Chongming Xianzong

Chapter 445 Yuan Family Changes, Heavenly Diligence Returns to Xuan
When He Chang came out of the room, Kang Changxi was waiting for him in the outer room. When the latter saw him, he smiled and said, "Auntie guessed right. Father will not keep Brother Chang."

"Uncle is discussing important matters of the sect with Senior Uncle Ye," He Chang said nonchalantly, adding with a smile, "Is Aunt still in seclusion?"

There are many female cultivators who can share a bed with the Great Master Kang, but only one can be called "aunt" by He Chang.

Kang Changxi knew who it was, and his smile faded considerably. He shook his head and sighed, "This is the first time I've seen Mother so serious about cultivation. I don't know why, but this seclusion has lasted for more than two years. It must be much more arduous than when Mother was building her foundation."

"You little rascal," He Chang, being an only child himself, dared not speak ill of his mother behind her back.

He Wanying has changed a lot over the years. She has completely shed her girlish willfulness and become a strict mother. For the slightest mistake, she will beat and scold him. And that's not all. After hitting him with a ruler, He Wanying will often drag He Chang into a long lecture, which is really annoying.

Therefore, He Chang feared her even more than his uncles.

Over the years, the territory under the jurisdiction of Chongming Sect has expanded by an unknown amount. The area around Xiaohuan Mountain is surrounded by magic arrays, and many outsiders traveling on the post road have difficulty finding a way out.

The courtyard where Ke Kang Da Bao usually stayed was as compact as ever. After talking for a while, the two brothers arrived in front of Yuan Xi Yue's dormitory after only a few steps.

Since returning from Xuanwei City, the eldest daughter of the Yuan family has requested to move out of Qinghan Courtyard and into the sect leader's courtyard.

The proper explanation was that they wanted to properly teach their newly accepted disciple, Han Xundao. However, it would be improper to allow men from outside the family to frequently enter a quiet place like Qinghan Courtyard.

After hearing Yuan Xiyue's words, Fei Shuhe, the first wife, was quite agreeable and readily agreed.

Although Yuan Xiyue moved to the sect leader's courtyard a long time ago, Han Xundao still seems to be left unattended.

In the past year or two, let alone teaching, he has rarely even seen Yuan Xiyue. He has gotten used to it, and still tries to audit classes at various sects when they are teaching.

On the contrary, Yuan Xiyue seemed to be nurtured to become even more beautiful, and after only one year, she gave birth to twins.

Whether you say that this eldest daughter of the Yuan family has resigned herself to her fate or submitted to it, just look at how she took the initiative to plead for mercy and started to change her cultivation method in the past year or two, and you'll know that she wants to make a clean break with her past experiences.

After all, even from a purely pragmatic perspective, focusing on serving Master Kang and having children with him wouldn't be a bad choice.

With the imminent birth of Kang Changyan and Kang Changzhao's two sons, the Yuan family of Jingnan, who had already declared their intention to sever ties with Yuan Xiyue, began sending them more supplies.

Even though the gifts weren't intended for her personally, but merely to lay the foundation for her two young sons, they were still encouraging for Yuan Xiyue. This was because the future support of her maternal family for her children was of paramount importance.

Yuan Xiyue thought to herself that she was different from Huo Ying, that foolish woman. The latter was harmless in this inner courtyard, but no one could respect her. Yuan Xiyue could place all her hopes for the future of her children on the generosity of the first wife.

Yuan Xiyue did not believe that Fei Shuhe was truly without any suspicion towards her and Zhang Qingran.

Even if she completely lost her Buddhist Mother Mingfei Dao skills, Yuan Xiyue's bed skills, which she had painstakingly studied for many years, had become even more refined. According to ordinary people, how many wives would not be disgusted and wary of such a charming and seductive concubine?

It is true that Kang Changyi was lucky to become a Dao Foundation cultivator, but Yuan Xiyue did not believe that Fei Shuhe would treat every illegitimate son as his own.

On the contrary, judging from the fact that the latter specifically asked Han Ningyue for the Heart-Piercing Worm to control her and Zhang Qingran, this beautiful Fei family's eldest daughter has indeed learned all the vicious methods used in the inner quarters of the household, and can definitely be called a ruthless person.

It should be noted that although the name "Heart-Drilling Worm" is vulgar and uncultured, and differs from the "Heart-Eating Worm" commonly used by evil cultivators by only one character, the two are worlds apart.

