Chapter 126: An Unexpected Trial (Part Two)

Because the Cloud Hidden Sect's power is extremely strong and also safer, a group of about fifty female cultivators led by the Cloud Goose Fairy arrived at the Cloud Hidden Sect, among them was Feng Qi, one of the three phoenixes of the Qingluan Sect who failed to secure a marriage that day.

These female cultivators are only guests of the Cloud Hidden Sect and cannot rest inside the sect's mountain‑guard array for free; the inns are too expensive, so they can only stay in rented rooms at the half‑mountain annex.

However, inner‑door disciples of the Qingluan Sect like Feng Qi, who are accompanied by elders, can naturally blend in and live at Guest‑Coming Peak.

Hong Zhi acted promptly, and in no time the Sword Hall's Qing Ge, the Blade Hall's Qing Ren, Qing Li and Qing Fu, and the Refining Hall's Qing Chou all rushed over.

When everyone met, they greeted each other warmly. Because of Feng Ming's reason, Qing Ge's relationship with Wei Yuning has always been good; the several handsome brothers from the Blade Hall need not be mentioned, though they have not met often, the friendship from the marriage alliance meeting is remembered.

"Where is Qing Wu?" Seeing that Qing Wu hasn't arrived, Hong Zhi couldn't help but ask.

Qing Sha and Qing Cong have gone to the outer‑realm battlefield, everyone knows that; as for Qing Wu's whereabouts, apart from Wei Yuning, the "murderer", probably no one knows.

Although Hong Zhi asked everyone, all eyes turned to Qing Ge, who is also a Sword Hall disciple like Qing Wu.

Qing Ge hesitated a moment, then helplessly said, "Actually, I'm not close with him; I haven't seen him for a long time either, maybe he's secluded for cultivation somewhere!"

"Secluding? That can't be, it's suspicious; nothing will happen, right? Have any of you seen him?" Hong Zhi looked at the other disciples.

"He… is an inner‑door disciple; he ignores me when I see him, how would I know where he is!" Qing Chou, an old disciple with no desires, replied with a sour hum.

"I don't know either! The Sword Hall and Blade Hall have always been at odds; as long as we don't fight when we meet, that's fine—who cares where he went!" Qing Fu swayed his flowing F4‑style long hair and said.

The similarly‑haired Qing Li and Qing Ren simultaneously nodded coldly in agreement.

"Enough, forget about him! I called you all here today because Qing Mo has a matter and asked for your help; let him explain the details to you!" Hong Zhi looked at Wei Yuning.

"When… when would I need anyone's help? Clearly you're the one who showed up uninvited, right!" Wei Yuning thought to himself.

"It's actually the junior brother Qing Mo who has a problem; rest assured, I'll help wherever I can!" Qing Fu brushed his hair and said.

"Actually…" Wei Yuning had just begun when Hong Zhi let out a violent cough. "I really do need everyone's help!"

He recounted the whole matter in detail, step by step.

"Xi Nation? It seems to be a border country of the Cloud Hidden Sect's southern forces; opposite it is the Black Water Nation!" Qing Chou interjected.

Hong Zhi looked at Qing Chou with some surprise and said, "Exactly!"

"This Qing Lang Nation must be a vassal of the Black Water Nation; the Black Water Nation's backing mountain is the Qian Yuan Sect on Jue Peak of Lin Hai County; Qian Yuan Sect is the largest sect on Bi Yi Island, and the Black Water royal family are all disciples of Qian Yuan Sect. This isn't simple!" Encouraged by Hong Zhi, Qing Chou supplied even more information.

At this point, everyone looked at Qing Chou with new respect.

