Chapter 547: Escape to Safety

Li Yunjing had already been quite exhausted these past few days, and because of this matter, he had tossed and turned until the second half of the night before lying down; having slept for only about one hour in total, he had climbed back up.

Within the Elder Council, the discussion of the two sects' alliance had reached its most critical point, precisely at the moment of tug-of-war over key interests; in many areas, they could not do without him, the Sect Leader, to make the final decision and preside, so he had to be present.

Li Yunjing washed up casually; originally, he had wanted to go to Li Ruozhou's place to instruct that boy a few words, but time was truly too tight, so he had to rush out of the manor and head to the Elder Council.

Li Yunjing had been presiding over the tense discussions within the Elder Council, and because the negotiations had reached deep water, the atmosphere had become somewhat eerie. Everyone knew that even loosening one's stance on the treaty by a little meant large swaths of interests in the reality of the borders. Therefore, everyone held on tightly and refused to yield.

Once it reached this level, it required the Sect Leaders of the two sects to come out and coordinate the trades in different areas. I yield a step in this area, you yield a step in that area, in order to seek a balance in the overall alliance.

Li Yunjing proposed another plan and handed it to Chu Qiushan for review. "Sect Master Chu, regarding the interests in these few blocks, I have made another plan and adjusted the details in three places. You think it over again; if it is acceptable, we shall settle these blocks first, then discuss the others."

"Since we are forming an alliance, both sects must be able to share the benefits for it to last long, right?" Li Yunjing said with a smile that did not reach his eyes.

Chu Qiushan took the plan and rubbed his temples with a headache. He had never had the patience for the cumbersome nature of worldly affairs, and after these few days of alliance discussions, he truly felt mentally and physically exhausted.

He handed the plan directly to Zhu He at his side and instructed, "Department Head Zhu, you take a look first."

Zhu He took it with an expressionless face.

Li Yunjing's expression tightened slightly; it was this Zhu He who had rejected his previous two plans, saying that while they appeared balanced, in the long run, the Tianyan Sect would reap all the benefits, which made Li Yunjing have to make further concessions, and he was naturally very unhappy in his heart.

Just at this moment, Yang Sixuan walked in from outside; he also had a face full of fatigue, but his expression was quite calm, unlike these Elders discussing the alliance, who all had faces full of anxiety.

Yang Sixuan walked to Chu Qiushan's side and whispered a few words.

Chu Qiushan then looked at Li Yunjing and said, "Sect Leader Li, let us go outside and chat for a moment. We can also get some fresh air while we are at it."

As soon as Li Yunjing saw Yang Sixuan enter, he knew that what was to be discussed was the incident from last night. Both the marriage alliance and the alliance treaty were extremely important, so he went out of the Elder Council with Chu Qiushan and Yang Sixuan, walking to an empty space in the southeast corner.

Inside the Elder Council, the guards were tight, and there were experts of the Dongming Realm guarding every direction; when the three of them had just walked out, a Divine Sense had even swept over them.

Once they stood still in the empty space, that Divine Sense retreated.

After all, with the Sect Leaders of two sects here for a secret talk, who would dare to eavesdrop with Divine Sense?

After the three stood still, Chu Qiushan said, "Department Head Yang, you report the investigation of last night's incident to Sect Leader Li."

"Yes!" Yang Sixuan cupped his hands slightly and said, "I have already ordered people to search the fields and destroy the white papers that exposed the TenGreatLewdSins, but the wind was strong at night, and the valley was deep and the forest dense, so it was truly difficult to exhaust them all."

Hearing the word "exposed," Li Yunjing's face was already displeased, but he could not flare up, so he said, "Doing your best is enough."

Yang Sixuan said, "I have also sent people to the Maid Courtyard to speak. Although they are maids, the maids who can serve here on Cuiwei Peak still have some status, so they should understand the gravity of this matter."

"That is good, that is good." Li Yunjing laughed, "Thank you for your trouble, Department Head Yang."

