Every day, each member of the entire clan gives me a wisp of spiritual energy.

Chapter 53 The End

Shen Qing looked at the three people who had been summoned by Uncle Zhou, gestured for them to sit down, and then scanned the faces of the three disciples one by one.

"Is everything going smoothly at the academy?"

Fang Xue nodded: "Mr. Sun said we've been much more diligent than before, and the students are working very hard."

"That's good."

Shen Qing picked up his teacup and took a sip. "I called you all here today because I have a few words to say. As you all know, the Huang family patriarch has returned. I attended the Huang family's welcome banquet the other day."

The three of them looked up at the same time upon hearing this. They knew that Shen Qing had gone to the Huang family, but Shen Qing had not said anything after returning, and they did not dare to ask.

"Huang Yuanji is a more difficult person to deal with than I expected."

Shen Qing put down his teacup. "In the coming days, some things may happen at Qingyun Sect. No matter what happens, don't panic, don't act rashly, and most importantly, don't stand out."

"You only need to do your job as instructors at the academy. Teach the children the way you would. Answer the questions asked by the yamen runners. Don't say a word more than necessary unless asked by others."

"Sect Master," Xu Ping hesitated for a moment, "what will happen?"

"Whatever happens, it's none of your business."

Shen Qing looked at the three of them and said, "Remember, you cannot stop using the Concealing Qi Technique even for a day. Even if it delays your cultivation progress, you must not reveal your true situation."

"First level of Qi Refining, three elemental roots—that's all you have to show outsiders. As long as you can keep it a secret, you'll be fine. If you can't, no one can protect you."

Seeing the three nod in agreement, Shen Qing waved his hand: "Go. You don't need to come to the meditation room these days; I'm going into seclusion for the next few days."

The three rose, bowed, and left the quiet room.

After they left, Shen Qing sat alone for a while, then got up and went to the woodshed.

Uncle Zhou was chopping wood in the woodshed. Shen Qing stood at the door for a while and watched without saying a word.

Upon seeing Shen Qing arrive, he did not stop what he was doing. Only after chopping the last piece of firewood did he straighten up, lean the axe against the wall, and turn around.

"Does the sect leader have something to discuss with this old servant?"

"Uncle Zhou, please come with me."

The two walked up the path until they reached the blue stone at the top of the mountain.

This is the highest point of Qingyun Mountain, offering a panoramic view of the entire mountain and the town of Qinghe below.

The autumn wind blows, and the pines rustle in the breeze.

Shen Qing sat down on a rock and gestured for Uncle Zhou to sit down as well.

The old servant did not sit down, but stood aside, waiting for Shen Qing to speak.

"Uncle Zhou, how many years have you been with the Qingyun Sect?"

"It's been nearly fifty years."

"Yes, it's been over fifty years."

Shen Qing nodded. "You watched me go up the mountain, watched my master leave, watched me fail to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, and watched me ruin the Qingyun Sect into what it is today."

"In all these years, Qingyun Sect has never been in such danger as it is now."

Zhou Bo listened quietly without responding to Shen Qing's words.

"Uncle Zhou, how's your progress at the Divine Realm?"

Zhou Bo smiled bitterly and spread his hands. Shen Qing knew that there would be no surprise, so there was no other choice.

Shen Qing took a deep breath. "I'm afraid Qingyun Sect won't last much longer this time. Although I, Shen Qing, can leave, the lineage of Qingyun Sect cannot be broken. The ancestors of the past have entrusted Qingyun Sect to me, and I cannot let it end like this."

Shen Qing took out the land deed from his pocket and handed it to Uncle Zhou. "This land deed was personally signed by our ancestor, Daoist Qingyun. As long as it remains in the hands of the Qingyun Sect, even if the Huang family occupies the entire Qingyun Mountain, it can only be considered as a forced occupation."

"Take it down the mountain, find a safe place to hide it, and then wait at the foot of the mountain."

"Does the sect leader intend to stay behind alone?"

