CFRSIO Chapter 55

Ning Xiyu wanted to seize the opportunity to eliminate the person, but unfortunately, there was no more accurate evidence. Moreover, the sect competition was imminent, and such a scandal of disciples harming each other could not occur. He could only lock the person up for now.

Guang Baiqiao was a little dissatisfied. He had hoped to eliminate the person directly. Although he said this, he still put on a show of consideration for others, which was truly admirable.

“Senior Brother Qing’an, please rest assured, the elders and fellow disciples in the sect will definitely find justice for you.”

Find justice? Zhang Qing’an just wanted to sneer. This incident seemed to have been caused by you. If you hadn’t been so gossipy, how could things have turned out this way?

Looking at the person on the main seat who had issued the order, Zhang Qing’an’s expression remained calm. He could feel Lin Yunliang hiding in the dark, and it was precisely because he felt it that he was so calm.

Lin Yunliang hid in the dark, remembering the true colors of everyone present, especially that guy on the main seat. He was the one who issued the order, the one who pretended not to understand everything, and also the one who schemed against him.

Therefore, Lin Yunliang would not let them off.

Zhang Qing’an was taken to the penalty courtyard and locked up.

The penalty courtyard was not a good place. Unless one wore a special jade pendant from the sect, anyone who went to the penalty courtyard would only become an ordinary person with spiritual energy and power that they could not use at all, making them wish they were dead.

Of course, this was for cultivators. As for Lin Yunliang and Zhang Qing’an, they would not be affected. Besides, both of them were ordinary people before, so it didn’t matter whether they had spiritual energy or power.

The disciples of the penalty courtyard looked at this person with curiosity, while Zhang Qing’an calmly allowed them to size him up.

The elders of the penalty courtyard knew more. They had no good feelings towards this person who dared to scheme against a sect genius.

He reprimanded them, “What are you looking at! Hurry up and take him in!”

“Don’t get too smug. It’s a light punishment to be taken into the penalty courtyard,” the elder said. Annoyed that Zhang Qing’an was walking too slowly, he even pushed Zhang Qing’an forward.

Zhang Qing’an stumbled, and with some annoyance, turned to look at the elder of the penalty courtyard. He was already walking as fast as he could.

They felt Zhang Qing’an was walking slowly simply because they could use spiritual energy and power. Zhang Qing’an, of course, did not have the sect’s special jade pendant, so he could not use spiritual energy and power. Therefore, they naturally felt Zhang Qing’an was walking slowly.

But Zhang Qing’an was already walking as fast as he could. Being pushed like this, he was feeling angry.

And he remained still, not intending to speak now.

Because he was branded with the “crime” of “slaughtering” fellow disciples, Zhang Qing’an was placed in the most remote and desolate prison cell.

This showed their attitude.

After pushing him directly inside, the cell door was locked with a bang.

After everyone left, Lin Yunliang finally appeared. “How are you?”

He hurried forward with concern, took the person’s hand, and examined him carefully. Confirming that there were no wounds on him, he felt a little relieved.

“Don’t worry, I’m fine.” Zhang Qing’an felt infinitely comfortable seeing him care so much.

Siam also jumped out. He had been by their side all along, but Lin Yunliang had always told him not to be conspicuous, so he had quietly stayed by Zhang Qing’an’s side.

He had wanted to speak up for Zhang Qing’an just now, but he remembered Lin Yunliang’s instructions, so he hadn’t made any moves. Of course, he wouldn’t just swallow this insult.

“Brother Lin?” Siam popped out and called out, looking at Lin Yunliang obsequiously.

They had known each other for so long that they could immediately tell what Siam meant by that look. Lin Yunliang was not suitable to show himself now; it would be troublesome if he were discovered.

So Lin Yunliang agreed, nodding without objection.

Siam then disappeared contentedly.

“They’ll probably come over,” Zhang Qing’an heard the conversation between the person and the cat and saw their interaction. He didn’t intend to stop them and started talking about other things.

For example, what he just said. Given the personalities of those two, Zhang Qing’an felt they would come over, but he didn’t know when they would show up. Besides, they were both people who didn’t understand sect matters. If the other party really decided to make a move, they might not be able to detect it.

