A thousand enlightenments in one night, starting from being a menial apprentice.

Chapter 541 Escape
Li Yunjing had been quite tired these past few days, and because of this matter, he didn't lie down until late at night. He only slept for about an hour before getting up again.

Inside the Elders' Council, the discussions on the two alliances had reached a crucial point, a tug-of-war over key interests. In many matters, the sect leader needed to make the final decisions and preside over the proceedings; his presence was essential.

Li Yunjing quickly washed up. He originally wanted to go to Li Ruozhou to give that kid a few instructions, but time was too tight, so he had to leave the manor in a hurry and head to the Elders' Council.

Li Yunjing presided over the tense discussions within the Elders' Council. The negotiations had entered a more complex phase, and the atmosphere had become somewhat unsettling. Everyone knew that even the slightest leniency in the treaty would represent a significant loss of real-world interests. Therefore, everyone was fiercely competitive and unwilling to compromise.

At this point, the leaders of the two sects need to step in and coordinate the deal from different locations. I'll make concessions in this area, and you'll make concessions in that area, in order to seek a balance in the overall alliance.

Li Yunjing then presented another proposal to Chu Qiushan for review. "Sect Leader Chu, I have prepared another plan regarding these areas of interest, making adjustments to the details in three areas. Please consider it further. If possible, we can finalize these areas first, and then discuss the rest."

"For an alliance to last, both sides must share the benefits, right?" Li Yunjing said with a forced smile.

Chu Qiushan accepted the proposal and rubbed his temples with a headache. He had never been good at handling mundane affairs, and after several days of discussing the alliance, he was indeed feeling mentally and physically exhausted.

He handed the plan directly to Zhu He beside him and instructed, "Chief Zhu, please take a look first."

Zhu He accepted it without changing his expression.

Li Yunjing's expression tightened slightly. His previous two proposals had been rejected by Zhu He, who claimed that while they seemed balanced, in the long run, Tianyan Sect would benefit greatly, forcing Li Yunjing to make further concessions, which naturally made him very unhappy.

Just then, Yang Sixuan walked in from outside. He also looked tired, but his expression was quite calm, unlike the elders who were discussing the alliance, who all looked anxious.

Yang Sixuan walked to Chu Qiushan's side and whispered a few words in his ear.

Chu Qiushan then looked at Li Yunjing and said, "Sect Leader Li, let's go outside and chat for a bit. We can also get some fresh air."

As soon as Li Yunjing saw Yang Sixuan enter, he knew that Yang Sixuan was going to talk about what happened last night. The marriage alliance and the treaty were both extremely important, so he left the Elders' Council with Chu Qiushan and Yang Sixuan and walked to an open space in the southeast corner.

Inside the Elders' Courtyard, the guards were tight, with experts at the Cave-Nether Realm stationed on all four sides. As the three of them walked out, a divine sense swept over them.

Once they had settled in his open space, the divine sense withdrew.

After all, it was the two sect leaders who were secretly investigating here, so who would dare to eavesdrop with their divine sense?

After the three of them stood still, Chu Qiushan said, "Chief Yang, please report your investigation into last night's events to Sect Leader Li."

"Yes!" Yang Sixuan clasped his hands slightly and said, "I have already ordered people to search and destroy the white paper that exposed the ten major sins of adultery, but the wind is strong at night and the valleys are deep and the forests are dense, so it is really difficult to find it all."

Upon hearing the word "revealed," Li Yunjing's expression darkened, but he couldn't afford to lose his temper, so he simply said, "Just do your best."

Yang Sixuan said, "I have also sent someone to the maids' quarters to speak with them. Although they are maids, the maids who can serve on Cuiwei Peak Mountain still have some status. They should understand the importance of this matter."

"That's good, that's good." Li Yunjing said with a smile, "Thank you for your trouble, Chief Yang."

"I dare not accept such praise. This is all within my duty," Yang Sixuan said. "As for the matter of Young Master Li being beaten..."

Yang Sixuan paused slightly at this point. This was the most crucial part of last night's events. Li Yunjing stared intently at Yang Sixuan.

Li Ruozhou was, after all, his eldest son and the young sect master of the Tianyan Sect. To be beaten so badly on Taiyi Sect's territory for no reason deserved an explanation. Otherwise, he would truly question Taiyi Sect's hospitality!
Yang Sixuan said, "Last night, Young Master Li said that the one who injured him was Lü Qingzhu's personal maid, Amo. I have investigated and verified this matter. Lü Qingzhu does indeed have a personal maid named Amo. This girl has extraordinary natural talent and has been practicing a kind of Eight Vajra external martial arts since she was ten years old."

Upon hearing this, Li Yunjing frowned slightly. He had some understanding of this external martial arts technique. He found it hard to believe that a mere maid who practiced the Eight Vajra External Martial Arts could injure Li Ruozhou so badly.

Seeing Li Yunjing's expression, Yang Sixuan knew he was suspicious, so she changed the subject and said, "But... this Amo disappeared two years ago."

"Disappeared?!" Li Yunjing's face showed a look of astonishment.

