Chapter 559: Case Closing Document

While Lv Yinlin was sighing in secret, Chu Qiushan had already walked into the deep valley.

Chu Qiushan walked slowly to a spot not far from the entrance of the Cave Abode; Lv Yinlin had long since sensed him, put away the secret letter, and sat there with a solemn expression.

At the cave entrance, Chu Qiushan paused his steps, offered a slight bow, and just as he was about to call out, a faint voice drifted out from the depths of the Cave Abode. "Qiushan, come in."

Chu Qiushan's gaze shifted, and he walked into the Cave Abode.

As soon as he entered the depths of the Cave Abode, Lv Yinlin looked at him and asked point-blank: "Has the alliance been settled?"

Chu Qiushan said: "Yes, Ancestor! It was settled four days ago."

Upon hearing this, Lv Yinlin sipped some clear water without changing his expression.

Chu Qiushan understood, and immediately provided Lv Yinlin with an explanation regarding some of the critical terms of the alliance.

Lv Yinlin nodded while listening.

After Chu Qiushan finished speaking, Lv Yinlin could not help but praise: "These alliance terms are handled well! The balance between long-term interests and immediate interests is well-maintained!"

Chu Qiushan said: "The proposals for these items were all put forward by Elder Zhu He."

"Is that so?" Lv Yinlin raised an eyebrow and smiled: "Although that fellow Zhu He has average talent in cultivation, he certainly has a clear grasp of these worldly entanglements!"

Chu Qiushan said: "Fortunately, with his assistance during this alliance negotiation, we were able to settle it so quickly."

Chu Qiushan spoke the truth; in this negotiation of the alliance between the two sects, it was indeed Zhu He who shouldered the heavy burden for the Taiyi Sect!

Lv Yinlin looked at Chu Qiushan with deep meaning and asked: "Qiushan, your fifty-year term as Sect Master is almost up, isn't it?"

Chu Qiushan said: "Yes, Ancestor. There is only a little over a month left."

Lv Yinlin nodded and said: "It has been hard on you. A person like you, who is devoted to profound cultivation, has been entangled by these worldly affairs for fifty years!"

Upon hearing this, Chu Qiushan immediately wore a sorrowful expression. "When this disciple was practicing, I encountered a bottleneck and found it difficult to break through, so I thought of tempering my state of mind through these worldly affairs, hoping to find another path. But it is shameful to say! Fifty years have passed, and I have not made a single inch of progress! Yet, Disciple Gu has broken through to the late stage of the Dongming Realm!"

Lv Yinlin said: "Fifty years of tempering through worldly affairs will not be in vain! After this, when you return to closed-door cultivation, your state of mind will be different, and it is not impossible that you might have a breakthrough!"

Upon hearing this, Chu Qiushan's gaze flickered. He could not be sure if Lv Yinlin said this to comfort him or if he was truly affirming his approach.

Lv Yinlin did not delve deeper into this topic, but instead changed the subject: "Qiushan! Who do you think the next Sect Master will be?"

"This..." Chu Qiushan's heart stirred slightly; this was exactly what he wanted to discuss with the Ancestor.

In fact, when he first brought up Zhu He, he had the intention of discussing this matter. Lv Yinlin naturally heard it too.

According to the current trend, Zhu He succeeding as the next Sect Master was almost a certainty. But Chu Qiushan had to consult the Ancestor's opinion.

A term as Sect Master lasts fifty years; besides managing the general affairs of the Sect, the more important duty is to frequently report major matters to the Sect's Ancestor. If it were someone the Ancestor disliked, even if their reputation were high, they could not be elected.

Chu Qiushan hesitated slightly, weighed his words, and said: "In terms of seniority and ability, Zhu He is a very suitable candidate. Moreover, Zhu He usually cultivates good relations with others and gets along well with most of the elders in the Elder Council. If the election were held directly within the Elder Council, his chances of being elected are very high."