The Heart-Eating Worm can be eliminated by ordinary late-stage cultivators who have learned the Purifying Spirit Technique, but the Heart-Drilling Worm is much more powerful.

Legend has it that the Heart-Drilling Worm originated from the Mountain Barbarian tribe. The barbarian women were jealous and raised spirit worms to lock away their lovers, so that the unfaithful lovers would be devoured by the spirit worms and die.

Later, a curious cultivator brought it out, and finding its uses quite interesting, it spread widely. Many years passed, and through generations of propagation and cultivation, the Heart-Penetrating Worm had become far more wondrous.

These tiny creatures, with bodies as thin as cow hair, are extremely fragile, but after being refined through special methods, they can take root and cultivate their inner chambers through acupoints and pores.

Once it takes effect, the pain is so intense that the recipient often wishes for death but cannot.

It is worth pondering that this spirit insect, which was once painstakingly raised by a mountain barbarian woman in her quest for fidelity, ended up in the hands of a noblewoman in the Celestial Dynasty and became a tool for jealousy and managing the inner quarters of the household. It is quite ironic.

According to rumors, even within the Xuanqiong Palace, imperial concubines and palace women have lost their lives in every generation, which is truly lamentable.

Fortunately, Fei Shuhe, the first wife, was quite upright and not particularly unruly. Moreover, the two women, Yuan and Zhang, were not particularly resolute either. They hadn't experienced the torment of the Heart-Piercing Worm many times and were quickly disciplined and became very obedient.

As time went by, both women gradually forgot what it felt like.

Yuan Xiyue only remembered the absurd humiliation of being forced by Fei Shuhe to sleep with the sect leader Kang when she was occasionally startled awake from her sleep.

She had the courage to actively seek out the opportunity to become a Mingfei (a high-ranking concubine), so she wouldn't hold a grudge over such matters between men and women, nor would she insist on competing with Fei Shuhe, the legitimate daughter of a wealthy family, in the inner quarters of the Chongming Sect.

But the feeling of being at someone's mercy was truly unpleasant, and she didn't want to experience it again in the future.

After all, whether she cultivates diligently to obtain the false elixir or the golden elixir, or hopes to gain favor with Kang Dabao through her son and thus make a way in front of Fei Shuhe, the odds of winning are not high for Yuan Xiyue, except for the heart-piercing worm in her body. But she still has to try.

Sitting idly by and waiting for death is not something Yuan Xiyue, who has already faced death several times, can tolerate now.

Although He Wanying, who sat opposite her, had a low cultivation level, her mind had become much clearer since Feng Wan died at the hands of Linghu Nu. When the former sect leader He was alive, he was often praised by the Ming family patriarch for his quick wit, and He Wanying, as his only daughter, was no less so.

She knew perfectly well why this younger sister-in-law had been coming to talk to her so often in the past year or two, and even after Lin'er was born, she would ask her to come to her room to keep her company and relieve her boredom.

However, He Wanying felt that Yuan Xiyue had miscalculated, and she did not want to get involved in her sect leader's family affairs.

Unlike the other women who have to worry about their own situation, He Wanying's status as "Grandma" is as secure as a rock as long as she stops causing trouble.

After all, whether it was out of consideration for his teacher, the bond between siblings, or the concerns for the old members of the sect, Headmaster Kang was determined to support the He family of Chongming.

However, He Wanying felt that it would be good to get along well with Yuan Xiyue. After all, the latter came from a good family and had solid cultivation. She often came to listen to Yuan Xiyue's lectures, which also helped He Wanying's cultivation.

This doesn't mean He Wanying still has hope of achieving Foundation Establishment; it's just that she needs to maintain a strict mother image in front of her only son, so she has to abandon her past timidity and laziness to set a good example.

When Kang Changxi and He Chang came in to pay their respects, the two women were playing with two babies in a stroller. Each of the two brothers wore a golden lock to ward off evil spirits, which was a gift from Yuan Buwen when he last visited Xiaohuan Mountain.

The Yuan family of Jingnan has completely abandoned their ancestral home in Jingnan Prefecture, where they have lived for thousands of years, and moved to Le County, Dingzhou to establish their clan.

Having left a familiar place for a new and unfamiliar one, the Yuan family of Jingnan will likely have to work hard for many years to regain their former prosperity.

But being away from the front lines of war, and no longer having to live in constant tension and readiness for battle, is a good thing. While they have gained some stability, it's hard for anyone to say whether this trade of going from dominating a province to being relegated to a county was the right or wrong one.

