ragginovel Chapter 39 Huang Dehou Soars to New Heights
Chapter 39 Huang Dehou Soars to New Heights
After leaving Qingyun Mountain, Zhao Yuanlang returned to the county government office.
The following day, the bronze bell in the council chamber rang.
Many officials from the Qinghe County government, including the county magistrate, county lieutenant, instructor, tutor, and clerks from the six departments, arrived one after another.
When everyone saw that Zhao Yuanlang, who usually didn't care about anything, was actually sitting in court today, they knew that there was something important to discuss. After all, they all knew that this county magistrate from Chuzhou could only cultivate immortality in his spare time.
Zhao Yuanlang didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point, saying two things: First, Huang Yuanji, the patriarch of the Huang family, the most powerful family in Qinghe County, who had been summoned to Chuzhou, would soon return to Qinghe.
Secondly, Shen Qingshou, the sect leader of Qingyun Sect in Qinghe County, was nearing the end of his life and voluntarily disbanded his disciples to ensure the continuation of the Qingyun Academy's lineage.
They didn't pay much attention to the first matter, but the second matter was quite interesting.
After finishing the first matter, Zhao Yuanlang continued, "Qingyun Academy will henceforth be funded by the county government, continuing its mission of free education. After discussions with Master Shen, the county government has decided to switch the children to a boarding school system, allowing them to return home every five days. The academy's security will be ensured by a squad of constables dispatched by the county magistrate to guard the mountain."
Zhao Yuanlang's gaze swept over the crowd below the hall. "As for the dozens of disciples that Qingyun Sect is about to dismiss, Sect Master Shen has made a request to me."
"We hope the county government can find a way out for them. After all, these people are now educated, know some characters, and even practice martial arts. If they are left to wander the streets, they may cause trouble."
Ma Wenzhong was the first to stand up and second the motion, repeating Shen Qing's concept of "reading to understand principles".
Zhou Shi'an chimed in, saying that the disciples of Qingyun Sect were knowledgeable, reasonable, hardworking, and exactly the kind of people that businesses and government offices needed.
The county constable was a sensible man, and immediately offered to accept several disciples with good martial arts skills to serve as yamen runners.
The clerk in charge of household affairs said that the county government still had a few vacancies for copying documents. After some discussion, a resettlement plan was quickly drafted: the county government would take in five to eight people, either as clerks or as scribes.
The dock and carriage shops were contacted by the household office to contact several businesses that were familiar with the county government and to give priority to hiring Qingyun Sect disciples.
If any disciple wishes to return to their hometown to farm or make a living on their own, the county government can register them separately and provide them with certain support.
After the meeting at the county government office ended, the Huang family members who worked there quickly relayed the news to Huang Dehou.
His expression turned grim after hearing the report from his own son.
After Zhao Yuanlang personally went up the mountain, the Qingyun Sect actually wanted to dismiss its disciples? And the county government was even going to arrange for their resettlement?
This isn't right.
Huang Dehou put down the account book and tapped his fingers lightly on the table.
Back then, Shen Qing made some very nice remarks at Zuixianlou, saying that taking in those peasants as disciples was to continue the Qingyun Sect's legacy, and that he would protect the ancestral foundation even at the cost of his life.
Now you're just dismissing them like that? It's not that Huang Dehou thinks there's anything wrong with Shen Qing dismissing his disciples; it's only a matter of time before a dying man does.
The problem is that Shen Qing actually allowed Zhao Yuanlang's men to go up Qingyun Mountain, and even asked Zhao Yuanlang to arrange his funeral.
This made Huang Dehou suspect that the two had made some shady deal.
Huang Dehou is unaware of the secret of Qingyun Mountain, but does Shen Qing know it? And how much does Zhao Yuanlang know?
Huang Dehou felt increasingly uneasy. He had heard the secret of the Daoist voice in Qingyun Mountain since his great-grandfather's generation, and now he had finally witnessed the death of the Daoist Fushan, and even the last remaining good-for-nothing could not hold on any longer.
But at this critical juncture, Zhao Yuanlang intervened again, which Huang Dehou found hard to accept.
"Someone, prepare the sedan chair."
Soon a servant prepared the sedan chair and came to ask, "Master, where are we going? How many people should we take?"
Huang Dehou stood up. "Let's go to Qingyun Mountain."
Besides the sedan chair carriers, Huang Dehou only brought Huang Wenyuan and a bodyguard with him on this trip up the mountain.
Huang Dehou did not send a formal invitation in advance, did not prepare any polite formalities, and did not even give Shen Qing time to react.
When Shen Qing learned the news, Huang Dehou had already arrived at the foot of Qingyun Mountain. After leaving the sedan chair bearers behind, he led the group up the mountain.