“I’ll stay with you,” Lin Yunliang said. He couldn’t feel at ease leaving the person alone here.

“Alright,” Zhang Qing’an didn’t object.

Actually, he quite enjoyed being cared for by others. He rarely received such care from anyone. Only Lin Yunliang cared for him like this. He liked this person, and this person also cared for him in the same way, which was certainly comforting to his heart.

He reached out and held Lin Yunliang’s hand. “By the way, I met a drunkard on the road today.”

“Do you know him?”

Zhang Qing’an thought for a moment and added, “A very slovenly man.”

As Zhang Qing’an said, the person remembered. Lin Yunliang explained, “That person is an elder of the Qingyun Sect. He loves drinking the most. I brewed wine a few times in the sect before. He ran into me a few times.”

“He’s probably the only elder in the Qingyun Sect who would look for me.”

“It seems he saw you when you came to look for me, which is why he ran into you,” Lin Yunliang said, then asked with concern, “How was it? Did he give you trouble?”

“No, not really.” It was a small matter, so Zhang Qing’an didn’t mention it. He shook his head.

As the two chatted, they heard movement outside.

“Junior Brother Baiqiao, why are you here?”

“Exactly, this place is not clean. Don’t get your shoes and socks dirty!”

“What is Junior Brother Baiqiao holding? Let me help you carry it?”

“I’ll do it!”

“I’ll do it!”

Several people were clearly making a fuss, all being extremely attentive. It was natural to be attentive, as Guang Baiqiao was one of the rare single spiritual roots in the sect.

The Qingyun Sect had been established for many years, and it was not just Guang Baiqiao and Ning Shijiang who were single spiritual roots. However, currently, the only single spiritual roots in the sect were the two of them. As for the others, either they had gone out for training, or they had reached the stage of mastery and had established themselves elsewhere.

Even if they wanted to curry favor, they needed time and opportunity to see the person, so they could only find the only two single spiritual root cultivators in the sect.

Guang Baiqiao’s clothes were neat and clean, his facial features were delicate, and he looked radiant and powerful. Seeing their eagerness to compete, he didn’t find it problematic, but smiled shyly, “Thank you, senior brothers. These things are not heavy, I can manage them myself.”

“Thank you for your concern, senior brothers.”

“However, can senior brothers show me the way? I want to see Senior Brother Qing’an.”

“Please trouble the senior brothers.”

“Junior brother, why do you want to see Zhang Qing’an?” someone in the crowd asked.

Guang Baiqiao was stunned for a moment, and a hint of hurt appeared on his face, but it was fleeting. However, everyone present was a cultivator, and even if a person’s expression was fleeting, they would definitely notice it instantly.

Those who wanted to please Guang Baiqiao understood this and had their own ideas. They planned to trouble Zhang Qing’an after he left, to vent his anger.

They did not feel that Guang Baiqiao had any fault in this matter at all. In their opinion, the fault could only be Zhang Qing’an’s, and Zhang Qing’an was personally brought here by an elder.

They felt even less that Guang Baiqiao had any fault.

“It’s nothing major. Please trouble the senior brothers.”

Seeing that he refused to say, the few people became even more convinced that Zhang Qing’an was at fault, and that his fault was so egregious that it made Guang Baiqiao endure such grievances.

Although Guang Baiqiao’s status was precious, allowing someone to see the people in the penalty courtyard was also against the rules. After thinking about it, several people decided to take him there. At most, they would be careful not to be discovered.

“Junior Brother Baiqiao, according to the rules, no one is allowed to enter freely,” the leading disciple of the penalty courtyard said. “However, we can make an exception.”

“Also, Junior Brother, you should pay attention to the time and don’t talk to anyone for too long.”

“I know.” Hearing this, Guang Baiqiao smiled and said repeatedly, “Senior brother, don’t worry, I know my limits! Thank you, senior brother!”

Seeing the person locked in the cage, a hint of satisfaction flashed in Guang Baiqiao’s eyes, but his face still maintained a worried expression.

“Senior brother!” he said, seemingly concerned.