Hong Zhi explained, "You're right, Qing Chou. Xi Nation was originally a vassal of Black Water Nation; its first populace were the laborers of the great local mines. Later they could no longer bear the oppression, killed the overseer and the mine owners, and formed a force. Because these miners fought bravely and fearlessly, and the terrain is mountainous and complex, they repeatedly repelled Black Water's encirclement, eventually establishing Xi Nation. However, Black Water has always eyed Xi Nation, especially the coveted mines there, and has never given up plans to retake them! So, Qing Chou is correct: this conflict isn't as simple as it looks. If it were just ordinary mortals fighting, the Prince of Xi would never need to call upon Qing Yun!"

Wei Yuning was dumbfounded, then he said dissatisfied, "Senior brother Qing Yun… are you setting me up?"

"Maybe not, and no one forced you! Moreover, a mission that pays a thousand jin of silver—where would you find such a reward?" Hong Zhi snorted.

"Even for the reward, I'd still go take a look. Junior brother Qing Mo, can you give me a share of the reward?" Qing Chou asked cheerfully.

"Brother, of course not a problem, I won't let you waste a trip!" Wei Yuning replied.

"Then that's good, count me in!" Qing Chou nodded.

"If it's just a mundane matter, I'm too lazy to go, but since we might meet cultivators, I'll definitely go, I also want to meet friends from the outer sect!" Qing Fu said, and Qing Li and Qing Ren both nodded.

Qing Fu is an inner‑door disciple; in both status and cultivation he surpasses Qing Li and Qing Ren, so among the three Blade Hall members he leads.

Qing Ge glanced at the three Blade Hall members, shook his head and said, "I won't go this time; one more person isn't much, plus I have other business. Junior brother Qing Mo, next time such a matter arises, don't forget to call me! I take my leave!"

"Certainly, senior brother, safe travels!" Wei Yuning said.

Qing Ge left.

Hong Zhi helplessly shook his head, then said to the three Blade Hall disciples, "Joking aside, when serious matters arise, don't act rashly!"

"Yes, senior uncle!" Qing Fu replied.

Everyone hurried back to prepare, agreeing to meet at the appointed time in Flowing Cloud Plaza.

Wei Yuning hurried to Flowing Cloud Pavilion. Suddenly a few more people appeared; he would have to explain to Monk Cheng Xin, and also the Prince Xi side, and he worried the transport wouldn't have enough capacity.

Monk Cheng Xin had no objections; traveling north and south and joining strangers is routine for him, especially when they're friends of friends.

Prince Xi's chest tightened almost to tears; his only worry was whether Wei Yuning would raise the price, but luckily Wei Yuning didn't. His flying spirit boat has twenty seats, enough for passengers, powered by a white‑headed giant eagle, a creature that lives on high‑cliff plateaus of the wasteland.

After the appointed time passed, Hong Zhi and the others arrived at Flowing Cloud Plaza, where they met Wei Yuning, Cheng Xin, Xi Shuisheng and the prince's two guards, and boarded the already‑prepared flying spirit boat.

The party numbered twelve: Hong Zhi, Yun Yan, Qing Fu, Qing Li, Qing Ren, Qing Chou, Feng Qi, Wei Yuning and Cheng Xin, plus Xi Shuisheng and his two guards, the two guards also having to manage the white‑headed eagle.

The Cloud Hidden Sect is over three thousand li beyond Xi Nation; although the white‑headed eagle's strength and stamina are inferior to the blue bird's, the size of this spirit boat means its overall speed isn't slow.

Along the way, the cultivators closed their eyes to cultivate, while the prince and his two guards focused on urging the boat forward.

They stopped twice, and finally arrived at the destination after the hour following sunset, a city built almost entirely of massive stone blocks, Black Rock City.

Black Rock City lies in the embrace of a towering black mountain; three of its sides are sheer cliffs, only the southern side faces a river and a wide, flat valley.

Whether due to the black‑mountain's reflection, the hazy sky, or the strange water quality, the river appears black from a distance.

The prince's return caused a huge commotion.

"A celestial being has arrived at the palace!" The news spread like wings, quickly reaching the whole city.