I Don’T Want To Be This Master For A Day Anymore. Chapter 16

You Are the Unexpected Surprise I Never Dared to Hope For

During his time at Jiuling Mountain, Qiu Yin’an had been preparing the dowry with Yao Ye. It was no exaggeration to say that half of Jiuling Mountain’s possessions had been selected by Yao Ye for the dowry. Qiu Yin’an estimated that with the current number of servants at Jiuling Mountain, it would take three days and three nights just to carry everything.

At the same time, the news of Chen Liang inviting Witches into Qingxuan Peak had spread throughout the Cultivation World.

On this day, Lang Yue, the Star Seer of Qimen Pavilion, came to visit. Since the Elder of his sect was about to enter secluded cultivation and could not personally congratulate Jiuling Mountain on the joyous occasion, he was sent ahead to deliver the congratulatory gifts.

Hearing that Qiu Yin’an was also present, he wanted to ask exactly what was going on with the rumors about Qingxuan Peak associating with Witches.

Inside the Jiuling Mountain council hall, Qiu Yin’an sat facing east from the west, discussing the matter with Yao Yu and Lang Yue. Yao Ye, finding the solitary preparation of the wedding boring without Qiu Yin’an, was also present, listening in.

Lang Yue, the Star Seer, looked stern. He spoke first: “Virtuous Venerable Muyang, Witches and the Demon Race are birds of a feather. Over the years, they have secretly and openly damaged the seal and obstructed the sealing efforts countless times. The Witch lineage is a common enemy of the Cultivation World, and all major immortal sects avoid them like the plague. Why is Qingxuan Peak engaging with them?”

Before Qiu Yin’an could answer, Yao Ye jumped in, provoking him, “Can’t your Qimen Pavilion calculate things? Why don’t you figure it out yourselves instead of asking others?”

Yao Yu’s face darkened, and she sternly rebuked him, “Don’t be rude.”

Lang Yue felt anger rising, but constrained by being on Jiuling Mountain’s territory, he couldn’t lash out. He could only suppress his fury and feign magnanimity, replying, “Qimen Pavilion understands the heavens and earth, but the human heart is hard to predict.”

Yao Ye rolled his eyes at him. Knowing that serious business was being discussed today, he stopped interfering.

Qiu Yin’an’s eyes were vacant; he hadn’t fully decided how to explain the situation.

He certainly couldn’t tell Yao Yu and Lang Yue about Bai Chengying’s damaged heart meridian. Moreover, that was just a pretext. Chen Liang’s main goal was to ensure that Qiu Yin’an could never gain the merit from sealing the Demon Race, preventing him from breaking through and advancing to Saint Venerable. That was why Chen Liang sought to negotiate with the Demon Race through the Witch lineage.

Currently, Qiu Yin’an could only give them a half-truth. He lowered his gaze and said, “Chen Liang plans to share dominion over the world with the Witches and Demons.”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present instantly froze.

Even Yao Ye, who had been careless moments before, straightened up, focusing intently on what Qiu Yin’an would say next.

Qiu Yin’an clenched his hand into a fist, rubbing his thumb against the pad of his index finger. He glanced at the three of them and continued, “Previously, Chen Liang tried to stop me from taking the position by instructing the immortal sects not to participate in reinforcing the seal. But that is not a long-term solution. Even if I cannot reinforce the seal according to plan now, five years from now, relying on the merit from sealing the Demon Race, I will inevitably break through and advance. Therefore, my ascension to the Venerable Lord position of Qingxuan Peak is only a matter of time. The only way Chen Liang can stop all of this is to ensure the Demon Race is never sealed again. There is no other option. That is why he invited the Witches to broker a discussion about dividing the world equally between the Witches and Demons.”

Lang Yue, the Star Seer, had calmed down from his astonishment, but the indignation in his heart had not faded. He sharply criticized, “Chen Liang is ambitious and has always disregarded the rules. Now, to secure his position as Venerable Lord of Qingxuan Peak, he has become so deranged that he wants to share dominion with the Witches and Demons, completely abandoning the interests of the other sects.”

Yao Yu’s expression was weary. She frowned for a long time before speaking, “There are differences in rank among the immortal sects. Although Qingxuan Peak has always been respected as the highest, each sect manages its own affairs. Is Chen Liang’s action meant to force us all to submit to him?”

Yao Ye shot up from his seat, shouting, “That won’t do! Why should my Jiuling Mountain, a perfectly good sect, be governed by him?”

Yao Ye paced back and forth anxiously in the council hall, flustered like a drowning cat.

Yao Ye had walked back and forth no less than ten times, making Qiu Yin’an feel unsettled. When Yao Ye paced past him again, Qiu Yin’an grabbed hold of him.

“Don’t worry. With me here, Chen Liang’s plan won’t succeed. My parents paid such a huge price to seal the Demon Race; how could I allow the Demon Race to break the seal? Now, sit back down and calm yourself.”

Yao Ye obediently stopped moving, but he was too agitated to sit. He stood with his hands on his hips not far from Qiu Yin’an. Qiu Yin’an didn’t force him further.

