Chapter 304: Chapter 129: Inner City House Purchase, Master’s Identity, The Five Sects of Jintai
Sun Ningxiang carried the tea tray, her fingertips trembling slightly. Her heart pounded like a frightened deer.
In her entire life, this was the first time a man had so solemnly sworn to protect her completely.
The heat on her cheeks was scorching, and even her neck was flushed a faint pink.
But she had always been outwardly soft yet inwardly firm. She quickly composed herself, suppressed the turmoil in her heart, and, with a blush on her face, walked to the desk. She gently placed the two cups of hot tea on the table in front of Sun Yong and Yang Jing, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz, "Father, Junior Brother, please have some tea."
After speaking, she didn’t dare to glance at Yang Jing again, not even daring to lift her head. She spoke her line hurriedly, then picked up the empty tray and quickly retreated from the study, her movements hasty even as she closed the door.
Inside the study, Sun Yong watched his daughter’s slightly flustered retreat with a flicker of amusement in his eyes. He then turned back to Yang Jing, his expression growing serious once more. "Although I take Ning Xiang back to the Xuanzhen Sect every few years to visit old friends, I’ve been away for so long that I’m not familiar with the sect’s current situation. I’ll give you a brief overview. Listen carefully and remember it."
Hearing this, Yang Jing immediately sat up straight, his expression solemn as he nodded. "This disciple is all ears."
He knew this information about the major sects would be crucial for his future entry into the Xuanzhen Sect.
Sun Yong said slowly, "Within Jintai Prefecture, there are five major sects: the Yunxiao Sect, the Celestial Sword Sect, the Xuanzhen Sect, the Vajra Sect, and Bishui Palace. Among them, the Yunxiao Sect’s overall strength is a cut above the other four. The remaining four each have their own specialties and are not far apart in power, more or less on equal footing."
Yang Jing silently committed the names of these five sects to memory, especially the Yunxiao Sect. ’To be able to consistently suppress the other four, its foundation must be unfathomably deep.’
"As for the internal structure of the Xuanzhen Sect," Sun Yong continued, "the sect is divided into Seven Veins, known to the world as the ’Seven Profound True Veins’: Celestial Derivation Peak, Qingxu Peak, Thunder Peak, Yunxi Peak, Zhenyue Peak, Lingxi Peak, and Fen Yang Peak. I was once an Inner Sect Disciple of Zhenyue Peak, and I will be recommending you both there. The Peak Master of Zhenyue Peak and I were once fellow disciples, so perhaps he will look after you a little more."
’The Seven Profound True Veins... Zhenyue Peak...’ Yang Jing repeated the names silently in his mind, engraving them firmly in his memory.
Sun Yong then briefly mentioned some of the Xuanzhen Sect’s rules and taboos, such as the fact that while competition between the veins was common, private duels were strictly forbidden. Finally, he said, "That’s the general situation. Once you’re at the sect, you’ll naturally become familiar with things through observation and experience. It’s pointless to say too much now. You just need to remember: once you arrive at the Xuanzhen Sect, be cautious in all things, mind your own business, and focus on your cultivation. That’s the only way to establish yourself."
"This disciple understands and will certainly abide by Master’s teachings," Yang Jing replied with a solemn nod.
The two spoke a little more about travel arrangements, and then Sun Yong sent him off to prepare. "Take these next three days to manage your household affairs and make sure your family is settled. We will depart early in the morning three days from now."
"Yes, Master." Yang Jing bowed, holding the recommendation letter, and left the study.
Just as he left, Sun Ningxiang re-entered the study. Looking at the graying hair at her father’s temples, her eyes filled with reluctance, she said softly, "Father, I still want to stay and keep you company. The Martial Arts Hall needs people, and besides..."
"Silly child," Sun Yong interrupted, his face full of affection as he patted the back of her hand. "What daughter stays by her father’s side for her entire life? You’re still young; you should go out and see the world. The Xuanzhen Sect has abundant resources, and you might find your own opportunities there. Besides, with Yang Jing traveling with you, I can rest easy. That boy is calm, dependable, and values relationships. He will definitely keep you safe."
Sun Ningxiang lowered her gaze to the floor, her fingers twisting the corner of her clothes. Her cheeks flushed faintly red again, but this time she didn’t argue.
Seeing the blush on his daughter’s cheeks, Sun Yong couldn’t help but sigh with emotion.
Once upon a time, he had considered Lin Yue a talented young man and had even entertained the thought of betrothing Ning Xiang to him.
But looking at it now, the difference between Lin Yue and Yang Jing was like that of the clouds and the mud.
It wasn’t just in terms of Martial Arts Cultivation. Although Lin Yue had superior innate talent, he had no absolute certainty of breaking through to the Huajin realm, making him unworthy of mention before Yang Jing’s current Huajin-level strength.
More importantly was his character. Lin Yue was petty and arrogant. The slightest setback would fill him with jealousy and resentment. He was the type to risk his life for petty gains yet shrink from major undertakings. In the end, his blind involvement in the affairs of the Six Great Families led to his Cultivation being crippled—a fate he brought entirely upon himself.
In contrast, Yang Jing, despite his youth, was calm and steady, acting with caution and discretion, yet possessing the courage to remain composed in a crisis. He was loyal and valued his relationships. In terms of character, he was leagues ahead of Lin Yue.
Sun Yong sighed softly, pushing aside these tangled thoughts. Seeing the deep, unconcealable reluctance in his daughter’s eyes, he said gently, "Don’t worry, the distance from Yuhe County to Jintai Prefecture isn’t too great. If you miss your father, or if I miss you, we can see each other anytime. When you have free time, you can always come back to Yuhe County for a visit."
Hearing this, the furrow in Sun Ningxiang’s brow relaxed slightly, the reluctance in her eyes faded a little, and she nodded lightly. "Mm, I know, Father."
...
「Three days passed in the blink of an eye.」
At dawn on this day, just as the sky was beginning to lighten, Yang Jing was already up.
Instead of heading to Sun’s Martial Arts Hall to practice his boxing as usual, he walked directly toward his home in the Inner City.
Today was the day he would depart for the Xuanzhen Sect. Before leaving, he wanted to say a proper farewell to his family, even though he had already spent half the night talking with his grandfather, grandmother, and mother.
The morning mist had not yet completely dissipated, and the sounds of scattered footsteps could already be heard on the streets of the Inner City. The patrolling soldiers were changing shifts, their armor still carrying the morning’s chill.
Yang Jing’s steps were light, but his mind was filled with a multitude of thoughts.
’This journey to the Xuanzhen Sect... the path ahead is unknown, and I don’t know when I’ll be able to return. The elders at home will surely have more to worry about now.’
’But I have to go. If I stay in Yuhe County, I’ll not only hold myself back, but I also won’t have the chance to investigate the matter of my father and uncle.’
Arriving at the gate of his family home, he gently knocked on the door ring. Soon, the voice of his aunt, Aunt Xue, came from within. "Who is it?"
"Aunt, it’s me," Yang Jing replied.
