Chapter 1458: Internal Strife at Qingshou Temple

"Ah, so all these years you've been called a house slave of Cloud Hut Residence, but in reality, you were enduring humiliation to carry out a greater mission for the sake of our Qingshou Temple?" Hongrao's eyes lit up.

"Indeed. Otherwise, who would be willing to bear the infamy and willingly act as someone else's dog?" Shen Qingfeng sighed slightly and said with a touch of desolation, "To strengthen Qingshou Temple, I had no choice but to endure it myself. When Master handed Qingshou Temple over to me back then, he repeatedly urged me to ensure that Qingshou Temple became strong."

"Sixty years have passed; I suppose I have not failed the trust of my master."

"It really has been hard on you. It's a pity that some of the old things in the sect don't understand you and repeatedly work against you," Hongrao said, her heart aching for him.

"Hmph, it doesn't matter. Those old fogies are of the same generation as my master; they are stubborn and short-sighted." Shen Qingfeng pondered for a moment, then said, "I feel something is wrong. Let's do this: host a banquet... and invite Yunwu and Yunxi over."

"Are you going to make a move?" Hongrao was startled. "Won't this decision be too rash?"

"No... because I feel that the Soul Consciousness of Elder Qingchen and the other two elders are already gone," Shen Qingfeng said, gritting his teeth. "They have already died in battle. This power is not something our Qingshou Temple can contend with."

"Alright, how do you need me to cooperate?" Hongrao gritted her teeth and asked.

"Host a banquet. I will leave our Qingshou Temple's 'Qingyue Yan' in the wine. This substance will cause one's Cultivation to be temporarily lost. When that happens, these two supervisors sent by Cloud Hut Residence will become weak in their limbs and have no power to resist," Shen Qingfeng sneered. "They will be at our mercy. As soon as the other side arrives, we will surrender immediately."

"Alright, I know what to do," Hongrao nodded slightly.

"Hongrao, this time it concerns the life and death of our Qingshou Temple. As the Sect Master, I ask you: you must succeed. If we succeed this time, I will fly away with you and we shall be together forever." Shen Qingfeng stood up and bowed respectfully to Hongrao.

"Why are you being so polite with me?" Hongrao was both anxious and moved. "We have been together for so many years. If it weren't for you, I would just be a common mortal, living in the mundane world, catering to all sorts of men—how could I have my current achievements? Don't worry, I will find a way to make them drink it."

"Then thank you in advance. Let's go and prepare immediately. That old thing Yunwu is a lecher; the way he looks at you is different. Yunxi is a woman, and I have my own ways to deal with her. You just need to take care of Yunwu."

"Alright, I understand," Hongrao nodded.

A moment later, in the main hall of Qingshou Temple, the banquet was already set.

One old man was Yunwu. This fellow had squinty eyes and would look at the pretty female disciples from time to time; one look and you knew he was a lecher. Among those who practice, there are few like him.

The other, who looked like a woman in her middle years, was Yunxi. Her expression was cold, and she was indifferent to everything around her.

Neither of their cultivation levels was low. The reason Yunwu was an old man was that he disdained to use techniques to preserve his youthful appearance.

"The two of you, sorry to keep you waiting." A hearty laugh rang out as Shen Qingfeng arrived, accompanied by Hongrao.

"Sect Master Shen, what is the meaning of this?" Yunxi snorted. "With a great enemy at the gates, is there still time for pleasure?"

"Great Elder, please rest assured. We are just having a small drink; it won't delay matters. Besides, our elders have already led the disciples in three separate groups, and news will be coming back very soon, so please be one hundred percent at ease," Shen Qingfeng said with a smile.

"Haha, it's harmless. I heard Sect Master Shen has good wine here, called 'Qingfeng Drunk'," Yunwu also laughed heartily. "A century-old vintage—this is fine wine indeed. Let's take this opportunity to have a good taste."

"And fine wine with a beautiful woman—this is something many people can only dream of." As the fellow said this, he cast his gaze toward Hongrao at his side, not hiding the lust in his eyes at all; his expression was as if he wanted to strip the other person bare.

Shen Qingfeng nudged Hongrao, and she immediately understood, sitting directly beside Yunwu: "Elder Wu, I will accompany you for a few good drinks today."

"I heard that in Cloud Hut Residence, the six elders of the Yun generation are all top-tier experts. The reputations of Elder Wu and Elder Xi are like thunder to the ears. To have the chance to meet you today is truly a blessing of three lifetimes," Hongrao said as she walked forward, raised her wine glass, and giggled, looking charming and peerless for a moment.

This intentional or unintentional smile of hers, along with her arms and bosom brushing against Elder Wu from time to time, was a tactic that worked perfectly on this old lecher.

"Hehehe, you are too kind, Miss Hongrao." Yunwu's bones felt half-melted. He took the cup Hongrao handed him, grabbing her small hand and refusing to let go.

"Yunwu, are your old habits acting up again?" Yunxi felt a surge of anger upon seeing this scene. As an old maid, the thing she hated most was a vixen like Hongrao acting out here.

"What are you saying? How is me having a drink an old habit acting up?" Yunwu was somewhat angry.

He did not like going on missions with Yunxi; it was because this old maid's temper was foul and rigid. Sometimes when he wanted to find some fun, she would watch him like a hawk.

In fact, it wasn't just him; even others were unwilling to go out with her because there were too many rules.

"With a great enemy at the gates, you really have the mood to drink?" Yunxi snorted. "Have you forgotten how you ruined things by drinking last time?"

"Haha, not this time, I guarantee it absolutely won't happen," Yunwu laughed. "Besides, this is Miss Hongrao's kind intention; how could I refuse?"

As the fellow spoke, he kept rubbing Hongrao's hand with his own.

Shen Qingfeng, standing to the side, felt his anger flare up three zhang high, but his face remained smiling: "I have heard of Elder Wu's capacity for liquor; you are a man who can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. This little bit of wine won't be a problem."

"Shen Qingfeng, I had only heard that you were a running dog, but I had never truly seen it. Today, I have finally seen it," Yunxi suddenly laughed. "Hongrao is your Dual Cultivation Partner, right? To be able to send out your favorite woman just to curry favor with people—you really are something."

Shen Qingfeng's expression changed abruptly. Yunxi's words were a bit too hurtful; even if it were the truth, she shouldn't have said it directly.

"Yunxi, what do you mean by that?" Yunwu was somewhat confused. He let go of Hongrao's hand and took the wine cup. "We are all on the same front now; we are just having a drink together."

"Besides, how could I not know that Hongrao is Sect Master Shen's partner? I only admire her; I have no other sordid thoughts. You are using the heart of a petty person to measure the belly of a gentleman," Yunwu said with displeasure.