Chapter 78: Peaceful and Quiet

"Rest assured, I won't take advantage of someone in a vulnerable position. Besides, you and I can be considered half-fellow disciples. From now on, let's keep to our own paths; I won't cause you trouble, and you don't stir up trouble for me. How about that?"

"You have such good intentions?" Ruan Xing could not believe her ears.

"Because I no longer wish to waste my time and energy on you." Xie Huai chuckled, holding a Talisman between his slender fingers against his cheek. "And I already have leverage over you, don't I?"

Ruan Xing was silent for a moment, glanced at the prison, and asked, "Then what about Zhao Fengchun?"

"I will not go back on what I promised you. She will live, because a pawn that doesn't obey also needs to pay a price."

Xie Huai's tone was relaxed and casual. The flickering candlelight reflected in Ruan Xing's black eyes, and then, she ended the Simulation.

Looking at the room full of bamboo slips and Jade Slips, Ruan Xing reached out and rubbed the space between her brows.

Although the development of events was somewhat unexpected, it had not yet caused too much of an impact on Ruan Xing.

It was better for that Talisman to fall into Xie Huai's hands than into the hands of the Xuanbing Sect. It was also her own carelessness; she had originally intended to give both Talismans to Zhao Fengchun so that she and Qin Yi could each use one when fleeing. As for the lives of others, she wasn't close to them and couldn't care that much.

She hadn't expected Zhao Fengchun to have one left... which of the two of them hadn't used a Talisman? Knowing the outcome of the matter, Ruan Xing's mood was not as tense and flustered as it had been at the beginning. She continued to look at the remaining Jade Slips on the table, though none of them contained any useful information. After processing them and stamping them with time stamps, the Shixiong who had gone to report to the Elder finally returned.

"The Elder asked me to find someone to go with me to retrieve that Feather Letter. Shimei, do you want to go?"

Ruan Xing nodded. "Okay."

Outer Sect Disciples' Sect Jade Tokens did not have the authority to enter the Main Peak, so they could only let an Inner Sect Disciple go retrieve it.

The two flew on their Swords toward the Sect Affairs Hall. This time, Ruan Xing did not see Xie Huai's figure in the corner; instead, he was following behind the Outer Sect Elder, greeting them together.

"Let's go inside and talk," the Shixiong said.

Many Outer Sect Disciples at the entrance of the Sect Affairs Hall began to whisper to each other upon seeing this rare scene.

"It's rare to see Inner Sect Disciples come to the Sect Affairs Hall."

"Does it have something to do with the incident involving Qin Shixiong? What they encountered might not have been a simple case of a Monster Beast going mad."

"It's a pity that Qin Shixiong is still unconscious; otherwise, we could have asked him what happened."

This matter was temporarily being kept from the Outer Sect Disciples to avoid the possibility of a Demon Cultivator being among them, though it looked like it couldn't be kept secret for much longer.

The few of them maintained normal expressions upon hearing the disciples' private speculations. After entering the Sect Affairs Hall, the Shixiong asked, "We are here on behalf of Elder Xu to retrieve the Feather Letter. May I ask where the Feather Letter is now?"

"Don't be impatient. The Feather Letter will naturally be handed over to Elder Xu, but..." The Outer Sect Elder hesitated for a moment. "Xie Huai, you explain it."

Xie Huai, who was standing behind the Outer Sect Elder, stepped forward, folded his hands, and bowed. "Yes."

"Originally, after we received an anonymous report from a disciple, we had already detained Zhao Fengchun. However, when I saw that the informant had an unusual expression, I asked a few more questions and unexpectedly learned some surprising things." As Xie Huai spoke, his gaze wandered intentionally or unintentionally over Ruan Xing's face. He then beckoned, and a Sect Affairs Hall disciple from the room next door brought over a male disciple whose hands were bound with a Spirit Locking Rope.

The male disciple was extremely panicked and kept begging for mercy. "Disciple is wronged! Disciple did not collude with a Demon Cultivator! Disciple was just momentarily blinded by greed..."

The Shixiong frowned and said, "Speak clearly. What is going on?"

"It's... that Feather Letter appeared in my room for no reason a few days ago. The content of the letter was to tell me to quietly place the Feather Letter in Zhao Shimei's room and expose her. After I read the letter, the handwriting on it automatically destroyed itself. I already detested Zhao Fengchun's behavior of not walking the righteous path and relying solely on Qin Shixiong's promotion and care, so I... I am truly not a traitor, I wouldn't dare!"

The male disciple prostrated himself on the ground, weeping and full of regret. Ruan Xing felt his face looked somewhat familiar. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be the young neighbor she had in the Bing-character Courtyard.

"Looking at it this way, Zhao Fengchun is indeed wronged. The incident of the Monster Beast going mad in Sui-ice Valley was indeed an accident," the Outer Sect Elder said with a hint of regret. "However, this matter still needs to be decided by Elder Xu."

The Shixiong looked full of disdain. "A person like this remaining in the Sect is simply a disgrace to the Xuanbing Sect. He must not be treated lightly. I will certainly report this matter to Elder Xu in full detail."