Although somewhat surprised, Shen Qing did not intend to neglect Huang Dehou and personally went to the mountain gate to greet him. Upon seeing Huang Dehou's gloomy face hidden beneath his smile, he knew that the visitor was not friendly.
"Sect Leader Shen, how have you been?" Huang Dehou cupped his hands, beaming with smiles.
Shen Qing returned the greeting calmly, saying, "It is an honor for Patriarch Huang to grace us with his presence. I have failed to greet you properly."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Shen Qing led Huang Dehou toward the mountain gate.
This was Huang Dehou's first official visit to Qingyun Mountain. Looking at the Qingyun disciples harvesting crops on the back mountain, Huang Dehou's lips twitched slightly. It was shameful that cultivators had to struggle for food.
Upon arriving at the training ground, some outer disciples were practicing stance training under the guidance of Wang Shouzhou, while the sound of children reading aloud came from the school.
Disappointment. All of this disappointed Huang Dehou. Although he was mentally prepared for what he was about to see, seeing it in person still shattered the lofty ideal of Qingyun Sect in his heart.
Huang Dehou didn't speak, but his gaze seemed to say everything.
Shen Qing found Huang Dehou's ever-changing expressions on the journey puzzling. It seemed that this Huang family head had a rather deep affection for Qingyun.
The reception was still held at the tea table in front of the academy. Shen Qing personally brewed the tea, and Huang Dehou picked it up, took a sip, found the taste terrible, and put it down.
"Sect Leader Shen, I came up the mountain today after hearing some rumors. I heard that the County Magistrate personally visited you a few days ago and had a long talk with you. I wonder if the County Magistrate brought any good news?"
Shen Qing sneered inwardly. Huang Dehou probably wanted to know if there was anything unspeakable between him and Zhao Yuanlang.
Shen Qing picked up his teacup, took a small sip, savoring the bitter taste in his mouth, and said softly, "The county magistrate, out of consideration for the difficulties Qingyun Academy faces in running its schools, has promised to provide funding from the county government to continue providing free education. This is indeed good news for me."
"Oh?"
Huang Dehou raised an eyebrow. "Just about the academy?"
"Oh? What else does Patriarch Huang think there is? However, there is one more thing that I'm sure Patriarch Huang will find very interesting."
Upon hearing this, Huang Dehou smiled and said, "Is that so? I wonder if Sect Leader Shen could elaborate? I am all ears."
Shen Qing put down his teacup and looked at Huang Dehou. "The county magistrate informed me that your patriarch will be returning from Chuzhou soon. I would like to congratulate Patriarch Huang on the reunion of father and son. It is a joyous occasion."
Huang Dehou's smile froze for a moment; he hadn't expected Shen Qing's good news to be about this.
Zhao Yuanlang actually told Shen Qing that his father was about to return?
Huang Dehou couldn't understand what Zhao Yuanlang was trying to do. Was he trying to warn Shen Qing?
Huang Dehou couldn't understand what benefit Zhao Yuanlang would gain from doing this. He didn't believe Zhao Yuanlang was a good person, so there was only one possibility: Zhao Yuanlang wanted to seek some benefit through this!
"Lord Zhao is certainly well-informed."
Huang Dehou put down his teacup, his smile fading slightly. "Since Sect Leader Shen already knows that my father is about to return, then I, Huang, will not beat around the bush."
He stared into Shen Qing's eyes and said, word by word, "Sect Master Shen is a wise man. With the death of Daoist Fushan in Chuzhou, and given Sect Master Shen's current physical condition, if I may be so bold, I'm afraid he won't last much longer."
"Now that the Qingyun Sect has no successor, these peasants alone are probably not enough to hold on. Qingyun Mountain will change hands sooner or later. Rather than waiting for Sect Master Shen to pass away and Qingyun Mountain to be fought over and divided up by various forces, it is better to find a reliable ally now, and my Huang family is willing to be that ally."
He paused for a moment, then offered a bargaining chip that he believed Shen Qing could not refuse.
"My father brought back a Foundation Establishment Pill when he returned from Chuzhou this time."
Shen Qing's hand holding the teacup trembled slightly; it was actually a Foundation Establishment Pill!
This is a priceless treasure coveted by countless Qi Refining cultivators in the cultivation world. Without the Foundation Establishment Pill, the probability of a Qi Refining cultivator successfully breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage is less than 10%.
With the help of Foundation Establishment Pills, even the lowest grade ones can increase the probability of Foundation Establishment by 30%.
The reason why the Taoist priest of Mount Fu did not evade the conscription was that his greatest wish was to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill for Shen Qing.
The Huang family patriarch had been fighting in Chuzhou for several years, and one of the rewards bestowed upon him by the Heavenly God Sect was this Foundation Establishment Pill.
