Chapter 240: Seeking Knowledge

A new large vat appeared before the crowd.

Inside was Elder Xue Zhizheng. Limbs sheared off, eyes blinded. Even his tongue had been removed. Only his ears remained intact, letting him hear the gasps and shouts erupting around him. Countless people leapt to their feet in shock. Even seasoned Qi Refiners rarely witnessed such ruthless brutality; they were genuinely terrified.

A dignified Golden Core Refiner? Reduced to this?

Yu Qingli, who had carried out it all, wore an expressionless face. He lifted the vat and walked step by step to where his sister lay. Placing it on the ground, he knelt slowly. Then he kowtowed deeply to his sister three times.

Because of that man in the vat, Yu Qingli had lived with regret for ten long years. Because of that man, his sister had endured suffering for a decade.

Today, Yu Qingli used this man to prove he had grown. He used this man to honor his sister’s memory.

At this final moment, Yu Qingli’s sister struggled to open her eyes.

She did not look at the vat. Instead, her gaze settled on Yu Qingli kneeling before her. A faint smile touched her lips, and she slowly closed her eyes for the last time.

All around, Qi Refiners, startled from their seats, seemed to rise together in silent tribute for his sister’s passing.

As the strongest and most respected Qi Refiners in Qingjiang Prefecture, that day they witnessed the ruthless side of Shoushan Sect’s small disciple. From that day on, the fame of Shoushan Sect’s True Disciple spread far and wide.

……

“Merit… White hairs…”

Fang Cun, watching from afar, sighed softly and closed his eyes.

He could feel the white hairs sprouting on his head once more. Yet, simultaneously, a measure of Merit entered his account. Though small, only eight thousand, it still made him feel unexpectedly heavy-hearted. Perhaps, compared to the encroaching white hair, this Merit seemed insufficient. Yet, deep within, he felt no regret. Instead, a profound sense of satisfaction washed over him.

At least, his spirit felt lighter.

Nearby, He Zhenzhang and Meng Qing’er, witnessing Yu Qingli honor his sister, felt similar stirrings.

Both wore solemn expressions. Unseen shifts stirred their Qi.

“Such a difficult problem… and the answer was so simple!”

……

“Second Young Master Fang, your request is fulfilled!”

From across the distance, the Lingwu Sect Leader bowed deeply towards Fang Cun. He spoke no word, but Fang Cun understood his meaning.

At this signal, the gathered crowd began to rise.

Representatives from Lingwu Sect, Leshui Sect, Yun Huan Sect, the Seven Clans’ Qi Refiners, the Nine Immortals Sect, the County Mansion officials… none wished to linger any longer. The matter of Lingwu Sect’s Elder Xue was settled. The younger brother mourning his sister commanded a sacred quiet they all respected. Even the County Mansion Chief Wardens and Divine Generals left Elder Xue inside that large vat.

Whether he lived or died was no longer anyone’s concern.

This Elder Xue Zhizheng, in life, had been a formidable figure.

From a small-time deputy in the Demon Capture Bureau, he painstakingly plotted and rose through the ranks. He accumulated achievements, rising to the position of Chief Warden. Then he latched onto the Xue Family line. With strong backing, he secured the rank of Elder within Lingwu Sect. By any measure, his path reflected grim determination and inspired grudging respect. Yet no matter how cunning, how cautious he had been, karma had tracked him down. Debts accrued.

Debts incurred demand payment. Justice delivered.

Having completed his homage, Yu Qingli gently lifted his sister’s body. He walked towards a distant grove. As Qi Refiners, all present could sense his sister’s life force departed. They knew why he entered the grove: to prepare a coffin.

He Zhenzhang and Meng Qing’er immediately moved to help. Meng Zhixue followed them.

Fang Cun remained high on the slope, silently watching them.

“Second Young Master Fang, your ability to enlighten others… it borders on miraculous!”

A quiet voice spoke from behind. Divine Eye Young Master Lu Xiao had approached.

His tone was one of utter sincerity.

Fang Cun knew his meaning. Back in Leshui Sect, a single phrase from Fang Cun had sparked enlightenment, producing a Light Condensation expert. That alone was astonishing. Here, before another grand assembly, he had enlightened another. Such power naturally inspired awe.

Even one hailed as the Divine Eye Young Master felt compelled to voice genuine admiration.

“I merely parrot words. It’s hardly true skill this time.”

Fang Cun refrained from his usual sharp rebuff, perhaps affected by Yu Qingli’s sorrow.

His “parrot words” referred to wisdom learned from his former life.

Lu Xiao, however, assumed he spoke of Immortal Master Fang Chi. He pondered a moment. “As Sect Leader, many compared me to Immortal Master Fang Chi. For a long time, Lu Xiao felt prideful, convinced my talent and intellect were unmatched among my peers. Only now, meeting Second Young Master Fang, do I glimpse the vast distance separating others from one like the Immortal Master…”

Fang Cun glanced at him. Lu Xiao seemed genuinely reflective. His words held weight.

