togophonebook Chapter 20: The Mission Concluded
Chapter 20: The Mission Concluded
Mu Shan stopped and paused, then asked, "Is it related to the Cui family?"
"It's a mountain stronghold, and the highest-ranking cultivator there is only at the fifth level of Qi Refining, which is about the same level as you and me."
The dark-skinned senior brother scratched his head, and seeing that Mu Shan was about to leave without turning back, he quickly opened the map and added, "This stronghold is indeed related to the Cui family, but the passes and defenses are clearly marked."
"For you and me, it's as easy as taking something out of a bag."
He glanced at Lu Qingyun again and said in a simple and honest manner.
"If Junior Brother Lu is interested, he may also come along."
Lu Qingyun shook his head with a wry smile: "Thank you, senior brother, but my cultivation is too low, so I won't get involved in this matter."
Although the dark-skinned senior brother spoke lightly, if he and Mu Shan were to take action together, capturing that mountain stronghold would be a piece of cake.
But he had no doubt that if they encountered any danger, the two would either abandon him or send him to scout ahead.
After a moment's thought, Mu Shan agreed.
The dark-skinned senior brother patted Lu Qingyun on the shoulder: "Cultivation should be about forging ahead bravely, how can you be so timid and hesitant!"
"It's a real shame that my junior brother isn't going."
Lu Qingyun feigned shame, but showed no intention of changing his mind.
His path of cultivation in this world is solely for the sake of immortality; to put it bluntly, it is all about "living for a living."
If the dark-skinned senior brother can truly obtain an opportunity from this safely.
In his next life, he will surely be at the forefront.
But in this world, there is absolutely no reason to bravely forge ahead against the current.
...
At noon, news finally arrived from the Shen family.
The newcomer was none other than Shen Changzhu, the eldest son of the Shen family's eldest branch and the next head of the Shen family. He was dressed in a white robe and had a refined demeanor. If one ignored the elegant aura of the fourth level of Qi Refining on his body, he would appear to be a scholar among mortals.
Shen Changzhu gently knocked on the courtyard gate and said apologetically, "I'm sorry to have kept you all waiting."
"I've been so busy at home that I haven't been able to take good care of things. Please forgive me."
"Young Master Shen, you're too kind. We're all here for the sect's mission, there's no need to keep us waiting."
Mu Shan sat with his eyes closed, seemingly oblivious. The dark-skinned senior brother laughed heartily, "If possible, please arrange for us to return to the sect as soon as possible. My spiritual fields are waiting to be tended; if we don't go back soon, the seedlings will wither!"
"Brother is joking. The immortal seedling is not my mortal body, how could it wither so easily?"
Shen Changzhu first joked, then his expression turned serious as he said, "If you two are interested in joining the Shen family, Changzhu is willing to provide resources comparable to those of the late-stage Qi Refining realm."
As he spoke, he looked at Lu Qingyun and said with a smile, "Although this young brother is only at the first level of Qi Refining, if he is willing to join, Changzhu is willing to provide him with the resources to reach the sixth level of Qi Refining. I hope you brothers will consider it."
The dark-skinned senior brother waved his hand and grinned, "Thank you, Young Master Shen, but I am just an old farmer and I am afraid I can't help the Shen family much. I only want to live a peaceful life on Spirit Plant Peak, so I have failed to live up to Young Master Shen's expectations."
Lu Qingyun shook his head with a wry smile, while Mu Shan remained silent throughout.
Seeing that the three refused, Shen Changzhu was not annoyed.
"It seems that my Shen family is not fortunate enough to have this honor, but my brothers, please don't worry."
Shen Changzhu smiled and said, "Tomorrow afternoon, a flying boat from my family will set off for Yunxia Sect. The three of you can come along with us."
"Of course, if any of you brothers would like to stay at the Shen family for a few days, Changzhu would also welcome you."
After saying that, Shen Changzhu gave the group the Shen family token.
With this order, one can enter and exit most of the Shen family's places in Pinghu.
Shen Changzhu left.
He then had his servants bring out beautiful mortal women, along with various delicacies.
However, none of them were interested in these things.
Even knowing that the Shen family wouldn't risk offending the Yunxia Sect by poisoning these women and food.