But it might not be without ulterior motives, especially towards those disciples of the penalty courtyard. They already felt that Zhang Qing’an must have done something wrong in this matter. Seeing Guang Baiqiao repeatedly swallowing his anger, they must have been very frustrated.

Zhang Qing’an remained calm. After all, no matter how much he reacted, those people would only take what they wanted to know as the truth. Everyone was like this.

Guang Baiqiao quickly reacted again and immediately took off the purse from his waist and handed it to the disciples of the penalty courtyard, “Thank you, senior brothers, for your concern for Baiqiao.”

Taking the money bag given by Guang Baiqiao, they felt its weight, which was not light, showing that Guang Baiqiao was wealthy. The few people’s desire to curry favor grew even stronger.

“You’re too polite, junior brother, but,” he said, glancing at the person in the cell with a warning and appraising look, “Junior brother, you must pay attention to the time.”

“Senior brother, don’t worry.”

Only then did they leave. After they left, Guang Baiqiao revealed his true colors.

“Senior brother looks quite comfortable.”

“Of course, I’m comfortable.” Zhang Qing’an was not polite. Was this the time to be polite? He wasn’t an idiot.

“When you’re not around me, no one is being sarcastic to me or causing me trouble, so of course I’m incredibly comfortable.”

These words made Guang Baiqiao’s face turn pale and then red. He then smiled, “Senior brother is actually quite forthright.”

“But senior brother, this matter, if it is to be said, it is also your fault.”

“Since you didn’t have those intentions, you shouldn’t have shown up, that way, Senior Brother wouldn’t have thought you were targeting him!”

Guang Baiqiao said, he had long since decided that Zhang Qing’an had deliberately seduced Ning Shijiang. Even though Zhang Qing’an had said before that he had no interest in anyone, he still didn’t believe it, thinking that he was just deceiving him, and that he was just saying it deliberately for him to hear.

To make him let down his guard, and then to break the relationship between him and Ning Shijiang.

Zhang Qing’an really wanted to roll his eyes. What nonsense was this person talking about? What did he mean he shouldn’t have shown up? It was none of his business where he went?

“I’ve already said it! I have no interest in Ning Shijiang!”

“Since you care so much about him, you should manage him well, instead of coming to trouble me!”

Lin Yunliang stood aside, watching Zhang Qing’an animatedly. Zhang Qing’an was not like this before. When he was in front of Lin Yunliang, he was always docile. Seeing him like this now, Lin Yunliang felt even more joy.

Zhang Qing’an could feel the gaze from the person beside him, and felt a little awkward. His earlobes turned slightly red. He knew it was not appropriate to reveal himself now, so he could only secretly glance at Lin Yunliang, hinting for him to restrain himself.

How could anyone know that he had another person with him right now?

Lin Yunliang smiled, but did not restrain himself at all.

Guang Baiqiao still didn’t listen to him, “That’s also because you showed up first! You shouldn’t have shown up! You shouldn’t even have participated in the Qingyun Sect’s recruitment!”

“It’s all Wu Jie! That waste!” Saying that, he realized his slip of the tongue.

His expression changed, but his angry look remained unchanged, still filled with rage.

Hearing this, Zhang Qing’an understood. “Why are you mentioning Wu Jie?”

He questioned sternly, “You guided Wu Jie to the Zhang family!”

“Guang Baiqiao! How malicious your heart is!” Siam had shown him the fate of “Zhang Qing’an,” and such a tragic death truly made him sad.

“How could you do such a thing!”

“How could I not!” Guang Baiqiao threw caution to the wind. Since he had already spoken carelessly, it didn’t matter anymore.

“Zhang Qing’an, people of your low status shouldn’t be here in the first place! You don’t deserve to be a cultivator!”

“If you become a cultivator, you will only tarnish the path of cultivation!”

The more he spoke, the more absurd it became. Zhang Qing’an also heard more wrongdoings. What did Guang Baiqiao know to say such things one after another?

He exchanged a glance with Lin Yunliang, and they both understood each other’s meaning.

“What do I need to do for you to let me go?” Zhang Qing’an asked.

“When you withdraw from the sect, I will consider it.”

Guang Baiqiao was cunning, saying “consider,” which meant he might not really let him go.

