Chapter 56: Why Do You Keep Staring at the Top of My Head?

By the way, we also found the missing Qingyu Immortal Sect members on Qingniu Ridge—they’ve now returned to their sect, and soon their sect master, Immortal Xuanyou, will come in person to express her gratitude. The Cangyan Dao Palace will also send representatives to apologize.

Mo Xingjian suddenly thought of something and said.

Zhou Qing and Yan Xiaohu exchanged glances.

You don’t hit someone who’s smiling at you; they’ve made ample gestures, and now isn’t the time to break ties, especially with hidden enemies still lurking.

Enough. I see your injuries aren’t fully healed yet—focus on recovering. You’ll likely be rewarded for your merits in a few days!

Mo Xingjian looked at these two usually unreliable disciples and had to admit—they’d truly brought him honor.

Zhou Qing actually wanted to tell his master about the death of Senior Brother Gao Xian, but didn’t know how to bring it up—and it was too unbelievable anyway.

A living man stands right before you, someone you’ve called brother for years, yet you claim he’s dead—who would believe that?

Besides, Zhou Qing still didn’t know the man’s true intentions. If he stirred up trouble prematurely, it could bring major trouble.

Better to investigate privately first, then find a way to inform his master and the others.

“Senior Brother Three, where can we get records of our senior uncles’ travels?” After leaving, Zhou Qing asked Yan Xiaohu.

Yan Xiaohu looked puzzled, then shook his head.

“There are only thirteen of them in all of Taiqingmen. They don’t need to report their movements to anyone, let alone keep records. Why? What’s up?” Yan Xiaohu asked, confused.

Zhou Qing immediately shook his head.

“No, I was just curious. By the way, Senior Brother Three—I’m treating you today. Let’s head to Yushan Hall!”

Zhou Qing looked at Yan Xiaohu’s annotation and suddenly had an idea.

His talent skill [Heart-View Vision] was only 15 points away from leveling to Tier Three—he desperately needed the next slot.

Otherwise, the matter of Senior Brother Gao Xian kept giving him a bad feeling.

“Really?” Yan Xiaohu’s eyes lit up, but he quickly added: “Still, save your spirit stones. Besides, Shi Zhen Senior Sister said she’d treat us.”

Zhou Qing was speechless: “That was just politeness. Besides, Shi Zhen Senior Sister’s entire team was wiped out—even her favorite junior sister, Bai Xi, died there. How could she possibly have the heart to treat us to a meal?”

“Right, right, we shouldn’t bother her right now,” Yan Xiaohu realized belatedly.

Zhou Qing stared at Yan Xiaohu’s barely changed annotation and his eager gaze, his face twitching slightly.

Senior Brother, at least give me some impression—good or bad.

“Come on!” Yan Xiaohu, seeing Zhou Qing stare at his head, urged.

Is he really going bald?

Zhou Qing cleared his throat, then said seriously: “Senior Brother Three, I’ve decided—I’ll treat you to Yushan Hall every day for a month. How’s that? Surprised? Delighted?”

Yan Xiaohu blinked, then reached out and touched Zhou Qing’s forehead.

“You’re not running a fever… what’s wrong? Did you burn through your money?”

Zhou Qing sighed and turned to leave.

Five people total: Second Uncle vanished, Senior Brother Three was unresponsive, Shi Zhen Senior Sister was heartbroken—can’t disturb her.

That left only Lu Yaoyao and Li Daoxuan.

Guess I’ll have to grind reputation points on them.

………

The next day, Mo Xingjian took Zhou Qing and the others to Yuqing Peak for the memorial.

After all, Bai Xi’s body had been recovered.

Once, she too, like Lu Yaoyao, had been accepted as a core disciple of a peak, and the peak masters had come with gifts to congratulate her.

Now, she lay cold beneath a white shroud, her body half-destroyed beyond recognition.

Not just Xiaoling Peak—people from every peak came. The entire memorial ceremony was heavy with sorrow.

