UGB Chapter 79 Planning Ahead, Making the Most of the Future
Chapter 79 Planning Ahead, Making the Most of the Future
What truly prevented him from even taking that step was the second reason: he was now "Mo Wentian".
Shen Qing, the fifth-generation sect leader of Qingyun Sect, was dead in everyone's eyes. His grave was in the pine forest behind Qingyun Mountain. Apart from Zhong Xiu, who knew the truth, no one else in the world knew that Shen Qing was still alive.
His decision to break the deadlock by portraying himself as Mo Wentian was a well-considered one.
Mo Wentian was his senior uncle, the last disciple of the Taoist Fushan who accepted him as a disciple on behalf of his master. After reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, he went out to travel and had no worries or burdens in Qinghe County.
It's only natural for him to come for revenge.
His overwhelming power over the Huang family with his swordsmanship perfectly matches the legendary character of Mo Wentian.
More importantly, Mo Wentian's identity is one that can be advanced or retreated at will.
He could then rebuild Qingyun Sect in Mo Wentian's name, gather his old followers, and intimidate all sides.
He could retreat and allow "Shen Qing" to reappear at some point in the future, quietly concealing the identity of Mo Wentian.
As long as he lives and is powerful enough, he can use these two identities alternately, so that his enemies will never be able to figure out his true strength.
Therefore, the Huang family cannot die, or at least not all of them can die.
With Huang Yuanji and his son executed, the remaining members of the Huang clan became the best mouthpieces.
They witnessed Mo Wentian kill two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Huang family and saw the return of this sword genius from the Qingyun Sect.
They would spread the news throughout Qinghe County, and even to other counties and towns, until it reached Zhao Yuanlang's ears.
This is the effect Shen Qing wanted.
He needs the living members of the Huang family to spread the word that Qingyun Sect has not fallen and Mo Wentian has returned.
As long as everyone's attention is focused on "Mo Wentian", then it will be much safer for Shen Qing to return at some point in the future.
This way, no one will associate the useless sect leader who was forced to his death with the green-robed swordsman who killed Huang Yuanji.
The night wind howled past, and Shen Qing increased the speed of the Qingyun Sword to its maximum, leaving a faint blue sword mark in the night sky.
He looked down at the mountains and rivers at his feet and suddenly felt that the world had changed.
Strength is paramount, nothing more.
Shen Qing landed on an unnamed mountain and sat cross-legged under a sheltered rock.
Then he took out the apology gift prepared by Huang Wenyuan; there were quite a few things in the brocade box.
In addition to the land deeds for Qingyun Mountain and the Huang family mansion, there are also deeds for some Huang family properties.
To Shen Qing's surprise, there were more than twenty mid-grade spirit stones inside. The Huang family's wealth was not considered abundant, but it was a godsend for Shen Qing.
Especially those spirit stones, which are enough for his cultivation needs for the next period of time.
Shen Qing spread his divine sense and, after confirming that there was no one within a radius of several miles, sank into his sea of consciousness.
Sword control, illusion technique, five elements escape technique, sword concealment technique... He has initially mastered four supernatural abilities, but there is still a long way to go before he can truly integrate them.
Especially the Hidden Sword Technique. Although he achieved a great victory in tonight's battle, Shen Qing knew very well that he was able to succeed largely because Huang Yuanji was completely unprepared.
If they were to face off head-on, he might not be a match for Hwang Won-jae.
The gap between the first and fourth levels of Foundation Establishment cannot be completely bridged by a few supernatural powers.
Moreover, he was about to face Zhao Yuanlang.
As fellow disciples of the Heavenly God Sect in the Foundation Establishment stage, their foundations were far superior to those of independent cultivators.
"We must improve our cultivation level as soon as possible."
Shen Qing muttered to himself, took out two spirit stones and held them in his hand, then closed his eyes and entered a meditative state.
The 12th-grade flawless Dao Platform spun rapidly in the dantian, frantically drawing spiritual energy from the spirit stone, which surged and flowed through the meridians along the path of the Azure Cloud Qi Refining Technique.
Each rotation of the altar caused the spiritual energy around it to circulate, while simultaneously drawing the five elements of spiritual energy between heaven and earth to converge on Shen Qing.
