Chapter 82: Informing the Parents

As it turned out, even someone like Suoguang, a transcendent who had delved deep into the mysteries of time and space and could move through the heavens and the earth, could not survive a blow to the head from the small cauldron. This fact gave Qin Yue immense confidence.

He knew very well that in a head-on confrontation, it would be extremely difficult to slay someone of Suoguang’s caliber—the so-called “Supreme of the Mortal World”—let alone an Earth Immortal capable of splitting worlds. Once such a cultivator gained sufficient time and space, the power they could unleash was staggering. If they managed to distance themselves, all one could do was flee for his life.

To repeatedly kill figures of this level required either a calculated ambush or, as happened tonight, a preemptive warning that allowed him to turn the tables in an unexpected counterattack. In truth, facing masters of the Immortal Gate, or even the top experts of this world, he was still quite lacking. In the end, he was nothing more than an “assassin” who could not afford to be exposed to the light. He would have to continue training relentlessly.

Previously, Qin Yue had always thought that the heretical cultivators of the Zhaoyang Sect were mostly those whose cultivation paths had been cut off and lacked strong resources. Now, he realized how utterly mistaken that line of thinking was. Neither Xue Song nor Wang Yan were deprived of resources. From the founding ancestor onward, the sect had raised heretical cultivators—even former saintesses were included. Clearly, this had little to do with “ruined cultivation paths.” In terms of heritage and the quality of their techniques, the Zhaoyang Sect possessed an unbroken tradition. It had always been a “hybrid” sect! It might not even be inferior to the once-great Tianluo Sect!

This, no doubt, made overturning this ancient sect far more difficult. The only reason things were going smoothly for him now was that no one knew his true background.

The Zhaoyang Sect was controlled by seven ancient families: the Ling family behind the current sect master Ling Jinsong, the Yue family of Yue Mingxi, and the Xue, Wang, Dongfang, Pang, and Yang families. Interwoven through generations by marriage, every election of a sect master was a compromise born of weighing interests. All in all, the sect had always been under the rule of these seven families, without exception since ancient times. Even when “humble prodigies” rose to power, they were either related to the seven families or became their sons-in-law. Like tributaries that sometimes diverged, in the end, all flowed back to the great sea of the seven families.

Even when descendants like Ling Jinsong and Yue Mingxi became fierce rivals over the position of sect master, it never affected the fundamental unity of the families’ core interests. The seven families were as interconnected as the branches of a single tree—prospering or suffering together. The branches might clash, even to the point of mutual destruction, but even a “large” branch, if cut off, would only sap the tree’s vitality a little, never threatening the trunk itself.

After killing Xue Song and Wang Yan, Qin Yue keenly realized that to overthrow Zhaoyang Sect, the seven great families would first have to be torn apart. Otherwise, no matter how many people he killed, the foundation would remain unshaken. This was the most valuable insight he had gained from all the information he had gathered since entering the sect.

Because of Wang Yan last night, Qin Yue had not spoken much with Tang Qingxuan. Early the next morning, he sent her a message inquiring about the matter. Tang Qingxuan replied that she had already sent people out to search, but the chances were slim.

“Master actually dotes on her a lot; the treasures she carries are even more valuable than those given to Ling Kun, Ling Han, and Ling Chen, her three brothers! If she doesn’t want to be found, there’s really nothing anyone can do for the time being.”

“She’s highly accomplished and clever—she’ll be fine,” Qin Yue comforted her.

“Let’s hope so…” Tang Qingxuan harbored some lingering resentment. If Qin Yue, this junior brother, hadn’t first encouraged and then refused the marriage, none of this would have happened. But she also understood that it wasn’t fair to blame him. Ultimately, Chu Wanqing was at a rebellious age; she developed feelings for Qin Yue, was rejected, and couldn’t handle the blow to her pride.

“I suspect that even if she runs away, she’ll only remain active within the Xia Kingdom. We’ve already notified everyone…”

“That’s good.”

In truth, Qin Yue wasn’t particularly concerned. Genius girls were hardly so naïve; she had plenty of means to protect herself. Moreover, a girl like Chu Wanqing truly shouldn’t be entangled with the schemers of the Zhaoyang Sect. Even entering the Immortal Realm would be better than staying behind in the sect! Who said that entering the Immortal Realm necessarily required a marriage alliance? Was the fifteen-layer prodigy of the Peering Void really so lacking in status?

So he didn’t dwell on the matter. That morning, he was summoned by someone sent from Ling Kun and continued helping the eldest son “enhance” precious spiritual herbs like the Profound Spirit Ginseng and the Moon-Eclipsing Flower.

When they met, Ling Kun teased him with a smile, “I heard you refused to become betrothed to Chu Wanqing and made the girl so sad she ran away from home?”

Qin Yue was speechless. “Where did you hear that?”

“There’s no such thing as a wall that doesn’t let the wind through,” Ling Kun clicked his tongue. “I didn’t believe it at first, but now I’m convinced—your will must be truly steadfast. Even I’m tempted by that girl, but I know my own limits and never bothered to try my luck. But you—how could you refuse her…”

Before Qin Yue could reply, Ling Kun reminded him, “My third brother gets along well with you and won’t do anything, but you should be wary of my second brother.”

“Ling Han?” Qin Yue frowned slightly.

Ling Kun nodded. “You and he have never gotten along. I heard he’s been losing his temper since early this morning—he might come looking for trouble.”

