Chapter 179: Zhou Qing, tell me your choice (6k)

At this time, Tong Min rarely didn't ask how Zhou Qing found it, or the authenticity of this clue, and directly chose to believe it unconditionally.

This action actually reflected from the side the weight Zhou Qing now had in Tong Min's heart.

Unknowingly, Zhou Qing's status in the entire Taiqingmen had quietly changed.

Of course, if the news of Li Hanshan being beheaded were released, Zhou Qing would probably become the number one person under the Soul Formation realm in the entire Eastern Region.

After all, whether it was Li Hanshan or Yu Ziqi, they were both Nascent Soul Great Perfection who had initially comprehended the realm of understanding.

And compared to them, Zhou Qing was much younger in both cultivation and age.

Even so, they still died.

"You two stay here to protect Zhou Qing, I'll go back to the sect first!" After Tong Min ordered, he left quickly.

The two looked at each other, then nodded.

A few days later, the Three Sects Alliance, led by Cao Zhengyang, angrily took the image stone and found Hou Shan.

Our people tried their best to help you find the medicine, but the people of the Chiyan Longshi and the Tianji Sect stabbed us in the back.

What do you want us to do next?

Should we look for it or not?

If we look for it, we can't avoid going to those sparsely populated places, but do those places have the spiritual medicine you lost, or are they people in ambush?

Zhou Qing had better luck this time, but it doesn't mean others have such good luck.

What if a Soul Formation realm makes a move next time and then quietly erases the traces?

Looking at the scene recorded by the image stone, Hou Shan and the other three Demon Kings were also extremely angry, especially since the place of assassination was still on Mount Canglan, and it happened about three days after the truce agreement.

It is enough to see what kind of mentality these two sects had in returning his favor.

For a time, Hou Shan and the others went directly to Si Kong Yan, wanting to ask for an explanation.

The result was obvious. Apart from apologizing, they compensated with a large amount of spirit stones and repeatedly guaranteed that related things would not happen again.

This matter was then calmed down. Hou Shan didn't want to force it too much. After all, whether his own holy medicine could be found still depended on the deduction and divination of the Tianji Sect.

Overall, this time the Chiyan Longshi truly lost both the wife and the army.

And the matter of Zhou Qing relying on his own strength to counter-kill Li Hanshan under the opponent's ambush also spread rapidly throughout the entire Eastern Region.

With this one thing, Zhou Qing became famous in one battle!

Truly confirmed the title of the number one person under the Soul Formation realm.

Such terrifying combat power made everyone speculate about what kind of grade of Heavenly Dao Qi his Shizun Mo Xingjian had gotten for him when he was Foundation Establishment.

"Achoo, achoo—"

In the place of seclusion behind the Small Spirit Peak, Mo Xingjian, whose spiritual power was rolling, sneezed several times in a row at this moment.

He slowly opened his eyes, rubbed his nose, and his eyes were full of confusion.

"Could it be that someone is scolding me? Or did those two troublesome guys cause trouble again, and then others are scolding me?"

Mo Xingjian immediately took out the token and sent a message to them, but no one replied.

This made him sigh long, saying that they were not allowed to go out during his seclusion, but not one of them was obedient.

But at the moment, he himself had reached a critical moment. After calming his mood, he formed seals with both hands and entered cultivation again.

…………

"Old Four, Old Four—"

Yan Xiaohu, who was also in Lin'an City, learned the news and rushed over at the first opportunity.

At this time, Zhou Qing had completely recovered, and after seeing Yan Xiaohu, he was also full of happiness.

"Third Shixiong, why are you here?" Zhou Qing said.

Yan Xiaohu looked at Zhou Qing, and at this moment, he didn't know what words to use to describe it.

Five great geniuses, all became stepping stones for your fame. Knowing that you have four flowers gathered at the top, your future achievements will be limitless, but this growth speed is too fast.

"Your great name is almost resounding throughout the entire Eastern Region. Everything I heard along the way was all discussion about you."

Things others don't want are what he can't ask for. You say, what is this all about?

Lei Luo, who followed Yan Xiaohu, was the same.

Such terrifying strength, even his big brother Lei Lie would have to avoid his edge.

