Chapter 150: Zhao Yuanjiao's Identity
Xiao Nanfeng dismantled the Immortal's Destruction and led everyone onto the ship, which continued sailing toward Taiqing Island.
Xiao Nanfeng consumed and distilled the inner cores of the serpents that he had slain. Unfortunately, his technique required so much spiritual qi to advance that even the golden serpent's inner core was unable to fuel an advancement.
Two days later, Xiao Nanfeng, along with Ye Dafu and Ye Sanshui, feasted on the sea serpent that had just been prepared for them.
"Spiritsong-realm sea serpent meat is truly a delicacy! Thank you for your generosity, Young Master. This meat would fetch a hefty price elsewhere—but you're treating us to it?" Ye Dafu wolfed as much of it down as he could.
Ye Sanshui glared at Ye Dafu. "Control yourself! Be more respectful of the young master."
"It's alright. Please, have your fill. I'd like to thank you for helping me out. This is nothing compared to the help you've done me," Xiao Nanfeng replied, shaking his head.
"Young Master, we've coddled Dafu from birth, so he's rather irreverent and always runs his mouth. I apologize for any offense that he's given you in the past. Please forgive him," Ye Sanshui beseeched.
"No, no! I simply wasn't aware of Young Master Xiao's identity. If I had known that he was the marquis' son, I wouldn't dare create any trouble for him at all! Marquis Xiao is the man I respect most in the world, and if my father were to find out that I bullied his son, he'd surely beat me to death!" Ye Dafu corrected.
"Oh?" Xiao Nanfeng looked toward Ye Dafu.
"Marquis Xiao saved my family when I was born, then saved me again while I was small. Just like my third uncle, I came to the Taiqing Immortal Sect because I wanted to follow in Marquis Xiao's footsteps, and I learned Indomitable Body because I trusted that a technique that he himself used has to be great. Young Master, don't you worry. Your business is my business. If anyone dares to cause trouble for you, I'll surely be on your side!" Ye Dafu patted his chest.
Ye Sanshui clicked his tongue. "The young master doesn't need your help anymore, not when he's this strong! You have to offer help to people in need for them to remember you."
"But I wasn't aware of the young master's identity back then!" Ye Dafu replied.
Xiao Nanfeng watched Ye Sanshui and Ye Dafu. He knew that Ye Sanshui was trying to resolve the previous conflict between the two of them, but Xiao Nanfeng had never been that angry with Ye Dafu to begin with. He had invited them both to dine with him as a means of reconciliation.
"What's past is past. I'll have a lot on my plate in the future, and I hope I'll be able to count on the two of you." Xiao Nanfeng smiled.
"Of course, Young Master! I'll do my best." Ye Sanshui's eyes brightened as he realized that Xiao Nanfeng was willing to let bygones be bygones.
"Don't worry, Young Master. I, Ye Dafu, am a man of my word! You can count on me to help a brother out." Ye Dafu thumped his chest.
Ye Sanshui kicked Ye Dafu under the table, reminding him to control himself.
Xiao Nanfeng didn't mind; in fact, he admired Ye Dafu's frankness.
"Did you manage to figure out what I wanted to know?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.
"I did, Young Master. We only spent half a year in the hidden realm, which isn't too long as things go. Under most circumstances, the sect wouldn't be providing us with assistance or checking in on us just yet. Zhao Yuanjiao volunteered to find us—and I suspect it was because he wanted to find you," Ye Sanshui explained.
"Why is that?"
"Zhao Yuanjiao's strict and stern, cold and aloof, but he still has a good reputation within the sect. What he does is by the books, and he owes your father, Marquis Xiao, a tremendous favor. Once he figured out your identity, he was certainly very annoyed, but he wouldn't have wanted you to die."
"Is that so?" Xiao Nanfeng was rather surprised.
"Young Master, you should know that the nominal disciples of the Taiqing sect are stationed far and wide throughout the mortal world, dealing with worldly affairs for the sect."
"That's right." Xiao Nanfeng nodded.
"Among these nominal disciples is a group known as the blackguards, which is responsible for spying and gathering intelligence. Most blackguards are nominal disciples, but their identities are kept hidden and obfuscated. They're responsible for keeping track of affairs around the world at large."
"Oh?"
"The blackguards were created by the previous leader of the Ascended division of the Taiqing sect, and they handle a tremendous flow of information. Naturally, they hold significant status within the sect as well."
"How is Zhao Yuanjiao connected to these blackguards?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.
"The previous Ascended leader was Zhao Tianjue, Zhao Yuanjiao's father."
"Oh?"
"The year that Emperor Tianshu conquered the world and established an empire, countless elders and disciples of the Ascended and Mortal divisions helped Emperor Tianshu establish his territory. The Ascended division leader, Zhao Tianjue, was among them. However, Emperor Tianshu met particular resistance while founding his kingdom, and Zhao Tianjue was unfortunately killed in battle."
Xiao Nanfeng frowned. "With Zhao Tianjue's death, I imagine many people were eyeing his blackguards."
"That's right, Young Master," Ye Sanshui replied. "Many elders wanted to take over the blackguards, and even the sect leader seemed tempted to do so."
"What happened next?"
"Your father, Marquis Xiao, blocked everyone's greed. He claimed that the blackguards were founded by Zhao Tianjue and none other. Although some of its members were nominal disciples, not all were. Zhao Tianjue had invested countless wealth and energy into his blackguards to get them where they were, and no one was to selfishly claim his hard work for themselves. He motioned that the leadership of the blackguards be bequeathed to Zhao Tianjue's son, Zhao Yuanjiao. As long as Zhao Yuanjiao didn't betray the Taiqing Immortal Sect, no one was to seize the blackguards from him. However, at the time, Zhao Yuanjiao was still a relatively weak cultivator, and it was decided that Elder Ku would serve as the leader of the blackguards in the interim before Zhao Yuanjiao reached Spiritsong," Ye Sanshui explained.
"My master, Elder Ku?" Xiao Nanfeng gaped.
"That's right. Elder Ku took Zhao Yuanjiao as disciple and shielded him from undue influence while serving as interim leader. With Zhao Yuanjiao at Spiritsong, Elder Ku must have passed the leadership of the blackguards to him."
"So that's how he learned of my identity?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.
"I suspect that that's the case. He must have learned of your identity, realized that what he did was unacceptable, and rushed off in search of you out of concern for your safety," Ye Sanshui explained.
"No wonder..." Xiao Nanfeng smiled wryly.
He understood why Elder Ku had been so adamant that he wasn't a spy when Zhao Yuanjiao made his suspicions known. His master had known his true identity from almost the very beginning!
"It's a pity that Zhao Yuanjiao's luck is so mediocre. When we first arrived at the Taiqing Immortal Sect, the disciples under his command were almost slaughtered to the last by a demonic sect. This time around, he was almost killed by a swarm of serpents. It doesn't look like taking command of the blackguards has helped him out," Ye Dafu murmured, snickering.
Xiao Nanfeng considered what Ye Dafu had said thoughtfully. Was it just a matter of bad luck? Perhaps not.
"Young Master, you may not be able to hide your identity for long," Ye Sanshui said, concerned.
"It's alright," Xiao Nanfeng replied confidently. He now had the strength to protect himself even if his identity were revealed.
Three days later, the ship docked at the harbor of Taiqing Island.
The disciples got off the ship eagerly, breathing in the familiar air and taking in the familiar sights. Their experiences in the hidden realm had been harrowing, and many of them still had lingering traumas about what had happened. News of their return quickly spread throughout the sect.
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