Zhou Qing and Yan Xiaohu placed down their flowers, their hearts feeling tight.

Though they’d met rarely, the girl had always been lively and cheerful, radiating optimism.

“Senior Brother Du, Senior Sister Luo—thank you for arriving in time. Otherwise, the one lying there wouldn’t have been just a corpse!”

Afterward, Zhou Qing saw Du Kui and Luo Xue from Jinyang Peak and hurried over to thank them.

Du Kui was tall and sturdy, his face exuding calmness. Luo Xue’s features were exquisitely beautiful, her skin flawless, faintly glowing with a pink aura, as if nourished by celestial dew.

In response to Zhou Qing’s grateful bow, the two slowly emerged from their grief, smiled gently, and helped him up.

“You should thank yourself,” Du Kui said. “If you hadn’t refused to give up, how could you have held out until we arrived?”

Luo Xue nodded: “Yes. You and Lu Senior Sister were impressive—both of you, at Foundation Establishment, held out so long and severed Yin Xiao’s arm. That’s a feat to be proud of.”

Zhou Qing merely smiled slightly.

Yes, now that he thought back, it still sent chills down his spine.

Fortunately, before departure, he had fully mastered all three techniques he’d learned—otherwise, the outcome might have been different.

“Zhou Qing, you did well. If not for you, at least half of Taiqingmen’s elites might have perished on Qingniu Ridge!”

At that moment, a gentle voice sounded beside him.

Zhou Qing turned and saw Senior Brother Gao Xian walking over, his face filled with praise. His golden robe fluttered in the wind, his square face framed by sharp, slanting eyebrows.

He radiated an overwhelming aura.

Meeting Gao Xian’s authoritative gaze, Zhou Qing’s heart tightened, and he bowed quickly: “Senior Brother, this is merely what this disciple should do.”

Gao Xian nodded slightly, then looked at Du Kui and Luo Xue: “You two should learn from Zhou Qing. Stop rushing in blindly—use your heads more.”

“Yes, Master!” the two replied, bowing.

Gao Xian smiled again at Zhou Qing: “Good. If you have free time, come visit Jinyang Peak. You fellow disciples should spend more time together.”

“Yes, Senior Brother!” Zhou Qing replied with a bright smile.

………

Watching the retreating backs of Gao Xian and the others, Zhou Qing’s smile slowly faded.

He hadn’t noticed before, but now that he suspected something, Gao Xian’s praise and invitation made his spine prickle.

“What’s up? Switching targets to Senior Sister Luo?” Yan Xiaohu suddenly jumped out from the side, slinging an arm around Zhou Qing’s shoulder and grinning.

Zhou Qing was speechless: “Senior Brother Three, look where we are—cut the jokes.”

Yan Xiaohu glanced back at the solemn hall and shrugged.

When Zhou Qing returned to his room, he was delighted to find his old hen had laid another spirit egg.

He carefully tucked it away.

“My little chicken, stick with me, Zhou Qing, and I’ll make sure you eat well and drink well your whole life. You’re not smart, but I’ll never abandon you!”

Zhou Qing affectionately stroked its head.

Tap-tap-tap—

The hen turned its head and began pecking at the floor tiles. Zhou Qing promptly smashed two spirit stones and fed them to it…

The next morning, Zhou Qing, still asleep, was jolted awake by a violent knocking at his door. If not for the barrier, the intruder would have already burst in by force.

“Fourth, Fourth…”

Outside, Yan Xiaohu’s booming voice bellowed. Zhou Qing groaned and pulled the blanket over his head.

Bai Xi’s death had deeply affected him. Now that he had heavenly qi to aid him, plus spirit eggs and top-grade spirit stones, he wanted to advance his cultivation as soon as possible.

So he’d trained late last night, and had only just fallen asleep when he was woken.

“I’ll definitely get a soundproofing barrier from the Exchange Hall tomorrow!” Zhou Qing muttered to himself.

(End of Chapter)