Zhou Qing shook his head helplessly. What can he do? It wasn't forced out.

A few days later, Cao Zhengyang came in person. Now, the more he looked at Zhou Qing, the more he felt that this child was handsome.

"Well done, this bag is the compensation from the Chiyan Longshi, and this bag is the sect's reward for you!" Cao Zhengyang handed over two storage bags.

Zhou Qing was a little surprised. After opening it, his pupils widened immediately.

"So many?" Zhou Qing couldn't believe it.

Cao Zhengyang smiled slightly: "Where is this and where is that, work hard!"

Zhou Qing couldn't refuse, so he accepted it. It seems that for a long time, he will no longer worry about spirit stones.

Coupled with his identity as an array master now, he just needs a large amount of money to buy various materials and operate.

"Thank you, Shibo!" Zhou Qing thanked him.

Afterward, Cao Zhengyang transmitted his voice quietly: "Did you tell anyone else about the clue you found regarding Li Niang?"

Zhou Qing shook his head.

Cao Zhengyang nodded and said, "That's good, don't worry about this matter."

Looking at Cao Zhengyang's appearance, Zhou Qing's heart moved, and he said, "Shibo, do you know this Li Niang?"

Cao Zhengyang looked at the many people in the room, but didn't say anything more, but called He Han, Lu Yaoyao, and Pei Yan out and gave them solemn instructions.

After all, when Zhou Qing talked about the clues related to Li Niang that day, they also heard it.

Although the three didn't know why, they still guaranteed that they would rot this matter in their stomachs and never spread it out.

At this moment, Yan Xiaohu looked at the two storage bags in Zhou Qing's hands, his eyes glowing green.

He didn't want them, he was just curious.

Just as he was getting closer, Cao Zhengyang walked in and drove the others out.

With a wave of his hand, a soundproof barrier appeared.

Looking at Zhou Qing's confused appearance, Cao Zhengyang sighed and said, "I know this Li Niang, but I only happened to meet her in the early years."

As Cao Zhengyang told it bit by bit, Zhou Qing gradually understood a little.

A few years ago, when he went out, it was the time he took Lu Yaoyao as an apprentice. When he passed through a mountain range, he was chased by Li Niang. At that time, she was just like this, holding her big belly.

Of course, it was just a misunderstanding. She mistook Cao Zhengyang for her husband.

This woman is very talkative. After apologizing, she told him about her husband with a face full of happiness.

The two met in this Lin'an City, and afterward, they joined a small sect together and became Shixiong and Shimei.

The story was too long, and coupled with the fact that Cao Zhengyang had urgent matters at the time, he only listened to a few sentences and then left in a hurry.

But the general meaning was that her husband went out to find a kind of spiritual medicine, preparing to wash the marrow and cut the bones for the newborn child.

Because at that time this Li Niang was at the late Soul Formation realm cultivation, Cao Zhengyang guessed that her partner should be about the same, so he wished her to wait for her husband to return soon.

But according to the clues Zhou Qing found, that Li Niang had actually been pregnant for a thousand years, and had been using spiritual medicine to suppress the child's birth.

It seems that her husband probably died long ago, but she is unwilling to believe it, and until today, she is still waiting bitterly, fantasizing that her husband can bring back the spiritual medicine.

"This is a bitter woman!" Cao Zhengyang sighed and said.

Zhou Qing felt the same way.

"So, do you know where Li Niang is?" Zhou Qing asked after contemplation.

Cao Zhengyang nodded slightly and said slowly, "I guess it's either in that mountain range or in the sect called the Seven Star Sect that they joined."

Zhou Qing looked at Cao Zhengyang and said, "Then Shibo, what are your plans next?"

Cao Zhengyang shook his head, his face melancholy, and said, "Although I only contacted Li Niang once, she entered Soul Formation with obsession, and cultivated all the way to the late Soul Formation realm. I personally really admire her, and even respect her."

"The persistence for a thousand years, this perseverance and deep affection, is truly moving."

"If Hou Shan knows that she did it, or if other Demon Kings know that the Fusang Lingkui is in her hands, she will definitely die!"

Cao Zhengyang frowned tightly and said with a worried face.