"That is only right," the Outer Sect Elder agreed, then said, "Xie Huai, go and retrieve the Feather Letter."

"Yes." Xie Huai's gaze glanced at Ruan Xing without leaving a trace.

Ruan Xing said to the Shixiong, "Shixiong, I will go with him to retrieve it."

"That's fine, you go." The Shixiong didn't think much of it and nodded in agreement.

It just so happened that he still had some things to discuss with the Outer Sect Elder that weren't convenient for a child like Ruan Xing to hear.

Ruan Xing followed behind Xie Huai to the room where the evidence was kept, protected by a Formation.

There were Sect Affairs Hall disciples all along the way outside, so it wasn't a place to talk. Once they entered the room and were away from others, Xie Huai smiled and said, "I thought you would come to find me as soon as you got the news."

"Isn't finding you now the same thing? What were you trying to do by winking at me earlier?" Ruan Xing said irritably.

"You saw it just now; I have already shown my sincerity first. Are you still not satisfied?" Xie Huai took out a Talisman and waved it in front of Ruan Xing, then quickly put it away again.

He had sacrificed one pawn to save the lives of Zhao Fengchun and Qin Yi.

What that disciple said was likely the truth, only he had been used by Xie Huai.

Xie Huai continued, "You might not know, but the Outer Sect Elder handed the task of rooting out the Sect traitor to me. I originally wanted to kill two birds with one stone and resolve the aftermath of the Cold Mountain Secret Realm, but for your sake, I had to go to more trouble."

"A thief crying 'stop thief'?" Ruan Xing found it somewhat amusing. "I understand what you mean. 'Peaceful and quiet,' right? I suppose you will leave the Xuanbing Sect after the Golden Terrace Secret Realm ends, right? That's why you don't want to create extra complications."

Xie Huai smiled. "That is exactly what I mean. What do you think?"

"I have no opinion, but if you really want to show your sincerity, why not return the Talisman to me?" Although she felt Xie Huai wouldn't agree, Ruan Xing tried asking anyway.

"That won't do." Xie Huai shook his head slightly. "I dare not fully believe the words from your mouth. This is my guarantee."

He opened the Formation, took out the box inside, and lifted the lid to let Ruan Xing take a look. It was indeed the Feather Letter.

Ruan Xing snorted and stopped talking. The two of them came out of the room as if nothing had happened.

When they reached the front hall, the Shixiong and the Outer Sect Elder seemed to have finished their conversation. After checking that the box was correct, they said their goodbyes.

On the way back, Ruan Xing asked, "Shixiong, how will those two be dealt with?"

"The female disciple will probably be given some compensation and sent home. After all, having been involved and having suffered punishment, it's not good for her to remain in the Outer Sect." The Shixiong thought for a moment. "As for that male disciple, it depends on Elder Xu's wishes. Although according to his story he was lured, if he didn't have that intention, how could he have been bewitched by a Demon Cultivator? Judging him for colluding with a Demon Cultivator is not a wrongful accusation." It's a pity... I wonder how he will face things when Qin Yi wakes up.

However, that had nothing to do with her. She just wanted to save their lives; having known them, she didn't want them to die in vain. As for the future, there would likely be no more intersections.

The two handed the box containing the Feather Letter to Elder Xu and returned to the External Affairs Hall on the Main Peak.

Elder Xu looked somewhat unapproachable and asked the two of them a few questions in a stern tone.

However, Ruan Xing did not find him very scary. She had seen many Golden Core Cultivators in her Simulation memories, such as that familiar National Preceptor... The Golden Core Stage was just like that; they were merely people who possessed powerful abilities, not monsters.

"The Jade Slips are all processed, you can go back if there's nothing else." The Shixiong said considerately, seeing her look bored. "Just come back tomorrow. We are quite free here; once the work is done, you can return to your residence to cultivate."

"Okay, Shixiong. I have something I'd like to ask. I can actually draw some first-grade Talismans. I sold some when I was in the city before. I wonder if there is a place in the Sect that buys these Talismans?" Ruan Xing took the opportunity to ask the question she cared about. She was currently only spending and not earning, so she was quite anxious.

"Talismans, huh? Can't you use Contribution Points to exchange for Pills and Talismans in the Treasure Pavilion? Those are actually crafted by Shixiong and Shijie, but Contribution Points are precious, so basically everyone uses them to exchange for cultivation techniques and Magic Arts. If you want to exchange Talismans for Contribution Points, it's quite a loss. It's best to find a market in the town to sell them. However, since you don't like going out, our Sect has a small trade fair held by Outer Sect Disciples themselves. Do you want to go take a look?"

"Okay." Ruan Xing was pleasantly surprised; there really was a way to make money. She agreed immediately. "I'll find time to draw some Talismans these next few days. Shixiong, when are we going?"

"Haha, no rush. There's a gathering once in the middle of every month. It's only the beginning of the month now, so there's still plenty of time," the Shixiong laughed.

