Chapter 24 Returning to Qingxiao Sect

Sunlight broke through the land, sweeping over Qiyue Town at the foot of the mountain.

Inside an inn, the Black-clothed Woman looked at the gray-robed elder sitting opposite her, her face filled with impatience.

“You’re really fast. I just arrived, and the very next morning, you found me.”

The Black-clothed Woman said coldly, her words making the gray-robed elder quite helpless.

The gray-robed elder looked to be over seventy, with even brown spots on his face. He sighed and said, “Young Miss, don’t be so impulsive. With your current martial arts, going to the Seven Peaks Alliance will surely lead to trouble. Moreover, I’ve found out that something big has happened at the Seven Peaks Alliance. Anyone who dares to provoke them now will surely invite a furious backlash.”

“What happened?”

The Black-clothed Woman asked, her mind involuntarily recalling Li Qingqiu. She was very curious about what Li Qingqiu was going to do at the Seven Peaks Alliance.

The gray-robed elder’s expression was grave as he said, “Last night, the First Alliance Leader of the Seven Peaks Alliance, Lü Taidou, was assassinated in his own residence. It is said that another Alliance Leader was beaten to death while trying to intercept the killer.”

At these words, the Black-clothed Woman’s face changed drastically, her expression astonished. A sudden realization dawned on her.

No wonder there was such a commotion at the Seven Peaks Alliance last night.

But… assassinate Lü Taidou?

How did he manage it?

The Black-clothed Woman recalled Li Qingqiu flicking away her treasured sword with a finger, and then she felt that he might indeed possess that kind of strength.

But he was so young, how could he be so strong?

Could he be skilled in the art of eternal youth or disguise?

The more she thought about it, the more alarmed she became. That was Lü Taidou, a top Master whose mere stomp could shake the Jianghu of Guzhou Prefecture.

And Lü Taidou died within the Seven Peaks Alliance; this was too unbelievable.

She looked up at the gray-robed elder and quickly asked, “Who did it?”

The gray-robed elder shook his head and said, “I’m not sure. It’s said that the person had three heads and six arms, like a demon god descended from the heavens, unstoppable. He also took two children, so perhaps he went there for those two children.”

The Black-clothed Woman couldn’t help but roll her eyes, saying irritably, “Three heads and six arms? You actually believe that?”

“The people of the Seven Peaks Alliance said so. I’m just relaying it,” the gray-robed elder shrugged.

He paused, then said earnestly, “Young Miss, the Seven Peaks Alliance will soon fall into a great storm, with internal power struggles and external enemies. The troubles you’re worried about might resolve themselves. Why must you personally put yourself in danger?”

The Black-clothed Woman sneered and said, “Lü Taidou is dead, so my troubles will naturally dissipate. Don’t worry, I’ll go back with you today.”

The gray-robed elder breathed a sigh of relief, stroking his beard and nodding.

The Black-clothed Woman hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Can you have someone investigate who killed Lü Taidou? I just want to know his name.”

“I’ll do my best. Last night was dark, so investigating his name won’t be an easy task,” the gray-robed elder replied casually, not thinking much of it.

Li Qingqiu’s image reappeared in the Black-clothed Woman’s mind. Curiosity arose in her heart.

Who exactly was this person, who dared to openly come to the foot of the Seven Peaks Alliance and then ascend the mountain to kill?

What kind of grievances did he have with the Seven Peaks Alliance?

…After leaving the Seven Peaks Alliance, Li Qingqiu traveled hundreds of miles before hiding in the mountains to rest and recover his Origin Qi.

Afterward, he performed the Rejuvenating Ghost Immortal Needle to regulate little Yuan Li’s body, while Yuan Qi collected fruits and water in the mountains.

After a day of rest, they continued their journey, not taking the official road, and thus not encountering anyone.

With the Gale Technique, Li Qingqiu’s pace was fast; though not as quick as a carriage, it wasn’t much slower.

