granted Zhang Yanfei some face.

There were additional remarks Li Xiuyuan didn't mention: Considering the state of the Nanhua Academy of Fine Arts, if Tan Xian's Walking Stick Painting was real, would it still be suitable to keep it there?

Even if Zhang Yanfei wasn't part of the crime, what about others? Plus, Zhang Yanfei wouldn't always remain the curator... and ultimately, Zhang Yanfei couldn't even protect himself!

Seeing He Kao still silent, Li Xiuyuan sighed again: "The Magic Sect is merely a sect that passes down techniques. As long as one's actions comply with the sect rules, it won't and shouldn't interfere with disciples' private matters.

After the incident, Zhang Yanfei didn't report to the police nor appeal to the sect. To him, this was a private matter.

Suppose, as a last resort, Wan Zhongle merely took away a copy and didn't keep it privately. After returning, he offered it to the sect within the Ancestral Hall, explaining its origin and later sought identification from Supreme Elder Qi Nansheng.

May I ask on what rule the Sect Law Hall can punish him?

How can you assume that Wan Zhongle hadn't investigated the situation at the Nanhua Academy of Fine Arts beforehand? And how can you assume the Sect Law Hall hadn't investigated Wan Zhongle?"

This remark contained Divine Thought, introducing some other situations.

Recently, various Magic Sects exposed many members of the Xiao Alliance and a batch of Magic Sect disciples recruited by them, leading to further insights through their cross-identifications.

Based on the investigation results, Zhao Hai Zhen was also an infiltrator of the Xiao Alliance! To be precise, he was recruited by the Xiao Alliance several years before he encountered trouble, secretly selling Magic Sect intelligence for benefits.

This was recently uncovered, and Wan Zhongle was unaware at the time, with no evidence proving his involvement, and recent events have precisely shown Wan Zhongle isn't problematic, or at least not significantly so.

Elder Li also advised He Kao not to underestimate anyone, especially Wan Zhongle, who served many years as steward in the Alchemy Sect.

Wan Zhongle likely sensed something was off with his disciple Zhao Hai Zhen, but couldn't identify any issue, and guessed the Sect Law Hall's intent was to use the chaos of Qi Yuan as an opportunity to rectify the sect.

Thus, Wan Zhongle sent Zhao Hai Zhen to Qi Yuan, supposedly investigating Liang Kai's disappearance, which was actually a test to see what he might reveal... and something indeed happened!

A disciple's mistake implicates the master, but Wan Zhongle publicly accepted the Sect Law Hall's punishment, having a leg broken and his teachings suspended for a year.

Li Xiuyuan mentioned this to remind He Kao first not to underestimate Wan Zhongle, and secondly, more importantly, not to let personal emotions affect fair judgment.

He Kao may dislike Wan Zhongle, may avoid private interactions, but this can't prove the other party is a villain, nor is it a basis for evaluation from the sect's perspective.

Just like He Kao still suspected Erji, yet accepted his return to the sect. From a higher standpoint, should he become a Sect Law Hall elder, he should treat Wan Zhongle the same way.

Upon hearing this, He Kao finally bowed and said: "I understand, thank you for your guidance, Master Li!"

**