Chapter 515 - 150: Idle Chat
The ability to silently enhance a person’s aptitude, along with the ability to implant a Spirit Vein through external force—either of these two Secret Techniques would be incredibly precious to any sect.
Wang Ping had to take this matter seriously, especially since it was related to the ruins of the Demon Race. The thought of the Demon Race inevitably brought Demon Emperor Yaoyi to mind. He had already made up his mind to invest significant funds and disciples in the future to investigate these demon ruins.
Yu Cheng Taoist watched Wang Ping place a stone on the board and replied, "It’s in the Eastern Continent. I’ve already had Zhao Qian dispatch Internal Affairs Disciples to investigate the matter, but I don’t expect any results. Many people know about this, so the local Cultivation Realm in the Eastern Continent has likely already taken action. Besides, theoretically, any Secret Technique involves a trade-off—for every gain, there is a loss. Given the bizarre and cruel nature of Demon Race Secret Techniques, I’m afraid this one will ultimately harm both its user and others."
Wang Ping considered this for a moment and decided not to pursue the topic further. He turned to Xuanling, who was standing nearby, and instructed, "Bring the stove out from the house to brew some tea."
"Yes, Teacher!"
Xuanling acknowledged the order and headed toward the adjacent house. He seemed very familiar with the small courtyard, likely because he often came to pay his respects to Yu Cheng Taoist. As Yu Lian watched Xuanling enter the house, she also flew over on a cloud.
"This disciple of yours is like a blank slate. I’ve paused his cultivation and have him get out more. He’s currently handling all the sect’s dealings with the Government Office in Changwen Prefecture. Don’t worry, I haven’t let him leave Changwen Prefecture."
Yu Cheng Taoist didn’t try to hide his words from Xuanling, speaking directly. "Also, when that disciple, Su Sea, returns, have him train with Xuanling. He’s been through the wars in the north and has traveled through the Eastern Continent. He needs some time to quiet his mind."
"That sounds good."
Wang Ping knew Xiao Shan Lord must have had a profound reason for arranging for Xuanling to become his disciple. He had forgotten to ask about it during his previous conversation with Xiao Shan Lord’s projection. To be precise, he had forgotten about Xuanling entirely.
Just then, Xuanling appeared at the doorway and asked, "Teacher, Grand-Teacher, for a light tea, we only have spring tea. For new tea, we have black tea from Hu Mountain Country. Which would you prefer?"
"The light tea!"
Wang Ping answered without turning his head. Yu Lian said to Xuanling, sounding displeased, "I told you he’d want the light tea."
As Xuanling cupped his fist in apology to Yu Lian, Yu Cheng Taoist played a stone right up against Wang Ping’s. The opening sequence on the board was over. It was now time for the mid-game fight.
The master and disciple spoke no more of official business. Amidst their idle chatter, the game unknowingly reached its end, concluding with Wang Ping’s narrow defeat.
"Xuanling, come play a game with your teacher," Yu Cheng Taoist called to Xuanling, who was standing nearby.
"Yes, Grand-Teacher!" Xuanling dutifully refilled Wang Ping’s empty teacup before moving to the spot opposite Wang Ping, which Yu Cheng Taoist had vacated. He gave a very solemn, cupped-fist bow before sitting down.
He was trying his best to fulfill the duties of a disciple, but an indelible sense of unfamiliarity lingered in his efforts.
"Where have you chosen to establish your Dao Field?" Wang Ping asked suddenly. When his Primordial Spirit had previously swept over the Qianmu Observation Wood Institute, he hadn’t detected Xuanling’s Dao Field.
Xuanling replied, "I have my eye on Yu Mountain, north of Changwen Prefecture. I was just waiting for Teacher to return to make the final decision."
