Chapter 57: Dual Absolute Sect? Screw it!

By the time Shen Qing returned to the Hundred Household Office, it was already nearing dusk.

The usually gloomy Hundred Household Office had become livelier, thanks to the dozen or so children rescued from the Virtue and Integrity Pavilion.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard directly brought them back to the Hundred Household Office; these children were still young and had always lived together with Granny Sun, unaware of how terrifying the Embroidered Uniform Guard could be, and they merely thought the Hundred Household Office was a larger courtyard.

Amid the noise, even the usual stone‑faced Embroidered Uniform Guard members cracked a few smiles, even dipping into their own pockets to buy candied haws for the children outside.

At that moment, the scholar came rushing over, still holding a few pouches in his hand, and upon smelling the aroma, it seemed to be roasted chicken.

"Boss, you must be starving after a busy day—I bought some roasted chicken."

"Right, I just went to Ancient Moon Street to inquire a bit—Granny Sun's family has some story behind them."

"Tell me."

The scholar nodded, swiftly opened the pouches, revealing the roasted chicken inside—crispy outside, tender within—and then spoke.

"Granny Sun's family are respectable folk; that old man is a schoolteacher, somewhat known in Luo River City, has a son, and even his grandson is in his arms—life is going well. Moreover, the son is sharper than his father, having earned a good rank in the autumn examinations, awaiting next year's trip to the capital for the spring exams—he might even win an official title."

"Until that winter, a certain martial world sect came to Luo River City and forcibly abducted civilian women; his son, trying to do the right thing, was killed, and even the infant grandson in swaddling clothes was slain."

"That old man, unable to let it go, kept going to the magistrate's office, but the office ignored him; later he went mad, only speaking when he saw a child, so Granny Sun began taking in street orphans, which is how the household ended up with a dozen or so children."

"Right, that sect is called the Dual Absolute Sect, the same Dual Absolute Sect that's been acting arrogant lately."

Just as he had returned to the Hundred Household Office, the Embroidered Uniform Guard told him that the old man rescued from the magistrate's office had already died, the physician couldn't save him, and Granny Sun had lost half her soul.

Shen Qing looked at the roasted chicken in his hand and felt it had lost all flavor.

He reached out, called over a few children, and shoved the roasted chicken into their hands.

At that moment, the eldest child ran over—the twelve‑year‑old Granny Sun had mentioned.

He plopped down on his knees before Shen Qing, imitating an adult's tone: "Lord Shen, I'm the eldest of these kids; they don't understand, but I know it was you who saved us, you who saved our grandparents—this kindness, I, Sun Kong, will surely repay."

Having said that, he began kowtowing, his head striking the floor with a bang‑bang; after just a few knocks, his forehead was split open and bleeding.

Shen Qing extended a thread of true qi, lifted Sun Kong up, patted his head, then strode toward the interior of the Hundred Household Office.

Until nightfall, Shen Qing sat in his own courtyard drinking dull wine, feeling a nameless fire burning in his heart, wanting to smash something to vent his frustration.

When the moon rose high in the treetops, the scholar rushed in a panic toward Shen Qing's courtyard, shouting as soon as he entered.

"Boss, Fang Ming's run into trouble! An urgent report: Vice Captain Fang was ambushed while on a mission in Twin Water Valley."

"A Colonel skilled in concealment wasn't detected, escaped, and sent a message pigeon."

"Boss, guess who attacked us."

"It's the Dual Absolute Sect!"

As soon as those words were spoken, the entire compound fell dead silent, yet the scholar could feel the air faintly trembling, as if a volcano were about to erupt.

Only to see, the stone table Shen Qing was sitting at gradually cracked, and in the next instant, an overbearing true qi surged outward, shattering the whole table into powder.

"Courting death! Everyone, assemble! Level the Dual Absolute Sect!"

The scholar hesitated not, bolted out of the compound, shouting as he ran.

"Everyone, get up! Get to work!"

Not long after, the entire Hundred Household Office boiled over—boxes upon boxes of thunder‑shaking explosives and heavenly‑fire explosives were hauled out.

At that moment, outside the Hundred Household Office, Zhang Shan walked toward it, humming a tune while carrying two jugs of wine.

Suddenly he spotted a red‑clad figure skulking outside the Hundred Household Office, watching furtively; Zhang Shan frowned, about to reach out and seize them.

But Zhang Shan stopped short, recognizing the person—it was Su Jiendie of the Scarlet Cloud Sect.

"Miss Su, what are you up to?"

"It's the middle of the night and you're not sleeping—what are you sneaking about for?"