"I dare not accept such praise. This is all within my duty." Yang Sixuan said, "As for the matter of Young Sect Master Li being beaten..."

Yang Sixuan paused slightly at this point. The incident last night was the most critical part here, and Li Yunjing stared at Yang Sixuan.

Li Ruozhou was, after all, his eldest son and the Young Sect Master of the Tianyan Sect; to be beaten like that for no reason on the territory of the Taiyi Sect, there had to be an explanation. Otherwise, he would really have to question the hospitality of this Taiyi Sect!

Yang Sixuan said, "Last night, Young Sect Master Li said that the one who hurt him was A Mo, the personal maid of Lv Qingzhu. I have investigated and verified this matter. Lv Qingzhu does indeed have a personal maid named A Mo; this girl has naturally unique bones and has been practicing a hard-body technique called the Eight Part Diamond Technique since she was ten."

Hearing this, Li Yunjing frowned slightly; he also had some understanding of this hard-body technique. He simply did not believe that a maid practicing the Eight Part Diamond Technique could hurt Li Ruozhou to that extent.

Seeing Li Yunjing's expression, Yang Sixuan knew he was suspicious, so he changed the subject and said, "However... this A Mo went missing two years ago."

"Missing?!" A look of astonishment appeared on Li Yunjing's face.

"Yes!" Yang Sixuan said, "A Mo went missing during a mission related to the Filthy Blood Sect, and two years have passed, yet there is still no news of her."

Li Yunjing's expression was uncertain; suppressing the anger in his heart, he said, "So, it means my son was lying?"

Yang Sixuan said, "Regarding this matter, I also asked Lv Qingzhu face-to-face last night. Lv Qingzhu said that she had heard some rumors about Young Sect Master Li, so she invited him out to question him about these rumors in person. She did not expect that in that dense forest, Young Sect Master Li would harbor evil intentions and attempt to molest her. It was out of righteous indignation that she administered a slight punishment!"

Li Yunjing's face was as black as the bottom of a pot, and a muscle on his right cheek twitched uncontrollably.

He had repeatedly given strict orders to Li Ruozhou! This boy, was he really this bold?! He actually wanted to molest Lv Qingzhu on the territory of the Taiyi Sect!?

No! This boy shouldn't have sunk to this level.

In fact, when Yang Sixuan said A Mo was missing, Li Yunjing suspected that the Taiyi Sect wanted to shield their own.

Li Yunjing laughed, "Look at this matter. It is truly a case of each side having their own story!"

As soon as Yang Sixuan heard Li Yunjing's tone, he knew his subtext, so he stared coldly and said, "The molestation incident mentioned by Lv Qingzhu, after all, only had Young Sect Master Li and her present, with no corroborating evidence. It is indeed each side having their own story! But the disappearance of A Mo is a matter of public record; on this point alone, I fear Young Sect Master Li's words are already unworthy of belief!"

"Department Head Yang, do not be rude!" Chu Qiushan suddenly scolded Yang Sixuan.

Yang Sixuan immediately fell silent.

But Li Yunjing's face remained very ugly; the three people present were all shrewd, and Yang Sixuan's meaning could not be clearer.

Using A Mo's disappearance to prove Li Ruozhou was lying! That is the first point.

And why would Li Ruozhou lie about being beaten like that? There is only one explanation: he did indeed intend to molest Lv Qingzhu and, fearing the matter would be exposed, lied on purpose to confuse right and wrong.

Yang Sixuan's implication was to use logical deduction to prove the credibility of Lv Qingzhu's words.

Both Chu Qiushan and Li Yunjing understood.

Li Yunjing initially had some doubts that the Taiyi Sect was shielding their own, but at this moment, seeing Yang Sixuan's attitude, doubts began to sprout in his heart. Perhaps that boy really did do something disgraceful?