“What does this have to do with him?”

“He’s begged my father several times to marry Chu Wanqing, but was always refused. My father even scolded him for ‘a toad lusting after a swan’…”

Qin Yue: “…”

At least the old Ling wasn’t delusional.

Ling Kun really was a jinx! After a hearty feast in the medicine garden, where Qin Yue harvested a trove of rare medicinal essences, he had just returned to his residence to cultivate when Ling Han arrived in a fury. The flying boat hadn’t even fully landed before Ling Han flung open the hatch and leapt onto the square in front of the cave, shouting for Qin Yue to come out.

“You bastard, what do you think you are? Just because you’re a guest elder, do you really take yourself that seriously?”

Xu Liang came out to meet him. As a former outer sect disciple, he was naturally well aware of the formidable background of this enforcer elder.

“Elder Ling, what brings you here…”

“What are you? Do you think you’re fit to talk to me? Get Qin Yue out here, now!”

Xu Liang felt a flash of resentment—not that he was getting ahead of himself, but recently, even the personal attendants of the sect master and vice-master greeted him with a smile. Even the sect master and vice-master themselves nodded to him. No matter how highborn Ling Han was, he had no right to act like a tyrant at his master’s door.

“Forgive my boldness, Elder Ling, but I must ask you to conduct yourself with proper respect. This is the residence of a guest elder,” Xu Liang said, bowing politely yet assertively.

Smack!

In a fit of rage, Ling Han struck him hard across the face, sending Xu Liang flying over three meters and sprawling on the ground. His cheek immediately swelled, and several teeth were knocked out. Dazed, Xu Liang couldn’t react for a long moment.

The blow brought Ling Han to his senses. No matter how he looked down on Qin Yue, he was still a guest elder, equal in status to an inner sect elder. Xu Liang, too, was no longer a mere outer disciple but a properly inducted inner disciple and a favored attendant of the guest elder.

But someone as domineering as Ling Han would never admit fault; instead, he covered his discomfort with an even more aggressive display.

“You dare speak to me like that? This time was just a warning. If you dare again…”

“And what will you do next time?” Qin Yue emerged from his cave, his expression cold as he eyed Ling Han, and then checked on the battered Xu Liang.

“Young master, I’m fine, really,” Xu Liang said, clutching his face, his speech slurred by missing teeth, but eager to downplay the incident. He didn’t want to implicate his elder over his own misfortune.

Wen Lang and Ruan Jun, two other inner disciples, hurried out upon hearing the commotion. Their expressions darkened at the sight. Loyalty to their master demanded action, and though they hadn’t followed Qin Yue for long, he had always treated them well. Fury blazed in their eyes as they glared at Ling Han, ready to step forward at a word from their master, even if they were outmatched. Even a few outer disciples who arrived wore expressions of indignation.

Qin Yue instructed Wen Lang and Ruan Jun, “Take Xu Liang to Elder Yu for treatment. He has medicine that can regrow teeth.”

Then he turned his calm gaze on Ling Han.

He had come to learn that the three Ling brothers were born of different mothers and their relationships were, at best, antagonistic—sworn enemies might not be too strong a term. Though Ling Han was older than Ling Chen, his talent was far inferior. Even with the best resources, he was only at the fifth layer of the Microcosm Realm. For his age and cultivation, he would be considered a young powerhouse in the outside world, but within Zhaoyang Sect, among true geniuses, he was nothing special.

“Qin, don’t think you’re so great just because my father and the vice-master support you. In my eyes, you’re nothing! You broke sect rules by sheltering people from the Ice Abyss—sooner or later, someone will deal with you!” Ling Han’s eyes were cold and venomous. He knew he was being unreasonable, but the thought of the genius girl he had long desired running away heartbroken after being rejected by Qin Yue filled him with hatred. For some reason, from their first meeting, he’d found Qin Yue’s handsome face unbearable. Maybe it was because Qin Yue, so young, had risen above the sect master’s own son, or because the sect’s famed beauties—Tang Qingxuan, Chu Wanqing—seemed to orbit around him.

In any case, the more he looked, the more he hated. Last night, when he heard about Chu Wanqing’s runaway escapade, he’d been drinking with Xue Feng and Elder Pang Jia and had vented with many harsh words. The real reason for his arrogance was that, in his eyes, this young man was all show and no substance—a flower farmer with little power. What could he do if bullied?

“Best if you get angry and leave the sect—then I’ll go after Chu Wanqing and take advantage…” Ling Han thought. It was also what Elder Pang Jia had told him to do, and it made perfect sense to him.

Qin Yue looked at this fool with a calm, almost pitying gaze. Truthfully, even if he could freely display his strength, beating Ling Han would feel like soiling his hands. He’d already sent a message to Ling Jinsong, and the sect master’s flying boat was fast—almost certainly close by now.

“So? Are you not satisfied?” Ling Han grew increasingly enraged and took a step forward.

At that moment, a thunderous shout split the skies above.

“You cur, who gave you the nerve to cause trouble here?”

Ling Han froze at the sound, his face a mix of anger and disbelief as he looked at Qin Yue. Was this a child's quarrel that needed to be tattled on?

The Ling family was known for its fiery temper. Ling Jinsong was no exception; before his flying boat even touched down, he appeared in front of Ling Han, and in the next instant, with his second son staring in terror, delivered a resounding slap across his face.