Zhang Qing’an and Lin Yunliang were not stupid, and they could hear this person’s true intentions.

However, even with that said, Lin Yunliang and the other person would not have any fear in their hearts. If they were truly afraid, they would not have come earlier and gotten themselves into so much trouble.

“I understand,” Zhang Qing’an said. “I will withdraw from the sect. I hope Junior Brother will not continue to trouble me afterward.”

These two seemed to be doing it on purpose. Not long after Guang Baiqiao left, in just a day or two, someone else came looking for them.

It was indeed Ning Shijiang.

Ning Shijiang’s gaze towards the person was annoying. Perhaps it was because he felt that the person had fallen into the penalty courtyard and would likely not escape, so this person looked at Zhang Qing’an with much less restraint than before, with even more presumptuousness in his gaze.

“Qing’an.”

Zhang Qing’an disliked hearing his name from this person, especially such an intimate address. “Ning Shijiang, what are you here for?”

“Qing’an, we’ve known each other as fellow disciples for so long, why are you still so distant?” Ning Shijiang’s eyes showed a hint of loss. “How have you been… these days?”

The penalty courtyard was known as a notoriously cruel place in the academy. Those who entered the penalty courtyard never had a good outcome, which was almost common knowledge among the sect members.

Looking at Zhang Qing’an in front of him, Ning Shijiang still felt a pang of heartache. He took a few steps forward, wanting to reach out and grab Zhang Qing’an’s hand.

In reality, Zhang Qing’an had not suffered any harm in the penalty courtyard at all. With Siam and Lin Yunliang protecting him, how could he possibly get hurt?

As soon as Guang Baiqiao left, the people from the penalty courtyard wanted to teach Zhang Qing’an a lesson.

Several people arrogantly led him out, but they didn’t know that what they were taking out was actually just a dummy made by Siam and Lin Yunliang. Siam and the others were hiding aside, laughing as they watched them lead out a dummy.

Those disciples were also foolish and didn’t discover anything, truly believing they were taking Zhang Qing’an out.

They all spoke eloquently.

They spoke of avenging their fellow disciples, of teaching people the meaning of sect rules, and of making people understand their status, making them regret offending Junior Brother Baiqiao.

Look, these were the true intentions.

They tied the person to the torture rack.

As they spoke, they saw that Zhang Qing’an ignored them. They thought Zhang Qing’an was arrogant and defiant, hence his silence. They had long been angered. They were all people from the penalty courtyard, and the penalty courtyard’s status in the sect was not low.

There was no disciple who entered the penalty courtyard who didn’t immediately kneel and beg for mercy, yet not a single one was as audacious as Zhang Qing’an. They had always been highly sought after by the disciples of the sect.

Originally, a few people intended to avenge Guang Baiqiao, and now seeing him like this, they were naturally furious. Therefore, they attacked without mercy.

The whip, dipped in salt water, was directly swung onto the “Zhang Qing’an,” easily tearing through the not-so-thick clothes and leaving a bleeding wound on his body.

“Zhang Qing’an” remained silent.

Such a stubborn bone truly angered them. The few people exchanged glances, clearly annoyed, and then became even more ruthless in their attacks.

Lin Yunliang watched silently, his mind already formulating a plan. The Qingyun Sect had been in this region for many years and likely held a superior position. Such a region might have already been infiltrated by a host of dirty things. Lin Yunliang was unwilling to continue allowing this region to use the name Qingyun.

The name Qingyun was quite important to the two of them. Since this was the case, he needed to find a way to have the sect rename itself.

He certainly did not want to see “Zhang Qing’an” get hurt, even if this Zhang Qing’an was just a dummy he and Siam had made. Therefore, he had to step forward and secretly transmit some spiritual energy to prevent this dummy from being too badly damaged.

If it were truly damaged too badly, he would feel a bit reluctant.

—

“An’an,” the colder Zhang Qing’an’s expression became, the closer Ning Shijiang leaned in. His expression and demeanor seemed strange, making people feel uncomfortable.

Especially after hearing himself being addressed like that, Zhang Qing’an’s expression changed directly. “Shut up!”