Lv Yinlin nodded and said: "Then let him do it. I see that fellow has quite a bit of energy for doing these things."

Chu Qiushan said: "Yes." With these words from the Ancestor, Chu Qiushan felt as if he had taken a reassuring pill.

To be honest, although the alliance between the two sects had been settled, the specific implementation of the alliance to jointly resist the Shenyi Sect still involved many thorny tasks.

Moreover, the rise of the Shenyi Sect put great pressure on the Taiyi Sect; the next Sect Master must be a capable person!

Therefore, Chu Qiushan pointed out Zhu He's name, casting aside past grievances to recommend the virtuous for the sake of the Sect; it seemed the Ancestor's thoughts were the same as his.

With the alliance and the candidate for Sect Master settled, Chu Qiushan was about to take his leave, but Lv Yinlin suddenly said: "Qiushan, there is one more important matter to entrust to you."

Chu Qiushan's gaze shifted and he said: "Yes, please instruct me, Ancestor!"

Lv Yinlin said: "Fifteen days from now, I intend to open the God-Demon Relic!"

Upon hearing this, Chu Qiushan was stunned. He naturally knew about the God-Demon Relic; according to ancestral tradition, it is opened once every thirty years, and there was still one year left. However, as his thoughts stirred, he already understood Lv Yinlin's meaning. Violating the ancestral tradition to open the God-Demon Relic one year early was naturally related to Lv Qingzhu's injury from a few days ago.

Chu Qiushan said: "Yes, Ancestor!"

Seeing that Chu Qiushan had no objections, Lv Yinlin was very satisfied with his reaction and nodded: "Fifteen days is a bit tight! Qiushan! I will give you five days to notify the Sect elders and seniors to finalize the list of candidates for entering the God-Demon Relic this time! Spend the next ten days training them well! We set off in fifteen days!"

Chu Qiushan said: "Ancestor, are there any other instructions regarding the selection?"

Lv Yinlin said: "I have no instructions. You, Zhu He, Yang Sixuan, and Lin Youjian—the four of you shall lead, gather opinions from all sides, and make the selection."

Lv Yinlin did not mention Duan Rong's name, because he knew that regardless of whether he mentioned him or not, Duan Rong would definitely be on the list of candidates.

Chu Qiushan said: "Then Qiushan will take his leave. Once the list of candidates is finalized, I will hand it to Mr. Chu at the first opportunity."

Lv Yinlin nodded and said: "Mm, go and get busy."

"Yes, Ancestor!" Chu Qiushan cupped his hands in a salute and exited the Cave Abode.

That afternoon, in the courtyard on the mountain peak belonging to Shang Xiangyu, Xiao Yu was sitting in the pavilion by the lake, staring blankly at the water.

Six days ago, she had received news of what happened between Duan Rong and Lv Qingzhu in the Longyu Hall that very day.

Duan Rong had not returned for six days, and besides sitting here waiting, she truly did not know what else to do.

As Xiao Yu sat there, clear tears fell from the corners of her eyes without her noticing.

Lv Qingzhu had actually destroyed his own meridians in the hall during the Longyu Hall meeting! Such fortitude truly made Xiao Yu admire him!

Over these past six days, Xiao Yu had been worried about Lv Qingzhu's life and death, and anxious about Duan Rong's safety; it could be said that her heart was scorched like charcoal, and she could neither sit nor sleep in peace.

She could not help but turn her head to glance at the courtyard gate.

She had instructed Ximen Kankan to come over every day to tell her the latest news.

Over these past few days, she had known about the settlement of the alliance and the withdrawal of the Tianyan Sect.

It was just that at this hour in the past, Ximen Kankan would have already arrived; she feared he might have been held up by something today.

Just as Xiao Yu was thinking this, she suddenly saw a figure land like a large bird not far outside the pavilion.

Her heart tightened, and she stared intently. Seeing only a side profile, she suddenly stood up and called out joyfully: "Husband!"

Duan Rong turned his head and gave a faint smile to Xiao Yu in the pavilion.

