Chapter 1623: Chapter 1624: The Door and The Lock
“Leave this matter alone.”
Su Chengyu spoke casually, then put away the Heavenly Fox Orb.
Although it was only a manifestation of the real Heavenly Fox Orb within his sea of consciousness, he couldn’t be sure if anyone in the Luo Clan’s Blessed Realm would detect the aura of this extraordinary artifact.
After all, there were many things even the Heaven-nding Stone couldn’t recognize, but for sothing whose roots couldn’t even be vaguely discerned, there was certainly sothing amiss. This treasure, which hid the greatest secret of the Qingqiu Fox Clan, surely had a value far beyond his imagination.
Understanding that Su Chengyu also had his own secrets, Luo Changping refrained from pressing further, instead furrowing his brows and muttering to himself.
“If the Heavenly Fox Orb wasn’t in the Qingqiu Mausoleum, then why did those Qingqiu Fox Clan mbers insist on defending that place to their last breath?”
Su Chengyu frowned deeply as he heard those words, turning to Luo Changping and asking, “How do you know about this?”
Luo Changping looked at Su Chengyu hesitantly for a mont before asking, “You and the Qingqiu Fox Clan…”
“I’m the one asking you now!”
Su Chengyu interrupted decisively, leaving Luo Changping no room to respond.
In terms of realm, Luo Changping was undoubtedly above Su Chengyu, yet even in a one-on-one confrontation, Luo Changping lacked the confidence to defeat Su Chengyu.
Moreover, Luo Changping was well aware that Su Chengyu was no longer the loose cultivator who could be easily manipulated by the Luo Clan. The influence behind him now was imnse—sothing the entire Luo Clan had to carefully weigh.
After a mont of contemplation, Luo Changping finally spoke.
“Years ago, when Yang Chengyin was ordered to eradicate the Qingqiu Fox Clan, it was our Luo Clan that guided them to the location.”
“What did you just say?”
Su Chengyu narrowed his eyes, his unrestrained killing intent emanating unmistakably.
Already suspecting a connection between Su Chengyu and the Qingqiu Fox Clan, Luo Changping took a deep breath and continued, “You must understand the Luo Clan’s circumstances now. Back then, the clan was trying its best to gain favor with various factions, with the Demon Slayer Departnt of Xia Country being a top priority. Guiding them didn’t just give us the right to take over the Qingqiu Fox Clan’s Cave Heaven; it also served as a major bargaining chip in building alliances with the Demon Slayer Departnt. So…”
“So you betrayed the Qingqiu Fox Clan, your neighbors for generations?”
Luo Changping didn’t deny it, instead continuing, “You probably don’t understand the situation back then. The unparalleled genius Su Linyuan had disappeared, the Green Hillock Empress was long unaccounted for, and Yang Chengyin was a new official eager to prove himself. In those circumstances, aligning with others was crucial for securing the Luo Clan’s stability. The decision faced hardly any opposition before being approved unanimously by the Elder Council.”
“Were you part of it?”
Su Chengyu glared coldly at Luo Changping and questioned.
Luo Changping shook his head, “At that ti, I hadn’t yet joined the Elder Council.”
Luo Changping ended the conversation there without elaborating further.
What he stated was true; he had no involvent in the matters of the past. However, deep down, he knew that if he had been given the choice back then, he probably would have supported Yang Chengyin’s side as well.
It was just that in these matters, keeping things unsaid was sufficient. There was no need to spell them out explicitly.
Su Chengyu took a deep breath and gazed in the direction of the Qingqiu Mausoleum, saying, “After I leave here, I’m going straight to the Qingqiu Mausoleum. Keep an eye on the situation at Zixuan Hall for .”
“Why? Given the current situation, rescuing Lady Saintess should take priority!”
Luo Changping seed agitated, unable to understand why Su Chengyu would choose such a roundabout course of action.
“How do I rescue her? And with what thod? The Luo Clan has clearly been riled up by soone, and Zixuan Hall is now protected tighter than a fortress. If I try to infiltrate now, it will be suicide.”
