ISWTDB Ch6

Chapter 6: The Disfigured and Blind Sect Leader (6)

The two embraced for a long time before separating. Ying Zhao looked at Wen Renming in front of him, feeling that the more he looked, the more he liked him, and he increasingly regretted the years he had missed in the past.

He must work hard to take care of every fragment of Zhu Que’s soul in each world and bring him back completely. By then, they would never be separated again.

Thinking of this, a heartfelt smile appeared on Ying Zhao’s face. He wondered why Wen Renming had come to Piaomiao Pavilion alone, seemingly leaving all the disciples of Qingliu Sect at the foot of the mountain.

Since they had already had breakfast, Ying Zhao planned to take Wen Renming for a walk around Piaomiao Pavilion. Although Wen Renming couldn’t see, Ying Zhao, looking at his pale face, felt that he should often go out and get some sunlight, which would be beneficial for his health.

Moreover, Piaomiao Pavilion had a garden filled with rare flowers, exuding a fragrant scent that was relaxing.

Since Wen Renming had not revealed his cultivation in front of him, Ying Zhao pretended not to know. Seeing that Wen Renming had no objections to his suggestion of taking a walk in the garden, he helped Wen Renming put on his mask again, took his arm, and left the room.

Although Ying Zhao didn’t mind the scars on Wen Renming’s face, he was concerned that Wen Renming might feel bothered if others looked at him strangely.

The two of them walked together in the garden, and through their conversation, Ying Zhao learned that Wen Renming, though blind from a young age, was used to doing things on his own. He preferred peace and quiet and did not like having others around unless necessary.

Piaomiao Pavilion was well-known in the cultivation world and had gathered many rare flowers in the garden, some of which were considered rare even in the cultivation world.

It was said that these were all collected by the master of Piaomiao Pavilion, Nan Zheng, from various places. Although Ying Zhao felt a bit regretful that Wen Renming couldn’t see the beautiful scenery of the garden, the fragrant aroma was indeed refreshing and pleasing.

Sunlight shone down, making Ying Zhao feel a bit warmer. He felt that walking with Wen Renming like this was a peaceful and beautiful experience.

He thought that if time could stay at this moment, it wouldn’t be a bad thing. After strolling in the garden for a long time, Ying Zhao, worried that Wen Renming might be tired, took him to a pavilion in the garden to rest.

He also called for servants to bring some tea and snacks. Ying Zhao fed Wen Renming snacks while smiling uncontrollably, feeling that he had fallen in love with such interactions.

It turned out that taking care of the person you like was such a joyful thing. The atmosphere between them was warm and pleasant, but there were always people who liked to ruin the moment.

They had barely sat for a while when hurried footsteps came from not far away. Ying Zhao looked intently and, even from a distance, recognized the person as his so-called master, the master of Piaomiao Pavilion, Nan Zheng.

In the world of cultivation, age was hard to tell from appearance. Although Nan Zheng was several hundred years old, his face looked no older than in his thirties or forties, with just a bit of graying at the temples.

Nan Zheng was handsome and usually had a smiling face, looking very much like a respected elder. Unfortunately, the soul beneath this facade was too filthy.

Ying Zhao watched Nan Zheng without showing any emotion, already guessing why he had come.

Sure enough, Nan Zheng hurried over, his face originally stern as if about to question. But upon seeing Wen Renming beside Ying Zhao, he was momentarily stunned, then immediately softened his attitude and said to Ying Zhao:

“Yunping, so you’re here. I’ve been looking for you. Do you know what happened to your senior brother? Yesterday, I heard that Lie’er was going to look for you, but he didn’t return. Just now, the servants reported to me that Lie’er has been unconscious in his room since last night and hasn’t woken up yet. When I went to check, it seemed that your senior brother was attacked, and his sea of consciousness was severely damaged. Yunping, what happened last night?”

Hearing this, Ying Zhao glanced at Wen Renming beside him without showing any emotion. Seeing that Wen Renming’s face was calm, he clicked his tongue inwardly. Turning his head, he looked at Nan Zheng with a puzzled expression and shook his head, saying:

“Master, I didn’t see senior brother yesterday, so I don’t know what happened.”