Seeing the change in Shen Qing's expression, Huang Dehou was secretly pleased and continued, "Sect Master Shen, your foundation has been severely damaged due to your failure to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage. Even if you manage to cultivate to the ninth level of Qi Refining again, without the help of Foundation Establishment Pills, there is basically no possibility of you establishing your foundation again."
"With the help of this Foundation Establishment Pill, there might still be a glimmer of hope. My condition is very simple: Sect Master Shen, just tell me what secrets Qingyun Mountain holds, and where those secrets are located?"
Shen Qing remained silent for a long time.
He wasn't hesitating; he was calculating in his mind.
The fact that Huang Dehou was willing to exchange the Foundation Establishment Pill for the secret of Qingyun Mountain shows that the Huang family was determined to obtain the secret of Qingyun Mountain.
This also shows that the Huang family only knew there was something in the mountains, but did not know what it was.
That's why they would use something as precious as the Foundation Establishment Pill to exchange for a "clue".
The problem is, Shen Qing really doesn't know any secrets in the mountains.
Over the course of fifty years, he traversed every inch of Qingyun Mountain, finding nothing but stones and weeds.
"Master Huang."
Shen Qing raised his head and said frankly, "I can swear to heaven that Qingyun Mountain truly has no secrets. My late master was able to establish his foundation because he had a fortuitous opportunity in Fenglin County when he was young."
"Uncle-Master Mo Wentian was able to establish his foundation because of his extraordinary talent. As for the earlier predecessors, I have consulted the sect's records, and they all relied on their own talent or external opportunities, which had nothing to do with Qingyun Mountain itself."
"As for Patriarch Huang's willingness to offer the Foundation Establishment Pill, I am grateful. However, everything I have said is true, and if there is even a single falsehood, I am willing to be punished by heavenly lightning."
"As for the county magistrate, there was no secret deal between him and Shen. The reason why the county magistrate was willing to sponsor the academy was because Instructor Ma and Instructor Zhou saw that Qingyun Academy was not doing well and wanted to praise Qingyun in front of the county magistrate."
Shen Qing spoke with utmost frankness, even swearing to heaven. This was no joke. Huang Dehou stared at Shen Qing for a long time, and gradually came to a conclusion: Shen Qing might really not know.
Huang Dehou was already 70% certain that Shen Qing was unaware of the situation, and now he's raised that certainty to 90%.
The fact that a dying man guarded Qingyun Mountain for fifty years without discovering the secret shows that the secret was extremely well hidden and could not be found by ordinary means.
But Shen Qing's ignorance of the secret's existence does not mean that the secret does not exist.
The last words of the Huang family's first ancestor are not false. The Daoist voice did indeed resound in Qingyun Mountain. That was the starting point of the Huang family's rise and the opportunity that the Huang family had been waiting for for more than a hundred years.
"Since Sect Leader Shen says so, I, Huang, believe you."
Huang Dehou stood up. "However, after Sect Master Shen dismissed his disciples, Qingyun Sect will be an empty mountain. The Huang family is willing to take in more Qingyun Sect disciples, which can be considered as preserving a legacy for the sect. I wonder what Sect Master Shen thinks?"
Shen Qing smiled slightly: "There's no need for Patriarch Huang to trouble himself with this matter. The County Magistrate has already promised to arrange a future for his disciples. If Patriarch Huang is interested, he can discuss it with the County Magistrate."
Huang Dehou's face stiffened again, then he smiled, cupped his hands, and took his leave.
Passing by the academy, Huang Dehou glanced at the words Zhao Yuanlang had carved and sneered, "This county magistrate's reach is truly too long!"
After leaving Qingyun Mountain, Huang Dehou whispered to Huang Wenyuan beside him, "Keep a close eye on Qingyun Mountain. Come back and tell me immediately after Shen Qing dismisses his disciples."
Shen Qing stood in front of the mountain gate, watching Huang Dehou disappear into the twilight, the smile on her lips slowly fading.
The fact that Huang Dehou was willing to exchange Foundation Establishment Pills for the secrets of Qingyun Mountain has already revealed too much.
The Foundation Establishment Pill is an extremely precious item. To put it bluntly, when the Taoist of Mount Fu went to Chuzhou to fight, he was risking his life to gamble on a Foundation Establishment Pill.
Why did no one refuse when the Heavenly God Sect summoned cultivators from various sects in Chuzhou to participate in the battle for supremacy?
Although they could not refuse the orders of the Heavenly God Sect, they could also escape if they wanted to.
The Heavenly God Sect wouldn't bother with a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator.
The biggest reason is that after three years of fighting for supremacy, being able to return alive means that the rewards given by the Heavenly God Sect would make any Foundation Establishment cultivator envious.
Foundation Establishment cultivators can receive at least one Foundation Establishment Pill of decent quality, which is the real reason why they cannot refuse.
And now, Huang Dehou is actually willing to exchange such a Foundation Establishment Pill, which he risked his life for, for a "clue".