“You have no right to call me that!” Zhang Qing’an was angry. He truly didn’t know where these people got their audacity to call him that!

“Ning Shijiang! We have no relationship between us!”

“How can there be no relationship!” Ning Shijiang retorted, his expression showing disagreement. “I have feelings for you!”

“How can you not see it?” Ning Shijiang said, and he felt the same disagreement in his heart. After all, he had been openly seeking out Zhang Qing’an all along.

Although… although Guang Baiqiao was still by his side. But he was a young prodigy with extraordinary talent. What was wrong with having a few more confidantes? Moreover, Guang Baiqiao was also a single spiritual root cultivator, how could he not be worthy of him?

As for Zhang Qing’an, he was merely a triple spiritual root cultivator. If he was willing to be close to them, he should have been overjoyed and accepted it, not refused him time and time again?

“You were already playing hard to get before, why are you still acting like this now?”

“An’an,” Ning Shijiang said with some urgency, because he knew that if he didn’t find a way to rescue the person soon, by the time they went to the Chengyuan Secret Realm, they would have even less time to manage things here.

Then, if something were to happen to the person, he would be powerless. This was something he did not want.

“As long as you are willing to follow me, after I come out of the Chengyuan Secret Realm, I will definitely guarantee your safety for life.” Ning Shijiang vowed. At the same time, he looked confident, believing that since he had said this, the person would definitely agree.

But how was that possible, especially for Zhang Qing’an?

Zhang Qing’an looked at the person in front of him with a cold smile and said calmly, “Okay.”

Under Ning Shijiang’s smiling face, he continued coldly, “Since you are so kind, why wait until you return?”

“Not to mention that the secret realm still has half a month to open, even if the opening time of the secret realm lasts for a year, what if something unexpected happens during this period?”

Ning Shijiang’s expression changed, and then a bold thought appeared in his mind. Indeed, lust is the knife that cuts men.

“Since that’s the case, why don’t you follow me first, and I promise I will take you out immediately. When…”

Before the person could finish speaking, Zhang Qing’an’s expression changed. However, upon seeing the person who appeared, his expression immediately turned happy. This person’s expression was clearly much gentler than when he treated Ning Shijiang.

This also angered Ning Shijiang. Ning Shijiang felt that he had already been patient and treated the person well enough, yet he had never received any good looks from Zhang Qing’an. Now, someone inexplicable had captured Zhang Qing’an’s heart, which naturally made him extremely angry.

However, when the person clearly saw the person who appeared, his eyes widened. He never expected that the person who appeared would be him.

How could it be him?!

“Lin Yunliang!? You’re still alive?!” Ning Shijiang looked at the person who appeared in disbelief.

He never expected it to be him.

After that day, Ning Xiyu sent many people to look for Lin Yunliang, but they never found him. They all thought that Lin Yunliang was probably dead. In fact, even if he wasn’t dead, he was probably on his last breath, as there was quite a lot of blood left in the secret room. Lin Yunliang had been trapped in the secret room for almost three months. During these three months, he was only occasionally fed a pill.

Just to keep him barely alive. With such a physical condition, coupled with continuous bleeding, even if he escaped, he would likely not live long.

After searching for several months without finding any trace of him, they gradually recalled everyone, and no longer cared as much. Yet, they never expected this person to appear here, and even to have such a close relationship with Zhang Qing’an.

“You two…” Ning Shijiang understood everything now.

So Lin Yunliang was the person Zhang Qing’an had been looking for!

The stir Zhang Qing’an made when looking for someone was actually not very large, but their status was more precious, so they had heard some rumors. However, on several occasions when they looked for Zhang Qing’an, this person hardly paid them any attention. Ning Shijiang thought that this person was just shy, but it turned out not to be the case.

Ning Shijiang was extremely angry. His father had said that as long as Lin Yunliang was alive, his position would be threatened. At first, he didn’t care, but as Ning Xiyu said more, he gradually began to have other thoughts.

Now, seeing that this person was actually related to Zhang Qing’an, he was enraged, not only by Lin Yunliang’s existence but also by their relationship.

After all, in Ning Shijiang’s view, Zhang Qing’an was destined to be his person.

