Chapter Fifty-Nine: Gossip of the Outer Sect

"How could it be!" Qin Hanyan had lived for several centuries, yet this was the first time she had ever heard of such a bizarre thing.

By chance, after instructing Qin Ruhua’s eldest son, Qin Feng, to take good care of that mother and daughter, she leapt onto her flying sword and hurried toward the outer sect. Just as she stepped out, she ran into Li Hentian, the newborn girl’s biological father.

In this era, it was uncommon for fathers to be close to their children. However, Li Hentian was also of the Qingyun Sect, a junior fellow disciple to Qin Ruhua. The two still maintained their partnership. Moreover, as society changed, fathers were slowly stepping into their children’s lives, expressing their care more openly. As a result, Qin Hanyan had grown used to Li Hentian hovering about, assisting and caring for the mother and child.

She was worried that Qin Feng, still so young, might not handle things reliably—though, truth be told, this was her being overly anxious. Not to mention that Qin Feng was already a second-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, and at forty-five years old, by the standards of commoners in this era, he was already of the great-uncle generation, an antique among men. At the sight of Li Hentian, she was delighted and deliberately stopped her sword, standing in midair with her hands behind her back.

Li Hentian approached, bowed respectfully, and greeted her, "Greetings, Aunt Yan."

He was a second-stage Core Formation cultivator, tall and well-built, with a face like polished jujube, thick brows, and eyes as fierce as a tiger’s—handsome and commanding. When he smiled, even the clouds seemed to soften.

Good-looking as he was, he was not to Qin Hanyan’s taste. She curled her lip and entrusted him with the care of Qin Ruhua and her daughter.

Li Hentian, puzzled, asked, "Aunt Yan, are you going on a journey?"

Qin Hanyan sighed, "If not for that scoundrel Qin Heng!"

Li Hentian thought for a moment and then said, "I’ve heard some things about Heng. Of the three children, Senior Sister Ruhua loves him most. Now that her health is finally improving, she cannot bear any further shock. Aunt Yan, I too am uneasy about Heng. May I accompany you?"

Qin Hanyan frowned. In her eyes, Li Hentian was still an outsider, and affairs concerning Qin Heng were family matters. She did not like outsiders meddling.

Sensing her displeasure, Li Hentian hurried to explain, "Aunt Yan, Senior Brother Feng is there to care for Senior Sister Ruhua and her daughter, so please be at ease. But Heng is still an outer disciple, trapped within the Myriad Ant Forest, and will be there for several more months. Furthermore, he was punished and sent into the forest. While the reasons require further investigation, it is not unheard of for a teacher to discipline his disciples—at least, formally, the outer sect has the justification. Previously, when you punished one of their stewards, the outer sect dared not speak openly, but I have heard that they now harbor all kinds of grievances toward Heng and his brother. This time… Aunt Yan, I mean no disrespect. Heng is my junior nephew as well; as his uncle, it’s only right for me to stand up for him."

Qin Hanyan knew she had acted impulsively, for her temper was such that she feared neither heaven nor earth.

Hearing his words, she nodded slightly. "Very well. Come with me and let’s see for ourselves."

The implication was clear: she permitted him to warn her should she act rashly.

Thus, the two flew together by sword. In less than half an hour, they arrived outside the Myriad Ant Forest.

"Shen Ping, where is Heng?" As soon as she saw the vast, shrouding barrier over the forest, Qin Hanyan’s anger flared. She leapt from her sword and shouted furiously.

Shen Ping dropped to his knees with a loud thud, prostrated himself, and replied in a trembling voice, "Honored Elder, Qin Heng… Qin Heng is still inside the Myriad Ant Forest." The mere memory of his junior brother’s decapitation made his own neck feel icy cold.

"Fool! Open the barrier at once!" Qin Hanyan shot Li Hentian a sidelong glance, suppressing her rage. "Release him immediately. I will personally interrogate that little beast. Hmph—our Qin family has always stood tall, never producing lazy cowards!"

Li Hentian felt her gaze, suppressed his laughter, and stood even more deferentially to the side.

Yet Shen Ping was inwardly wailing: Good heavens, he’d seen protective elders before, but never one so extreme. She had already pronounced them guilty before even questioning them! Still, he dared not protest, and, worse, he no longer even knew where the entrance was, let alone how to open the barrier. Though his heart was heavy with dread, he had to maintain the dignity of the outer sect, revealing nothing. He forced a bitter smile. "Honored Elder, I am incompetent. The entrance is hidden—I cannot find the barrier."

Saving lives was the priority, not finding fault. Qin Jun also tried to mediate.

"Useless! If you can’t find the entrance, at least use your divine sense to locate him!" Qin Hanyan scolded, releasing her own divine sense.

But the barrier’s mists interfered, letting her probe less than thirty miles into the forest, which spanned hundreds of miles.

Approaching the forest, she felt as if she’d hit an invisible wall—thick and springy, yielding nothing to force.

Qin Hanyan struggled in midair until she was drenched in fragrant sweat and thoroughly disheveled, yet made no headway. In front of the third-generation disciples, she was utterly humiliated. In her fury, had that wall been tangible, she would have bitten it to pieces.

On the ground, the three disciples each wore their own expressions:

It’s over—even Great Aunt is helpless… Qin Jun was in tears.

The Honored Elder will surely blame me. Shen Ping’s face was ashen, his soul lost.