Only when they arrived at the foot of Qingxiao Sect mountain did Li Qingqiu finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Looking at the majestic, undulating mountains ahead, Yuan Qi was filled with confusion. Why did it feel like they were going further and further?

In his mind, Martial Forest Schools should be close to towns, making it convenient to recruit Disciples and exploit the common people.

“When we go up the mountain, don’t mention the Seven Peaks Alliance to anyone, and don’t say I went to the Seven Peaks Alliance. You are just orphans who followed the refugees and were brought back by me, understand?”

Li Qingqiu, holding Yuan Li, walked ahead and said. He carried a large bundle on his back, which he had bought when passing through a town yesterday.

Yuan Qi, following behind, nodded and replied, “I know, Big Brother. Don’t worry, I absolutely won’t cause you any trouble.”

Li Qingqiu began to introduce the situation of the Qingxiao Sect. Yuan Qi had never heard of the Qingxiao Sect, and hearing that its Disciples were all very young made him look forward to it.

At the Seven Peaks Alliance, he had only met adults and was always bullied by them. He was now very afraid of entering an environment full of adults.

Listening to the situation of the Qingxiao Sect, Yuan Qi grew bolder and began to ask questions continuously. Li Qingqiu was very patient and answered each one.

The journey from the foot of the mountain to the Qingxiao Sect’s mountain gate was long, taking them half a day.

Ten days had passed since Li Qingqiu assassinated Lü Taidou.

It was now nearing dusk.

Li Qingqiu looked at the Qingxiao Sect’s mountain gate. Although it wasn’t as grand as the Seven Peaks Alliance, it made him feel a sense of closeness, and his tightly strung nerves completely relaxed.

He saw a child squatting by the mountain gate in the distance, playing with pebbles. It was Li Sifeng.

“Sifeng, why are you slacking off again?”

Li Qingqiu’s voice reached him, startling Li Sifeng, who quickly stood up and turned around to look.

Seeing his face, Li Qingqiu couldn’t help but laugh aloud.

Half a month had passed, and Li Sifeng’s face was still bruised, though thankfully not swollen. However, when Li Sifeng smiled, the sight of his missing teeth was truly comical.

Li Qingqiu stifled his laughter as soon as it began.

He couldn’t laugh; it was too unkind. After all, Li Sifeng was injured for the sake of the Qingxiao Sect.

“Senior Brother!”

Li Sifeng shouted in surprise, then ran down like a gust of wind. His voice was very loud, startling the Disciples within the School.

As soon as he reached Li Qingqiu, Yang Jueding, Jiang Zhaoxia, and Xu Ning quickly arrived at the mountain gate, treading along the mountain wall. Their lightness skill stunned Yuan Qi.

“You haven’t been mischievous during this time, have you?” Li Qingqiu asked with a smile, stroking Li Sifeng’s head.

Li Sifeng tightly hugged Li Qingqiu’s waist, choking out, “Senior Brother, I was so worried about you! Why were you gone for so long? I thought you didn’t want us anymore…”

More and more Disciples ran out from within the School. When they saw Li Qingqiu, they were all very excited. Li Qingqiu also spotted six new faces, who should be the six children of the Qin Family.

Two days prior, Li Qingqiu had seen six new Disciples appear on the dao lineage panel. Unfortunately, their Aptitude was all very ordinary, and they had no special destinies, so Li Qingqiu hadn’t paid much attention, not even remembering their faces.

Jiang Zhaoxia quickly landed beside Li Qingqiu, carefully examining him. After confirming he was not injured, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Sijin also hugged Li Qingqiu, very happy. Li Dongyue stood nearby, her eyes brimming with tears.

Yang Jueding also breathed a sigh of relief. He had concealed the fact that Li Qingqiu went to the Seven Peaks Alliance, and he was almost at his breaking point. Fortunately, Li Qingqiu had returned.

“Senior Brother, where did you go? Why were you gone for so long?” Jiang Zhaoxia asked, his tone resentful.