Yet, his smile could not hide the bitterness.

As soon as Xiao Yu saw Duan Rong's expression, her heart ached terribly!

Duan Rong had stayed up for six consecutive days; his eyes were bloodshot, his appearance was haggard, and his face was weary!

Xiao Yu walked over, tears streaming down her face, reached out to touch Duan Rong's face, stared at him blankly, and said emotionally: "Husband, why must you torture yourself so?"

Duan Rong smiled and said, "I've been grinding for six days; I am a bit tired."

As he spoke, Duan Rong reached out to wipe the tears from Xiao Yu's face and said, "I am fine, you don't need to worry."

Xiao Yu sighed, then asked, "How is Sister Lv Qingzhu's condition?"

Duan Rong's eyes dimmed, and he said, "The Ancestor has temporarily stabilized her injuries, but to cure her completely, two types of Divine Medicine are required."

"Divine Medicine?!" Xiao Yu was stunned upon hearing this.

Duan Rong then told Xiao Yu about his plan to enter the God-Demon Relic in fifteen days.

Although he did not want to make Xiao Yu worry about him, this matter could not be hidden; after all, he would be setting off in fifteen days.

Xiao Yu naturally felt as if one wave had not yet subsided before another rose, her heart filled with anxiety.

Duan Rong said, "Xiao Yu, I am tired and want to rest for a while."

Xiao Yu said, "Husband, shall I get something to eat? I had Zhu Xiaoqi make some; why don't you eat before you sleep?"

Duan Rong said, "No. I don't have much of an appetite."

After Duan Rong advanced to the Qi Cyclone Realm, he had begun Inedia and usually only needed to drink clear water; later, because he craved the delicious taste of the fresh soup Zhu Xiaoqi cooked, he would often drink a bowl.

But at this moment, Lv Qingzhu was still lying in the Black Jade Coffin, and the trip to the God-Demon Relic was like being in a fog, with fortune and misfortune hard to predict; at such a time, he truly had no mood to indulge his appetite.

Following this, Xiao Yu served Duan Rong as he lay down on the bed in the inner chamber.

As soon as Duan Rong touched the bed, he fell into a deep sleep instantly.

Xiao Yu covered him with a blanket, sat by the edge of the bed, and watched Duan Rong for a while.

Ever since she married Duan Rong and became a wife, these past few years had been full of twists and turns. But since her father died, Duan Rong was her only relative, her only reliance. She often felt a sense of anxiety about losing what she had.

Xiao Yu let out a long sigh to herself, then stood up, lowered the gauze curtains of the bed, and walked out of the inner chamber.

She instructed Zhu Xiaoqi to prepare ingredients so that when her husband woke up, she could boil fresh soup for him to drink.

Zhu Xiaoqi then slung a bamboo basket over his arm and went into the dense forest to pick mushrooms and wood ear.

The entire courtyard suddenly fell silent. Xiao Yu sat back down in the pavilion, watching the golden scales swimming on the lake surface; thinking of Lv Qingzhu's injuries and the trip to the God-Demon Relic that Duan Rong had mentioned, she could not help but worry again.

About half an hour later, at the courtyard gate, a sudden knocking sound rang out.

Ximen Kankan was outside the gate, calling out, "Zhu Xiaoqi, Shen Mizhi, open the door for me!"

Fearing that Ximen Kankan's shouting would disturb the sleeping Duan Rong in the room, Xiao Yu immediately executed the Cloud Snake Step, her golden hairpins jingling, and with her figure flickering, she crossed the courtyard and opened the gate, then snapped at Ximen Kankan, "Keep your voice down, don't disturb anyone!"

Ximen Kankan blinked his eyes, stretched his neck to peer into the courtyard, and asked in confusion, "Disturb who!? It's quiet as a ghost in here..."

Xiao Yu whispered, "Duan Rong is back."

Upon hearing this, Ximen Kankan's eyes lit up. "Where is he? I happen to have something to discuss with him."

