Chapter 210: Arrival at Wuqing Temple

Lu Yuan thought the matter over.

Hmm...

He had to go to Wuqing Temple.

He absolutely had to go.

First, Tianlong Temple’s current situation was a little complicated; they probably couldn’t help with everything.

Second, and most importantly, Lu Yuan still owed someone a favor.

It wasn’t Shen Jizhou he owed, but Shen Shulan.

After the last incident, even though Lu Yuan didn’t think he had done anything wrong, he did feel a certain debt toward Shen Shulan.

This current situation was similar to the Wang Family’s nurturing-malevolence site last time.

Naturally, some of that credit should go to Wuqing Temple.

This would be a way to repay Senior Sister Shulan, and there was also another promise Lu Yuan had made earlier.

Lu Yuan didn’t want relations with Wuqing Temple or with Shen Jizhou to become hostile.

Lu Yuan sat on the cold stone bench, unconsciously tapping his fingertip against the table. His brow tightened as he ran through the next steps in his mind.

While he was thinking, urgent, heavy footsteps sounded outside the courtyard gate, accompanied by Song Yan’s distinct, eager, and slightly ingratiating voice:

“Junior brother!”

“The master summons you!”

“Hurry, hurry!”

Lu Yuan looked up. Outside the moon-shaped gate, Song Yan was peeking in; his pig-like face was flushed with excitement, even the bruises seemed to redden.

Behind him stood two Tianlong Temple disciples in yellow Daoist robes, their presences steady and faces solemn, clearly already instructed.

Lu Yuan understood immediately: Song Yan must have reported everything; Senior Uncle He Xun wanted to see him.

Lu Yuan took a deep breath and straightened his ill-fitting old cotton jacket.

He glanced toward the direction where Hu Yangyang and Hu Tutu had disappeared to confirm they hadn’t returned, then rose and followed Song Yan and the others toward Tianlong Temple’s core, the Heavenly Pivot Hall.

The Heavenly Pivot Hall sat atop Tianlong Temple’s main peak; it was the heart of the complex.

The hall rose majestically, built with dark iron framing and glazed tiles, giving off a cold, dignified gleam in the winter sunlight.

The square in front of the hall was paved with whole slabs of black jade, polished like a mirror, reflecting the blue sky and towering hall, adding to the solemnity.

At this moment, dozens of core disciples of Tianlong Temple had already lined up in the square, waiting.

Their auras were concentrated as they gazed toward the hall’s interior.

Lu Yuan’s arrival caused a ripple of commotion; many recognized him and murmured like a tide.

Some were curious, some scrutinizing.

Song Yan ignored those looks and guided Lu Yuan through the crowd, straight into the main hall.

Inside, the hall displayed even greater grandeur.

The dome depicted star charts, the floor carved with rivers and mountains, and at the center stood a three-zhang-high white jade lotus platform.

An elder in Celestial Master robes, his face stern and with five willow-like whiskers beneath his chin, sat upright on it.

He was the head of Tianlong Temple, Celestial Master He Xun.

Of course, Senior Uncle He Xun was at his most magnificent when in his own place!

He Xun’s complexion was ruddy, his gaze sharp as lightning. Though seated, an overwhelming presence like a deep mountain radiated from him, making the air in the hall seem to thicken.

When he saw Lu Yuan enter, those keen eyes narrowed slightly, then a barely perceptible softness flickered across them.

But his voice remained booming, carrying his usual unquestionable authority:

“You little brat, when did you get here?!”

Though in scolding tones, there was unmistakable affection underneath.

“Disciple Lu Yuan, greetings, Master Uncle.”

Lu Yuan stepped forward a few paces and bowed respectfully, his posture very low.

He Xun gave Song Yan at Lu Yuan’s back a look.

Song Yan understood immediately and turned to close the doors. Now only the three of them remained in the hall.

He Xun wasted no time and got straight to the point:

“Song Yan muttered for half an hour earlier, saying things unclearly. Now you speak properly.”

Lu Yuan nodded at once and revealed everything without holding back, recounting all that had happened these past days.

Speaking with Senior Uncle He Xun felt easier; He Xun already knew many of the details, so there was nothing to hide.

Whether it was the Commanding Ghosts Liu Family, or the elder going to confront the Liu family, He Xun already knew.

Even Gu Qingwan’s existence was common knowledge to He Xun—she was completely one of their own.

So Lu Yuan didn’t bother to dodge anything; he told He Xun the whole story straight through.

From Liu Xuanyin colluding with Hu Huxu and laying the “Nine Nether God-Refining Array” intending to refine the old man’s pure-yang Dao-fruit, to Gu Qingwan’s strike that wiped out the three super malevolent deities and purified the Liu family’s core forbidden ground;

from Liu Xuanyin’s capture and execution, to Hu Huxu’s death and dispersal...

Lu Yuan’s account was concise yet heavy with meaning.

