Chapter 311: Chapter 131: Zhenyue Peak
Yang Jing’s gaze swept over the side rooms flanking the courtyard, then fell upon the main house in the center, which faced south. The main house’s doors and windows were intricately carved, and a string of dried herbs hung from the eaves. It was clearly the best-appointed room in the courtyard.
He turned to Sun Ningxiang and said with a cupped-fist salute, "Senior Sister, the main house gets good light and should be better furnished. You should take it."
Hearing this, Sun Ningxiang gently shook her head. "I grew up in a Martial Arts Hall with my father, so I’ve long been accustomed to living in side rooms. I actually find them more comfortable."
Her tone was calm, without a trace of false modesty; it was clear she genuinely meant it.
Yang Jing gazed at her clear, lovely eyes. Seeing her resolute expression, he didn’t press the issue.
’I’ve just arrived at the Xuanzhen Sect and my foundation is unstable,’ he thought. ’I should keep a low profile. The main house is nice, but it’s too conspicuous. Staying in a side room is more in line with my current mindset.’
So he nodded and said, "In that case, we’ll just let the main house stay empty. We can take the side rooms."
The two chose adjacent rooms on the west side. Yang Jing took the one to the north, and Sun Ningxiang the one to the south. With only a wall separating them, it would be easy to look out for each other.
The furnishings in the side room were simple yet complete: a wooden bed, a desk, a chair, and a simple wardrobe in the corner. A clean tea set sat on the desk. The room had clearly been cleaned recently, and it carried the faint, fresh scent of pine.
After stowing their luggage, they each returned to their rooms to rest for a while. Quiet returned to the courtyard, the only sounds being the soft rustle of wind through the grass and trees, and the faint, distant sound of waves.
...
「Meanwhile, on Zhenyue Peak, in the core area of Fushan Island, the scene was entirely different.」
Zhenyue Peak was one of the more powerful of the Xuanzhen Sect’s Seven Veins. The peak was wreathed in clouds and mist, with magnificent pavilions and halls built into the mountainside.
Deep within Zhenyue Peak, in a spacious courtyard with green tiles, red pillars, and exquisitely carved beams and painted rafters, there was an air of solemn dignity.
In the main hall, a middle-aged man sat in a heavy, red sandalwood Grandmaster’s Chair. This was the Peak Master of Zhenyue Peak, Qin Gang.
Qin Gang wore a black brocade robe with a jade-inlaid belt at his waist. His face was resolute and sharply-featured, and his fierce, tiger-like eyes shone, giving him an imposing air even when not angry.
The aura around him was as heavy and solid as a mountain. Even sitting casually, he seemed like an immovable peak.
Standing in the hall was a handsome young man dressed in a black long robe, a longsword at his waist. His posture was as straight and tall as a pine tree. This was none other than Qin Gang’s head disciple, Zhao Qingju, the senior-most disciple of the Zhenyue Peak vein.
Zhao Qingju had a handsome face. At this moment, he was bowing slightly, his tone respectful as he asked for guidance. "Master, when I practice the *Mountain-Suppressing Spear*, my Inner Qi stagnates when it reaches my Chest Acupoint. I don’t know if my understanding of the Cultivation Technique is insufficient, or if my training method is wrong."
Hearing this, Qin Gang lightly tapped his fingers on the armrest of the Grandmaster’s Chair. He pondered for a moment before saying in a deep voice, "The *Mountain-Suppressing Spear* emphasizes ferocity and stability. It requires blood and qi as its foundation and Inner Qi as its bridge. Your stagnation at the Chest Acupoint isn’t due to a lack of understanding, but because you are too eager for results, causing your blood and qi to circulate too hastily. You must understand that ’what is too rigid is easily broken.’ The next time you cultivate, try to slow the flow of your Inner Qi. Guide it with your will. Let it spiral at the Chest Acupoint for a moment longer to temper your meridians, and only then seek to advance."
