Starting Cultivation During a Trip

The issuer for this person is actually a Celestial Master, which shows his status is far from ordinary.

Wang Qingyi didn’t doubt Zhang Fan’s credentials either, since all of these could be verified on the Daoist Alliance’s official website.

"So you’re a prized disciple from Zhenwu Mountain," Wang Qingyi’s tone softened slightly.

"Taoist Brother Wang, are you planning to stand up for your younger clan brother?" Zhang Fan asked in a heavy voice.

Wang Qingyi shook his head, "I just said I wouldn’t pursue it, and I don’t go back on my word. However..."

He suddenly turned to Meng Qiwu: "Qin Ergou from Zhongnan Mountain stole the opportunity meant for my Wang Family. I cannot just let this go."

The Purple Electric Toad was a treasure that the Wang Family painstakingly deduced, and to seize this Innate Treasure, they paid a considerable price. They should have succeeded, but who could have expected Qin Ergou to appear there...

That single variable disturbed the timing, seized the terrain, and in the end, the Purple Electric Toad fell into his hands.

"So how do you want to settle this?" Zhang Fan asked.

He could see now that the Wang Family cared dearly about that Innate Treasure; they definitely wouldn’t let it go so easily.

"Originally, Qin Ergou should’ve ended up in our Wang Family’s hands. But since he’s a disciple of Zhongnan Mountain, and you, fellow Daoist, are speaking up for him, that counts for something." Wang Qingyi left something unsaid.

Your relationship with Yu Xuanji is also complicated and unclear, so this incident now involves Zhongnan Mountain, Zhenwu Mountain, and the Daoist Sects of Sanqing Mountain—three major Daoist sects. Naturally, he needed to re-evaluate the pros and cons, weighing all the interests involved.

"If you find him first, the matter ends here; our Wang Family will drop it. But if we find him first, I hope you’ll refrain from further involvement."

Wang Qingyi’s words were watertight, displaying the grace of the Pure Yang Wang Family.

Even a mighty dragon doesn’t press a local snake; that offer was already a significant concession.

"It’s a deal," Zhang Fan nodded.

"A deal is a deal!"

Wang Qingyi’s eyes met Zhang Fan’s for an instant, the two lost focus for a moment, turned, and left in opposite directions.

"Do you know where Ergou is now?" Zhang Fan asked in a low voice.

"If I knew, I would’ve already gotten him out of Qinxi Province," Meng Qiwu replied. "I’ve been having people search these past days; we should have a lead soon."

"He got the Purple Electric Toad, but to refine this treasure is extremely difficult. He won’t get far."

"It’s getting late. Let’s just stay here tonight." Zhang Fan turned back, glancing toward where the Wang Family brothers had left. Staying here would also let them keep an eye on the Wang Family’s movements.

"Let me handle it!"

Meng Qiwu turned and walked to the reception. After all, this club was owned by Zhongnan Mountain, and she was one of the organizers for the Daoist Youth Debate and Cultivation Forum.

"You’re looking for someone in Chang’an, competing against the Wang Family? That could be tough." Ge Shuangxiu came over and spoke in a low voice.

The Wang Family’s ancestral home was in Chang’an. They had been operating for generations, their influence spread all through Qinxi—even Zhongnan Mountain had to tread carefully. For them, finding someone here would be far easier than for Zhang Fan.

Meng Qiwu had substantial status in Zhongnan Mountain, but she alone might not be faster than the Wang Family.

"You got any leads?" Zhang Fan asked quietly.

Ge Shuangxiu secretly did work for the Rat. He’d also stayed in Chang’an for some time. There might be contacts in less visible places.

"I still have a few connections; I’ll give it a shot. They’ve got all kinds of intel over there, always hot off the press." Ge Shuangxiu kept his voice low.

The Wang Family’s failure to seize the Innate Treasure was no small issue—intel on this had already gone all over the place.

"Alright, sorry to trouble you. I’ll wait for your news." Zhang Fan nodded.

Ge Shuangxiu said no more and strode out of the main hall.

"Check-in’s done. Where did your friend go?"

At that moment, Meng Qiwu came over. Noticing Ge Shuangxiu departing, she couldn’t help asking.

"He’s running an errand," Zhang Fan replied as he took the room card, subconsciously looking at Meng Qiwu.

At this point, Meng Qiwu still didn’t know Ge Shuangxiu and she were both separate, unconnected lines working for the Rat.