Only Lu Yuan’s steady voice echoed in the great hall; even the air seemed to freeze.

He Xun remained seated on the lotus platform at first, his whiskers unmoving.

But his lightning-like gaze shifted with Lu Yuan’s narration, sometimes sharp as a sword, sometimes flashing cold light.

When he heard that Liu Xuanyin dared scheme against his junior, Li Xiuye, intending to refine his pure-yang Dao-fruit, He Xun suddenly struck the white jade armrest.

The entire hall vibrated with the blow as he roared in fury:

“Liu Xuanyin! How dare he! Kill him!”

When Lu Yuan said Gu Qingwan had personally wiped out the three super malevolent deities, He Xun’s pupils contracted slightly.

For the first time, genuine shock showed on his face.

Although he long suspected Gu Qingwan was extraordinary, the concept of “wiping out” at a near-rule level still exceeded his conventional understanding of strength.

He fell silent for a moment, then exhaled slowly, speaking in a low voice:

“That woman... truly formidable...”

When Lu Yuan reported the elder’s current state—his soul injured and unconscious—He Xun’s anger instantly gave way to deep concern and anxiety.

He sprang to his feet, leaning forward as if to see through Lu Yuan and into Zhenlong Temple, and asked urgently:

“How... how serious are his injuries?”

“How damaged is his soul?”

Seeing Senior Uncle He Xun like that warmed Lu Yuan’s heart.

Those two old men bickered like cats and dogs when together—one would sneer, the other would retort—and they only got along slightly better at first meeting. But in truth, they both cared about the other.

“He has returned to Zhenlong Temple to recuperate. His life is not in immediate danger, but soul injuries cannot be healed in a day.”

Lu Yuan reported truthfully.

He Xun sighed deeply and sat back down, his expression much more relaxed than before.

Then his gaze sharpened again as he looked Lu Yuan straight in the eye:

“You boy, you came to see me now for what reason?”

“Could it be that there are still loose ends behind the Commanding Ghosts Liu Family?!”

He Xun was no fool.

If Lu Yuan had come merely to pay respects, or solely about his senior’s injuries, he wouldn’t have had to come in person.

Since Lu Yuan had come, there must be another pressing matter.

Lu Yuan’s expression became solemn as he bowed:

“Master Uncle, please judge.”

“Though Liu Xuanyin has been subdued and executed, the peripheral nurturing plots, yin-gathering pools, and malevolent-deity feeding sites he ran for centuries still largely remain.”

“And now the dragons are leaderless; without maintenance, each of these places is a latent disaster!”

“Just like the Wang Family’s nurturing site before, they could go out of control at any time and cause catastrophe!”

“My trip today is to request, with utmost sincerity, Master Uncle’s help in clearing these hidden dangers to prevent a calamity!”

He Xun listened without hesitation, not even asking for precise locations. He slammed the armrest heavily and proclaimed:

“That is right!”

“Liu Xuanyin committed many crimes; his remaining evils must be cleared at once!”

He Xun paused, a flicker of keen light in his eyes:

“Do you have clues to the exact locations of those nurturing plots and malevolent-deity feeding sites?”

Lu Yuan shook his head honestly:

“No, Master Uncle. I do not have precise locations yet.”

“But I have asked Li Guanqi of the Du’e Li Family and Fu Yuanshan of the Backing Yin Fu Family to gather information on the Liu family’s outer strongholds.”

“They promised to compile what they know within fifteen days.”

He Xun stroked his whiskers, pondering, then nodded:

“Fifteen days...”

“Good! We will discuss it again in fifteen days!”

He rose and strode two paces inside the hall, his presence once more as deep as a mountain:

“In three days, I will personally depart for Zhenlong Temple.”

After saying this, He Xun seemed moved as he looked at Lu Yuan, his voice slightly excited:

“Good nephew!”

“You have truly solved a major crisis for our school!”

Lu Yuan knew what He Xun was referring to and remained silent.

Then He Xun looked at Song Yan standing by the hall door and ordered:

“Take Lu Yuan to the rear hall to rest. Feed him well!”

“In three days, we will set out together for Zhenlong Temple!”

Song Yan beamed and eagerly hosted Lu Yuan:

“Got it!”

“Junior brother, come with me!”

Lu Yuan, however, declined with a bow:

“Master Uncle, I will not stay at Tianlong Temple. I must go to Wuqing Temple now.”

“This matter...”

“I also need to inform Wuqing Temple and ask their cooperation.”

He Xun’s expression flickered but then smoothed with understanding.

He knew everything that had happened at the Celestial Master Grand Ceremony in Fengtian City.

He knew the details between Lu Yuan and Shen Jizhou, and he knew Lu Yuan’s relationship with Shen Shulan.

So He Xun understood why Lu Yuan would say that.

He nodded immediately:

“That is only natural. They should be notified.”

After all...