“Yes!” Yang Sixuan said, “Amo disappeared during a mission related to the Bloodstained Cult, and two years have passed without any news of him.”

Li Yunjing's expression shifted between anger and displeasure. Suppressing his rage, he said, "So, it was my son who was lying?"

Yang Sixuan said, "I asked Lü Qingzhu about this matter last night. Lü Qingzhu said that she had heard some rumors about Young Master Li, so she arranged to meet him to confront him about these rumors. However, she didn't expect that Young Master Li would have malicious intentions and try to assault her in the dense forest. She only punished him out of righteous indignation!"

Li Yunjing's face was as black as the bottom of a pot, and a muscle on his right cheek was twitching incessantly.

He had repeatedly warned Li Ruozhou! How dare this kid be so audacious?! He actually tried to assault Lü Qingzhu on Taiyi Sect's territory?!
No, wait! This kid shouldn't have reached that level yet.

In fact, when Yang Sixuan said that Amo was missing, Li Yunjing suspected that Taiyi Sect was trying to protect its own.

Li Yunjing laughed and said, "Look at this matter. There are really conflicting accounts here!"

Upon hearing Li Yunjing's tone, Yang Sixuan understood his implied meaning and coldly said, "Regarding Lü Qingzhu's claim of indecent assault, only Young Master Li and she were present, and there is no corroborating evidence. Indeed, it's a matter of conflicting accounts! But the disappearance of Amo is an open case, and on this point alone, I'm afraid Young Master Li's words are not credible!"

"Chief Yang, you mustn't be rude!" Chu Qiushan suddenly snapped at Yang Sixuan.

Yang Sixuan immediately fell silent.

But Li Yunjing's expression was still very unpleasant. The three people present were all shrewd, and Yang Sixuan's meaning was all too clear.

The disappearance of Amo serves as evidence that Li Ruozhou is lying! This is the first point.

Why would Li Ruozhou lie after being beaten like that? There is only one explanation: he did intend to assault Lü Qingzhu and, fearing exposure, deliberately lied to confuse the truth.

Yang Sixuan's implication was to use logical deduction to demonstrate the credibility of Lü Qingzhu's statement.

Chu Qiushan and Li Yunjing both understood.

Li Yunjing initially suspected that the Taiyi Sect was protecting its own, but seeing Yang Sixuan's attitude, doubts began to creep into his mind. Maybe that kid really did something shady?

Chu Qiushan suddenly said, "Sect Leader Li! Although Lü Qingzhu and Young Sect Leader Li have different accounts of this matter, I think that if we continue to investigate, it might damage our harmony. After all, the wedding is in two days, so we should prioritize peace. I think we should try to resolve this matter peacefully, rather than making it a big issue and then letting it go. We should focus on the overall situation of the alliance between the two sects. What do you think?"

Li Yunjing gave an awkward smile and said, "Sect Leader Chu is indeed magnanimous!"

Li Yunjing's words were actually somewhat sarcastic, after all, it was his son who was beaten.

However, Li Yunjing was not sure whether Li Ruozhou had attempted to assault Lü Qingzhu, but Chu Qiushan was right, with the wedding imminent, it was indeed not advisable to dwell on the matter any longer.

Li Yunjing said, "Then let's drop this matter. I will keep that kid Li Ruozhou in check."

Although Li Yunjing spoke politely, his tone was rather stiff. After the three exchanged greetings, Yang Sixuan left to return to the Judgment and Justice Department, Chu Qiushan returned to the Elders' Court, and Li Yunjing stood there for a while. He did not immediately return to the Elders' Court; the new plan had already been given to Zhu He, and he was going in now to wait for Zhu He's reply.

He decided to take advantage of this break to go back to the manor and ask Li Ruozhou about what Yang Sixuan had said.

When Li Yunjingyi returned to the manor and walked to the area where they lived, Yang Tianyi greeted him respectfully with clasped hands, saying, "Sect Master, you're back!"

Li Yunjing glanced at him and asked, "Where is the young sect leader?"

Yang Tianyi said, "I've been in my room the whole time."

Upon hearing this, Li Yunjing walked towards Li Ruozhou's room. After taking a few steps, he suddenly stopped. He remembered something, turned to look at Yang Tianyi, and asked, "I remember, you were the one who handled the investigation of Lü Qingzhu's information, weren't you?"

Just like Lu Zhongtang's investigation into Li Ruozhou's reputation.

When Li Yunjing initially intended to arrange the marriage, he also asked Yang Tianyi to send someone to investigate Lü Qingzhu's background.

He had only glanced through the information and learned about Lü Qingzhu's background and talent. He also knew that Lü Qingzhu had always been cultivating alongside the Taiyi Sect's patriarch and rarely went out.

Knowing this was enough for Li Yunjing; he didn't care about other details.

Yang Tianyi clasped his hands in a fist and said, "It was my subordinate who sent people to investigate."

Li Yunjing looked at him and asked, "Then let me ask you, does Lü Qingzhu have a personal maid named Amo? Do you remember her?"