Su Jiendie jumped, turned, saw Zhang Shan clearly, and bowed: "I've seen you, Commander Zhang."

"I'm here to look for someone."

Zhang Shan felt suspicious, looking at Su Jiendie's flushed cheeks, also suspicious.

"Looking for someone is fine, but why's your face all red like a steaming teapot?"

"Who are you looking for?"

Su Jiendie hurriedly said: "I'm looking for Lord Shen Qing."

Zhang Shan's expression lit up with sudden realization.

"Looking for Lord Shen Qing—now that makes sense. He's handsome and strong, so it's natural that a young lady like Su Jiendie would be drawn to him."

"Ah, why don't I have such a face? Damn heavens! You really ought to die!"

Zhang Shan shook his head, chuckled: "Then come with me—I was just about to find him for a drink."

The two chatted off‑and‑on as they walked to the Hundred Household Office, soon reaching the gate and noticing the fully armed Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Zhang Shan grabbed the scholar's arm: "Hey, scholar. What are you up to? Fully armed in the middle of the night—you weren't like this even when we killed the Wokou pirates."

The scholar hastily bowed: "I've seen you, Commander Zhang. The situation is…"

Then the scholar quickly recounted the whole affair, and Zhang Shan let out a hum, his face turning cold.

"What a Dual Absolute Sect—truly asking for death. The martial alliance matter hasn't even been settled yet, and they're already jumping the gun?"

Just then, Shen Qing also walked out of the courtyard.

Meanwhile, Su Jiendie hurried over, her face slightly flushed, and bowed: "Su Jiendie greets my benefactor."

Although Shen Qing was furious, he kept things separate: the Dual Absolute Sect deserved death, but he would absolutely not take his anger out on his friends.

Shen Qing softened his gaze toward Su Jiendie: "What's up? Did you need something from me this late at night?"

Su Jiendie hastily produced a booklet from her bosom.

"Benefactor, I've heard the court intends to establish a martial alliance! Our Scarlet Cloud Sect is willing to be the first sect from Eternal Peace Prefecture to join the alliance. We wish to come under your name."

"This is the Scarlet Cloud Sect's roster—from sect head to outer disciples, a total of two hundred thirty‑nine people, with native places recorded, all listed in the register."

Shen Qing reached out to take the roster, and in Su Jiendie's eyes he saw loyalty and sincerity.

I'm not hiding it from you; it's true, but you've seen it yourself—I really have some things to attend to today, so come back in two days.

A flash of resolve appeared in Su Jiudie's eyes: "Benefactor, I've heard that we are to crush the Dual Absolute Sect; I earnestly ask to let our Red Cloud Sect join this battle, to serve as a token of our surrender."

This time, our Red Cloud Sect's three Innate Realm Elders, my father, and ten True Transmission Disciples have all arrived in Luo River City; they will surely be able to lend you a hand!

In just a few breaths, Su Jiudie's mind had turned over countless times.

The court's establishment of the Martial Alliance naturally declares that it will completely destroy the old system; thus the martial world and the Alliance naturally have only one option, and neutrality cannot exist.

In that case, one might as well cut off one's retreat and also show loyalty.

This would also allow the Red Cloud Sect to gain some benefits in advance.

Su Jiudie looked at Shen Qing, the resolve in her eyes unmistakably firm.

Benefactor! Count us in!

Shen Qing smiled and nodded.

Su Jiudie hesitated not, raising her arm and firing a sleeve arrow into the sky, which burst into a pink firework.

At that moment, three more people walked out from the side—the three Ding Yi brothers; after returning from the Virtuous Correct Pavilion in the afternoon, they had been staying in the Hundred-Household Office, and upon seeing Su Jiudie they all spoke up, Ding Yi included.

Lord Shen, we three brothers may not match the Red Cloud Sect's great stature, but we are not ungrateful; in this battle, could we be counted as one share?

The three Ding Yi brothers are simple: having become thieves from a young age and having suffered, they hold to one principle—whoever treats them well, they treat well in return.

Shen Qing laughed: "Good."

As soon as the words fell, the three Ding Yi brothers and Su Jiudie all turned their gazes toward Zhang Shan.

Zhang Shan froze for a moment.

"What are you all looking at me for? Do I even need to look?"

"Damn, the atmosphere has come to this."

Zhang Shan? Zhang Shan is even simpler: he simply regards Shen Qing as a friend and moreover dislikes sects.

Having said that, Zhang Shan raised his arm and shot out a green firework.

"Same old saying! No matter who is dealing with the sects, I, Zhang Shan, will definitely lend a hand!"

"Dual Absolute Sect? Screw them!"