Chapter 234: Chapter 135: Primordial (Part 2)
"Sect Leader He asked you too?!"
Chen Qing’s heart pounded. The weight of this news was immense.
’Even the Sect Leader pressed Li Baichuan about the total outline?’
’Master Li’s status in the Wutai Sect and the secrets he knows are probably far greater than they appear!’
Li Baichuan said calmly, "I do not have the total outline! If I did, why wouldn’t I practice it myself? To neglect a Supreme Heart Method and instead study this useless Yellow Emperor’s Skill? I haven’t had my fill of living yet!"
Chen Qing looked at Li Baichuan, his mind rife with suspicion.
Li Baichuan’s words sounded logical and irrefutable.
He didn’t have the total outline, so he didn’t practice it himself.
Even the Sect Leader couldn’t get anything out of him.
But Chen Qing couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.
’Does this Old Deng really not know?’
’Or does he know something, but for some reason, he can’t say it... or doesn’t dare to?’
’Or perhaps, he knows that the path to finding the total outline is a path of certain death?’
Li Baichuan picked up the Longevity Scripture again and waved his hand. "Alright, stop standing here overthinking things. There is no total outline. You possess Three True Qi. If you can use them properly, their explosive power will far exceed that of your peers. That’s more than enough for you. Now go and focus on your Cultivation."
Chen Qing bowed respectfully. "Yes. This disciple will take his leave. Thank you for your guidance and clarification, Master Li."
He still placed the silver notes gently on the corner of the table. Li Baichuan didn’t even lift an eyelid.
Chen Qing turned, gently pulled open the door of the Quiet Chamber, and walked out.
Just as he was about to close the door, he steadied himself against the frame and asked in a low voice, "Master Li... is there truly not a single clue about the total outline? Not even a brief mention in the Ancestral Master’s final teachings?"
Li Baichuan’s motion of turning a page paused slightly, and he glanced at Chen Qing.
CREAK...
The door was gently closed, sealing off the light and sound from outside.
Chen Qing walked along the path back to his small courtyard.
The night had deepened. The cold moonlight spilled down, stretching his shadow long.
The clamor on Lake Heart Island had long since subsided, and only the faint footsteps of patrolling disciples could be heard in the distance.
The conversation with Li Baichuan echoed repeatedly in his mind.
Li Baichuan’s words were watertight and perfectly logical.
’The Ancestral Master himself couldn’t find the total outline, so how could he possibly have it?’
But Chen Qing just couldn’t bring himself to fully believe it.
’That Old Deng’s final expression was definitely not one of simple ignorance.’
"Old Deng, oh, Old Deng..."
Chen Qing gazed in the direction of the Cyan Wood Institute and muttered to himself, "Do you know or not?"
That question, he feared, would not be answered anytime soon.
...
Two days after the grand celebration, Lake Heart Island returned to its usual tranquility.
Chen Qing returned to the Nanzhe No. 7 Fishery. He was no longer a Steward; this trip was solely to hand over his duties and retrieve his personal belongings.
The atmosphere in the Fishery’s small courtyard was unusually quiet.
Old Zhao, along with Shuosheng, Jiang Feng, and the others, stood to the side with their hands lowered, their faces a mixture of reluctance and awkwardness.
Liu He, wearing an apron, silently brought out a few small dishes from the kitchen. They were all Chen Qing’s favorites: steamed Silver Thread Fish, scallion-fried lake shrimp, and a plate of verdant seasonal vegetables.
"Steward Chen, would... would you like to try some?"
Liu He gently placed the bowl and chopsticks on the small table in front of Chen Qing.
She had habitually started to call him Steward Chen, but then she remembered he was now the Chief Disciple of the Cyan Wood Institute, a completely different status, and she hastily corrected herself.
Chen Qing looked at the familiar home-cooked dishes and nodded. "Xiaohu’s cooking is as good as ever. From now on, I’ll have to trouble Old Zhao and everyone else with the Fishery’s affairs."
Old Zhao wrung his hands, forcing a smile onto his wrinkled face. "Steward Chen... er, Chief Chen, rest assured! This old man will do his utmost to manage the Fishery well! Will you come back to visit when you have time? We’ll all be missing you."
His words were filled with deep regret and reluctance to see him go.
This young Steward, though a man of few words, was fair in his dealings and never skimped on their due.
Lin Xue stood a little behind the crowd, her lips pursed.
She wanted to speak several times but didn’t know what to say.
Finally, as Chen Qing finished packing a small bundle and prepared to leave, she hurried forward and shoved a heavy, oil-paper-wrapped package into his hands.
"Chen... Chief Senior Brother, this is some dried fish I made."
She finished in a rush and, without waiting for Chen Qing’s response, quickly retreated back into the crowd, her cheeks flushing slightly as she stubbornly turned her head away.
Chen Qing looked at the oil-paper package in his hand. He nodded slightly and said in a calm voice, "That’s very thoughtful of you, Junior Sister Lin Xue. Practice hard and take care of yourself."
Everyone from the Fishery escorted Chen Qing to the entrance and watched him board the waiting carriage.
The carriage drove him toward the core area of the Sect.
The environment here was quiet and secluded, an exclusive area for core Elders and Chief Disciples.
After briefly tidying up, Chen Qing walked out of his courtyard gate.
A figure was approaching him.
The person was dressed in a water-blue long dress, her aura like the moon in a deep pool. It was none other than the Chief Disciple of the Gui Water Institute, Nie Shanshan.
Chen Qing stopped and cupped his fist in greeting. "Senior Sister Nie."
"Congratulations on your new home, Junior Brother. I see you’ve settled in."
Nie Shanshan smiled faintly. "Now that you are also a Chief Disciple, our paths may cross in Sect affairs. We should visit each other more often to exchange insights."
Chen Qing also cupped his fist and smiled. "Senior Sister, you’re too kind. As I’m new to this role, there are indeed many things I’ll need to ask for your guidance on. I will certainly be bothering you in the future."
"It’s not a matter of guidance, merely mutual confirmation."
Nie Shanshan said, "Are you on your way to the Cyan Wood Institute to impart your teachings, Junior Brother? As a newly appointed Chief Disciple, you must have many duties, so I won’t keep you."
Chen Qing cupped his fist again. "Indeed. Please, Senior Sister, don’t let me keep you."
The two had a brief encounter at Qianchuan Marsh before, and in his impression, Nie Shanshan was not a difficult person to get along with.
Now that he was a Chief Disciple, their paths would likely cross more often in the future.
After parting ways with Nie Shanshan, Chen Qing went straight to the Cyan Wood Institute.
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