He knew the situation between Lu Yuan and Senior Sister Shen. It wouldn’t do for things to remain sour with one’s father-in-law.

He Xun agreed, but Lu Yuan didn’t hurry off immediately.

First, he planned to eat lunch at Tianlong Temple before leaving.

Second, he wanted to ask He Xun a favor: when He Xun set out for Zhenlong Temple in three days, could he take Hu Tutu and Hu Yangyang along?

Wuqing Temple was far away—not near Fengtian City—so the carriage travel would take several days. It wouldn’t be right to make the two little girls travel so much now; better for them to stay at Tianlong Temple for three days and then return to Zhenlong Temple with He Xun.

With He Xun there, nothing would go wrong.

Lu Yuan had thought to ask He Xun to also help look into Hu Tutu’s situation, but then reconsidered: Tianlong Temple was very busy now, and He Xun was already swamped. That matter could wait until later.

Lu Yuan said nothing further.

...

In the afternoon, it was time for the temple meal.

The dining hall was warm, with long tables piled with steaming dishes—mountain delicacies and mushrooms, delicate pastries, and tender stewed meats.

Zhenlong Temple’s food wasn’t bad either, especially with Aunt Qiao’er and Aunt Qin staying there. Still, compared to Tianlong Temple, there was a noticeable gap.

That was to be expected—Zhenlong Temple was in a rather remote, poor location, while Tianlong Temple sat near towns where rare goods were plentiful.

Lu Yuan was seated not far below He Xun. Song Yan fussed over him, serving dishes and murmuring, “Junior brother, eat more, replenish your strength.”

Hu Yangyang and Hu Tutu were seated at a farther disciples’ table, but Song Yan specially instructed the attendants to give the two girls extra brown sugar pastries and hot soup.

Hu Tutu sipped the warm soup in little mouthfuls, her pale face gaining some color.

Hu Yangyang remained silent but ate far faster than at home, clearly hungry.

After finishing his meal, Lu Yuan excused himself from Song Yan.

Song Yan rubbed his still-bruised cheek and reluctantly escorted Lu Yuan out to Tianlong Temple’s grand mountain gate.

A more spacious, comfortable green-silk carriage supplied by Tianlong Temple awaited at the gate.

The horses were tall and magnificent; inside the carriage were thick rugs—clearly much more comfortable than the cart he had arrived in.

Lu Yuan first approached Hu Yangyang and Hu Tutu.

Hu Tutu still held half a pastry she hadn’t finished. Her big eyes blinked at Lu Yuan, showing obvious reluctance.

Hu Yangyang stood quietly at her side, not saying a word.

Lu Yuan crouched down and tried to keep his tone light:

“I have to go somewhere else for a few days. You’ll stay with Senior Brother Song for the next few days.”

“Have fun at Tianlong Temple. Don’t run off. Listen to Senior Brother Song.”

Hu Tutu nodded and blinked her pretty eyes, but her voice still carried a little nervousness:

“Daoist Priest... when will you come back?”

Although Hu Yangyang didn’t speak, his calm eyes betrayed a faint concern.

Lu Yuan reached out and gently patted Hu Tutu’s head, then tapped Hu Yangyang’s shoulder:

“I can’t say for sure, but I’ll definitely be back at Zhenlong Temple after fifteen days.”

“In three days, Celestial Master He Xun will leave first. You’ll go back to Zhenlong Temple with him then.”

At Lu Yuan’s words, the two girls’ eyes brightened slightly and they nodded.

Lu Yuan stood, looked at Song Yan, and said solemnly:

“Senior Brother, please take care of these two children.”

Song Yan puffed out his chest and made his face contort with determination:

“Junior brother, don’t worry! I’ve got this!”

“I’ll take impeccable care of the two junior sisters. Not a hair on their heads will be harmed!”

Lu Yuan nodded, said no more, and turned. With Song Yan and the two girls seeing him off, he climbed into the green-silk carriage.

The curtain was drawn, shielding him from the cold wind and sight.

Lu Yuan leaned against the soft cushion and closed his eyes to rest.

The carriage started slowly, creaking as it left the grand mountain gate of Tianlong Temple and descended the winding mountain road.

The wheels rolled over snow-covered paths, making a monotonous, rhythmic sound.

Lu Yuan considered his route. Wuqing Temple lay on a spiritual mountain far beyond the Great Wall, a great distance from Tianlong Temple’s range.

Even with the swift mounts of Tianlong Temple, it would take day-and-night travel to arrive at dawn on the fourth day.

On the fourth day, when it was still dim and the east faintly lightened, the carriage finally stopped before a grand, spiritually rich mountain gate.

The peaks here were steep, shrouded in mist, with palace buildings and pavilions glimpsed among ancient trees and pines. The flying eaves and bracketed roofs presented a severe, imposing sight.

Above the gate hung an antique plaque inscribed with three vigorous characters:

Wuqing Temple.