Seeing the confused look on Wang Ping’s face, Yu Cheng Taoist, who was sipping his tea, explained:
"It’s a small mountain that originally had no name. A long time ago, a disciple from Qianmu Temple chose to establish his Dao Field there. He was fond of elm trees, so he transplanted some from the north, which is how it came to be called Yu Mountain. After that disciple passed on, his own disciples were unable to inherit the Dao Field. Eventually, not only did the Dao Field fall into ruin, but all the elm trees withered due to the climate. It’s just a barren mountain now."
Just as Xuanling offered the black stones to Wang Ping, and just as Wang Ping was about to speak, Yu Lian beat him to it, asking, "Why would you choose a place like that?"
As she spoke, she landed on Wang Ping’s shoulder in a puff of cloud.
Xuanling thought for a moment before replying, "It’s quiet there, and it’s nestled by the mountains and water. It’s actually a good location, just neglected, which makes it seem a bit desolate. Also, it’s a very suitable place to set up a large-scale Wood Spirit Sealing Array. I plan to temporarily seal the ’Demon Gathering Banner’ at the base of Yu Mountain."
Wang Ping picked up a black stone, his hand hovering over the board. He sized Xuanling up for a moment before saying, "Since the ’Demon Gathering Banner’ has been entrusted to you, how you use it is your own affair."
These were purely perfunctory words, and Yu Lian, who was nearby, had to fight the urge to make a snarky remark.
Yu Cheng Taoist immediately changed the subject. "Yu Mountain is indeed a fine place. In recent years, quite a few itinerant cultivators have wanted to settle there, but I’ve refused them all. After all, a senior from our Qianmu Temple once used that place."
Wang Ping placed a stone on the board, his mood shifting. He looked at Xuanling with a smile and said, "Since you like it, it’s yours. Don’t run the expenses through the sect’s accounts. Have Zhao Qian use my personal funds."
A flash of joy appeared in Xuanling’s eyes. He was about to rise and express his thanks when Wang Ping stopped him, urging, "Hurry up and make your move."
"Yes, Teacher."
As Xuanling replied, a figure slowly approached the small courtyard from outside.
It was Hu Qianqian. She wore a pale yellow Daoist Robe, and the white fur on her face was even brighter than before, a likely sign of progress in her cultivation.
Whenever Wang Ping returned from a trip or emerged from secluded cultivation, she would rush over as soon as she received the news. This time was no exception.
"Qianqian, no need for formalities. Come in."
Wang Ping said, placing a stone on the board.
Hu Qianqian’s fluffy ears twitched habitually. She entered the courtyard and still bowed to Yu Cheng, Wang Ping, and Yu Lian. Then, Xuanling stood up and bowed to Hu Qianqian, his senior sister.
"Nothing major has happened with the Demon Race, I hope?" Wang Ping asked casually.
Hu Qianqian responded softly, "Replying to Master, Senior Hu Yin and Senior Mountain Guard recently carried out your orders and cleared out the Demon Race members along Ningzhou Road. There were brief conflicts with a few tribes. Afterward, those tribes migrated to Mianzhu County on Shanwu Road and joined the Demon Realm."
Following up on that, Yu Lian asked, "Is the Demon Realm planning to take advantage of the chaos in Zhongzhou to launch a full-scale invasion?"
Hu Qianqian blinked, then looked at Yu Lian with her azure eyes and reported solemnly, "There is no intelligence suggesting that. I doubt they would. It is common knowledge that the Human Dao is flourishing. If the Demon Realm dared to invade the heartland of Zhongzhou, they would surely face annihilation."
After saying this, she softened her tone and continued, "The Demon Realm has recently been establishing trade with the Datong Marquisate in the Northwest through the Nine Tripods Sect. I’ve received word that the Demon Realm has prepared a large quantity of materials for crafting Magical Artifacts and Arrays. Their targets for trade are tea, silk, and books on the doctrines of the various schools of the Human Dao."
"Are they preparing to study our civilization to stabilize their spiritual nature, and in doing so, gain the trust of the True Monarchs?" After saying this, Wang Ping couldn’t help but look toward Yu Cheng.