Chapter 151: Stray Cats and Dogs

Chapter 151: Stray Cats and Dogs

“What? Sect Master Su, you’re saying my Zen Sect has disciples practicing demonic cultivation? Ha! Amitabha, why don’t you come over? This humble monk will personally bless your head with enlightenment.”

“The hell are you saying? Sect Master Su, have you lost your mind? There’s no way my Black Blade Sect has demonic cultivators. You… you’re not trying to find an excuse to start another Sect Tournament, are you? No need for the hassle. Consider your Sword Pavilion the winner already.”

“What? You’re the Sect Master of the Sword Pavilion? Get lost! Scram!”

—

Su Qinian sat cross-legged, hugging his sword, staring at the gilded ceiling of the sect hall in silence.

“The world is really going downhill… My Sword Pavilion is at least a renowned sect in the Cangyun Realm, yet we’re being treated like this by these sects!”

In just half a day, he had already contacted multiple sects, warning them that they might have disciples practicing demonic cultivation and urging them to investigate.

But he wasn’t about to personally go to each sect to check for them.

He wasn’t that free, nor did he have the time.

Even if he were that free, those sects wouldn’t necessarily let him in. He’d probably be stopped by their elders before even reaching their gates.

“It’s hard to reason with people who are already dead inside. Tsk…”

Su Qinian snorted coldly.

The smaller sects were still in awe of the Sword Pavilion and promised to investigate, though he knew most of them were just paying lip service.

Among the major sects, the Pill Sect and Lingxi Valley assured him they would conduct thorough inspections, which gave him some relief.

Both were well-known sects, though not as prestigious as the Sword Pavilion. Still, if they uncovered demonic cultivators and made it public, the other sects would have to take it seriously.

“That just leaves Qingyun Sect…”

Su Qinian’s gaze landed on the jade slip engraved with the words “Qingyun.” His expression turned complicated.

The Sword Pavilion and Qingyun Sect didn’t get along.

Deep down, he didn’t really care if the Qingyun Sect lived or died.

But morally speaking, he should still give them a heads-up, whether they listened or not.

“Forget it, forget it. No matter what, Qingyun Patriarch is still my white moonlight. I’ll notify her…”

Su Qinian’s expression twisted as he finally injected a wisp of Spiritual Qi into the jade slip.

He cleared his throat, adjusted his voice, and activated the jade slip. A Spiritual Qi projection flickered into existence.

Staring at his own reflection in the light screen—his white hair, aged face, and weathered features—he felt as if he were seeing the old woman herself.

Until—

A youthful girl appeared in the light screen.

“Sect Master Su, long time no see.”

She smiled charmingly, looking no older than sixteen or seventeen, yet exuding a mature allure that could only be cultivated through years of experience.

Su Qinian immediately shut the projection, staring blankly at the air for a long time before muttering to himself, “By the heavens… When did she have a daughter?”

“She didn’t even tell me!”

He tilted his head back at a 45-degree angle, eyes filled with sorrow.

【What nonsense are you spouting?】

A cold snort came from the still-active jade slip.

【This old one has no daughter. I simply took a Youth-Restoring Pill.】

Hearing that familiar raspy voice, Su Qinian suddenly felt at ease. He reopened the projection and smirked.

“Rong Qingyun, what the hell did you do to yourself? You don’t look the least bit dignified.”

【That’s not important. I need to ask you something.】

【Is Li Qingran’s master in your Sword Pavilion?】

“Yes.” Su Qinian blinked in surprise, wondering why she was asking, but answered honestly. “Li Qingran’s master is our Pavilion’s Grand Elder. Given his seniority, calling him an ancestor wouldn’t be an exaggeration.”

【Can you get me his personal communication jade slip?】

Qingyun Patriarch’s face turned slightly red. She bit her lip and averted her gaze.

Su Qinian: “???”

Wait a minute.

Something felt off.

If she wanted a private jade slip, she could just ask for it. What was with that shy expression?

“Rong Qingyun, don’t tell me—”

【Aiya~ I’ve recently taken an interest in swordsmanship~】 Qingyun Patriarch covered her flushed cheeks, her eyes brimming with allure. She twisted slightly and said coyly, 【That senior’s swordsmanship is extraordinary. I just want to… deeply study the way of the sword with him~】

Su Qinian fell silent.

No joke, if his senses weren’t failing him—

His white moonlight was about to get stolen.

By his own Grand Elder.

The feeling was… peculiar.

Sort of like an ex-dao companion falling for your grandfather.

He mulled it over for a long time before finally asking just one question.

“…Does your son know?”

—

For once, his conversation with Qingyun Patriarch was pleasant.

Usually, they couldn’t go three sentences without an argument.

Rong Qingyun solemnly stated that if the matter of demonic cultivators infiltrating sects was something that senior had pointed out, then she would ensure that her sect master and elders conducted a thorough investigation. She would not allow demonic cultivators to take advantage of the situation.

After closing the jade slip, Su Qinian let out a dry laugh and sighed.

“Phew! Good thing I have over a hundred white moonlights. Otherwise, my Dao heart would’ve shattered today!”

He then grabbed the Qingyun Sect’s jade slip from his collection of private communication slips from female cultivators, looked at it with distaste, and tossed it aside.

Then, he hopped onto his flying sword and headed for the peak of Luoxia Mountain.

Time to report to the old ancestor.

—

“Qingran, these are the responses from all the sects in the Cangyun Realm.”

In a small room, Su Qinian handed a jade slip to Li Qingran. Just as he was about to leave, he paused and turned back, his tone meaningful.

“By the way, I just had a chat with Qingyun Patriarch. That old hag must’ve lost her mind—she actually took a Youth-Restoring Pill and turned herself back into her younger self. Damn, she’s all charming and seductive now, ripe and luscious, fresh and dewy… Say, does she know your master?”

Li Qingran, who had been focused on sewing a pillowcase, suddenly looked up sharply.

“Sect Master, did you give it to her?”

“No, I didn’t have one to give, and even if I did, I wouldn’t.” Su Qinian quickly shook his head, a cold sweat forming on his forehead.

By the heavens.

He actually saw a trace of killing intent in Li Qingran’s eyes.

“That’s good.” Li Qingran let out a relieved sigh, a gentle smile gracing her face. “Master is very busy—he has to fight great demons and suppress the poison in his body. There’s no need for stray cats and dogs to disturb him.”

“Absolutely, absolutely. Haha… I, uh, I have things to do. I’ll be off now.”

Su Qinian let out a dry chuckle and bolted from Luoxia Peak.

Too scary.

She was just shy of outright calling Qingyun Patriarch a stray dog.

At least his other disciple, Yue Qianchi, was better.

A little slow, a bit too fond of drinking, but at least he didn’t have rebellious thoughts or interfere with his private life.

Sigh.

With a disciple like this, the old ancestor probably wouldn’t be able to build his harem in peace.

Su Qinian flew off on his sword, shaking his head and sighing.

“Tsk tsk, Rong Qingyun… You’re really pitiful… Heh.”

—

At her desk, Li Qingran sat in a daze for a long time.

Then, she took apart the half-finished pillow.

Replacing the fabric with one embroidered with lotus leaves, she pulled out a tea sachet she had never gotten the courage to gift, carefully turning it inside out to reveal a tiny frog embroidery.

Gently tracing the frog and lotus leaf with her fingers, her hands trembled slightly.

Her face grew redder and redder.

But in the end—

She didn’t change it back.