Chapter 1578 - 174: Secret Technique and Xuanji Hidden Within the Sword (Part 2)

Chapter 1578: Chapter 174: Secret Technique and Xuanji Hidden Within the Sword (Part 2)

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but feel a bit worried. From the beginning of the Mountain Gate Welcoming Envoy, to the later performance by Shaoqing, he clearly sensed a feeling of estrangement, pondering to himself: "It seems that upon returning, I should quickly report this matter to the old ancestor."

In the southwest direction of Dayue Mountain, atop Guanxia Platform, a streak of sword light flew across the sky, spun around, and then dispersed. Zhang Yan stepped out from within, glanced at the palace below, and descended from the clouds. As he reached the steps, Jing You, who had sensed his presence, ran out from inside, joyfully saying, "Greetings, sir."

Zhang Yan said, "Where is Senior Brother Miao?"

Jing You replied, "He’s here, playing chess with a few elders."

Zhang Yan walked into the palace, passed the main hall, and quickly arrived at the backyard. He saw Miao Kun playing chess with an elder under a peach tree, while three other elders looked on. Noticing his arrival, they all stood up to greet him.

Miao Kun glanced over, pushed aside the chessboard, laughed heartily, and stood up, saying, "Junior Brother Zhang, you’ve been gone for thirty years! Even when I asked around about you in Shaoqing, no one knew your whereabouts. If you stayed missing for a few more years, I would have had to move heaven and earth to find you!"

Zhang Yan knew he was joking and didn’t say much. At present, the matter of him coming here to learn sword techniques was best known to as few people as possible.

The four elders knew the two had things to discuss, so they all excused themselves and left.

Miao Kun invited Zhang Yan to sit down and asked with concern, "Junior Brother, did your trip go as planned?"

Zhang Yan smiled and said, "I gained a little, not returning empty-handed."

Miao Kun said repeatedly, "That’s good, that’s good. But when are we returning?"

Zhang Yan teased, "Is Senior Brother eager to leave?"

Miao Kun complained, "You don’t understand, Junior Brother. The people of Shaoqing are so boring. Every day, it’s either cultivation or sword fighting. There’s no fine wine or good food in the sect, and not even any music or dance to enjoy, unlike the leisure at one’s own home."

He originally planned to go out for a few walks, but the Shaoqing disciples knew he was a Registered Disciple of the Mingcang Sect Leader. Once he went out, they would all find excuses to seek his guidance.

He was in a dilemma; if he accepted, he might lose and shame Sect Leader Qin. If he didn’t accept, it would seem like he was timid and afraid of engagement. Initially, he managed to deflect with words, but later it became impossible, so he resorted to the excuse of seclusion and hid within the palace.

Zhang Yan said, "Please bear with it for a few more days, Senior Brother."

Miao Kun’s face lit up with joy, saying, "Oh? Really?"

Then hesitated for a moment, cautiously asked, "You seemed to leave in a hurry, may I boldly ask if it has to do with the Yuxiao Envoy?"

Zhang Yan laughed loudly, "You’re overthinking, Senior Brother. What does the Yuxiao Envoy have to do with me? I merely wish to return soon, having left for a while."

Miao Kun breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "That’s good then."

Due to sword refining, Zhang Yan hadn’t heard any outside news for a long time. After exchanging a few words with Miao Kun, he started asking about matters outside the mountain.

Miao Kun said, "Since Junior Brother came to Shaoqing, the continent has been much more stable. Clearly, the Demon Sect fears the alliance between our two houses. I think if our three Great Xuanmen Sects unite to deal with this situation, advancing and retreating together, dealing with the Demon Tribulation should be no problem."

Zhang Yan gave a slight smile. Miao Kun indeed held a low status among Sect Leader Qin’s disciples and was ignorant of certain matters.

The alliance of the three Great Xuanmen Sects would only occur if there was a firm resolution to completely eradicate the Demon Sect. But in reality, the three sects need them to suppress the Xuanyin Sky Demon, so they would certainly not take such action; maintaining the current situation is the best option.

No wonder when Shaoqing and Mingcang Sect came into contact, Yuxiao was so anxious, sending an envoy immediately.

The two sects had been mutually non-disturbing for thousands of years, but suddenly becoming close, there must be a reason. If it were in the past, it would be understandable, but now, within a millennium, there have been three major calamities. How could Yuxiao willingly be excluded?

After asking a few more questions, seeing that there were indeed no major events in the past thirty years, he found another courtyard to study the sword techniques.

The next day, Ran Xiushu came to the door personally bringing the Sword Pond, saying it’s a return gift for the sword ball, urging him to accept it.

Without refusing, Zhang Yan accepted the goodwill openly, then tidied up a bit, first visiting Qinghong Palace to bid farewell to Ying Chunqiu, then went to Xun Huaiying to say goodbye. After that, he piloted the Twin Flood Dragon Flying Carriage and returned to the mountain gate with Miao Kun and others.

Due to this substantial movement, Zhou Hang, who was at the Yi Pavilion, also received the news of the Mingcang Envoy’s departure.

Chanzhu noticed that he seemed to be in a bad mood, lowered her head to think for a while, bit her lip, and said, "Master, your disciple has a plan, maybe it can plant a thorn between Shaoqing and Mingcang Sect."

Zhou Hang responded with an "Oh", smiled, and said, "Chanzhu, you have always been clever, perhaps you really have a good strategy. Speak for your master to hear."

Chanzhu, being praised, felt somewhat shy, and said in a low voice, "Zhang Yan is probably still in the Shaoqing Mountain Gate. Master, you could go out now and intercept him, then have a casual conversation, and inadvertently reveal that Zhang Yan once had a relationship with Miss Zhou, so Shaoqing would certainly harbor suspicions..."

Zhou Hang shook his head; this method seemed too wishful. Were there genuine plans between the two sects, a few words wouldn’t sway them.

Moreover, Zhang Yan and Zhou Youchu once married, but that was a worldly marriage, not considered a true Daoist couple in the eyes of cultivators.

Perhaps a small sect would greatly value this relation, but Shaoqing, Mingcang, and such Great Xuanmen Sects wouldn’t care about this matter.

Additionally, this matter seemed to involve a certain secret, which he wasn’t too clear about, and it absolutely couldn’t be brought to the table. Even if truly exposed, it would only shame the Dingyang Zhou Clan.

Chanzhu saw that he wouldn’t accept it and urgently said, "Master..."

Zhou Hang’s face darkened and said, "No more words, such means are villainous, how could your master do such a thing? This matter shall not be mentioned again, otherwise, you are no longer my disciple, do you understand?"

Chanzhu had never seen her master so stern, her face turned pale with fear, she nodded repeatedly, not daring to utter another word.

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)