The Nine Cauldrons

The entire Sanchong Restaurant was sealed off and blockaded by a great number of guards. In one of the private rooms in the restaurant, Zhuge Yuanhong could be seen with a horrible facial expression. Along with him were Elder Yan, Elder Ni, Zang Feng, and the other Law Enforcing Elders.

Currently, Gui Yuan Sect had eight Law Enforcing Elders. Five of these eight Law Enforcing Elders had only made a breakthrough in the recent twenty years.

“How did such a thing happen!” Zhuge Yuanhong’s face turned cold as he scanned the people around him.

“Sovereign…” said Elder Yan in a serious tone, “It’s obvious that someone has plotted this incident.”

“Only an idiot can’t tell that someone plotted this,” shouted Zhuge Yuanhong angrily, “Qingshan’s son was poisoned by someone In my Yong’an County. If Qingshan did not have the Grass of Immortality and this happened in Yong’an County…I am afraid his son would have died already. And if that happens, Xing Yi Sect and Gui Yuan Sect…”

As the Law Enforcing Elders listened, they were all horrified.

Gui Yuan Sect had relied on Teng Qingshan to achieve such prosperity. The people in the Land of Nine Prefectures were all well aware that Teng Qingshan is the sovereign of Xing Yi Sect; they also knew that going against Gui Yuan Sect was the same as going against Teng Qingshan. This was the reason why Gui Yuan Sect had been able to remain safe and sound during the past twenty years.

To a successful person, the son was the heir of the inheritance. The importance of a son could not be stressed anymore! Even if the Hongwu’s death did not make Teng Qingshan turn against Gui Yuan Sect, it would signify the destruction of the relationship between the two sects. Gui Yuan Sect would then become the prey of the other sects in the Land of Nine Prefectures.

“Qingshan told me that the next two years are a time of danger. Therefore, his son and daughter are only allowed to live in the Great Yan Mountain or Yong’an County,” said Zhuge Yuanhong with a deep voice, “I have also checked the entire Yong’an County very thoroughly to assure Teng Qingshan that no accidents will happen! But now, someone tried to use Ni Mengzhong of the Ni Family to poison and kill Hongwu.”

This made Zhuge Yuanhong very angry! All his efforts were futile!

Everyone could tell that a mastermind planned this incident. After all, only an Innate Expert could kill Hongwu directly. However, if an Innate Expert entered Yong’an County, his presence would be easily detected by the Emptiness Realm Experts in Yong’an County! Therefore, the only option was to use some evil schemes.

However, the problem was that it was impossible for any ordinary person to approach Hongwu. In fact, only a few people could be near him. Moreover, Hongwu was protected by powerful experts. A stranger could never get near to him.

As the grandson of the ruling elder of Gui Yuan Sect, Ni Mengzhong was well aware of Hongwu’s true identity. And so, the people who had been secretly protected Hongwu never suspected that Ni Mengzhong would kill Hongwu. Yet, who would have thought that such a thing would happen…

“Gui Yuan Sect can’t even protect someone who is in their home base,” said Zhuge Yuanhong coldly, “Tell me! Will Teng Qingshan ever be at ease when his son and daughter are in Yong’an County? Pass down the order. Investigate all members of the Ni Family and anyone who has been interacting with the Ni Family.

“Especially those who can touch the scimitar of Ni Mengzhong, they should be checked thoroughly.”

“I must know who is the mastermind that planned this,” Zhuge Yuanhong gritted his teeth.

“Yes, Lord.”

Elder Ni, who had a very ghastly facial expression, was the first to respond respectfully, “Sovereign, please do not worry. I will investigate and explain everything.”

“Seize all who are involved in plotting to kill Teng Qingshan’s son,” said Zhuge Yuanhong coldly.”

“Yes, Lord!”

Everyone responded simultaneously.

Everyone knew that this was a big case. A negative outcome could destroy the high status currently possessed by Gui Yuan Sect.

******

The incident that happened in Sanchong Restaurant caused the atmosphere of Yong An County to become heavy and stressful. A great number of soldiers, disciples, and members of Gui Yuan Sect were investigating this incident both openly and secretly. For a period of time, everyone in Yong’an County was tense and nervous. No one dared to do anything wrong during this time. Everyone knew that Gui Yuan Sect was in a state of turmoil.

