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墨書 Inktalez
Upon hearing this, Su Zhongyuan was even more astonished.
"Don't you know that this matter was decided right in front of everyone by the Sect Leader and the Elders?"
At that time, Qi Xiao had been brought to the main hall. The Sect Leader, feeling pity for his youth and seeing that Ye Xiuyuan was not seriously injured, intended to show leniency and reduce his punishment.
It was Su Shijie who stood up firmly for a strict punishment. Not only did she insist on maintaining the original sentence, but she also suggested that he be locked in the Cold Cave for reflection.
At this point, Su Zhongyuan shivered at the thought. The Seventy Soul-Dispersing Whip was severe enough, and then to be confined in the Cold Cave for contemplation afterward? Just imagining it made him uncomfortable.
"Why? Little Six is also her junior brother; it would be one thing if she didn’t speak up for him, but why propose such a punishment?" Su Zhongyuan muttered.
Perhaps she felt that Qi Xiao had malicious intentions and needed to be punished thoroughly to extinguish any lingering thoughts he might have. Moreover, this decision was agreed upon by Master Hanying; both of them were his disciples, and she had to maintain fairness and authority to gain the support of others. If she showed leniency towards Qi Xiao, perhaps Ye Shidi would feel dissatisfied.
In any case, that was how things unfolded. When the Sect Leader saw how resolute Master Hanying and Su Shijie were, he could not say much more and ultimately acquiesced to their wishes.
"What about the others from Qingjing Peak? Did they not react?"
React? What kind of reaction could there be? At that time, you and Sister Feng were not at Xiaoyao Sect, and as for Sister Lan, it seemed she was in seclusion. Another one—
"Right! Did my sister do nothing at all?"
Su Zhongyuan clapped his hands as he finally recalled.
At that time, Sister Song had gone to the secret realm with them. When she heard that Ye Xiuyuan was injured, she rushed over in a hurry and happened to encounter Qi Xiao leaving. Fearing he might escape, she forcefully knocked him down from his flying artifact.
When Qi Xiao was thrown back to Xiaoyao Sect, he seemed to have sustained quite a bit of injury and appeared to be spitting blood.
Yu Miaoyin listened with fury boiling inside her; she immediately turned around intending to return to the mountain to seek an explanation.
Su Zhongyuan quickly stopped her. "You—you still haven’t recovered your wits; don’t do anything foolish out of impulse!"
Yu Miaoyin bit her lip and shot him a cold glare. "Foolish? I just want an explanation; how is that foolish?"
No wonder when they were on the mountain, others hesitated when discussing Qi Xiao’s matter—it turned out it was like this. Just because of one Ye Xiuyuan, their long-standing friendship had been ruined; was it worth it?
Ye Xiuyuan—it's always him! If it weren't for him, so many troubles wouldn't have arisen.
She had to confront him for an explanation.
"Step aside!"
Su Zhongyuan felt a jolt of fear in his heart and quietly moved out of the way.
The rain poured down in torrents, and as each drop fell into the courtyard, a gust of wind would scatter it. After half an hour of relentless rain, not a single drop remained in the small courtyard.
The immortal watched the small figure in the courtyard skillfully manipulating the rain with the wind, and suddenly made a decision in his heart.
He spoke softly, "Qi Xiao, do you wish to formally join my sect and become my personal disciple?"
Qi Xiao was taken aback. In his moment of distraction, he had been soaked by the rain. He hurriedly sought shelter under the eaves and stammered, "Immortal, are you serious?"
"Indeed, I never speak falsely."
Qi Xiao was overwhelmed with excitement, but at the same time felt lost. He had thought that being a small attendant by the immortal's side was already quite good; he never imagined such good fortune would fall upon him.
For a moment, he felt dizzy, as if his feet were stepping on cotton—there was no sense of reality.
He hesitated and asked, "Immortal, with so many people here, why did you choose me? I don't have Qin Li's strength, nor am I as clever as Young Master Wang. I am not as remarkable as..."
He glanced around the small courtyard at the others and felt they all excelled in various ways while he seemed to lack anything special.
But why did the immortal see potential in him?
"Do you not wish to be my disciple?"
"I do wish to! I've dreamed of it! But I'm not sure..."
The immortal rarely softened his expression. He reached out and gently patted Qi Xiao's head, saying calmly, "They all have their strengths, but you possess one quality that surpasses theirs: your undistracted heart."
"This small Wind Control Technique has been utilized by you so skillfully that it moves with your will. This alone proves that you have the potential for cultivation."
"Great talents often emerge late; true craftsmanship is unrefined. Though you may seem foolish, you are perceptive. Your shortcomings are actually your greatest strengths."
"There are countless cultivators like fish crossing a river, all striving to seize a sliver of heavenly insight. But those who strive too hard often rely solely on external forces and neglect their own essence."
"The Dao and techniques are not found externally; they lie within one's heart. When one thought is clear, all thoughts become clear."
"The Dao gives birth to One; One gives birth to Three; Three gives birth to all things—this is how it is."
"Though you may only know one Wind Control Technique now, you have already grasped its underlying principles. In time, you will be able to master various techniques."
The immortal's voice was ethereal and uncertain, like heavenly music. Qi Xiao could not fully comprehend it at first, but in that moment, it felt as if a bolt of lightning had struck down, illuminating everything around him.
He watched the swirling vortex in his palm, a realization dawning upon him. Could it be that the so-called celestial arts were already grasped in his hands?
"Master, please accept my bow," he said, bending down to kneel. However, the immortal reached out and gently supported him.
"There's no rush. First, go back and tell your mother. After consulting her opinion, then make your decision."
Yes, Mother! If she knew, she would surely be very happy.
That’s right; he needed to return and share the news with her. With a respectful bow, Qi Xiao hurriedly ran toward the gate of the small courtyard.
He turned the corner and dashed into the alley, calling out loudly, "Mother, I'm back!"
But as soon as he stepped into the house, he was met with chaos: pots and pans were scattered everywhere, tables and chairs overturned, doors and windows shattered, as if a band of ruthless thieves had ransacked the place.
He entered the room but saw no sign of his mother. Panic-stricken, he rushed to the neighbor's house.
Seeing his tear-filled eyes, Aunt Wang's heart softened. She finally opened the door a crack and gently advised him, "Your mother has been taken away by the officials. You need to hurry; you might still get a chance to see her."
"My mother was perfectly fine! How could those people take her away?" Qi Xiao exclaimed in disbelief.
Aunt Wang sighed softly. "Who knows? That group of officials barged in without saying a word and started breaking things. They even forcibly took your mother away, claiming she poisoned the old beggar on West Street and that they were taking her back for trial."
Aunt Wang's heart raced at the memory of their fierce demeanor. But when she heard Widow Zhou's cries—so heart-wrenching—she couldn't help but follow along.
What she witnessed was shocking: as soon as Widow Zhou arrived at the court, the magistrate presented a series of evidence against her, declaring that she had committed murder with irrefutable proof and would soon face execution.
Aunt Wang pressed her hand against her chest, exhaling softly. "The pastries your mother sold—we all ate them. How could they have poisoned anyone? And why would it specifically target that beggar?"
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