Xiao Yu said, "Whatever it is, talk about it later! His eyes are bloodshot from exhaustion; it was hard enough to get him to sleep."

Ximen Kankan said, "Then did he say anything about Lv Qingzhu? Is Lv Qingzhu dead or alive?"

Seeing Ximen Kankan's gossiping expression, Xiao Yu couldn't help but roll her eyes at him, though she still told him what Duan Rong had said about Lv Qingzhu.

Ximen Kankan said, "If that's the case, it seems she won't die."

Xiao Yu glared at him and spat, "Listen to your tone, what? Were you hoping she would die?"

Ximen Kankan said anxiously, "Not at all! Don't talk nonsense, I was clearly worried about her..."

Xiao Yu said, "Alright. If you have nothing else, go back first."

Ximen Kankan thought for a moment, then asked for paper and a brush, wrote a few lines, handed them to Xiao Yu, and said, "When Duan Rong wakes up, let him see this. This is the matter he previously asked me to keep an eye on; there is news now."

Xiao Yu took the paper, folded it, tucked it into her sleeve, and said, "Understood."

Ximen Kankan then left the courtyard.

Duan Rong had only slept for two hours before he woke up on his own.

He struggled to sit up and glanced at the window; it seemed to be dusk outside, and the room was dim.

Although he had only slept for two hours, his spirit had recovered quite well, and the bloodshot streaks in his eyes were gone.

As soon as there was a rustling movement from Duan Rong, Xiao Yu walked in. "Husband, you've only slept for two hours! Sleep a little longer."

Duan Rong yawned and said, "No more sleeping." He looked up at the window and said, "Look, it's almost dark."

Xiao Yu smiled and said, "What does it matter if it's dark? Isn't darkness for sleeping?"

Duan Rong suddenly said, "I want to bathe."

Xiao Yu's face flushed with shyness, and she said, "I have already boiled hot water; I will serve my husband in his bath."

Duan Rong nodded.

Xiao Yu then accompanied Duan Rong to the bathing room.

Nearly an hour later, the two emerged; Xiao Yu's face was flushed, and Duan Rong was also full of vigor.

Zhu Xiaoqi had already finished cooking the fresh soup, and as soon as Duan Rong sat down, Zhu Xiaoqi brought it up.

As Duan Rong drank the fresh soup, Xiao Yu handed him the paper Ximen Kankan had left behind, saying, "Ximen Kankan came by and left this message for you."

"Kankan?!" Duan Rong slurped the soup and took the paper.

Ximen Kankan had practiced calligraphy; although the handwriting was sloppy, the brushwork was still quite forceful.

Duan Rong read it once, folded the paper, placed it by the table, and continued drinking his soup.

Xiao Yu asked, "Should I keep this paper?"

Duan Rong said, "No need."

Xiao Yu then pinched the paper and burned it on the lamp on the side table.

Ximen Kankan had written on that paper to tell him that the case Yang Sixuan had been investigating regarding the disappearance of Xiao Qiwu and the loss of the God-Striking Whip had been closed, and the closing documents had been delivered to the Inner History Department three days ago.

It was just that for such confidential documents, Ximen Kankan did not have the authority to review them; he had only seen the index.

This case had already dragged on for more than a month.

In fact, the Ruling Sect Justice Division and Yang Sixuan's side had already given up on the investigation a month ago. It was just that the closing documents had never been issued.

Later, there were the matters of the two sects' alliance negotiations and the two sects' marriage alliance, so it kept being delayed.

A few days ago, the alliance was settled, and the moment the people from the Tianyan Sect left, the very next day, Yang Sixuan sent the case closure documents to the Inner History Department.

Duan Rong had been keeping this case in his heart the whole time; after all, every aspect of the Xiao Qiwu case was closely related to him, and he still hadn't ferreted out the person behind Xiao Qiwu who wanted to kill him. This was truly a Damocles Sword hanging over his head!

(End of chapter)