Chu Qiushan suddenly said, "Sect Leader Li! Regarding this matter, although the accounts of Lv Qingzhu and Young Sect Master Li differ, I think if we continue to investigate, I fear it will damage our harmony; after all, the Engagement Ceremony is in two days, so it is better to value harmony. I think, can we turn this big matter into a small one and the small one into nothing? Let us prioritize the big picture of the two sects' alliance, what do you say?"

Li Yunjing smiled uglily and said, "Sect Master Chu truly has a broad mind!"

Li Yunjing's words were actually somewhat sarcastic, after all, it was his son who was beaten.

However, Li Yunjing could not be sure at this moment whether Li Ruozhou had committed the act of attempting to molest Lv Qingzhu, but Chu Qiushan was right; with the Engagement Ceremony imminent, it was indeed not appropriate to continue entangling this matter.

Li Yunjing said, "Then let this matter end here. I will discipline that boy Li Ruozhou well."

Although Li Yunjing's words were polite, his tone was quite stiff.

After the three exchanged courtesies, Yang Sixuan left to return to the Ruling Sect Justice Division, and Chu Qiushan returned to the Elder Council; Li Yunjing stood there for a while, but he did not immediately return to the Elder Council, as the new plan had already been given to Zhu He, and going in now would just be waiting for Zhu He's reply.

He decided to take advantage of this interval to return to the manor and ask Li Ruozhou about what Yang Sixuan had said.

Li Yunjing returned to the manor and walked to the area where they were staying; Yang Tianyi greeted him and said respectfully with cupped hands, "Sect Leader, you have returned!"

Li Yunjing looked at him and asked, "Where is the Young Sect Master?"

Yang Tianyi said, "He has been in his room."

Hearing this, Li Yunjing walked toward Li Ruozhou's room; he walked a few steps but suddenly paused, as he remembered something, so he turned his head to look at Yang Tianyi and asked, "I remember that the information investigating Lv Qingzhu before seemed to have passed through your hands, right?"

Just like how Lv Zhongtang investigated the reputation of Li Ruozhou.

Back when the marriage alliance was first intended, Li Yunjing had also sent Yang Tianyi to have people investigate the background of Lv Qingzhu.

He had only glanced over this information roughly, learning of Lv Qingzhu's family background and talent, and he also knew that Lv Qingzhu had always been cultivating by the side of the Taiyi Sect Ancestor, rarely venturing out.

Knowing this was enough for Li Yunjing; he had not paid attention to other details.

Yang Tianyi cupped his hands and said, "It was this subordinate who sent people to investigate."

Li Yunjing looked at him and asked, "Then let me ask you, Lv Qingzhu has a personal maid named A Mo. Do you have any impression of her?"

Yang Tianyi's expression shifted, and he said, "I have an impression. She went missing two years ago."

Li Yunjing's heart skipped a beat. If that was the case, then that brat Li Ruozhou was truly lying!?

Wouldn't that mean... according to Yang Sixuan's previous deduction, he was indeed in the dense forest intending to commit an illicit act; otherwise, why would he lie?

Li Yunjing's face turned unsightly; he glared at Yang Tianyi and said, "Since you knew A Mo had already gone missing, why didn't you speak up last night?"

Yang Tianyi said, "Since the Young Sect Master said it was A Mo who beat him, if the Sect Leader did not ask, how could this subordinate say anything!? If this subordinate had brought up this matter on his own initiative, wouldn't that be sowing discord between the Sect Leader and his son? Distant relations should not interfere in close ones! Sect Leader!"

Upon hearing this, Li Yunjing said coldly, "You certainly are perceptive!"

Yang Tianyi said, "This subordinate does not dare accept the praise!"

Li Yunjing said, "Do you think I was complimenting you?!"

Yang Tianyi lowered his head and remained silent.

Li Yunjing turned and strode away; walking to the door of Li Ruozhou's room, he was filled with rage at this moment and kicked the door open with one foot.

The moment the door was kicked open, Li Yunjing froze right there!

He saw that inside the room, Li Ruozhou, with a head swollen like a pig's, was lying on top of a fair, naked body on the desk.

