Chapter 81: Chapter 81: Fleeing to the Central Capital
A month slipped by in the blink of an eye, and even during the usually bustling year-end, everything seemed extraordinarily cold and cheerless this year.
Lu Chengfeng had been closely monitoring the changes within the sect, especially the actions of the upper echelons and several Great Elders.
For this reason, he had to thicken his skin, repeatedly going to Zhu Yuxian for inquiries, and he also used his connections with other disciples from the four peaks and Cai Zhang to probe every aspect of the sect’s movements.
The Lord of Youdu personally issued a challenge to the Sect Leader, a matter that could not possibly be kept under wraps, and it had long been the talk of the sect, even causing a huge stir throughout the entire Martial World.
The Northern and Southern Lands, including the Central Capital, were closely watching the dynamics between the Yuncang Sword Sect and Youdu.
Since the Lord of Youdu broke through to the Celestial Human Realm, this was his first major move, and many old figures wanted to see his prowess and make plans for the future.
A Celestial Human strong person is an existence that can stir up storms in the entire world, causing upheaval throughout the Martial World, and is closely related to every major power; no one dares to ignore this.
Especially since the Lord of Youdu is targeting the Yuncang Sword Sect, it is clear that he is not just a recluse obsessed with the Martial Path, indifferent to worldly matters, but someone with great ambition.
It could be said that the Yuncang Sword Sect was already at the brink of life and death; the decisions of the sect’s high levels would affect the future and destiny of every disciple, which is why Lu Chengfeng couldn’t help but be concerned.
He rarely mentioned these things he harbored in his heart to Luo Suyi, and even when he did, it was only in passing because she did not understand these matters and wasn’t as shrewd in thought.
In contrast, Qiutong, having lived in the sect for over twenty years and with her unique background, knew many things that ordinary disciples found difficult to know, and her clear mind made her see things more clearly than many others.
In his leisurely moments, Lu Chengfeng liked to come to her for tea, discussing various matters of the sect together, and this woman often brought him different ways of thinking and perspectives.
"Ever since you mentioned this to me at the end of last year, I’ve specially looked up numerous ancient texts and have come up with more ideas."
Since Qiutong gave her body to Lu Chengfeng, she preferred wearing those outfits that wrapped her tightly but still managed to accentuate her body’s curves.
Today, she wore a goose-yellow, waist-cinching robe, with a long belt tightly binding her waist, the curve of which from waist to hip made one’s mouth dry from just one glance.
This woman particularly liked kneeling, brewing tea with her fair hands, moving gracefully, pleasing to the eye with every gesture.
"Although the Northern Lands comprises Five States, Yun State is desolate and distant, almost like the edge of the world, with rare human presence."
"Qingzhou in recent years has been severely affected by earthquakes, droughts, and locusts, and with the collapse of Great Chu, King of Qingzhou’s rebellion with the ancient tradition of White Emperor City, and their ultimate defeat and demise, Qingzhou was purged from all sides, leaving it a barren land with hardly any masters emerging over the years."
"The remaining You State, Yan, and Liang States can be considered the essence of the Northern Lands."
Qiutong picked up the teapot, pouring the jade green, crystalline tea into a cup and handed it to Lu Chengfeng, a faint tea fragrance wafting through the air, refreshing the heart and mind.
"North of You State is Yun State, and south of it borders Liangzhou; Liangzhou’s west is Qingzhou, and the east is Yan State, while the intersection of Qingzhou and Yan State surrounds the southern part of Liangzhou, making it unable to connect with Central State."
"It can be said that Liangzhou, being connected north with You State, west with Qingzhou, and southeast with Yan State, has always been a strategic hotspot during northern warfare throughout history."
"The Lord of Youdu, having cultivated to Celestial Human Realm, desires to swallow the Northern Lands and sets his sights on the Divine State, hence will inevitably first take Liangzhou, whose lord is indeed the Yuncang Sword Sect."
Lu Chengfeng listened silently to Qiutong’s account, sipping his tea, finding it slightly bitter at first, but after a moment, his taste buds felt refreshed, like morning dew in the mountains, with a unique taste.
"In other words, there is bound to be a battle between the Yuncang Sword Sect and Youdu, and it even seems that planning had started many years ago on Youdu’s side."
"The Three Great Sects’ invasion, Law Enforcement Hall Great Elder’s betrayal, and the infiltration of many spies into both Inner and Outer Peaks, these couldn’t have happened overnight, they must have been schemed for a long time."
"Correct." Qiutong only brewed tea, yet did not drink it herself, instead kneeling beside Lu Chengfeng, setting down the teapot and turning to look at her man.
"Since the passing of the previous Sect Leader, there was once a fierce struggle for the position of Sect Leader within the sect, unknown to outsiders."
"In the end, through compromise, the fourth disciple of the previous Sect Leader, the First Seat of Profound Crane Peak, was made the Acting Sect Leader."
"However, shortly after assuming the position, this individual announced a retreat and has been gone for twenty years now, his life or death unknown."
"Practically all major sect affairs are controlled by the Five Peaks and Eighth Hall, and since the First Seat of Profound Crane Peak’s position is also held by the Sect Leader, it essentially functions as Four Peaks and Eighth Hall."
"Back then, due to internal conflicts, many masters from Profound Crane Peak perished, and coupled with Elder Zhu’s aloof arrogance and infrequent interaction with the sect’s high level, Profound Crane Peak’s numbers dwindled over the years, with only a dozen True Disciples left."
Lu Chengfeng set down his tea cup, shaking his head slightly: "The Great Elder overseeing the sect’s laws had long since secretly defected to Youdu, no wonder so many spies infiltrated the sect."
"Though nominally there remains a Sect Leader, effectively there isn’t one, and each peak acts independently. If it weren’t for the Eighth Hall coordinating operations, the sect might have already fallen apart."
"Now with the Lord of Youdu issuing a challenge, disciples are uneasy, many mountain servants have fled, and towns at the base of the mountain see numerous people leaving to escape."
"Everyone can see that there inevitably will be a life and death battle between the Yuncang Sword Sect and Youdu."
He shook his head with a sigh, "But in this battle, the odds are slim for Yuncang to prevail; the Lord of Youdu is a Celestial Human, and Youdu has entrenched roots in the North for many years, reportedly having three Half-Step Celestial Human experts openly known."
"I’ve also received news previously that after the fall of Celestial Ghost Sect, Cyan Simurgh Sect, and Iron Banner Sect, Youdu’s three Marshals, who are those three Half-Step Celestials, each led elite disciples to storm the three major sects’ headquarters, looting a millennium of accumulations clean."
"As for the remaining sect members, those who surrendered on their knees were assimilated, whereas the obstinate ones who dared to resist were all slaughtered completely."
"Although the Lord of Youdu has not yet emerged from retreat, Youdu’s influence has already spread into Yan and Liang States."
"Whether it’s Yun Cang or Sunset Sect, though upset by Youdu’s actions, they haven’t directly confronted them, merely proclaimed and denounced them to the world, which is of no help."
"I’ve gone to Master several times, only to find out that the sect’s upper echelons are constantly bickering, with some wanting to ally with Sunset Sect, others wishing to join the Celestial Patrol Department in Central State, leveraging the power of Central Capital to counterbalance."
"Some have even discreetly dispersed the core disciples, hoping to preserve seeds of hope."
Lu Chengfeng drank the tea in his cup in one go, then began to toy with it in his hand, his energy circulating, with a deeply gloomy look on his face, "Master too has recently advised me to make plans early, best to leave Yuncang promptly and take refuge in Central Capital."
"To wait until July 15, see the outcome of the battle, and then determine the circumstances."