…

In a store owned by Qingshan Enterprise:

“Qingshan, I don’t think Hongwu and Honglin should come to Yong’an County City, at least not now.” Li Jun looked very worried as she suggested, “Yong’an County is not a safe place too.”

When Teng Qingshan was in the restaurant, he was so angry and so mad that he almost wanted to kill everyone.

Now that he had arrived in a store of the Qingshan Enterprise, he calmed down.

“The sects in the Land of the Nine Prefectures are in a stalemate. And so, nobody dared to do things like hurting the family members of their opponents,” Teng Qingshan’s eyes glowed with a cold light, “That is an act that will utterly destroy relationships and any pretense of cordiality. Therefore, none of the sects plotted to kill my son. There is a huge possibility that the mastermind is Gu Yong!”

“Gui Yuan Sect has really disappointed me.”

“Qingshan doesn’t even exist anymore. There are only some people left.” Teng Qingshan said coldly, “I did not expect the remnants of Qing Hu Island to have the ability to do such a thing in the home base of Gui Yuan Sect! It seems like Gui Yuan Sect does not know how to manage and govern their headquarters!”

A sect should have a very strong home base.

Yong’an County is inhabited by only a few hundred thousand people.

Thirty percent of the population of Yong’an County comprised of the disciples of Gui Yuan Sect. The family of these disciples also lived in Yong An County. It could be said that most of the communities in Yong’an County had some sort of relationship with Gui Yuan Sect. In such a strong base, foreigners are not allowed to simply enter and leave. And so, it should be easy to notice a stranger in the county.

Yet, this still happened in such an environment.

The reality was that the Ni Family had been infiltrated. How could Teng Qingshan not be angry? How could he not be angry at the misconduct of Gui Yuan Sect? After all, one or two years ago, he had told Zhuge Yuanhong about the situation.

He said that it will temporarily be very dangerous. In this time of danger, his son and daughter are only allowed to stay in the Great Yan Mountain or Yong’an County.

“Qingshan, the safety of our children never concerned Gui Yuan Sect,” said Li Jun, unable to endure the anger any longer.

Teng Qingshan was angry at the misconduct of Gui Yuan Sect and he was mad at the mastermind who plotted to take his son’s life.haviour of Gui Yuan Sect.

“Sovereign,” Someone shouted outside, “Sovereign Zhuge is here.”

“Teacher…”

Teng Qingshan shook his head and ordered, “Let my teacher in.” Teng Qingshan knew that teacher had conveyed a symbol of apology by especially asking someone to announce his arrival. Clearly, Zhuge Yuanhong felt bad for what had happened.

“Little Jun, let’s welcome him at the entrance,” said Teng Qingshan.

“Qingshan?” Yet, Li Jun was not happy.

“Let’s see what teacher will tell us.” When Teng Qingshan was in the restaurant, he was in a fit of rage. Although he was still angry, he had become much calmer.

At the entrance to the hall:

Zhuge Yuanhong walked in alone, wearing a green cloak.

“Qingshan,” said Zhuge Yuanhong with an apologetic expression.

“Teacher,” replied Teng Qingshan.

When Zhuge Yuanhong heard the word “Teacher,” he felt a gush of warmness surging within his heart. He then gave out a sigh. The moment Zhuge Yuanhong and Teng Qingshan looked at each other in the eyes, they knew what each other was thinking. Although Teng Qingshan and Zhuge Yuanhong share a relationship of a teacher and a student, Zhuge Yuanhong never really did teach Teng Qingshan. Still, Teng Qingshan held great respect toward Zhuge Yuanhong.

It was partly because of Zhuge Qing and partly because of Zhuge Yuanhong’s charisma.

“Qingshan, I was at fault for what happened,” Zhuge Yuanhong apologized, “Back then, you informed me that someone has been secretly targeting you in the recent two years. I issued the orders to check Yong’an County thoroughly, but I never supervised and monitored the progress of the investigation. I only focused on learning Dao.” In the past twenty years, Zhuge Yuanhong had been immersed in the cultivation of Dao.

Because he had been so focused on cultivation, he instructed his subordinates to handle a lot of things.

