Impartiality

"A cat?" Zhao Huaimin took the iron token Qin Xuan handed him, his honest face filled with astonishment. As he listened to Qin Xuan recount the matter of the cat, his eyes brightened. "That truly might be it! "Zhu Jinting, the master of Lianyun Manor, has ancestral ties to the Dao Sect, which is why he is on good terms with our temple head. Perhaps that connection lies with Madam Wei. In this commandery, I fear only someone of her standing could use a Talisman of Conferment as a cat's travel permit." Having heard this, He Wushuang could not resist grumbling playfully, "Well, aren't you something, Qin Zihou? Your heart turns on a dime! Just a moment ago you were exchanging backward glances with an immortal maiden, and now you're clinging to Madam Wei's robes. No wonder you've been leafing through romantic tales lately—you had this planned all along!" Qin Xuan offered a kindly warning: "It's fine to joke like that with me, but if you speak like that outside, be careful someone doesn't burn your lute and boil the crane..." The two men and one crane talked for a long time. Marking their reunion beneath the full moon, they set out cups and saucers, sipping wine together until dawn. He Wushuang flew back to Pine Breeze Lodge tipsily. Zhao Huaimin also had a rough idea of what was happening at the Upper Court, naturally aware of the friction between his cousin-uncle and Elder Lai. "If Elder Pan stirs up trouble out of nothing and makes things hard for you, I'll go head-to-head with him." Qin Xuan did not stand on ceremony, merely smiling. "No hurry. Let me match wits with him first." "Right..." Qin Xuan looked him up and down with a hint of suspicion. "How is it that I feel your aura has grown significantly weaker over this period?" "Impressive. The senses of a sword immortal truly are keen." Zhao Huaimin raised a thumb. "This relates to a secret art I cultivate. The weakening of my aura is a kind of regression, meant to thicken and deepen my foundation." Hearing this, Qin Xuan hurried to say, "If you're in a hurry to cultivate at Guanjiang Mountain, there's no need to wait for me. With your talent and cultivation, even with Lai Jing obstructing things, the Upper Court has no reason to bar you at the gates." Zhao Huaimin shook his head. "It doesn't matter. Before Core Formation, I have no need for the Upper Court's methods." He glanced around, transmitting his voice with vigilance: "This is a secret of my Mount Bailu lineage. Once you reach Foundation Building, I'll explain it all to you." "There's one more matter..." Zhao Huaimin hesitated, then stopped. "I'd like to hear your thoughts." "What matter is so solemn?" Zhao Huaimin said, "The Luogu Peak lineage where Lai Jing belongs wields considerable influence. Even if you join Guanjiang Mountain in the future, there will be endless hassles. Do you have any thoughts on that?" Qin Xuan answered almost without thinking, "That will depend on the Upper Court's attitude." "Oh?" A peculiar look surfaced in Zhao Huaimin's eyes. Qin Xuan's mindset had long since shifted. He said solemnly, "If the Upper Court turns a deaf ear to conduct like Lai Jing's and makes things difficult for Uncle Li, it's not as though I have no choice but to go there. "The Nine Provinces hold countless orthodox lineages. Within our Great Lingbao Sect alone, there are thirty-six true transmissions and numerous branch transmissions, to say nothing of the three ancestral courts. The world is vast beyond measure; why should I fear having nowhere to establish myself?" "Ambitious!" Zhao Huaimin nodded. "Before this, when I hadn't seen you display your sword art talent, I didn't dare bring it up. But now I have to say a word or two. "Mount Bailu possesses a sword art heritage that I can guarantee is not inferior to that of Guanjiang Mountain. "I bring this up now for no other reason than to reassure you: we brothers will never lack a retreat. If worst comes to worst, I'll simply marry into another clan. I still don't know what that girl from the Nangong family ever saw in me." Qin Xuan gave him a searching look, but Zhao Huaimin averted his gaze. Qin Xuan faintly sensed that something might have occurred on Uncle Li's end. Yet since Huaimin was unwilling to speak of it—likely under Uncle Li's strict instructions—he pressed no further. As he was about to leave, Qin Xuan handed him a gourd of tiger ginger spirit dew that he had prepared earlier. Zhao Huaimin uncorked it and took a sniff. "What is this? The spiritual qi is so rich!" "When I made the pilgrimage to the mountain, I came upon a spirit spring and steeped the immortal dew from it. Just make do with it for now." Zhao Huaimin took a sip, his eyes going wide. *This* was called "making do"? Before he could complain about the understatement, Qin Xuan had already walked out of the courtyard. Returning inside, Zhao Huaimin immediately brought out brush and ink. After chewing on the end of the brush for a moment, he began to write: *Cousin-Uncle, in just a few short months, I must share something astonishing with you: Zihou has laid down his worries and mastered a sword art.* *Does this ease your mind considerably? It must be true; knowing him, he has never been willing to squander time on idle trifles.* *Now, Zihou has even begun reading romantic storyteller's tales.* *Furthermore... during that night in the commandery city, I discovered a young maiden secretly aiding him. That rascal is still hiding it from me; I'll see just how long he can keep it up.* *...* *Finally, you need not worry excessively over our affairs, much less compromise against your will. In seeking the Dao and immortalhood, one seeks ease and freedom of spirit. Rather than suffer grievance, why don't we all return to Mount Bailu together...