Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint

Chapter 431: Chapter 195: News

Chen Qing returned to the Transmission Square. He was just about to head to Langya Pavilion to cultivate when a Wutai Sect Steward hurried over, bowed respectfully, and said, "Chief Chen."

"What is it?" Chen Qing asked, stopping in his tracks.

The Steward Disciple lowered his voice and cupped his fist. "Second Young Master Liu of the Liu Family, Liu Mingyuan, has come to visit. He is currently waiting in the reception hall and specified that he is here to see you."

Hearing this, Chen Qing raised an eyebrow. ’The Liu Family is here again?’

When news of his breakthrough to the Astral Force realm had spread, Liu Mingyuan had also paid a visit, but at that time, Chen Qing had refused to see any visitors.

Still, the Liu Family was the undisputed number one family in Yunlin Prefecture. They controlled the vast Yunlin Commerce Association and possessed immense wealth.

Though they had recently lost a Tributor, they had reportedly spent a fortune recruiting many new experts. It was even rumored that they had brought an Astral Force master into their fold, so their underlying strength remained profound.

Chen Qing gave a slight nod. "I’ll go at once."

Subsequently, he went to the Wutai Sect’s reception hall.

Liu Mingyuan was already waiting. The moment he saw Chen Qing enter, he immediately rose and cupped his hands. "Chief Chen, please forgive my sudden visit. I trust I haven’t disturbed your cultivation?"

"You’re too kind, Second Young Master Liu. Please, have a seat."

With a calm expression, Chen Qing gestured for him to be seated, then took the host’s seat himself. A disciple then served tea.

After sitting, Liu Mingyuan began with a smile and a few pleasantries before his tone shifted, growing solemn. "Chief Chen, first, allow me to congratulate you on your great advancement in Cultivation, for reaching the Astral Force realm! To have such an achievement at your age is truly humbling for my generation. Your future is boundless!"

Chen Qing smiled faintly. "You flatter me, Second Young Master Liu."

Liu Mingyuan waved his hand dismissively, his expression growing more sincere. "I have come today for two reasons. The first is to offer my congratulations. The second, and most important, is to thank you, Chief Chen, for avenging a great wrong done to my Liu Family!"

His voice was tinged with gratitude. "That Demon, Zuo Feng, murdered my nephew, Liu Han, and stole a great treasure from my Liu Family. He was our mortal enemy! I heard that during the battle at the Xuanjia Sect, it was you, Chief Chen, who personally cut him down in the forest. The entire Liu Family will forever remember this act of grace!"

As he spoke, Liu Mingyuan took a Jade Box from within his robes and gently pushed it toward Chen Qing.

The lid opened, revealing three perfectly round pills—they were none other than Quenching Gang Pills!

"This is but a humble gift, a small token of my gratitude. I do hope Chief Chen will not refuse it."

Liu Mingyuan’s tone was sincere. "I should have come to thank you much sooner, but I was swamped with family affairs and dealing with the remnants of the Demon Sect. I hope you can overlook the delay, Chief Chen."

Chen Qing’s gaze swept over the three Quenching Gang Pills, and he instantly understood.

’Liu Mingyuan’s words are eloquent, but they’re just excuses.’

’I know the real reason without even having to think about it.’

’In the early days of the Xuanjia Sect upheaval, the situation was still uncertain. The Liu Family was closer to Cold Jade Valley; some of their core family disciples even cultivate there.’

’If the Liu Family had made a big show of thanking me, a member of the Wutai Sect, back then, they would have inevitably displeased Cold Jade Valley.’

’Now the dust has settled. The Demon Sect’s Yunlin Sub-Pavilion has been annihilated, and a new balance of power has emerged, with the Wutai Sect and Cold Jade Valley clearly established as the two great powers.’

’Only now, while trying to maintain their ties to Cold Jade Valley, are they extending an olive branch to the ascendant Wutai Sect.’

"You’re making too much of it, Second Young Master Liu."

Chen Qing smiled and, without much ceremony, reached out and accepted the Jade Box. "Eradicating the Demon Path is simply our duty. But since the Liu Family is so gracious, it would be rude of me to refuse."

Seeing Chen Qing accept the pills, the smile on Liu Mingyuan’s face grew even more enthusiastic. He chatted for a while about the current state of affairs in Yunlin Prefecture, repeatedly hinting at the Liu Family’s vast resources and extensive network. He made it clear that should Chen Qing ever need anything, the Liu Family would offer its full support.

His intention to build a relationship was as clear as day.

After all, Chen Qing was already the undisputed prodigy of Yunlin Prefecture’s younger generation. His strength and potential were there for all to see.

Barring any accidents, his future succession as the leader of the Wutai Sect was practically set in stone. Providing aid in a time of need was far more valuable than adding to his accolades later on.

After sitting for another moment, Liu Mingyuan saw that his purpose had been achieved, so he tactfully rose to take his leave.

Watching Liu Mingyuan’s retreating back as he left with his attendants, Chen Qing shook his head.

’This "repaying of grievance with virtue" from the Liu Family... it truly leaves me with no opening to move against them.’

’Especially since Liu Mingyuan explicitly mentioned during his small talk that the Liu Family would no longer pursue the matter of the Azure Wave Profound Flood Dragon Armor. The implication couldn’t be clearer.’

Without giving it much more thought, Chen Qing headed to Langya Pavilion to cultivate.

As time passed, the storm caused by the annihilation of the Demon Sect’s Yunlin Sub-Pavilion and the execution of Heart Devourer gradually subsided, and a period of calm settled over the Jianghu of Yunlin Prefecture.

The various major powers were all busy digesting the battle’s impact and the resulting shift in the balance of power. On the surface, all was calm.

Chen Qing planned to find time to make a trip back to Gaolin County.

’Now that my Cultivation has reached the Astral Force realm, my status is completely different. It’s time to go back for a visit.’

「On this day.」

He went to the Cyan Wood Institute’s Transmission Square to give Luo Xinyi instructions for handling institute affairs during his absence.

"Just handle the routine affairs of the institute yourself," Chen Qing instructed.

Luo Xinyi bowed respectfully. "Rest assured, Chief. Xinya will do her utmost."

Just then, one of the Sect Leader’s personal Stewards hurried into the Cyan Wood Institute, his expression reverent. "Chief Chen, the Sect Leader has an urgent matter and requests the immediate presence of Master Li and yourself in the Council Hall."

Chen Qing’s mind stirred.

’A summons from the Sect Leader isn’t unusual. But summoning Li Baichuan too? He spends all his time cooped up in the back courtyard and barely handles any official business. This can’t be about anything ordinary.’

"I understand. I’ll head over now," Chen Qing nodded.

He first went to the back courtyard to inform Li Baichuan about the Sect Leader’s summons.

Hearing the news, Li Baichuan merely lifted his eyelids. He rose slowly to his feet, flicked a speck of non-existent dust from his robes, and said, "Let’s go."