“But until now, I still trust the Law Enforcing Elders of my Gui Yuan Sect,” Zhuge Yuanhong looked at Teng Qingshan and continued saying, “I suspect that the survived members of Qing Hu Island has nothing to do with this conspiracy.”

“Hmm?” Teng Qingshan’s expression changed slightly, “You think the survived members of Qing Hu Island did not plot to kill my son?”

“Yes.”

Zhuge Yuanhong nodded, “Since Gui Yuan Sect moved into Yong’an County, we have always been targeting the remaining members of Qing Hu Island in Yong’an County. Furthermore, we have been paying close attention to this matter for many years. We have never let our guard down. Since you informed me about this perilous time, we have checked every area of Yong’an County very carefully. Could the remaining members of Qing Hu Island be the ones who conspired to kill your son… I really cannot believe that they are able to infiltrate the Ni Family and trick Ni Mengzhong into challenging Hongwu.”

“Teacher, then tell me! Who could it be?” Teng Qingshan frowned.

“Yong’an County is located at the border between Yangzhou and Yanzhou,” said Zhuge Yuanhong, “In Yong’an County, the home base of Gui Yuan Sect, only the Shooting Sun God Mountain, located in the neighboring prefecture Yanzhou, has the ability to place a great number of people in Yong’an County without us noticing anything.

Teng Qingshan frowned.

What the teacher said did make sense…

As Yong’an County was located by the border, it was very likely that the Shooting Sun God Mountain have planted many people in Yong’an County a very long time ago. A lot of people had lived in Yong An County for many years; it was impossible to do a thorough check. Furthermore, with the concealed power of the Shooting Sun God Mountain, it was possible for them to do so.

“This is just my conjecture.” Zhuge Yuanhong said apologetically.

“Teacher.”

“Whoever it is that plotted to kill my son this time..whoever it is and whoever that is involved… I hope that you will remain neutral. Please don’t protect or defend that person.” As Teng Qingshan spoke, his desire to kill soared. He continued saying in a deep tone, “I want everyone in the Land of the Nine Prefectures to know the consequences of harming my son. If it’s one person who planned this conspiracy, I will kill that one person. If it is a hundred thousand people, I will take the lives of a hundred thousand. If it is a sect, I will destroy that sect. I want the mastermind to know that harming my son is the greatest mistake of his life.

Teng Qingshan’s eyes glowed with killing intent.

×××××

Under such a depressing and stressful atmosphere, rumors spread throughout the entire Gui Yuan Sect.

There were people who said that Teng Qingshan compelled his son to kill Ni Mengzhong. They even said that Teng Qingshan bullied the ones weaker than him, wounded Elder Ni Hanshan to the extent that he became bedridden, and forced Gui Yuan Sect to give an explanation.

There were also people who said when someone tried to poison Teng Qingshan’s son, Teng Qingshan became so furious that he started threatening the entire Gui Yuan Sect.

For some time, discussions regarding the Teng Qingshan’s dispossession of the Fiery Gilt Battle Armor and Fiery Feather Battle Armor, as well as the land of Jiangning County, ensued in Gui Yuan Sect. As the conversations continued, the anger towards Teng Qingshan increased. All of them said that Teng Qingshan had become much more arrogant since he had become much stronger and that Teng Qingshan had forgotten that he was originally a member of Gui Yuan Sect.

There were people who thought that Teng Qingshan was tyrannical because he had done great things for Gui Yuan Sect.

…

Although the gossips and conversations continued, no one dared to cause chaos in the stores of Qingshan Enterprise.

In a store of Qingshan Enterprise:

Teng Qingshan, Li Jun, Hongwu, and the girl named Lei Xiaoru were eating lunch together. As Teng Qingshan watched his son and the girl named Xiaoru, a rare smile appeared on his face.

“Sovereign, sovereign.”

A shout sounded outside.

“What’s the matter?” Teng Qingshan frowned and turned around.

The manager of Qingshan Enterprise appeared looking extremely worried. He shouted loudly, “Something unfortunate happened! Sovereign, Elder Ni Hanshan, Ni Mengzhong’s father, has been sick and bedridden, and now, he…he died!”

“Died?” Teng Qingshan and Li Jun frowned.

“Yes, yes! I heard that he was so angry that he spat out blood and died!” Informed the manager of Qingshan Enterprise.