"I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Master!" A flash of comprehension lit up Zhao Qingju’s eyes. He quickly cupped his hands in thanks, his expression growing even more respectful.
Just then, the sound of soft, quick footsteps came from outside the hall. A servant disciple dressed in a gray short-coat and a coarse cloth belt hurried to the entrance. He bowed and said respectfully, "Reporting to the Peak Master, Steward Chen Xinghe of the outer sect requests an audience. He says he has something to report."
"Chen Xinghe?"
Qin Gang’s fingers paused on the armrest of his Grandmaster’s Chair. He murmured the name, a flicker of thought crossing his brow.
There were many Outer Sect Stewards, but Qin Gang had a faint impression of Chen Xinghe as someone who handled matters reliably. He just didn’t know why the man would be seeking an audience now.
After a moment of thought, Qin Gang looked up at the servant disciple at the door and said in a deep voice, "Let him in."
"Yes, Peak Master." The servant disciple respectfully accepted the order, bowed, took two steps back, then turned and quickly departed. His steps were light, careful not to disturb those within the hall.
Seeing this, Zhao Qingju knew his master was about to handle official business and that it was inconvenient for him to remain. He immediately stepped forward, saluted Qin Gang with cupped hands, and said respectfully, "Master, I will take my leave and go back to contemplate my insights on the Cultivation Technique."
Qin Gang gave a slight nod, indicating that he could leave.
Zhao Qingju cupped his hands again, turned, and walked quietly out of the main hall.
Just as he stepped out of the main hall’s doors and into the courtyard, Zhao Qingju saw an old man walking toward him.
The old man’s hair and beard were tipped with frost, and his face was gaunt. It was the Outer Sect Steward, Chen Xinghe.
Their eyes met. As the senior disciple of Zhenyue Peak and the designated successor to the position of Peak Master, Zhao Qingju’s status was far above Chen Xinghe’s. However, he didn’t put on airs. Instead, he proactively raised his hands, covering his right with his left in a formal salute, and said in a calm voice, "Steward Chen."
Chen Xinghe quickly stopped, not daring to be disrespectful. He bowed slightly at the waist and clasped his fists before his chest, returning the salute.
The two exchanged a few brief words before stepping aside and passing each other.
Chen Xinghe composed himself and walked quickly toward the main hall. Reaching the entrance, he steadied his nerves before walking slowly inside. He bowed with cupped hands toward Qin Gang, who was seated at the head of the hall, and said respectfully, "Outer Sect Steward Chen Xinghe greets the Peak Master."
Qin Gang sat upright in his Grandmaster’s Chair, his gaze as sharp as a torch as it fell upon Chen Xinghe. He nodded slowly, raised a hand to point at a pearwood chair to the lower left of the hall, and said in a deep voice, "Sit. What is it?"
Chen Xinghe sat down on the pearwood chair as instructed, his back straight and his expression still deferential. He first gave a slight bow from his seat before speaking slowly, "Reporting to the Peak Master, two people arrived from off-island today. They claim to have a letter of recommendation, so I have come specifically to report this to you."
As soon as he finished speaking, he reached into his robe and took out a neatly folded letter.
Chen Xinghe held the letter with both hands, rose, and walked to the center of the hall. He bowed slightly as he offered it to Qin Gang. "This is the letter of recommendation. Please review it, Peak Master."
"A letter of recommendation?" Qin Gang’s eyebrows rose slightly, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
The Xuanzhen Sect had always been strict in accepting disciples. They were either disciples who passed the assessment during the annual recruitment, talented individuals personally chosen by the Sect Elders or Peak Masters, or those who were recommended by someone with ties to the sect—which was the case with a recommendation.
He reached out and took the letter. His fingertips felt the texture of the coarse paper, and it felt slightly heavy in his hand.
Qin Gang tore open the envelope, unfolded the letter, and his gaze fell upon the script on the page.
