Novel Full Chapter 50: Lu Li's Secret
Standing at the courtyard entrance, Chen Yan was momentarily stunned, then the several people inside the courtyard also noticed Chen Yan outside.
Qian Xun still lay face down on the ground, unconscious, with wounds from struggling against the Shadow Binding Rope already scabbed over. However, it appeared that even if he could recover fully, scars would remain.
The Yuanhua Mountain cultivator smiled slightly toward Chen Yan’s direction, treating it as a greeting.
“Chen Yan.”
Lu Li called his name calmly:
“Come here and describe the detailed sequence of events to this senior from Yuanhua Mountain.”
Chen Yan entered the courtyard, then bowed respectfully to this unfamiliar Yuanhua Mountain cultivator:
“Disciple Chen Yan of Kongyuan Mountain pays respects to senior.”
“No need for such formality.”
The Yuanhua Mountain cultivator waved his hand with a smile:
“I know of you, fellow daoist. Your deeds have indeed stirred quite some controversy.”
Chen Yan also smiled somewhat awkwardly, understanding that the other wasn’t mocking him but merely teasing.
Because the matter of Chen Yan and Lin Qifeng “cheating” during the outer court competition had already spread throughout all seven peaks of Kongshan Sect.
Not just Kongshan Sect either—all well-informed sects across Chenping Continent had heard about it.
But as the news spread wider, the definition of this incident gradually changed.
After all, Lin Qifeng, as an outer court elder and the sect leader’s personal disciple, had almost zero benefit from cheating with his own disciple in a minor event like the outer court competition.
The most conspiracy-theorized explanation currently speculated that Lin Qifeng’s purpose in cheating was actually to eliminate Qi Yadong.
But this was clearly an untenable conclusion, since it was Qi Yadong’s master Song Wencheng who first provoked the conflict.
If not for Song Wencheng, Qi Yadong wouldn’t have entered the arena to spar with Chen Yan, and thus wouldn’t have died.
Could it be that Qi Yadong’s own master Song Wencheng wanted to kill his precious disciple who even had hopes of competing for the position of Kongyuan Mountain’s Chief Disciple?
Moreover, Lin Qifeng stubbornly insisted that he was just concerned about face, wanting his disciple to show off during the outer court competition so he could also show off.
To the extent that he was currently confined by the sect leader to Kongyuan Mountain’s rear cliff for reflection.
Even Chen Yan’s Second Uncle-Master Yue Chi couldn’t see him.
“I am Li Hanzhou, an education manager of Yuanhua Mountain. Not long ago, Qingchan Peak received an urgent report from Taiyun City’s management office, stating that a Yuanhua Mountain disciple performing official duties in Taiyun City had encountered problems.”
The Yuanhua Mountain cultivator before him explained to Chen Yan:
“So Qingchan Peak forwarded the urgent report to Yuanhua Mountain. Just now, a senior from Yuanhua Mountain transmitted a message to me saying that disciple falls under my jurisdiction on the peak.”
“Coincidentally, I was near Taiyun City, so I rushed over to investigate.”
Education manager—perhaps comparing it to a profession from Chen Yan’s previous life would be more appropriate.
That would be a university counselor.
Education managers in the outer court were usually filled by Qi Circulation Realm disciples, while inner sect used Martial Spring Realm disciples.
Typically requiring older disciples to take these positions.
For someone like Qian Xun’s situation, his education manager would indeed be most familiar with his circumstances.
So Chen Yan explained the situation to Li Hanzhou.
He described it in great detail—from leaving the mountain gate, Qian Xun’s first indications of distancing himself from Li Xiuxiu, Zheng Fei and others; to Qian Xun’s offensive remarks in Taiyun City; and the complete escalation of conflict in the prince’s manor—all clearly explained to Li Hanzhou.
“So that’s how it is.”
Li Hanzhou nodded:
“Then, what about the injuries on Qian Xun’s body?”
“They were caused by a magical instrument my master gifted me.”
Chen Yan replied.
Lin Qifeng had already taken the blame for him before—a few more instances wouldn’t matter much.
After all, they were all grasshoppers tied to the same rope.
Chen Yan thought to himself.
And Li Hanzhou didn’t pursue the matter further—in fact, he didn’t care whether Qian Xun’s injuries were light or severe.
But he still maintained a serious expression because he felt this incident was rather strange.
“I believe this matter is somewhat peculiar.”
Li Hanzhou said:
“Since Qian Xun entered the sect, he has always been under my jurisdiction. I consider myself quite familiar with his temperament.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Lu Li nearby asked slowly.
“I know very well that Qian Xun has always held grievances against outer sect disciples in his heart, but he is definitely not someone with harsh speech. He treats people gently in daily life, and even on Yuanhua Mountain, I’ve never seen him directly express dissatisfaction with outer court disciples.”
Li Hanzhou continued:
“The reason I know Qian Xun holds grievances against outer sect disciples is actually inferred from the emotions inadvertently mixed into his usual speech.”
“Therefore, I truly find it difficult to imagine Qian Xun being openly offensive toward outer sect disciples.”
Upon hearing this, Zheng Fei appeared somewhat anxious:
“But he did say it! In the prince’s manor, publicly making offensive remarks toward me, Junior Sister Xiuxiu, Senior Brother Chen, and even Lin Personal Disciple!”
Li Hanzhou just smiled calmly toward Zheng Fei’s direction:
“I’m not questioning you all. I believe Qian Xun really said those words, but simultaneously, I believe it wasn’t Qian Xun who said those words.”
Hearing Li Hanzhou say this made Zheng Fei even more dumbfounded.
So convoluted.
Chen Yan also complained internally, but he could understand what Li Hanzhou meant to express.
Qian Xun had lost his true nature.
“If possible, I hope to take Qian Xun back to Yuanhua Mountain now, letting the sect elders assess Qian Xun’s condition.”
Li Hanzhou said with clasped fists:
“Once everything is clarified, I will definitely give you all a proper response.”
Li Hanzhou wasn’t being protective—rather, with the capabilities of those present, they couldn’t make an accurate judgment about Qian Xun’s condition.
Because the highest cultivation level present was Lu Li, whose current cultivation was approximately at the half-step Qi Sea Realm level.
If it truly was a mental state problem, at least a Passable God Realm or higher cultivator would be required to possibly resolve it.
And Princess Qin Yue’s entry into the sect was a major sect matter—Yuanhua Mountain’s elders would definitely give Bai Qiming face to investigate this incident thoroughly.
“Then we’ll trouble Manager Li.”
Lu Li said.
Li Hanzhou looked at Lu Li, then smiled slightly:
“Instructor Lu, you’re too polite. When Instructor Lu was still at Yuanhua Mountain, I received no small amount of grace from Instructor Lu.”
Lu Li didn’t speak, merely nodding.
Chen Yan had indeed heard people mention this before—that Lu Li was once a Yuanhua Mountain disciple.
“Then, I shall return to the sect first. Take care, everyone.”
Li Hanzhou said with clasped fists, then left with Qian Xun.
Watching Li Hanzhou’s retreating figure, Chen Yan had many thoughts.
“Why so slow?”
Unconsciously, Lu Li had moved to stand beside Chen Yan, questioning him like this.
Moreover, whether intentional or not, Chen Yan felt Lu Li’s faint, almost imperceptible pressure.