The Founding Ancestor’s barrier truly is formidable. A dark look flashed in Li Hentian’s eyes as he quietly clenched his fists and suggested, "Aunt Yan, that barrier was set by the Ancestor herself. Perhaps only the Sect Master can break it."

Like awakening from a dream, Qin Hanyan turned without a word, mounting her sword and heading straight for the inner sect.

She’s really going to the Sect Master? Li Hentian was speechless and hurried after her. "Aunt Yan, wait!"

"What is it?" Qin Hanyan asked impatiently.

"Aunt Yan, if I may be so bold, what reason will you give the Sect Master to ask her to break the barrier on the Myriad Ant Forest?" Li Hentian approached, keeping his tone gentle. "Aunt Yan, forgive my candor, but since ancient times, the authority of teachers has been paramount, and disciplining disciples is only right. If you go now, not only may you fail to persuade the Sect Master, but you could draw criticism from the whole sect."

"Then what do you suggest?" Like a bucket of cold water, her overheated mind cooled.

"In my humble opinion—"

But before he could finish, there was a stir in the distance.

Qin Hanyan looked up and saw the Sect Master approaching, hands clasped behind her back, fury in her steps. Clinging to her sleeve was Qin Ruhua, exhausted, breathless, her face streaked with tears and flushed with illness. Qin Feng was present too, though lagging behind by several miles, struggling with his weaker cultivation and cradling his newborn sister.

"Damn it," Qin Hanyan muttered, realizing it must have been Qin Feng who, unable to keep a secret, had let something slip to his mother. She stamped her foot and hurried to meet them.

Behind her, Li Hentian cast a cold glance at Qin Feng, but quickly lowered his eyes, hiding the menace within.

They had guessed correctly. It was indeed Qin Feng who had informed Qin Ruhua. When she found Qin Hanyan away, she pressed her son for answers until, unable to resist, he confessed everything. Upon learning that her youngest son had been cast into the Myriad Ant Forest for reflection, Qin Ruhua wailed, "My son!" and fainted dead away.

Qin Feng quickly transferred some vital energy to revive her.

Once awake, Qin Ruhua insisted on going to rescue her son.

Qin Feng, always jealous of the special care his mother gave his two younger brothers, recalled Qin Hanyan’s warning before she left and tried desperately to stop her. "Mother, the barrier was set by the Ancestor herself. Even if you go, what can you do?"

But Qin Ruhua had her own plan. She pushed him aside, disheveled, and rushed out, determined to ask the Sect Master to help her suffering child. Her mind worked swiftly, concocting both accusation and plea: Shen Ping and the other elders coveted the treasures on Qin Heng, and when they failed to seize them, they framed him, seeking his death.

Her resolve was such that Qin Feng could not stop her. Moreover, his own brother was being tormented in the sect—if word got out, it would be a blow to his own reputation as well.

Gritting his teeth, he gathered his newborn sister, supported his mother, and with a mournful air, accompanied her to Sacred Mist Peak.

Along the way, Qin Ruhua stumbled, covering her face and crying, "My son, how wretched your fate!" Their pitiable state drew the attention and sympathy of all the inner sect. In this era, the delicate, weeping type was rare—men and women alike were resolute, rarely shedding tears.

Thus, before they even reached Sacred Mist Peak, rumors swirled. The Sect Master felt immense pressure. Truth be told, her days of late had been anything but comfortable: within the sect, the Phoenix Hatchling had vanished as soon as it appeared; outside, the disgrace brought by the decline of the Wind Clan on Great Green Mountain spread like wildfire, shaming her in the eyes of all the great sects.

She was already burning with frustration, lacking an outlet.

Moreover, all these troubles originated with the outer sect!

"Hmph! It’s time the outer sect was thoroughly rectified!" With a sweep of her sleeve, she led Qin Ruhua and her children in a tempest toward the outer sect, trailed by countless curious divine senses. She ignored them all. Hmph—today, she would show them what the Sect Master could do!

Alas, the Ancestor’s might prevailed. Even the Sect Master could not break the barrier of the Myriad Ant Forest.

"Ruhua, do not worry. When the month is up, the barrier will open on its own. Your son will be released. As for the injustice he suffered in the outer sect, I will see that you receive a satisfactory answer." The Sect Master struggled to keep her composure, forcing a gentle tone.

Thus began the darkest days for the outer sect’s management. They were collectively investigated and punished: dual regulations, audits, evidence-gathering. The Sect Master presided, the Grand Elder personally led the investigation. For half a month, the outer sect was in chaos. In the end, the truth was revealed: Qin Heng was indeed wronged. Jiang Yuan had testified falsely, and the true mastermind was none other than the very Uncle Qin whom Qin Hanyan herself had chosen. This man, benevolent in appearance, ruthless in heart, thought he had covered his tracks by annihilating Jiang Yuan’s soul. But nothing escaped the Grand Elder’s Mirror of Restoration.

To divert the sect’s attention, the Grand Elder uncovered a den of corruption: the outer sect’s leaders had been embezzling, lining their own pockets with greed beyond belief.

Faced with warehouses filled with top-grade spirit rice and mountains of spirit stones, every member of the sect ground their teeth in hatred. Aside from Qin Ruhua and her family, who still remembered the young disciple trapped in the Myriad Ant Forest?

But as for Feng Ke’er herself, she had no desire to be remembered. At that very moment, she was still reeling from the lightning strike that was the long, time-traveling letter left to her by the old headmaster.

(End of chapter.)