After hearing this, Zhou Qing also frowned and said, "Then our Five Sects are making such a big fuss to find the holy medicine this time, that so-called Seven Star Sect will definitely know slowly. After all, no one wants to get into trouble, worrying about being implicated."

Cao Zhengyang nodded and said, "Yes, exposure is only a matter of time. Zhou Qing, that Seven Star Sect is a thousand miles east of Lin'an City, and you can arrive in half a day. What do you think we should do now?"

Cao Zhengyang suddenly changed the subject, his gaze staring tightly at Zhou Qing. After all, Zhou Qing's performance in these few years made him very recognized, and at this moment, he wanted to hear his thoughts.

Zhou Qing was stunned, but looking at Cao Zhengyang's thoughtful appearance, he fell into deep thought.

Afterward, he said, "Shibo is afraid that we will find that holy medicine so quickly, which will arouse the suspicion of the Demon Wang Hou Shan, thinking that it is our deliberate act, just to win him over?"

Hearing Zhou Qing's words, Cao Zhengyang was a little surprised, and soon showed appreciation.

Afterward, he smiled and said, "It seems that you and I thought of the same thing. Yes, the Demon King searched secretly for a year without any gains, and we have only determined the target in a few days. Even I feel that the coincidence is not very normal."

"If this lets Hou Shan know, he will definitely be suspicious. At that time, it will be hard to explain."

Cao Zhengyang said with a bitter smile.

Zhou Qing continued, "The cities around Mount Canglan will be finished in two days. Since that Seven Star Sect is so close, it will definitely bear the brunt at that time. We can't really hand over this opportunity to the Chiyan Longshi and the others, right?"

Cao Zhengyang said, "That's naturally not possible. We must use this favor of Hou Shan well. If you were in my position today, what would you do now?"

Cao Zhengyang threw the question to Zhou Qing again.

Zhou Qing shook his head: "I don't know either. If we make a move, it will arouse suspicion. If we don't make a move, we will hand over the opportunity to others, and that Li Niang..."

Looking at Zhou Qing's dilemma, Cao Zhengyang said, "I have two methods, you help me consult."

Zhou Qing was shocked.

As expected of the Sect Master, I couldn't think of even one method, and he directly had two. Sure enough, ginger is still old and spicy. He looked at Cao Zhengyang with anticipation.

Cao Zhengyang carried his hands behind his back, came to the window, looked quietly at the heavy buildings and moving crowds in front of him, and said slowly, "The first one, let the people of Jin Leizong or Qingyu Xian Sect discover it. In this way, not only will it not be suspected of Taiqingmen, but it can also obtain Hou Shan's favor."

Zhou Qing was stunned. Looking at the back of the Sect Master Shibo, he couldn't help but feel a chill on his back.

Although this method can solve the problem, isn't this equivalent to pushing Jin Leizong and Qingyu Xian Sect into the fire pit?

And it is still in the situation of the Three Sects Alliance. Is such behavior a bit too unkind?

Especially since the two families still follow Taiqingmen's lead. Although the favor owed by Hou Shan is actually the same for any of the three sects.

But—

Seeing Zhou Qing not answering, Cao Zhengyang turned around, looked at him quietly, and said, "Do you think Shibo is very despicable? After all, this can be counted as another kind of stabbing in the back."

Zhou Qing was silent and didn't answer.

Cao Zhengyang laughed lightly and said, "There is no indestructible alliance, it is all interest bundling. You are now a popular person among the younger generation in the entire Eastern Region. Believe it or not, their determination to kill you is no less than that of the Chiyan Longshi and the Tianji Sect?"

In any place, interest is always supreme. Many seemingly solid relationships are actually established on this basis.

Hearing this, Zhou Qing's face changed suddenly.

Cao Zhengyang said, "We have saved their two sects, that's right, this is grace. But no matter how great the grace is, facing more tempting interests, it will vanish in an instant."

After so many years, he had long seen too much of the warmth and coldness of human relationships and the world. In the face of absolute interests, the so-called grace is simply vulnerable.

"Now, because we have to face a common enemy, we are tied together. But after the Chiyan Longshi and the Tianji Sect are destroyed?"