"Alright, then I'll head back first, see you tomorrow." Ruan Xing still had a few first-grade talismans and some unused Yellow Paper and Cinnabar in her Storage Bag; if she went back and worked overtime, drawing a few dozen more wouldn't be a problem.

She needed to replenish her points, and then test whether what Xie Huai said was really true.

Could he really leave her alone and mind his own business? Once she stepped outside the gates of the Xuanbing Sect, would she be safe?

As for the Spirit Gathering Array in the quiet room... Ruan Xing didn't have the confidence to use it yet; she only had four hundred-plus points left, so she didn't dare use them recklessly.

Ruan Xing went back to draw a few talismans, slept feeling refreshed, and arrived at the External Affairs Hall early the next day, bringing her Yellow Paper and Cinnabar.

Anyway, there wasn't much to be busy with here; as long as no one disturbed her, it didn't matter where she drew.

Unfortunately, Ruan Xing hadn't expected that someone would actually disturb her.

She was in the middle of drawing a talisman when a senior sister from next door pushed the door open to remind them, "The Elder is here."

The Elder is here? Ruan Xing looked at her senior brother, puzzled.

Her senior brother explained, "Let's go, time for a meeting."

No way, you guys really treat the Xuanbing Sect like a company, not fellow disciples but colleagues? Ruan Xing complained to herself, obediently put down her brush, and went out. She stood with the few scattered people from the External Affairs Hall, folded her hands over her chest, bowed her head to Elder Xu who was wearing a stern face, and said, "This disciple greets the Elder."

"Hmm." Elder Xu acknowledged them and said, "The Sect has confirmed the appearance of traces of a Demon Cultivator. The Feather Letter sent by the Sect Affairs Hall yesterday is conclusive evidence. Since that is the case, we must send word to the other sects, letting them also investigate their own internal affairs to avoid having fish eyes mixed with pearls, or through negligence, allowing the Demon Cultivator to make a comeback. You will go in pairs to notify the nearby Zhengyi Sect, Red Garment Pavilion, and Six Suns Study."

The disciples said in unison: "Yes! We will strictly follow the Elder's order."

After the Elder left, the disciples began to discuss.

There were only seven people in the External Affairs Hall now... but still, no one wanted to stay behind.

Ruan Xing actually wanted to stay, but she had only been on the job for one day; she wasn't even sure she could handle her own duties smoothly, let alone anyone else's.

After discussing for a long time, the senior sister who was finally confirmed to stay behind looked utterly depressed.

Her senior brother called out, "Junior Sister Ruan, I'm in a group with you. Where do you want to go?"

"Senior brother, let me think." Ruan Xing frowned in thought and opened the Real-scene Simulation.

She had to confirm first that Xie Huai wouldn't run out to kill her.

Her senior brother was at the Foundation Establishment Mid-stage, and she was at the Foundation Establishment Early-stage. If they were together, Xie Huai shouldn't be that arrogant, right...

"Let's go," Ruan Xing said.

It had been over half a month. Due to the long distance and the obstruction of the Boundary Tree, there had been no movement in the mental connection between her and Sword Lai for a long time. She didn't know if Sword Lai had properly digested the Yin energy in his body; he was the ultimate weapon Ruan Xing had been looking forward to for a long time.

If things went smoothly, perhaps they could meet.

The group prepared, Ruan Xing put the unfinished talismans back into her Storage Bag, and they set off immediately.

At the speed of a Flying Sword, a few hundred kilometers took only a day. By evening, Ruan Xing and her senior brother had already arrived at Yunyang City.

"Let's rest for the night and go tomorrow," her senior brother suggested.

Ruan Xing was a bit confused, "Is this okay? Aren't we here to deliver a message?"

Friends who often watch spy thrillers know that the most important thing in information warfare is timeliness. Sometimes, when both sides have spies, whoever transmits the message faster wins.

Her senior brother couldn't help but laugh, "If we really wanted the message to spread as fast as possible, why wouldn't we use a teleportation Formation?"

That's right, a teleportation Formation would definitely be faster than them flying over on swords.

Ruan Xing didn't understand.

Her senior brother sighed, "It doesn't matter if we are a day early or a day late, because we are here only because the Xuanbing Sect is the largest sect in this region, and we represent the face of the Xuanbing Sect."

He still had more to say, but Ruan Xing had already understood.

Sending them to deliver the message wasn't just to let the various sects guard against the Demon Cultivator.

It was also to show off: our Xuanbing Sect is very powerful, we have already caught the traces of the Demon Cultivator and even found the evidence left behind by the Demon Cultivator; you all didn't discover it, did you? The reason for the collapse of the Hanshan Secret Realm had long been kept tightly under wraps by the Xuanbing Sect. No Secret Realm in the world could exist forever without incident; collapse was a matter of time. But a natural collapse due to old age and a collapse caused by someone meddling were two different things.

The Xuanbing Sect really loved its reputation.

Thanks to Rosetta_ for the monthly ticket~ Thanks to book friend 20200530093008398 for the monthly ticket~ Thanks to Ji Shen Zhu Yi Lei Ji Xu Kun for the monthly ticket~ (End of chapter)