Cascading long hair hung down from the desk, and Li Ruozhou was covering her mouth, right there...

He was thrusting vigorously when suddenly, with a bang, the door bolt snapped, and the door was kicked open by someone.

Li Ruozhou lay on the desk, raised his pig-like head, and happened to see his father Li Yunjing's face, which was as black as the bottom of a pot.

He immediately jumped up like a wild dog!

While putting on his clothes, he scolded the Personal Attendant, "Still not grabbing your clothes and hiding inside!"

The Personal Attendant clutched his clothes and hid behind the screen.

Li Ruozhou put on his disheveled clothes and said, "Father, how can you be so reckless?!"

He was blaming Li Yunjing for not even knocking on the door and instead kicking it open directly.

But at this moment, ten thousand grass-mud horses were trampling through Li Yunjing's heart! He had not expected that after they arrived at the Taiyi Sect by Cloud-Feather Mad Eagle, Li Ruozhou would actually have his paramour disguise himself as a personal attendant, and the two were actually engaging in lewd acts in this room in broad daylight.

He had come here for a marriage alliance and an Engagement Ceremony!

Li Yunjing pointed at Li Ruozhou, his hand trembling with anger. "You truly are a dog that cannot stop eating excrement!?"

Li Yunjing glared at Li Ruozhou and questioned, "Let me ask you, last night in the dense forest, were you intending to molest Lv Qingzhu?"

Upon hearing this, Li Ruozhou's expression faltered slightly. That night, Lv Qingzhu's ghostly, beautiful, and bewitching face had been lingering in his mind all night long.

As soon as Li Yunjing saw Li Ruozhou dazed, he cursed, "No wonder she beat you into a pig's head! You deserve it!"

"Who molested her?! Nonsense!?" Li Ruozhou said angrily, "That Lv Qingzhu clearly had her personal maid A Mo beat me for no reason at all!"

"Enough! Say no more!" Li Yunjing roared with a look of disgust. "A Mo went missing two years ago, and her life or death is unknown. If you're going to make up lies, at least do your homework beforehand!"

"Who is making up lies! Father, you don't even believe your own son, yet you believe an outsider's nonsense!"

"Outsider?!" Li Yunjing said coldly, "Yang Tianyi is also an outsider!"

Li Ruozhou's expression stalled; he knew Yang Tianyi was the person his father trusted most. "No, Father! I really didn't lie! Last night in that dense forest, that person called A Mo had hard-body cultivation, and her whole body flashed with IntentLight; that guy was simply a monster. Under her hands, I couldn't even withstand a single move..."

"Enough!?" Li Yunjing's face grew increasingly irritated. "Who practices hard-body cultivation and can also manifest IntentLight? You are the Young Sect Master of the Tianyan Sect, and this is your level of insight?! And 'flashing with IntentLight'—the more you say, the more outrageous it gets!"

"Father!?"

"Shut up!" Li Yunjing roared, "Two days from now is the Engagement Ceremony! I am telling you, you must go and apologize to Lv Qingzhu in person immediately for your attempt to molest her."

"I won't go! I didn't molest her at all! She beat me like this, and I'm still supposed to grovel and apologize to her. Am I that cheap!"

"Slap!"

In a fit of rage, Li Yunjing slapped Li Ruozhou across the face, sending him staggering to the side.

Li Ruozhou's face was already swollen like a pig's head, and Li Yunjing's slap, delivered in a fit of rage, was quite heavy, causing Li Ruozhou to hiss in pain as he glared at his father with eyes like knives.

Li Yunjing said, "When I return from the Elder Council tonight, if you still haven't gone to apologize! I will break your legs!"

After Li Yunjing finished speaking, he left in a great rage; the proposal at the Elder Council was still waiting for his decision!

After Li Yunjing left.

Li Ruozhou clutched his face and stood there for a long time; the more he thought about it, the more aggrieved he felt, and suddenly he threw his hands up and cursed, "Damn it! I'm done! To hell with it all..."

(End of this chapter)