Cao Zhengyang said this, his gaze carrying a hint of deep meaning, looking at Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing frowned.

Cao Zhengyang continued, "At that time, the Five Sects will become Three Sects, and among these three sects, which one will be the biggest force?"

"Is it the Jin Leizong that has already had an internal rebellion, or the Qingyu Xian Sect that has almost lost half of its combat power?" Cao Zhengyang asked further.

Zhou Qing's expression was solemn. Does this still need to be said? It must be Taiqingmen.

Taiqingmen's overall strength has almost not been consumed, especially the Eldest Shixiong who became the first Soul Formation realm among the younger generation.

Next is the Second Shijie, and... myself, this rising younger generation who keeps showing his edge.

At that time, in the eyes of Jin Leizong and Qingyu Xian Sect, Taiqingmen will be the biggest danger they have to face.

It can even be said that Taiqingmen will be the second Chiyan Longshi!

Seeing that Zhou Qing seemed to understand something, Cao Zhengyang said, "This is the balance of survival, and it is also human nature. After all, even relatives will draw swords against each other because of some interests, let alone a small grace."

Cao Zhengyang said this with emotion. Having struggled in the cultivation world for so many years, he had seen too many things that turned into enemies because of interests, and knew how fragile human nature is in the face of interests.

At this moment, Zhou Qing suddenly felt that he was so simple, and even felt a little inexplicably sad.

Some beautiful beliefs he had always adhered to were suddenly impacted by this cruel reality.

Cao Zhengyang sighed, "You usually only focus on cultivation or slaughter, I'm afraid you didn't notice that many times when the people of Jin Leizong and Qingyu Xian Sect found that the people of Taiqingmen were besieged, they chose to retreat quietly, even if the number was obviously dominant."

"After all, some balance needs consumption to be maintained at a relatively fair position again."

Cao Zhengyang wanted Zhou Qing to understand that among these major sects, everyone is secretly maintaining a subtle balance, sometimes even at the expense of others, just to prevent a certain party's power from being too strong.

"If I tell you that the time when Luo Xue died tragically on Lingku Mountain, actually Lei Lie of Jin Leizong and Zhu He of Qingyu Xian Sect were observing in the dark, do you believe it?"

Cao Zhengyang looked at Zhou Qing and continued to say slowly.

Zhou Qing raised his head suddenly, his eyes full of disbelief.

Cao Zhengyang said, "You take human heart too simply. Both of them are Nascent Soul Great Perfection who initially comprehended the realm of understanding, and they were ranked third and fourth on the Chiyan Longshi's must-kill list before. If they made a move, they could completely suppress and kill Sima Yaoji."

"But they didn't make a move, but watched Luo Xue die, Du Kui seriously injured. Why do you think they did this?"

Zhou Qing's hands clenched tightly.

Cao Zhengyang walked over, patted Zhou Qing on the shoulder, and said, "I also want you to see the most beautiful side of this world, but some things, if I don't teach you, it doesn't mean they don't exist."

"Just like Qian Dafu in Lingyun Mansion that time, when you see things too perfectly, you will instead receive his fatal blow."

Looking at Zhou Qing, who was a little uncomfortable, Cao Zhengyang also couldn't bear it, but which true powerhouse didn't come out of the mountain of corpses and sea of blood and deceit?

Especially... the successor of Taiqingmen!

"We may have to continue this war because of the intervention of the Imperial Capital, but do you know that Jin Leizong and Qingyu Xian Sect actually want to drag it on like this, until everyone becomes half-buckets of water, this is the new balance."

After all, no one wants one family to dominate!

Zhou Qing remained silent and didn't speak again. At this moment, his mood was heavier than ever before, as if a big stone was pressing on his heart, making him unable to breathe.

Time passed bit by bit. The next moment, Zhou Qing suddenly raised his head to look at Cao Zhengyang, endured the discomfort in his heart, and asked calmly, "Then what is the second method?"

Looking at Zhou Qing's calm eyes, Cao Zhengyang showed appreciation.

This is the psychological endurance a powerhouse should have. Although what he said to Zhou Qing today was a bit biased toward the dark side of human nature, for Zhou Qing, it was also a transformation.