It was only because Yuan Buwen finally set aside his pride and came to Xiaohuan Mountain that this matter was able to be carried out.

It was only through a suggestion from his old friend Zhou Yun to his master Wu Feng that the Yuan family of Jingnan was able to extricate themselves from the treacherous land of Jingnan Prefecture and change their family name to Yuan family of Le County.

Even the old cultivator Yuan Buwen hadn't expected Kang Dabao to have such power. In order to repay this favor, he even proposed that the Yuan family of Chongming and the Yuan family of Lexian be united as relatives.

However, after hearing the suggestion, Yuan Jin carefully considered it and politely declined Yuan Buwen's offer.

Not only was Yuan Buwen displeased, but even the Grand Master Kang curiously asked Yuan Jin what he thought. The latter then said the following:

"Junior brother still remembers that when Master was alive, he once taught us this: 'Mountains may crumble, rivers may flow, only by relying on oneself can one have no worries.' After merging with the Liang family of Bianzhou, it is certainly a good thing for the Yuan family of Chongming, but it may not be so for the sect."

Besides, what they can easily promise, they can easily take back in the future. So why risk alienating the clan and the sect by accepting such a benefit?

Upon hearing Yuan Jin's words, Kang Dabao felt that Yuan Jin seemed to have matured considerably over the years, which made him quite gratified.

The phrase "consider righteousness when faced with profit" seems simple, but countless leaders find it difficult to live by. The cultivation world is extremely cruel; those who fail to do so will most likely implicate their sect and family.

If in the past, when Kang Dazhang asked Yuan Jin to temporarily take over the clan affairs, it was because he still harbored sectarian biases and had some selfish motives, but now Yuan Jin should be able to sit in this position well.

However, Yuan Xiyue still felt a little regretful that she could not become a fellow clansman with Yuan Jin, Kang Dabao's junior brother. After all, if this matter had been accomplished, Fei Shuhe might have removed her heart-piercing worm on the spot out of consideration for their relationship.

"Greetings, young lady and aunt."

"Greetings to Mother and Madam Yuan."

Upon seeing the two enter, Yuan Xiyue smiled sweetly, while He Wanying forced a serious expression and said with a stiff face, "Chang'er, why aren't you taking Xi-ge'er to cultivate properly? What are you doing here?"

He Chang's face fell. His cultivation level was now inferior to Kang Changxi's, so why would the latter need him to guide his cultivation?

Facing He Wanying, Kang Changxi was much more composed than He Chang, his own son, and said with a smile, "Aunt, please don't be offended. Father asked his nephew to bring Brother Chang to meet Brother Yan and Brother Zhao."

The atmosphere in the room immediately eased. Yuan Xiyue saw that Kang Changxi's eyes showed genuine affection for his two younger brothers, and she felt relieved. If this son truly inherited his father's kind and benevolent manner, with brotherly love and respect, her two sons might be able to follow in his footsteps and compete for a better future.

The group was enjoying themselves in the somewhat cramped dormitory when Han Xundao came over with an exquisite food box to visit them.

The number of disciples in the Chongming Sect is increasing, and batches of disciples are emerging from the Yulin Hall. As the head disciple of the Shangong Hall, he is no longer able to have a moment's rest.

Han Xundao, who was stuck at the age of thirty-nine and only then advanced to the late stage and became a true disciple, was not considered to have outstanding talent. If it weren't for the fact that his teachers and elders took care of their old friendship, he would have had a hard time keeping his lucrative position. Therefore, when there was a rare opportunity to ascertain Yuan Xiyue's whereabouts, he, as her disciple, naturally had to come and pay his respects.

“Chongming Xiaolou has recently hired a first-class chef from Jingji Province. Although his skills are only average, he is quite good at making Central Plains cuisine. In particular, he makes a dish called ‘Red Jade Paste’ that is excellent. It is not only fragrant and delicious, but also soothes the meridians and can be used externally to nourish the face and make it rosy and radiant. Therefore, I have specially brought it to present to Master and Uncle He.”

He Wanying could tell that Han Xundao's gift came from the bottom of his heart, so she accepted it generously, not wanting to disappoint the latter's filial piety.

However, He Wanying didn't gain any benefits for nothing. Although she had no power or influence, her words carried weight within the Chongming Sect. What seemed like an insurmountable obstacle to ordinary disciples could be accomplished with a single word from her.

He Wanying parted her red lips slightly, bit off a small piece of the red paste, chewed it for a while, and a look of pleasure appeared on her face: "It is indeed very good."