Yao Yu took a deep breath and sighed heavily, “The Demon Race is brutal and has never valued the lives of those in the Cultivation World. They were sealed a hundred years ago precisely because they slaughtered too many innocent cultivators. If Chen Liang truly intends to help the Demon Race break the seal this time, how can he guarantee that they won’t start a massacre again?”

Lang Yue, the Star Seer, also spoke with concern, “In the past, the Heavenly Gods helped the Cultivation World seal the Demon Race and then bestowed the Soul-Guarding Lamp upon Qingxuan Peak, setting a ten-year limit for carrying out the mission of sealing the Demon Race. Is Chen Liang defying the will of heaven now? Is he not afraid of implicating everyone in the Cultivation World and incurring the wrath of the Heavenly Gods?”

“Exactly, exactly! Isn’t Chen Liang stealing from his own house?” Yao Ye was utterly confused. “Oh, I don’t know if that’s the right analogy, but Yin’an, you absolutely cannot let that old bastard Chen Liang succeed! What if the Demon Race really comes out and harms everyone?”

Qiu Yin’an replied, “Chen Liang is not very proficient in sealing techniques. He won’t be able to break the seal anytime soon.”

Yao Yu suddenly thought of something. Her eyes brightened, and she said, “Virtuous Venerable Muyang, why don’t we summon the various sects again to discuss jointly reinforcing the seal? Given the current situation, surely no sect would be foolish enough to still submit to Chen Liang’s pressure. If all the sects assist you and Virtuous Venerable Lin Yu in reinforcing the seal, Chen Liang’s plan will fail.”

Qiu Yin’an’s eyelids fluttered slightly as he pondered how to answer Yao Yu.

He originally wanted to say that there was a lead on finding the genuine Soul-Guarding Lamp, and the real item would be more reliable than his replica, so he planned to temporarily hold off on reinforcing the seal until the genuine lamp was found.

But then he realized that while this excuse might fool Yao Yu, Lang Yue would surely be suspicious, as Lang Yue knew that the Soul-Guarding Lamp in his possession was the real one.

He couldn’t mention Bai Chengying’s damaged heart meridian. He needed a suitable explanation to deflect both of their doubts.

So Qiu Yin’an said, “Last time, Qimen Pavilion divined that reinforcing the seal would face many obstacles and advised me to wait until the deadline to seal it.”

Lang Yue, the Star Seer, leaned back. “At that time—the result of Qimen Pavilion’s divination was indeed so.”

He explained, his face slightly flushed, “But things are done by people; we cannot rely entirely on divination.”

Qiu Yin’an answered earnestly, “The words of Qimen Pavilion must be heeded.”

Yao Ye interjected, “Yin’an, don’t you have that replica Soul-Guarding Lamp? Just kill Chen Liang now and eliminate the root of the problem. That way, he can’t release the Demon Race, and you can take the Venerable Lord position. Two birds with one stone, how great is that?”

Qiu Yin’an said, “You are a cultivator, yet you constantly talk about killing. It harms your merit.”

Yao Ye retorted, “Then lend me the Soul-Guarding Lamp, and I’ll do the killing. I’m not afraid of harming my merit.”

Yao Yu looked pale and fatigued, feeling a bit dizzy. She held her forehead and scolded, “Yao Ye, stop causing trouble. Sit back down.”

Seeing his sister’s poor complexion, Yao Ye obediently sat back down and quickly said, “Sister, don’t get angry. I won’t say anything else.”

Lang Yue, the Star Seer, cleared his throat and said, “Virtuous Venerable Muyang, your original intention was to force Chen Liang to step down by breaking through, and then have him join you in upholding the glory of Qingxuan Peak as the foremost sect in the world. But Chen Liang does not think that way. To secure his position as Venerable Lord, he has long disregarded the reputation of Qingxuan Peak. He is too obsessed with opposing you, even at the cost of putting the entire Cultivation World in danger. The situation is different now; it can no longer develop as you previously envisioned. Should you not make alternative plans?”

Qiu Yin’an replied, “I understand. The situation is far beyond a mere power struggle between the two of us now. My opponent has become Chen Liang and the Witches. I know what you are worried about. I can promise that if Chen Liang continues down this path of delusion, I will kill him. I will prioritize the safety of everyone in the Cultivation World over upholding the sole glory of Qingxuan Peak.”

Lang Yue, the Star Seer, stood up and bowed to Qiu Yin’an. “Virtuous Venerable Muyang possesses great righteousness. Lang Yue should not have speculated carelessly. If you save the Cultivation World, all the sects will be sincerely convinced, and no one will challenge the authority of Qingxuan Peak. Lang Yue, on behalf of Qimen Pavilion, vows to forever hold Qingxuan Peak as the highest authority.”

After Lang Yue, the Star Seer, left, Qiu Yin’an felt exhausted. Under the pretense of taking a short nap, he sent Yao Ye away and remained alone in the room to calm his mind.