Li Qingqiu smiled and said, “Didn’t I tell Yu Chun that I went on a mountain patrol? I was just held up by other matters along the way. Oh, by the way, let me introduce you. This boy behind me is Yuan Qi, and the one I’m holding is his younger brother, Yuan Li. From now on, they will also be Disciples of the Qingxiao Sect.”

At these words, everyone’s attention was diverted.

Yang Jueding leaned close to Yuan Qi, observing him carefully, which made him very uncomfortable.

Xu Ning’s growth proved Li Qingqiu’s discerning eye. Not just Yang Jueding, but the other Disciples were also curious about what talent Yuan Qi possessed that could attract Li Qingqiu.

Zhang Yuchun looked at Li Qingqiu, his brows tightly furrowed. Wu Maner just kept grinning foolishly, saying nothing.

“Alright, let’s go inside and talk. Prepare some food for us.”

Li Qingqiu interrupted everyone’s discussion and urged them on. The group then went up the mountain, chatting and laughing. Because the Disciples were all young and full of energy, once their chatter started, it couldn’t be stopped.

“Senior Brother, let me hold the child.” Li Dongyue came beside Li Qingqiu and said softly.

Li Qingqiu didn’t refuse and handed Yuan Li to her.

After returning to the courtyard, Zhang Yuchun took Yuan Qi to bathe, while Li Dongyue and Li Sijin took Yuan Li to bathe.

Li Qingqiu sat at the table, his gaze falling upon the six children of the Qin Family standing together: four boys and two girls, all eleven years old. To find six children of similar age showed that the Qin Family was indeed prosperous.

Facing the Sect Leader’s gaze, the six children of the Qin Family were all very nervous. Before coming, Qin Jue had instructed them that once they arrived at the Qingxiao Sect, they must be obedient. Anyone sent back early would be severely punished.

“Come and sit down. Introduce yourselves to me.”

Li Qingqiu showed a gentle smile and waved to the six children of the Qin Family.

Seeing his smile, the six children of the Qin Family also relaxed and came over, introducing themselves one by one.

Li Qingqiu chatted with them casually, building rapport.

Three of the Seven Sons of Qingxiao were cooking. They were quick, and the food was quickly heated and brought before Li Qingqiu.

Li Qingqiu didn’t wait for Yuan Qi and began to eat by himself.

Yang Jueding sat beside him, wanting very much to ask Li Qingqiu, but with others present, he could only hold back.

A moment later, Zhang Yuchun, Yuan Qi, and Li Dongyue also arrived in the courtyard. All the people of the Qingxiao Sect gathered together, a total of twenty-four people.

Although far from the splendor of the Seven Peaks Alliance, it made Li Qingqiu feel content.

He believed that in another ten years, these Disciples would all be able to stand on their own.

Li Dongyue sat on Li Qingqiu’s other side, resting her cheek on one hand, and sighed, “Senior Brother, the way you returned just now reminded me of Master. Back then, when Master brought Sifeng and Sijin back, it was just like you, holding Sijin in his arms and Sifeng following behind him.”

These words caused Zhang Yuchun, Jiang Zhaoxia, and Wu Maner to nod, and they began to reminisce about Lin Xunfeng.

This made the Disciples even more curious about Lin Xunfeng. What kind of heroic figure was that Grandmaster?

Yang Jueding spoke, “Lin Xunfeng was indeed chivalrous and righteous, but his help to the Qingxiao Sect wasn’t significant. Since its founding, the Qingxiao Sect has never extensively recruited Disciples, so I think the current Qingxiao Sect has no relation to the past.”

Li Qingqiu glanced at him, secretly satisfied. After a few days apart, Yang Jueding had become more sensible.

Zhang Yuchun followed up, “That’s right, Master abandoned us and left. From now on, the Qingxiao Sect will only have one Sect Leader. We are the New Qingxiao Sect. It’s just that Senior Brother is nostalgic, using the old name.”