* *** On this day, Pingyuan Commandery, peaceful for so long, was stirred into an uproar by the battle at the Geng residence. Although the commandery authorities had sent men to clean the site, traces of the fierce struggle from that night remained plain to see. The secrets of the Geng family head, the defeat and flight of the Xieling Sect, Temple Head Wu's intervention... each revelation sparked buzzing discussions among the city's various factions. And the slaying of a guardian elder of the Xieling Sect by a core disciple of Yuansong Temple became the hottest topic across every street and alley. From the common markets, the word spread all the way to Yuansong Temple's Enforcement Hall. Upon hearing the report, Elder Luo—a man of the fiercest temper who showed no mercy to anyone—had a dramatic change of heart regarding Qin Xuan. In the grand hall of the Enforcement Hall, beneath his flaming red hair, Elder Luo's long face bore a smile touched with approval. The ones responsible for reporting were Ji An's disciples, Qi Baiyan and Tian Yifei. Both were meticulous, speaking back and forth to relate the facts faithfully. By the end, the fiery Elder Luo slammed his palm onto the table and shouted, "Good! "Good! Splendidly killed! How dare those contemptible scoundrels from an unorthodox demonic sect run amok in the commandery city? This Qin Xuan killed well—a thoroughly satisfying kill! "How could a mere core disciple of the Xieling Sect ever compare to our Yuansong Temple?" Elder Luo said proudly, "This deed greatly magnifies the renown of our Yuansong Temple. It deserves commendation!" Beside him, the short old man Weng Shanfang smiled. "I think so as well." At that moment, more than twenty people filled the Enforcement Hall, every hall disciple present. Pan Ang had originally intended to lead Elder Luo to Qin Xuan's quarters to hold him accountable; that had all been agreed upon beforehand. Who could have foreseen such a major twist? The events at the Geng residence were undeniable facts, witnessed firsthand by Qi Baiyan and Tian Yifei, leaving no room for slander. Pan Ang knitted his brows and glanced at Elder Ji An. Ji An wore a dark scowl, glaring at his two disciples. *You two fools! I told you to report truthfully, and you took it literally!* Pan Ang cleared his throat, looking toward Elder Luo with a smile. "Brother Luo, our sect has always kept rewards and punishments distinct. Qin Xuan broke the Xieling Sect's prestige, and he indeed deserves praise for that. But this cannot erase his past offenses. Otherwise, wouldn't our sect's rules become arbitrary decorations that anyone can alter at will?" Elder Luo hesitated. Earlier, he had indeed vowed to strictly punish Qin Xuan's dereliction of duty, harboring deep resentment over Temple Head Wu's blind protection and the fact that no one dared intervene. After failing to find Qin Xuan at his residence, he had flown into a towering rage. Had Weng Shanfang not urged that they must not compromise Yuansong Temple's dignity, he would have stormed into the city to drag Qin Xuan back himself. Yet seeing how things stood today... this Qin Xuan clearly possessed genuine ability... Though Elder Luo was quick-tempered, he was no fool. A burst of blazing fire suddenly erupted across his flaming red hair, sending the surrounding disciples scrambling to steer clear. Elder Luo was an expert in the Fire Cloud Art. Once his magic power surged, flames would billow for dozens of paces around him with terrifying might. The appearance of this phenomenon meant his anger had been stoked. Pan Ang's eyes lit up. But Elder Luo turned his gaze toward Shen Yunfei and Zhou Cang, pointing a finger at them. "You two, explain this clearly to me: was it out of personal malice that you deliberately framed Qin Xuan?" Shen Yunfei and Zhou Cang were core disciples as well, and since the sect required no kneeling bows, they merely made simple hand salutes. "Every word from the two of us is true. We are willing to swear a Great Dao oath that there is no framing whatsoever." Shen Yunfei and Zhou Cang held their heads high and chests out; they were indeed speaking the truth. Yet for Qin Xuan to resolve it would be simple: he needed only say that breaking through a bottleneck had delayed him from assuming his post. Handing this pretext over to Elder Pan—who currently presided as the head of the Enforcement Hall—left it entirely up to him to exploit. Pan Ang felt a twinge of frustration, saying gravely, "Elder Luo, could it be that even you will no longer uphold our sect's rules?" "This..." The fire atop Elder Luo's head died down. "Fine. This matter shall be handled impartially! "Sun Zong, go summon Qin Xuan here." "Understood!" Sun Zong was also a core disciple, and Elder Luo's apprentice. Grasping his master's intent, he answered and withdrew. Summoning Qin Xuan here rather than barging into his private courtyard already demonstrated Elder Luo's attitude. Beside them, Elder Ji An chimed in at the opportune moment: "That Qin Xuan defied me earlier, but out of consideration for his junior status, I did not hold it against him. Who could have thought it would only feed his arrogance to the point where he dares disregard our sect's rules? Brother Pan, now that you preside over the Enforcement Hall, you must not let others look down on our rules." Pan Ang nodded heavily. "Rest assured, Brother Ji. Brother Luo and I will surely defend our sect's prestige!" As he uttered these words, a teacup beside him shattered on the spot. Many disciples took note. Qin Xuan had somehow offended Elder Pan, and this time, unless the temple head intervened, he was bound to suffer. When Elder Pan wished to pin a crime on someone, he had no shortage of means...