Luo Changping fell silent, though he clearly understood this point as well. He had assud Su Chengyu would have a strategy to break through, but now…
“Still, the situation isn’t too dire. Didn’t you ntion that Nan Zhi needs one more crucial step to enter the Hollow Void Realm? For now, that ans she’s safe. While I don’t know the motives of the group attacking the Elder Council, even if they refuse to act, soone else will soon step in to restrain the Elder Council.”
Luo Changping suddenly realized sothing and looked up, asking, “You used Ling’er?”
“It’s mutual benefit. Your daughter wants to leave the Luo Clan, and this is the best opportunity. I rely provided her with enough information and intelligence; how she chooses to act is up to her and the Xiao Tribe.”
“With such a pri opportunity, it’ll be difficult for the Xiao Tribe not to act.”
“That’s true,” Su Chengyu replied, narrowing his eyes, “but the real worry is soone seizing the windfall.”
Luo Changping blinked, quickly catching onto Su Chengyu’s aning, “Are you certain the people attacking the Elder Council have absolutely no connection to you?”
Su Chengyu shook his head, “I did contact a few friends and seniors to co to this place, but I don’t have any concrete updates from them yet. Besides, I wouldn’t be so foolish as to carry out such blatantly provocative acts. This group’s behavior is too odd, as if their sole purpose is to muddle an already ssy situation further. That’s why I ca to see you before heading to the Qingqiu Mausoleum.”
Luo Changping understood Su Chengyu’s reasoning and nodded, “Rest assured. Regardless of how bad things get, I’ll ensure Lady Saintess’s safety until you return.”
Seeing Su Chengyu remaining visibly uneasy, Luo Changping chuckled lightly and said.
“Don’t worry. Lady Saintess is fundantal to the Luo Clan’s lineage. While my thods may differ from the Elder Council, our goals regarding her safety are the sa until she enters the Hollow Void Realm.”
Hearing this, Su Chengyu nodded in agreent.
Indeed, as long as Nan Zhi hadn’t entered the Hollow Void Realm, she was unquestionably safe. Luo Changping didn’t want anything to go wrong, and neither did the Luo Clan.
“Be cautious of that group, and protect yourself above all else.”
After offering his final instructions, Su Chengyu turned and prepared to leave.
Luo Changping didn’t stop him, watching him depart. Only after Su Chengyu vanished did he sit down at the principal seat, taking a sip of the now-cold tea before exhaling deeply and saying,
“Since you’re here, co in.”
At his words, Luo Ling’er, who had been hesitating outside the door, finally stepped into the hall. Facing her father, her eyes were filled with confusion.
After Su Chengyu’s departure, Luo Ling’er had thought long and hard yet still couldn’t understand why Su Chengyu had co to et her father and managed to leave unscathed.
Seeing the doubt in Luo Ling’er’s eyes, Luo Changping sighed and asked,
“Ling’er, do you truly want to leave the Luo Clan that much?”
The question struck like heavenly thunder, scaring Luo Ling’er into kneeling imdiately, frantically answering,
“Father, you misunderstand! That man’s nonsense—your daughter never even…”
“I am not blaming you. I simply want to hear the truth.”
The calm tone interrupted Luo Ling’er’s pleading. She cautiously looked up, only to see a side of her father she had never encountered before. Though her confusion remained, after a brief internal struggle, she finally answered.
“Yes.”
“Very well. I’ll make arrangents and disregard your dealings with the Xiao Tribe. But you must understand this—the Xiao Tribe is ultimately a foreign clan. You may use their assistance, but you must never truly trust them. If the Luo Clan is destroyed, you’ll lose all leverage to negotiate with them.”
Grateful but cautious, Luo Ling’er swallowed hard and replied, “I understand.”
“Good. You may go.”
Luo Changping spoke softly, showing no intention of saying anything further. After all, with this latest turn of events, he could feel that his daughter had matured—completely grown up.
Yet as Luo Ling’er reached the doorway, about to leave, she hesitated, ultimately turning back and asking.
“Father, you and that man…”
“Lady Saintess is the doorway, and he is the key. Only he can unlock the path for the Luo Clan to step into the next era.”
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