ISWTDB Ch7

Chapter 7: The Disfigured and Blind Sect Leader (7)

Ying Zhao hadn’t expected Wen Renming to bring up the ‘Qingyuan Jue’ voluntarily and raised an eyebrow, watching the two men without revealing his emotions.

Indeed, Nan Zheng across from them could no longer contain himself and said eagerly to Wen Renming:

“You’re right, nephew. We are family, and there’s no need for formalities. If you need any help, just say the word. I, Nan Zheng, will do everything in my power to assist.”

Wen Renming’s face immediately showed gratitude upon hearing this. He pursed his lips and said:

“To be honest, Master, although the ‘Qingyuan Jue’ has been passed down in our Wen Ren family, it has never been directly held by our family but is hidden in a secret realm. Only our family bloodline can be guided to find the ‘Qingyuan Jue’. However, the secret realm is vast and extremely perilous. Over the years, no one in our family has reached its depths to retrieve the ‘Qingyuan Jue’. This is why, despite the many years, Qingliu Sect remains a small sect, for we only know a fraction of what our predecessors left behind.”

At this point, Wen Renming sighed, showing a hint of frustration. He continued to Nan Zheng:

“You see, Master, I was born with an ailment and cannot see. Though my late father dearly loved me and passed the position of Sect Master of Qingliu Sect to me, I cannot bear to watch Qingliu Sect fall into ruin under my leadership. But if we can retrieve the ‘Qingyuan Jue’ and bring it to prominence, it would undoubtedly rejuvenate Qingliu Sect, establishing it firmly in the cultivation world.”

Nan Zheng, even more excited upon hearing this, looked at Wen Renming, trying hard to contain his eagerness and pretending to be unaware, he said:

“Oh? I never knew Qingliu Sect had such a secret. If we get the ‘Qingyuan Jue’, Qingliu Sect will surely become a top-tier sect in the cultivation world!”

Wen Renming heard Nan Zheng’s words and shook his head with a bitter smile.

“But now, our Qingliu Sect disciples’ cultivation levels are too low to undertake such a task. Therefore, I hope the Master can generously help by selecting some Piaomiao Pavilion disciples to accompany me to the secret realm. Although the manual is a Wen family secret and cannot be shared, there are numerous precious materials and treasures in the secret realm. If your sect is interested, you may take them. Should we indeed obtain the ‘Qingyuan Jue’, the entire Qingliu Sect will be grateful for Piaomiao Pavilion’s assistance.”

Upon hearing this, Nan Zheng thought this was indeed a profitable deal. Without hesitation, he agreed, saying heartily to Wen Renming:

“Rest assured, nephew, Piaomiao Pavilion will definitely help with all our might! However, the secret realm is fraught with dangers, so we must make some preparations first. How about setting off in three days?”

Wen Renming nodded and gratefully replied:

“Very well, I am thankful for the Master’s help!”

Nan Zheng felt this was an unexpected joy, never imagining that Wen Renming, this fool, would willingly offer the ‘Qingyuan Jue’ to him.

After confirming the date, Nan Zheng couldn’t wait to leave, eager to deploy his men and prepare for entering the secret realm.

Ying Zhao watched Nan Zheng’s hurried departure and slightly frowned as he looked at Wen Renming beside him. Wen Renming, sensing Ying Zhao’s gaze, turned and asked with a smile:

“Yunping, why are you looking at me?”

Ying Zhao recalled that Wen Renming had previously expanded his spiritual sense, clearly aware of the conversation between himself and Xiao Lie, naturally understanding what Nan Zheng was plotting.

Knowing that Wen Renming’s proactive mention of the ‘Qingyuan Jue’ was definitely not simple, Ying Zhao decided to wait and see. He leaned close to Wen Renming’s ear and whispered:

“It’s nothing, just that, Wen Renming, you shouldn’t trust Nan Zheng too much.”

Wen Renming was surprised to hear Ying Zhao say this and was stunned for a moment. Yunping had called his master directly by name and even warned him. Could this mean that their relationship wasn’t as close as it appeared?