Fang Cun sensed he, too, harbored unspoken queries.

So Fang Cun decided to pose his questions first. He turned to Lu Xiao directly, a faint smile on his lips. “Young Master Lu, I’ve heard you studied the world’s classics. All arts, all spells underwent your scrutiny. They say the Daoist School even favored you, granting three days’ reading within their treasured archives?”

Lu Xiao showed mild surprise but bowed graciously. “Indeed.”

“In that case, I have some questions for your insight!”

Fang Cun retrieved a paper scroll dense with script from his sleeve. He offered it to Lu Xiao. “My journey covers the Five Sects, seeking to understand the Classics. Yet after visiting these sects, a few doubts linger unanswered. Would you willing offer your perspective?”

“This…”

Youthful Master Lu Xiao blinked, clearly taken aback. His expression swiftly hardened into seriousness as he accepted the scroll.

Ignoring formal posture, he unfurled it right there, scanning the words. After deep contemplation, his expression softened slightly. He asked no other questions. “Before Second Young Master Fang, the word ‘insight’ feels presumptuous. The answers… I shall have them sent to you shortly.”

Fang Cun nodded, equally earnest. “In return, you may ask me one question later.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Lu Xiao’s face. He smiled wryly. “So Second Young Master Fanng saw I had a question?”

“Learning and asking questions are separate things. Seeking knowledge holds no shame, nor hinders other matters,” Fang Cun replied lightly.

“If all Qi Refiners grasped principles as clearly as Second Young Master Fang,” Lu Xiao murmured, his voice dropping, a trace of bitterness lacing it. “Perhaps our troubles would lessen.” He seemed troubled.

Fang Cun dismissed this with a soft laugh. “Perhaps it is you who struggles to let go?”

“Who truly lets go?” Lu Xiao countered. “Take Elder Xue Wu. A seasoned, calculating fox. How could he not know Elder Xue Zhizheng was beyond saving? Yet knowing it, he spoke dissent and took that stance. Because he is of the Xue Family. He had to attempt it!”

Fang Cun nodded, his smile cool. “Then his resulting trouble was well-earned…”

Lu Xiao hesitated. “The matters between Second Young Master Fang and the Seven Clans…”

“Need not be said,” Fang Cun cut him off flatly. “No issues exist between myself and the Seven Clans.”

Lu Xiao instantly understood: he had overstepped.

Between him and Fang Cun, only discussions about learning were appropriate. Anything else, even broached, would remain outside their connection.

“Disaster! Disaster!”

With this silent agreement, they both turned their gazes towards the grove where Yu Qingli, He Zhenzhang, and Meng Qing’er labored over felled trees, crafting a coffin. A heavy stillness hung in the air; Lu Xiao considered taking his leave.

Suddenly, frantic shrieks shattered the calm from the direction of Lingwu Sect!

All eyes snapped towards a Xue Family servant erupting from the sect grounds. He ran like a maniac towards the assembled Qi Refiners, his face ghost-pale, terror etched deep.

“M-Master Xue Wu!” he screamed. “Elder Xue Wu… he’s been murdered! Inside the guest hall!”

“Whoosh!”

Every Qi Refiner present froze in stunned silence.

……

Time barely passed before a flood of Qi Refiners surged into the guest hall where Xue Wu resided.

They found a scene of utmost horror.

The man sat poised before a tea table, a cup still held casually in his grip. But his head? It no longer rested on his shoulders. Instead, it sat upright on the tea table. Wide lifeless eyes stared emptily, dulled yet frozen in terror, straight ahead.

Beside the severed head stood a bamboo-tallied execution token.

And hovering faintly in the air beside it, the spectral impression of an unearthly seal lingered.

The Ghost Official!

Shock beyond words seized every Qi Refiner present. The guest hall felt entombed in ice.

“Such audacity! Such audacity!”

The Lingwu Sect Leader erupted first into furious roars. Rage consumed him. “Where… where does that Ghost Official find the guts?! To strut boldly into my Lingwu Sect and kill?! I… Is there no longer any rule of law?!”

Silence pressed heavy. Countless thoughts churned privately.

Not long ago, the Ghost Official executed fifteen Golden Core Refiners right outside Lingwu Sect’s gates, shaking the region. The sects, the clans, even the County Mansion forces had all converged on Lingwu Sect precisely because of this outrage. They thought with so many powerful figures gathered, they would deter the Ghost Official. Perhaps even root him out.

Who could have fathomed their arrival barely brought a sigh of relief before the Ghost Official struck again? Killed another? Right under their noses?

Earlier, Xue Wu had clashed openly with Second Young Master Fang over Elder Xue Zhizheng’s fate. Angered, he stormed off to brood alone in the Lingwu Sect guest hall. Barely half an hour’s time… and already he met this ghastly end? Head separated from body?