Now his strength is unquestionable. If his heart can keep up, he will definitely become a person who can stand on his own in the future.

"The second method is to find another holy medicine within half a year, and let the Demon Wang Hou Shan clearly know that this is not the kind he lost, but one we bought at a great price."

"In this way, not only is the problem solved, but we don't have to be suspected, and we can even get this favor." Cao Zhengyang said slowly.

Zhou Qing said after contemplation, "So, the second method is actually to let Li Niang escape?"

Cao Zhengyang nodded and said, "Yes, only by letting no one find her, when Hou Shan is on the verge of despair, we send out this hope, everything is the most perfect."

Zhou Qing shook his head after hearing this, frowned and said, "Shibo, the second method seems feasible, but the difficulty is too great. Even Lingyun Mansion might not have it. To find a substitute, how easy is it?"

"Furthermore, Li Niang has already formed an obsession of waiting. How could she easily change places? A sect has at least tens of thousands of people, and people are mixed. The Seven Star Sect will definitely have people reporting it by then."

Zhou Qing analyzed with a worried face.

Cao Zhengyang said, "Your worry is not unreasonable, but what if we take action and force her to leave? Just disappearing for half a year should be harmless. As for the Seven Star Sect reporting..."

Cao Zhengyang smiled slightly: "According to what you said, in order to delay the birth of the fetus in her belly, she has been using spiritual medicine to suppress it, and she started since the Nascent Soul realm. The spiritual medicine used during this period is probably massive, not just this one Fusang Lingkui."

After hearing this, Zhou Qing reacted immediately.

"Shibo means that the Seven Star Sect probably doesn't know about Li Niang, and even wishes to draw a line with her early?"

If Li Niang has been using various spiritual medicines, perhaps the source of those spiritual medicines is not very righteous. The people of the Seven Star Sect definitely don't want to be implicated, perhaps they will really choose to hide this matter.

Cao Zhengyang nodded: "Anyway, according to my investigation, the strongest in the Seven Star Sect is only a few Nascent Soul realms, and I have never heard of any Soul Formation realm existing."

Zhou Qing didn't speak anymore, but showed thought.

If only a few people at the top know, the Five Sects come to investigate, they can completely fool it, why bother to get into trouble.

This time the Demon Wang Hou Shan recorded the theft with an image stone, but for these thousand years, heaven knows how many spiritual medicines of other small sects have been stolen, and the thief could not be found.

Once this matter is exposed, all the spearheads will point to the Seven Star Sect. Regardless of whether it is true or false, the hostile sects around will probably ask for compensation out of thin air for the first time, not to mention the subsequent trouble.

According to this guess, the second method is indeed feasible, but there are still many risks and uncertain factors.

Afterward, Zhou Qing looked at Cao Zhengyang and said, "Shibo, I have a second doubt. Since Li Niang has already obtained that holy medicine, why hasn't she refined it for more than a year? Instead, she watched the efficacy of the medicine pass away?"

Facing Zhou Qing's doubt, Cao Zhengyang also shook his head.

"That I don't know. Perhaps she had some accident with her body? Or maybe there were other spiritual medicines that hadn't been consumed before the Fusang Lingkui? After all, she is not a normal person!" Cao Zhengyang said helplessly.

As for what is going on, if we really want to decide to use the second method, we will know when we take action.

"Okay, you already know the two methods. Still the same sentence, if you were in my position, how would you choose now?" Cao Zhengyang looked at Zhou Qing again, his face showing deep meaning.

Zhou Qing was a little embarrassed.

Why do you keep letting me make this choice?

One is to stab Jin Leizong and Qingyu Xian Sect in the back, and the other, although it can solve the problem perfectly and protect that poor woman, where can I buy the holy medicine?

After a brief contemplation, Zhou Qing shook his head: "I don't know, and I don't want to make this choice. The disciple still has something to do, I want to go out and get some air."

After Zhou Qing finished speaking, he bowed and left in a hurry.

Cao Zhengyang looked at his back, but smiled. It seemed that this scene was already in his expectation.

Afterward, he also sighed long.

There is no perfect solution in this world, it is nothing more than weighing between various pros and cons, and then making a relatively suitable choice.

…………

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 180 =====