Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint

Chapter 438: Chapter 197: Top Secret (Part 2)

Upon hearing this, Zhou Liang fell silent for a moment, filled with a sense of wistful regret.

’Hadn’t he entertained the same idea?’

Especially when Chen Qing had revealed his astonishing talent, yet came from a humble background and possessed a steady, reliable character. At that time, Zhou Liang had all but decided he was the most suitable match for his daughter—a perfect son-in-law who could bring glory to the Zhou Institute.

He slowly nodded. "Yes... It’s truly a shame. That boy, Ah Qing, is loyal and responsible, and his talent is one in a million. If he could have truly married Yu’Er, it would have been her good fortune."

He recalled his daughter’s reaction when he had first tried to sound her out—shy, yet with an undercurrent of resistance.

At the time, he had merely thought the moment wasn’t right, or perhaps his daughter had other ideas. Now, it seemed they had missed out on a fated connection of immense proportions.

"That child, Yu’Er... she was probably too young back then, her heart unsettled. Or... alas. In the end, they just weren’t fated to be together."

Mrs. Li sighed again. "Now that she’s at the Haisa Sect, I have no idea how she’s doing. But I imagine... it will be hard for her to find someone like Ah Qing... Hah."

She didn’t finish her sentence, but her meaning was obvious.

Even at the Haisa Sect, any match Zhou Yu might find would be hard-pressed to compare with Chen Qing, who was now the esteemed future Sect Leader of the Wutai Sect.

Zhou Liang took a deep breath and said slowly, "Fate isn’t something you can force. That boy has achieved so much today. As his master and master’s wife, we should be happy for him. As for the rest... I suppose it was a bond without a destiny."

Mrs. Li nodded and said no more.

「Two days later, before dawn.」

Ms. Han was already up, busily packing for Chen Qing’s journey.

She took out a blue cloth bundle, spread it carefully on the bed, and placed the neatly folded clothes inside, one piece at a time.

"Look, they’re all thoroughly dried. They smell like the sun."

She chattered on, tucking a few packets of dried bamboo shoots, carefully wrapped in oiled paper, into a corner of the bundle. "You can find all sorts of exotic delicacies out there, but they won’t taste like this. When you get homesick, you can steam a few. It’ll be a little taste of home."

Chen Qing stood quietly by the door, his gaze following his mother’s hands, careful not to disturb her with a sound.

Once everything was packed, Ms. Han sat on the edge of the bed and patted the empty space beside her.

Chen Qing obediently went and sat down.

"When you go back this time... be careful."

Ms. Han’s voice softened as she reached out to straighten Chen Qing’s already neat collar. "I know you’re very capable and can handle anything, but... always be vigilant. Staying safe is the most important thing. Don’t you worry about home. I’m doing just fine."

She paused, then her tone suddenly brightened. With a hint of expectation in her eyes, she chuckled and said in a low voice, "Next time you come back... it’d be best if you’re not alone. Two of you would be nice. Three would be even better. Four... well, I could handle that, too."

Chen Qing chuckled and shook his head. "Mom, you’re really thinking far ahead."

"What do you mean, ’far ahead’?"

Ms. Han gave him a light, chiding pat. "You’re at the age to start a family. I’m not rushing you, but a mother can dream, can’t she? Look at Aunt Li next door, she’s already got two grandchildren..."

She trailed off, then started laughing at herself. "Alright, alright, I won’t nag. Anyway, as long as you take good care of yourself, I’ll be at ease."

Chen Qing nodded and said gently, "I know. Don’t worry about me, and don’t overwork yourself. If you need anything, just send someone to find Captain Pang or the Wu Family."

"I know, I know."

Ms. Han nodded repeatedly. In the end, she said no more, only pushing the overstuffed bundle closer to her son. "Be careful on the road. Next time you come back, I’ll stew pork knuckles for you... Bring a few more people back with you, and I’ll stew for all of them!"

Chen Qing grunted in acknowledgment, then picked up his bundle, turned, and walked out the door.

Outside, the first faint light of dawn broke. A cool breeze brushed his face. He walked a few steps, then glanced back.

Ms. Han was leaning against the doorframe, waving to him, and she kept waving until his figure gradually faded into the morning light.

The docks were already bustling with a lively, weaving crowd.

Chen Qing boarded a passenger boat bound for the Prefecture City and stood alone at the stern.

Looking back, the silhouette of Gaolin County gradually blurred in the dense mist, eventually becoming nothing more than a faint, dark line on the horizon.

The river surged, its current flowing without end as the passenger boat made its way downstream.

「Two days later.」

The majestic city walls and dense buildings of Yunlin Prefecture City were already visible in the distance.

The boat docked and the gangplank was lowered. Chen Qing followed the stream of people onto the Prefecture City docks.

Without a moment’s hesitation, he headed straight for the Wutai Sect outside the city, walking at a brisk pace.

The mountain gate was familiar, the atmosphere just as he remembered.

Before long, he was back at the gate of his small courtyard.

Chen Qing set down the simple bundle he carried. Inside, besides a few changes of clothes, were the local snacks his mother had insisted on packing for him.

Just as he finished putting his things away, hurried footsteps sounded from outside the courtyard.

A Steward Disciple who served the Sect Leader hurried to the gate, cupped his fists, and said, "Chief Chen, the Sect Leader requests your presence in the Council Hall to discuss an important matter."

At these words, Chen Qing’s brow twitched.

He had only just set foot in the Sect, and the Sect Leader’s summons had already arrived.

"I understand. I’ll head over now."

Chen Qing nodded, his tone calm.

He casually straightened his robes and, without lingering, followed the Steward Disciple at a quick pace toward the Council Hall.

.....

Inside the Council Hall, sandalwood incense smoke curled through the air.

He Yuzhou’s brow was tightly furrowed, his expression grave.

Two or three months had passed since the turmoil with the Xuanjia Sect. On the surface, the waves had calmed, and Yunlin Prefecture seemed to have returned to its former order.

However, a thorn was digging deeper and deeper into He Yuzhou’s heart. His most important mole, planted deep within the Demon Sect, had gone completely silent ever since the battle at the Xuanjia Sect.

This was anything but normal.

According to their plan, the mole’s identity was well-concealed, and his Cultivation was considerable. He should have had no trouble protecting himself during the chaos at the Xuanjia Sect. Afterward, he should have found a way to report back at the earliest opportunity.