After talking with Lang Yue and Yao Yu today, it was tantamount to announcing Chen Liang’s intentions to the Cultivation World. Before long, people like Yao Yu would start asking him, even urging him, to reinforce the seal.

But with Bai Chengying’s heart meridian damaged, who was there to reinforce the seal with him?

He wasn’t sure how long he could keep Bai Chengying’s condition a secret, or how much crazier Chen Liang might become.

Lang Yue, the Star Seer, said he would forever hold Qingxuan Peak as the highest authority—that was because their Qimen Pavilion simply lacked the power to replace Qingxuan Peak as the paramount ruler of the Cultivation World. But those who did have the capability were just waiting for an opportunity. Once they smelled a hint of trouble, they would rush over like a gust of wind.

The various sects only united when facing the Demon Race; otherwise, it was all deceit, intrigue, and fierce competition.

The current complex situation was already beyond Qiu Yin’an’s expectations. The only way forward was to quickly go to Cold Ridge White Cliff, retrieve the Buddha’s Hand, refine the pill, and repair Bai Chengying’s meridians. Only then could everything return to his control.

“Master.”

Qiu Yin’an had been leaning against the wooden table, feeling somewhat suppressed and irritable. Upon hearing this familiar and affectionate voice, he couldn’t wait to get off the couch and greet the person at the door. The moment he saw Wan Qiongju, his face lit up with joy.

“How did you find your way here?” Qiu Yin’an’s eyes seemed to sparkle.

Wan Qiongju tugged the rope in his hand. Qiu Yin’an followed the rope and saw his Spirit Fox tied at the end.

Wan Qiongju answered with a smile in his eyes, “With Master’s Spirit Fox leading the way, the people of Jiuling Mountain recognized it and let me in.”

Qiu Yin’an’s Spirit Fox could transform into a human, but its ears and tail remained hidden, so most of the time it preferred to appear in its true form.

The fox was currently twisting its head, struggling against the rope, and complaining indignantly, “Master, quickly untie this rope for me! I am a spirit beast, not a dog! This boy treated me like this, you must punish him! This is a great humiliation! I cannot live!”

Since Wan Qiongju arrived, Qiu Yin’an’s lips had been curved in a smile, and he was in a great mood. How could he possibly seek revenge for the fox?

Qiu Yin’an raised his hand and flicked the Spirit Fox’s forehead a few times. He said, “You are usually disobedient and careless in your duties. Consider this your atonement for today. Wan Qiongju, tie it up outside.”

Wan Qiongju replied, “Understood!”

The Spirit Fox cried, “No, please! I know I was wrong—”

Qiu Yin’an sat down at the round table, waiting for Wan Qiongju to finish tying up the Spirit Fox and come inside.

He pushed the pastries on the table toward Wan Qiongju, poured him a cup of tea, and then rested both elbows on the table, holding a smiling face as he asked his beloved disciple, “How have you been these past few days since I left Qingxuan Peak?”

“I’ve been fine, but I missed Master because you were gone for so long.” Wan Qiongju took a sip of tea and softly asked, “Is Master well? Why haven’t you returned after such a long time?”

“It’s only been a few days. Jiuling Mountain and Fengyun Manor are holding a wedding, and I stayed to help with the preparations. I was planning to send someone to fetch you in a few days anyway. Jiuling Mountain is going to be quite lively.”

Qiu Yin’an reached out and touched Wan Qiongju’s lower back. “Is your butt healed?”

Wan Qiongju replied, “I only feel a little sensation now. It should be almost healed. I can’t see it myself.”

“Wait for me.” Saying this, Qiu Yin’an walked to the cabinet and took out a lacquered box. He placed it on the bed and opened it.

“This medicine is especially good for pain relief. Yao Ye brought it back from Hai Di last year. He didn’t cultivate properly before and was often beaten. Without this medicine, he would have been in terrible pain. There’s still a little less than half a jar left, which I asked him for. Come here and lie down. I’ll apply the medicine for you.”

“Thank you, Master.”

Wan Qiongju untied his sash, took off his outer robe, and braced himself on the edge of the bed with both hands. Qiu Yin’an lowered the bed curtain, just about to pull down the remaining clothing to apply the medicine.

Suddenly, he heard a loud shout from Yao Ye, followed by an accusation: “Yin’an, you should at least close the door—”

When did this person arrive? Qiu Yin’an wondered inwardly. He lifted the bed curtain and saw only Yao Ye’s fleeing back. Then he heard a click, and the door was closed by Yao Ye.

Wan Qiongju remained in his original posture, turning his head to ask, “Master, what happened?”

“Who knows? Yao Ye is always so jumpy.”

How long could applying medicine take? Just lowering the curtain should be enough. Besides Yao Ye, who would barge into his room? Qiu Yin’an truly didn’t understand why someone as carefree as Yao Ye was making such a fuss.

Qiu Yin’an lowered the bed curtain and began applying the medicine to Wan Qiongju. As he was applying it, he suddenly realized something. Yao Ye wouldn’t think he was—

“What the hell!”