"Ergou, oh Ergou... hope your luck holds out until I come for you," Zhang Fan thought to himself silently.

...

It was late at night.

In the club restaurant, Zhang Fan sat alone in a corner, having ordered a bowl of plain noodles.

In Chang’an, it wasn’t easy to get an authentic bowl of plain noodles. A few slivers of spring onion floated on the broth—just like Qin Ergou, now vanished without a trace.

Zhang Fan had waited in his room all night, but without any news, he’d come out just to get some fresh air—and to quiet his hunger.

"Zhang, so we meet again, what a coincidence."

Just then, a familiar voice rang out from behind. Zhang Fan turned, and unexpectedly froze.

Wu Qingnang!?

He had to admit, fate seemed to draw him and the Vice President of the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance together. Though they were thousands of miles from Yujing, they somehow met twice in a row.

But Zhang Fan also knew Wu Qingnang had come to Chang’an this time to attend the closing meeting of the Daoist Youth Debate and Cultivation Forum, so running into him here was perfectly reasonable.

"Chairman Wu, please have a seat," Zhang Fan stood up.

"Vice President..."

Wu Qingnang gestured for him to stay seated.

"Zhang, what brings you here?" Wu Qingnang asked with concern.

"I’m visiting a friend—Meng Qiwu from Zhongnan Mountain..." Zhang Fan made something up.

"Meng, huh? Zhongnan Mountain really has produced many outstanding talents these years. You young people have such bright futures, you ought to connect more." Wu Qingnang’s tone was overtly official, full of a leader’s manner.

"Vice President Wu, how’s Elder Lou these days?" Zhang Fan asked, concerned for Lou Hechuan’s situation.

Strictly speaking, the former leader of the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance had done the South Zhang lineage no small favor.

Back then, Zhang Tian Sheng had given him a leg up. After South Zhang was destroyed, he’d rescued Zhang Lingzong and Zhang Nanfeng from a pile of corpses.

From that perspective, without Lou Hechuan, there would be no Zhang Fan today.

Moreover, even after Zhang Fan reached Yujing City, the old president had often looked after him. This time, searching for Li Yishan in Chang’an, Lou Hechuan had also given him valuable advice.

"What happened in Qin Ancient Town was well hidden, but in the end, it can’t stay covered up..." Wu Qingnang thought for a moment, then spoke quietly.

"The authorities have already made a determination."

"Wuwei Sect’s demon techniques bewitched the people and stirred up chaos; the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance organized a hundred-day campaign to sweep out evil in Qin Ancient Town and eliminate Wuwei, achieving great success..." Wu Qingnang recited, delivering the official line.

At first, Zhang Fan didn’t think much of it, but the further Wu Qingnang went, the more Zhang Fan felt something was off.

In Wu Qingnang’s words, the Qin Ancient Town incident had become a major Daoist Alliance victory against a Wuwei Sect stronghold. Not only had they wiped out a key Wuwei base and captured countless core members, but they’d even slain a Celestial Master Level heavyweight expert.

"Wait—Vice President Wu—this report..." Zhang Fan’s expression grew odd.

"This isn’t the official report, it’s only posted for internal Daoist Sects," Wu Qingnang said quietly.

"So they’re just spinning a defeat as a victory?" Zhang Fan muttered.

"The Qiu Family’s Celestial Master is dead, and so is White Crane Temple... Can something like this really be covered up?"

"Zhang, you sure know a lot." Wu Qingnang gave Zhang Fan a meaningful look, then added, "The importance of a Celestial Master to a clan or sect—you know it without me saying."

"If they don’t bring it up themselves, who would know? Even if someone does speak, they probably won’t want to admit it."

"Got it," Zhang Fan nodded.

"So if it’s such a huge victory, Elder Lou should be released soon, right?"

"He should be," Wu Qingnang nodded.

"Please take your song back to your home, but leave your smile behind..."

Just then, a crisp, melodious ringtone sounded.

"Excuse me, I need to take this," Wu Qingnang pulled out his phone and answered.

"Hello, this is..."

"Alright, go ahead..."

"What? When did this happen?"

"I understand... Mhm... That’s all for now..."

The call was brief, but Wu Qingnang’s expression changed from calm, to stunned, to shocked, and now was filled with deep gravity.

"Vice President Wu, what happened? Is there a problem?" Zhang Fan asked instinctively, seeing Wu Qingnang’s face.

Wu Qingnang looked at Zhang Fan, hesitated for a moment, then spoke.

"Elder Lou... is dead!"