Seeing that her apprentice had pleased the young lady, Yuan Xiyue smiled and said, "Don't forget to send over what you prepared for Madam and Zhang Xiaoniang as well."

Upon hearing the instructions, Han Xundao was not even stunned. He immediately understood and respectfully replied, "Disciple understands."

After putting down the Red Jade Ointment, He Wanying turned her gaze to Han Xundao. After thinking for a while, she asked, "Junior Nephew Han, are there any tasks suitable for Chang'er to do in the Good Deeds Hall recently?"

"Oh, this," He Chang hadn't even finished handing over his tasks when his mother suddenly asked him to find another job, leaving him somewhat at a loss.

Han Xundao hesitated for a moment when He Wanying asked him a question. He knew the latter’s temperament and knew that if He Chang was given easy and rewarding jobs, he would not only not get any benefits, but would also be scolded. That would be a loss.

Han Xundao had not made any preparations before coming, but fortunately he was very conscientious in doing this task. After taking out the jade slip and examining it, he said, "The wardens of Chongming Town, Brother Jin and his son Tang Jiuyan, have recently been experiencing an increase in resentment in the river outside the town. It is believed that there are some scattered water demons causing trouble. We need to find someone to exorcise the demons."

Over the years, Jin Shilun has been taking on tasks at the Good Deeds Hall to earn good deeds and exchange them for foundation-building resources. Even this tenth anniversary celebration was just a quick trip, so he naturally had no time to deal with such trivial matters.

Although He Wanying found the assignment rather uninteresting, it was her own suggestion and a suitable job, so she couldn't refuse Han Xundao's proposal. She turned to He Chang and said, "In that case, after you and your uncle have told us about what you've seen and heard about Han Ya Mountain, go to Chongming City. Besides business, you can also check on the recent situation of the clan."

He Chang dared not disobey and took the dispatch warrant from Han Xundao before leaving the room with Kang Changxi. The latter had never experienced a shortage of supplies before and had never been on a dispatch before, so he found it quite novel. He stood on tiptoe and hooked his arm around He Chang, excitedly saying, "Then I'll trouble Brother Chang to take me with me."

"That's fine too."

————Hanya Mountain
At this moment, blood was flowing on Fei Tianqin's wings, making him look quite disheveled.

"Damn it, this mere border prefecture with a Golden Core formed using who-knows-how-many crippled evil techniques is actually quite troublesome!"

A ghostly banner, the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls, flashed through the old bird's mind, making it feel a little scared. If it hadn't had so much experience fighting its peers, it might have capsized in this rural place it had always looked down upon.

It should be noted that Fei Tianqin came from a great clan and had cultivated to the peak of the third rank for over a thousand years. Within the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty, few could rival him below the Nascent Soul stage. Although the black-robed Golden Core cultivator was not weak, he still fought this old bird for a long time before being defeated. He could hardly be considered an ordinary person.

Logically speaking, such a being is rare even in Gyeonggi Province, and should at least have some reputation in this prefecture.

"A top-grade third-tier magic weapon that is extremely close to a spiritual treasure, a peak Golden Core cultivator, and a practitioner of the Blood Path. When did such a person appear in the vicinity of Shannan Dao? Is he a rogue cultivator? It is unlikely that a rogue cultivator would have such a background. Even the personal disciples of three rogue cultivator masters would not be able to achieve this."

Upon reading this, Fei Tianqin's sharp eyes flashed with a hint of regret. He sighed inwardly, "I was still careless. If I hadn't been so overconfident earlier, even if I hadn't been able to capture it alive when the lion pounced on the rabbit, I should have been able to kill it at least 30% of the time."

Releasing such a wealthy and unknown evil cultivator back into the wild is certainly not a good choice.

However, that fellow used the Blood Escape Technique, so swift that even Fei Tianqin, the elite of the Juntian Bird Clan, had difficulty catching up; he was also decisive.

"Very well, you've been bitten by my ancestor and used forbidden techniques, so you might not survive. Let's see what fate has in store for you. Alas, all that effort for nothing, and you still haven't found the Golden Core. This debt is hard to repay, and I can't rest easy. Those little clowns hiding in their shells are unwilling to surrender and don't have the guts to rebel. It's so frustrating. It would be better if you came and fought me sooner."

Just as the old bird flapped its wings and landed back in Xuanwei City, on the other side of the sky, a swift black shadow suddenly stopped, its consciousness blurred. Unable to hold on any longer, it plummeted from the sky.

(End of this chapter)