There was no tasting or sampling.
In his previous life, Lu Qingyun had seen even more beautiful women and tasted even more delicious delicacies, so he had no interest in such meaningless beauties and food.
As for the dark-skinned senior brother, he already has a beautiful maidservant assigned to him by the sect, so there's no need for him to make a move here.
If she really does conceive, she might find herself entangled with the Mu family in a complicated and messy situation.
After seeing off the beautiful ladies, the group returned home, their spirits dampened.
Although the Shen family owned a market town.
But Lu Qingyun had nothing in his pocket and had no intention of wasting time.
Although Sun Chang's notes and the "Tian Tong Bao Lu" are both valuable, the former involves the Yunxia Sect's heritage, and the latter is related to the young master of the Cui family, so they are not easy to sell.
Lu Qingyun closed his eyes and sat in meditation.
At midnight, the Golden Spirit Bee trembled slightly before opening its eyes and opening the window. Lu Qingyun looked thoughtfully at his dark-skinned senior brother and Mu Shan as they walked out of the courtyard.
It seems the two of them went to cause trouble for that mountain stronghold.
The next day,
The Shen family's flying boat set off on time.
The boat, swift as a silver shuttle, had the "Shen" character cloud pattern engraved on both sides gleaming in the sunlight.
Lu Qingyun walked towards the flying boat.
Neither Senior Brother Youhei nor Mushan returned until the morning bell rang.
Fortunately, the sect's jade talisman had already recorded his completion of the mission.
The ancient tree, which had been there for thousands of years, had been found and stored in a storage bag before they even arrived at the Shen family's residence.
Therefore, Lu Qingyun did not intend to wait for the two of them.
He showed the token given to him by Shen Changzhu.
When boarding the ship, the Shen family's steward disciple didn't say much and led him to the cabin.
At noon the next day, the flying boat slowly landed on the welcoming platform outside the Yunxia Sect.
The disciple in charge knocked on the cabin door: "Lu Qingyun, we've arrived at Yunxia Sect."
Lu Qingyun bowed in thanks, and amidst the disdain of the Shen family members, he turned and left.
Stepping onto the familiar bluestone path, the spiritual pressure of the mountain-protecting array descended like water, and the jade talisman at my waist glowed faintly, seemingly resonating with the array.
Lu Qingyun looked up and saw that Yunxia Sect was still shrouded in mist, seemingly unchanged.
I wonder when he will be able to be as ethereal and free as the clouds in the sky, living a long and immortal life, regardless of the changing world.
In the blink of an eye,
As he passed through the mountain gate, a communication talisman shot through the air and lit up several lines of vermilion characters before him:
"Come to the execution hall quickly."
The signature bears the mark of the Criminal Investigation Department, and it's from an acquaintance.
Li Erniu's master was Niu Gao.
Lu Qingyun raised an eyebrow.
It seems the sect wants to inquire about the deaths of Sun Chang and the blue-robed disciple.
Fortunately, neither of these matters concerned him. The mission was already completed, and he only needed to answer honestly.
As you cross the Flowing Cloud Bridge, the hall of punishment is filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.
The law enforcement elder was a stranger. He took the jade token from him and carefully examined it for a long time, his eyes constantly scanning him.
"You did a good job on your mission to the Cloud and Mist Mountains."
The elder in charge of law enforcement raised his eyes, his gaze sharp as needles, sweeping over Lu Qingyun. "However, did you have any contact with the Cui family during this time?"
As he spoke, the elder suddenly sharpened his gaze, reached out and grabbed Lu Qingyun's waist, intending to search his belongings directly.
"Very well, I shall examine it myself."
Why did he ask about the Cui family instead of Sun Chang and the blue-robed disciple?
Lu Qingyun felt a chill run down his spine; this person in front of him was probably related to the Cui family.
Before returning to his clan, he deliberately hid the storage bag in the inner pocket, thus temporarily escaping detection.
But if it is found out now, it will still cause trouble.
It's even possible that this lifetime will end here.
Just then, a hearty voice rang out from the punishment hall.
"Elder Cui, why be so harsh? Do you think a mere Qi Refining Stage 1 cultivator could possibly kill your son?"