“Your dirty hands are not qualified to touch him,” Lin Yunliang said.

Seeing this person made him feel extremely disgusted.

During this time, Lin Yunliang relied on his abilities and his current status to move around and saw many things, such as Guang Baiqiao and the others.

Guang Baiqiao probably knew that after he came here, the disciples of the penalty courtyard would teach Zhang Qing’an a lesson for him, so he was in a good mood and became somewhat unrestrained.

He even turned around and went to Ning Xiyu’s room.

They were master and disciple, and the relationship between Guang Baiqiao and Ning Shijiang was very ambiguous. By rights, it was not a problem for him to go to Ning Xiyu, but the timing was not right.

What kind of disciple goes to their master’s room in the middle of the night?

He didn’t want people to think too much about it, anyway, Lin Yunliang never minded thinking the worst of them. When he saw the two enter Ning Xiyu’s room.

Lin Yunliang originally didn’t want to see what the two master and disciple were talking about, but a possibility suddenly occurred to Lin Yunliang, so he quietly went over. He saw the two lying together in dishevelled clothes.

Although he found it quite eye-burning, he silently took out a recording stone. He was not a good person to begin with, let alone having been schemed against by these two repeatedly, so he would naturally not treat them kindly.

The people in the room were laughing and talking about something, but Lin Yunliang wasn’t paying much attention, especially since he and Zhang Qing’an already had a plan. It was best not to let this matter cause any further complications.

What was interesting was what happened next. Lin Yunliang discovered something else. Ning Xiyu’s cultivation seemed to be declining, although the decline was not obvious, so it had not been noticed by others.

Only Lin Yunliang, with his excessively strong spiritual power, caused his soul power to be magnified several times.

This also caused him to immediately discover the strangeness of Ning Xiyu’s cultivation. His cultivation seemed to be flowing towards Guang Baiqiao. Although it was common for both parties’ strength to increase after dual cultivation, this did not seem to be simple complementarity.

It was more like one party was purely supplementing the other, and this supplementation did not seem to be simple supplementation. After Ning Xiyu’s cultivation declined, it seemed to have not returned.

However, Guang Baiqiao’s strength was weak, with a difference of two major levels between him and Ning Shijiang, which was why no one noticed this matter. No wonder, Lin Yunliang now understood why, even after he made a move, Guang Baiqiao’s cultivation was not crippled.

So that was the reason. He said that Guang Baiqiao’s cultivation was not high, and he was unable to expel it. It turned out that he used such a method. No wonder.

In fact, he had noticed something unusual when he made his move back then. Guang Baiqiao’s cultivation was strange. Lin Yunliang had clearly searched him when he crippled his cultivation. Guang Baiqiao did not have the Foundation Establishment cultivation that others should have.

His cultivation was at least at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. This cultivation seemed to have been there for a long time, not promoted in the sect, but rather seemed to have reached this cultivation before coming to the sect.

But if his cultivation had already reached this level, then why hide it? Wasn’t this a good thing? Unless his cultivation improvement was strange. But Lin Yunliang had not thought about the specifics of the strangeness at the time, and had only assumed that like Zhang Qing’an, he was hiding his cultivation to avoid being too conspicuous.

Now it seemed, that was not the case.

After recording those unsightly things, he then left contentedly.

—

Lin Yunliang placed a sharp dagger against Ning Shijiang’s neck, his face contorted with anger. Fortunately, Zhang Qing’an had not been harmed at all, otherwise, Lin Yunliang’s dagger would have already fallen.

Regardless of what this person was thinking now, Lin Yunliang directly kicked him, sending the person who hadn’t reacted to the ground.

He walked to Zhang Qing’an and held his hand. “How are you?”

Ning Shijiang was already extremely angry. He didn’t notice being kicked to the ground and then saw the infuriating scene.

He instantly wished he could tear them both to pieces.

The two parties were in a standoff for a long time. Ning Shijiang finally threw down a sentence, “Zhang Qing’an, if you are willing to abandon the darkness and embrace the light, the sect will be willing to accept you.”

After saying that, he fled in a panic. Watching his retreating back, Zhang Qing’an and Lin Yunliang laughed heartily.