"The Huang family is eyeing Qingyun Sect. If I don't leave, they won't chase after you. Once things have calmed down, if Heaven doesn't abandon Qingyun, we will surely meet again in the future."

"Huang Yuanji is back. That old man is really lucky to have survived the battlefield of Chuzhou."

Looking down at Qinghe County, Shen Qing thought, "Zhao Yuanlang is unreliable, and relying on Mo Wentian is even more unrealistic. I still don't know if there are any secrets on Qingyun Mountain, or what the Huang family wants."

"But there is one thing I am very clear about: with the current strength of Qingyun Sect, we cannot withstand it by force."

"Sect Master, then you..." Uncle Zhou's voice was a little hoarse, "How will you deal with the Huang family all by yourself on the mountain?"

"I have my own way of dealing with this. I am the sect leader of Qingyun Sect. As long as I am still on the mountain, the Huang family's attention will always be on me."

"After you go down the mountain, don't show your face or contact anyone, including Shoucheng and the others."

Zhou Bo looked at Shen Qing: "Sect Master, when will that old servant be able to return to the sect?"

Shen Qing looked at the distant county town, "You'll know when you can come back."

Zhou Bo remained silent for a long time. The mountain wind blew through the pine forest, ruffling his gray hair. "This old servant obeys."

Shen Qing stood up and took out another cloth bag from his sleeve, handing it to him.

"Here's some silver for your travel expenses. It's not much, but you don't need to skimp on yourself."

Uncle Zhou took the cloth bag, his withered fingers pinching the opening, but he did not refuse. Then he bowed deeply.

The next morning, before dawn, Uncle Zhou carried a small bundle down the mountain.

Instead of taking the main road, he went down the mountain via a small path behind the main gate. No one in the entire Qingyun Sect knew about this path except for Shen Qing and Uncle Zhou.

Shen Qing stood on the mountaintop, watching the old servant's hunched back disappear into the morning mist.

In the following days, Shen Qing's pace of life slowed down.

He no longer went to the academy to teach every day, no longer inquired about the children's studies, and even stopped appearing in the dining hall.

He spends most of his time in the quiet room, and when he does come out for a walk, he only strolls alone on the back hill.

Li You saw all of this.

Li You was the patrol inspector of Qinghe and also Zhao Yuanlang's disciple.

He and a group of constables have been stationed at Qingyun Academy for some time now. His mission is to protect the teachers and students of the academy, and also to keep an eye on those people from Qingyun Sect.

Shen Qing knew he was watching him, and Li You also knew that Shen Qing knew he was watching him.

The two maintained a subtle understanding, neither of them revealing it.

That afternoon, Shen Qing returned from the back mountain and happened to meet Li You at the entrance of the academy.

Or rather, Shen Qing deliberately orchestrated this "chance encounter."

Li Youzheng was patrolling around the academy with two constables when he saw Shen Qing and clasped his hands in a salute: "Sect Leader Shen."

Shen Qing stopped and nodded to him: "Inspector Li, you've worked hard. Are you all settling in well on the mountain? If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask."

"I wouldn't dare trouble Sect Master Shen; everything is fine on the mountain."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Shen Qing suddenly changed the subject: "Inspector Li, you are the county magistrate's disciple, and you are very knowledgeable. I have a question I would like to ask you. Would that be convenient?"

Li You was taken aback upon hearing this. Although he and Shen Qing did not usually have much interaction, he could not refuse now that Shen Qing had spoken, so he replied, "Sect Leader Shen, please speak."

Shen Qing looked around and said, "Then please, Lord Li, move to the tea table in the academy and enlighten me."

Seeing that Shen Qing was being very polite, Li You repeatedly said he didn't dare, and after dismissing the yamen runners behind him, he followed Shen Qing to the tea table.

After the two were seated, Shen Qing poured tea for Li You and then said, "I would like to ask if Lord Li has ever heard of a cultivator who successfully established their foundation without the aid of a Foundation Establishment Pill?"

Li You glanced at Shen Qing. He already knew everything about Shen Qing's situation from his master before coming to Qingyun Mountain.