Saying this, Ying Zhao’s face immediately showed a worried expression, seemingly anxious as he asked Nan Zheng:

“Is senior brother’s injury serious? Is he alright?”

Hearing Ying Zhao say he didn’t know what had happened, Nan Zheng, though somewhat suspicious, saw that Ying Zhao’s expression didn’t seem fake. Knowing that Ying Yunping had always had feelings for Xiao Lie, Nan Zheng temporarily suppressed his doubts.

He shook his head at Ying Zhao and said in a deep voice:

“Injuries to the sea of consciousness are no small matter. Although it can be healed, I’m afraid his cultivation will regress. As of now, we don’t know when Lie’er will wake up. It seems we’ll have to wait until he wakes up to know what really happened.”

Hearing this, Ying Zhao showed a worried expression, but inwardly, he was cheering. He had sensed the attack on the protagonist last evening.

Although his abilities were suppressed by the small world, Ying Zhao’s five senses were always keen, and he could tell that Xiao Lie’s injury was severe.

Moreover, Ying Zhao was not worried that Xiao Lie would reveal what happened after waking up. Even though he was now a lowly cultivator, erasing a person’s momentary memory was not difficult for Ying Zhao.

So neither the protagonist nor the servants from last night would remember what had happened. Ying Zhao wasn’t the only one with this thought.

After attacking Xiao Lie’s sea of consciousness last night, Wen Renming had also erased his memory for a moment. Thus, the protagonist had been subjected to two memory-erasing spells simultaneously, making him sleep even longer. When he woke up, he would probably forget much more than Ying Zhao had originally anticipated.

Having received no answers from Ying Zhao, Nan Zheng turned to Wen Renming, smiling as he said:

“Wen Renming, you’re here too! I was so anxious to question Yunping that I neglected you. That was my oversight.”

Although Nan Zheng’s tone was polite, there was obvious disdain in his eyes when he looked at Wen Renming. Moreover, calling him by his name instead of addressing him as the Sect Master of Qingliu was extremely disrespectful.

However, Wen Renming’s face showed no displeasure. He cupped his hands and smiled at Nan Zheng:

“You overstate it, Master Nan. I’m just a cripple. Yunping saw me cooped up inside and brought me out for some fresh air. I should be thanking you for your care these past days.”

Hearing this, Nan Zheng laughed:

“Wen Renming, you’re too polite. In a few days, when you and Yunping get married, we’ll be family. Although I’m Yunping’s master in name, I took him into Piaomiao Pavilion and raised him from a young age, treating him as my own son. Calling you nephew isn’t inappropriate, is it?”
Upon saying this, Nan Zheng looked even more smug as he gazed at Wen Renming, but his words remained pleasant:

“Wen Renming, you shouldn’t be so modest. After all, the Qingliu Sect has been well taken care of under your leadership. In the future, Piaomiao Pavilion will certainly provide more support to Qingliu Sect, so you can rest assured!”

Nan Zheng’s latter words were extremely impolite, and Ying Zhao could clearly discern his intentions. It seemed that Nan Zheng not only coveted the secret manual Wen Renming possessed but also harbored ambitions to annex Qingliu Sect, revealing his insatiable greed.

Hearing this, Ying Zhao’s face broke into a big smile, though a cold glint flashed in his eyes. Unexpectedly, Wen Renming, standing beside him, showed a look of delight and nodded to Nan Zheng, expressing his gratitude:

“In that case, I am grateful for the Master’s generosity! Has the Master ever heard of a manual called the ‘Qingyuan Jue’ from the Wen family? It is said that this ‘Qingyuan Jue’ was left by a celestial being and has been secretly passed down through our family for generations. This matter is scarcely known even in the entire cultivation world.”

Nan Zheng was taken aback that Wen Renming would voluntarily mention the ‘Qingyuan Jue’, and immediately felt excited, listening as Wen Renming continued:

“Since I am soon to marry Yunping, Yunping will be my future wife. As Master regards Yunping as his own son, naturally, you are also considered part of the Wen family. Today, I reveal this secret to you in the hope that you can help me with a favor!”