Yang Yitian's eyes flickered, and he said, "I remember. She disappeared two years ago."

Li Yunjing's heart skipped a beat. So, that kid Li Ruozhou really was lying?!
Doesn't that mean... according to Yang Sixuan's previous deduction, he was in the dense forest, intending to do something improper, otherwise, why would he lie?
Li Yunjing's face turned ugly. He glared at Yang Tianyi and said, "Since you knew that Amo had disappeared, why didn't you say anything last night?"

Yang Tianyi said, "Since the young sect leader said that A Mo injured him, how can I say anything more if the sect leader doesn't ask? If I bring it up myself, wouldn't that be stirring up trouble between the sect leader and his son? You can't make trouble between relatives, sect leader!"

Upon hearing this, Li Yunjing coldly replied, "You do have a good eye!"

Yang Tianyi said, "This subordinate dares not accept such praise!"

Li Yunjing said, "Do you think I'm praising you?!"

Yang Tianyi lowered his head and remained silent.

Li Yunjing turned and strode away. When he reached Li Ruozhou's door, he was furious and kicked the door open.

The moment the door was kicked open, Li Yunjing froze on the spot!
Inside the room, Li Ruozhou, with a swollen, purplish-blue head like a pig's head, was lying on a pale, white body on a table.

Her long, flowing hair cascaded down the table, and Li Ruozhou covered her mouth as they stood there...

He was getting into the swing of things when suddenly, with a loud bang, the bolt broke, and the door was kicked open.

Li Ruozhou lay on the table, raised his pig-like head, and saw his father Li Yunjing's face, which was as black as the bottom of a pot.

He immediately jumped up like a wild dog!
As he put on his clothes, he scolded the servant, "Take your clothes and hide inside!"

The servant grabbed the clothes and hid behind the screen.

Li Ruozhou straightened his disheveled clothes, but said, "Father, how could you be so reckless?!"

He was blaming Li Yunjing for kicking the door open without even knocking.

But at this moment, Li Yunjing felt like a million grass mud horses were stampeding through his mind! He never expected that when they arrived at Taiyi Gate on the Cloud Feather Mad Eagle, Li Ruozhou would have his lover disguise as a personal servant, and the two of them would actually engage in debauchery in this room in broad daylight.

He's here for a marriage alliance and engagement!
Li Yunjing pointed at Li Ruozhou, his hand trembling with anger. "You really can't change your ways!?"

Li Yunjing glared at Li Ruozhou and questioned, "Let me ask you, last night in the dense forest, did you attempt to assault Lü Qingzhu?"

Upon hearing this, Li Ruozhou was slightly taken aback. That night, Lü Qingzhu's ghostly, beautiful, and bewitching face had been lingering in his mind all night.

Seeing Li Ruozhou in a daze, Li Yunjing cursed, "No wonder they beat you up like a pig's head! You deserved it!"

"Who molested her?! Nonsense!?" Li Ruozhou roared, "That Lü Qingzhu clearly ordered her personal maid, A'mo, to hit me for no reason!"

"Alright! Stop talking!" Li Yunjing shouted with disgust. "Amo disappeared two years ago, his fate unknown. If you're going to lie, at least do your homework beforehand!"

"Who's making up lies! Father, you don't even trust your own son, yet you believe the nonsense spouted by outsiders!"

“An outsider?!” Li Yunjing said coldly, “Yang Tianyi is an outsider too!”

Li Ruozhou's expression froze. He knew Yang Tianyi was the person his father trusted most. "No, Father! I'm not lying! Last night in that dense forest, that guy named A Mo, he was incredibly skilled in martial arts, and his whole body radiated an aura of profound meaning. That guy was a monster! I couldn't even last one move against him..."

"Enough!?" Li Yunjing's face grew increasingly furious. "Who can cultivate external martial arts and even generate a radiant aura? You're supposed to be the young sect master of the Tianyan Sect, and this is all the knowledge you have?! Your whole body radiating a radiant aura? That's getting more and more absurd!"

"Father!?"

"Shut up!" Li Yunjing roared. "The wedding is in two days! I'm telling you, you must apologize to Lü Qingzhu in person immediately for your attempt to molest her."

"I'm not going! I didn't molest her at all! She beat me up like this, and I was still apologizing to her. I'm such a jerk!"

"Snapped!"

In a fit of rage, Li Yunjing slapped Li Ruozhou across the face, causing Li Ruozhou to stumble to the side.

Li Ruozhou's face was already swollen like a pig's head. Li Yunjing's slap in his rage was quite heavy, and Li Ruozhou winced in pain, glaring at his father with eyes like knives.

Li Yunjing said, "If you haven't apologized by the time I get back from the Elders' Council tonight, I'll break your legs!"

After Li Yunjing finished speaking, he left in a rage, as the Elders' Council still needed his decision on their plan!
After Li Yunjing left.

Li Ruozhou covered his face and stood there for a long time, feeling more and more aggrieved. Suddenly, he threw his hand down and cursed, "Damn it! I quit! I don't care whoever wants to do it..."

(End of this chapter)