However, the speed of his cultivation made Shen Qing frown.
Although the Qingyun Qi Refining Technique is based on the Sword Sect's Qi Refining Method, it is ultimately a simplified version modified by the Qingyun Daoist.
Before he reached the Foundation Establishment stage, this cultivation technique was sufficient to support his practice.
However, after the foundation is established, especially after achieving the twelfth-grade flawless Dao Platform, the limitations of this cultivation method become fully apparent.
It's like using a bowl that could only hold one bowl of water to hold a whole vat of water. It's not impossible, but it's incredibly inefficient.
"It seems I need to cultivate the complete methods of the Lingyun Sword Manual as soon as possible," Shen Qing muttered to himself, opening his eyes.
The Lingyun Sword Manual, which was taught to him, not only contained supernatural powers and techniques, but also a complete set of sword sect cultivation methods.
However, that set of techniques was tailor-made for sword cultivators, and the amount of spiritual energy and mental requirements for cultivating it were far beyond those of ordinary techniques.
Given Shen Qing's current cultivation level and situation, if he wants to cultivate in peace, he needs to stabilize the current situation first.
He closed his eyes again, no longer pursuing further improvement in his cultivation, but instead began to hone the four supernatural abilities he already possessed.
It was the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month, and the sky was still dark.
Inside the duty room of the Military Affairs Department of Qinghe County, the stove fire was about to go out. Zhao Shoucheng, fully clothed, leaned back in his chair, his eyelids twitching slightly, and he was sleeping very restlessly.
Since the sect leader's burial, he has never had a good night's sleep.
Huang Yuanji's existence was like a thorn in his throat, something he couldn't swallow or spit out.
In a daze, Zhao Shoucheng heard a series of chaotic footsteps coming from outside the yamen.
Zhao Shoucheng opened his eyes, stood up with his hand on his sword, and pushed open the door to go out.
Several constables were whispering among themselves under the eaves, but they immediately fell silent when they saw him come out. Zhao Shoucheng recognized one of them as the night patrolman who had been on duty in the Huang residence area the previous night.
"What happened?" Zhao Shoucheng asked.
The night patrolman looked around, then leaned in and whispered, "Boss, something terrible has happened. Last night, on the eve of the Lunar New Year, there was a murder in the Huang family. It's said that both Old Master Huang and his son are dead."
Zhao Shoucheng's grip on the sword hilt tightened suddenly. Was Old Huang dead?
A cold wind blew in from under the eaves, causing the hem of his robe to flutter. Zhao Shoucheng stood still, his face expressionless, but his heart was filled with turmoil.
Huang Yuanji is dead? Huang Dehou is dead too?
He took a slow breath, suppressing his surging emotions.
Is the news true?
"Absolutely true."
The patrolman lowered his voice and said, "Before dawn this morning, a servant from the Huang family ran out to report to the authorities that a murder had occurred in the mansion. When we arrived, the bodies of Old Master Huang and his son were laid out in the main hall, and the Huang family members were counting their valuables, saying that they were going to move the entire clan away from Qinghe County."
Zhao Shoucheng was startled again.
"Who did it?" He tried to make his tone sound like a routine inquiry.
"There are differing opinions."
The patrolman continued, "It is said that it was an enemy seeking revenge. We questioned several surviving actors, and they said that the murderer was a Taoist priest in a green robe. He only drew his sword once, and Old Master Huang was... gone."
A swordsman in a green robe.
Zhao Shoucheng lowered his eyes, concealing the fleeting glint of surprise in them, and said calmly, "I'll go take a look."
When Zhao Shoucheng arrived at the Huang residence, he found the main gate wide open.
When Zhao Shoucheng stepped into the main hall of the Huang family, even though he was mentally prepared, he was still shocked by the scene before him.
On the blue brick ground, two cracks, each about ten feet long, crisscrossed each other, the bricks and stones were overturned, revealing the damp soil underneath.
The main table had been split in two, with shattered porcelain plates and overturned wine glasses mixed in with blood.
Although the smell of blood in the air had been diluted by the cold wind, the mess on the ground still told the story of the violence of last night.