Thinking of this, Wen Renming’s lips curved into a smile, which gradually widened. He held Ying Zhao’s hand without speaking, only gently squeezing his palm.

Ying Zhao knew this was Wen Renming’s genuine smile, the first time he had seen such a smile since coming to this world. Feeling moved, Ying Zhao blinked and couldn’t help but lean over to kiss Wen Renming on the cheek.

Seeing the other person’s smile grow even broader, Ying Zhao’s eyebrows curved in delight. He thought, no matter what Wen Renming planned to do, he would be there to watch over him. With this in mind, he stopped worrying. Hand in hand, the two of them left the garden together.

Three days passed quickly. Ying Zhao didn’t expect Nan Zheng to be in such a hurry. To enter such a dangerous secret realm, a mere three days of preparation was clearly insufficient.

However, Nan Zheng was too eager to obtain the “Qingyuan Jue” and did not take Wen Renming’s warnings about the dangers seriously, which is why he made such a hasty decision.

No one knew what treasures Nan Zheng had given Xiao Lie, but it managed to wake him up that very night. Moreover, not only did his cultivation not regress, but he even advanced to the late stage of the Golden Core.

Naturally, Xiao Lie couldn’t remember what had happened to him that night. When he woke up and learned about entering the secret realm to obtain the “Qingyuan Jue,” he was also very excited.

These past few days, the male protagonist had been busy preparing for the secret realm, leaving him no time to bother Ying Zhao, which Ying Zhao found quite satisfactory.

Seeing the entire Piaomiao Pavilion in such a grand mobilization, Ying Zhao’s mouth curved slightly, a fleeting hint of sarcasm in his eyes.

Although he didn’t know exactly what Wen Renming intended to do, as long as it was Wen Renming’s decision, he would follow. After all, with him around, he would never let them harm Wen Renming.

On the eve of entering the secret realm, Nan Zheng quietly called Ying Zhao to his room. Seeing Xiao Lie already waiting inside, Ying Zhao raised an eyebrow. Nan Zheng smiled kindly at him and said:

“Yunping, this exploration of the secret realm is very important for our Piaomiao Pavilion. I need to guard outside to prevent any unforeseen incidents inside the secret realm. This time, you and your senior brother will lead the team, and you must be cautious in everything. Your recent performance has been excellent. By getting close to Wen Renming and gaining his trust, he revealed the secret of the ‘Qingyuan Jue.'”

As he spoke, Nan Zheng reached out and patted Ying Zhao’s shoulder. Seeing Ying Zhao’s delicate face so close, the smile in Nan Zheng’s eyes deepened.

He thought to himself that the “Qingyuan Jue” would soon be in his hands. Once he obtained the manual, Ying Yunping would lose his value. Raising him for so many years would not be in vain; he could dispose of him as he pleased.

Ying Zhao keenly sensed Nan Zheng’s malice but kept his eyes lowered, maintaining a submissive demeanor.

Seeing his obedient appearance, Nan Zheng was very satisfied. He then turned to Xiao Lie and said in a pretentious manner:

“Lie’er, you must take good care of Yunping in the secret realm. I hope for your safe return.”

However, Nan Zheng quickly changed his tone.

“But once you obtain the ‘Qingyuan Jue’ in the secret realm, you know what to do with Wen Renming, right?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Lie nodded and said to Nan Zheng:

“Rest assured, Master. I understand. The secret realm is fraught with dangers, and anything could happen. Moreover, by then, Yunping, as the prospective wife of the Wen Ren family’s sect leader, taking over the Qingliu Sect would be a matter of course.”

After saying this, both Nan Zheng and Xiao Lie had malicious smiles on their faces. Ying Zhao nodded in agreement, listening absentmindedly to Nan Zheng’s continued pretentious advice and concerns.

After leaving the room and parting ways with Xiao Lie outside, the obedient expression on Ying Zhao’s face immediately vanished, replaced by an unusually cold look.

He curled his lips into a smile, gazing at the darkening sky, and whispered:

“Senior Brother is right. The secret realm is indeed dangerous. So, if something happens to the people of Piaomiao Pavilion, it would be perfectly natural.”