CH 48

C48 – Disciples

The genuine masterpiece of the Saint?

When these words were uttered, everyone, except Ning Tingshan, was taken aback.

This included Liu Yuan.

The corner of Liu Yuan’s mouth twitched. Xie Qian’s calligraphy and painting… could it truly be the authentic work of the Sage?

In an instant, Xie Qian’s name flashed through his mind.

[Hermit – Unwilling to Be Lonely for All Eternity]

Could it be that this “Qiangu” was not a mere fabrication, but a genuine artifact that had existed for thousands of years… If that were the case, the realm and status of Xie Qian before his sealing would surely be unimaginable.

However, why did Ning Tingshan recognize it with just a single glance?

Could there be some obvious symbol? Liu Yuan speculated inwardly.

Zou Wenrui firmly held onto his cane and stared intently at the painting. He took a step forward, eager to examine it closely. However, as he reached out his hand, he remembered that his dantian had been sealed. His hand, which was about to touch the painting, froze. He changed his motion, feigning a light touch, and pointed at the painting instead.

His gaze fixated on the painting, immediately captivated by the scenery depicted in the Mountain River Illustration. In an instant, a profound sense of shock enveloped his Spiritual Sense, causing spiritual energy to surge within his body. It felt as if the original spiritual barriers had vanished, and his mind and body became as relaxed and serene as if they had merged with nature itself.

“The power of the Sage!”

Zou Wenrui took a few steps backward, finally breaking free from that captivating state.

His eyes widened as he looked at the seemingly ordinary painting once again, his face filled with shock and disbelief. “It truly possesses the power of a saint… Where did you acquire this painting?”

Zou Wenrui stared at Liu Yuan in horror.

Even when he had just been severely beaten, he hadn’t displayed such a shocked expression.

Liu Yuan was filled with doubts. He maintained a pretense of calmness and said, “Forgive me for not informing you.”

Liu Yuan’s enigmatic demeanor only served to strengthen Ning Tingshan and Zou Wenrui’s suspicions. Ning Tingshan cleared his throat and said, “Since that’s the case, I won’t ask further. You and I will rest at the dock for a while. Once the matter with Yue Longzhang is settled, we can discuss the marriage.”

Liu Yuan’s mouth twitched. “You… agreed?”

What happened to the father-in-law who had sworn to slaughter pigs and chop vegetables at the Hongmen Feast?

Ning Tingshan carefully stored away the scroll and chuckled, nodding. “Son-in-law, you see, I have already addressed you as my son-in-law. How could I not agree? I should have informed you earlier that I had already agreed to the marriage. Bringing you here was simply to meet my future son-in-law. There’s no other meaning behind it at all.”

His demeanor had changed so swiftly… Just a moment ago, his face had been stern, but now he was discussing marriage.

This father-in-law had definitely intended to give him a hard time initially. Even if it wasn’t through actions, he would surely have made things difficult verbally. It wouldn’t have been as smooth as it currently seemed.

Could Xie Qian’s calligraphy and painting truly possess such extraordinary allure?

Liu Yuan glanced at Zou Wenrui. According to Zou Zishi, the esteemed Great Elder, Zou Wenrui, had taken Yue Zong’s side. It was Zou Wenrui who suggested that Yue Longzhang might have been framed, making Liu Yuan the main suspect.

The Great Elder and the Second Elder were both part of the same sect. Ning Tingshan was concerned that he might be losing influence now. When he was summoned, either Zou Wenrui was present or Ning Tingshan wanted to use this opportunity to provoke a conflict and test Liu Yuan. He wanted to gauge if Liu Yuan could be of assistance to him or if Zou Wenrui had become so powerful that he could participate in the discussion of family matters, including the marriage arrangements.

Liu Yuan was inclined to believe the first assumption.

As the sect’s master, Ning Tingshan wouldn’t be so timid.

In any case… it was a favorable situation.

Liu Yuan and Ning Xiangrong exited the premises. Miss Su was entirely at ease in her own home. She promptly arranged for Liu Yuan to stay in an unoccupied room within her residence.

Although she attempted to conceal it by separating the two rooms, anyone with a discerning eye could see that it was no different from sharing a bed.

In no time, the news spread, causing another group of admirers, much like Yue Longzhang, to wail in anguish.

“You will stay here temporarily.”

Ning Xiangrong pushed open the door, revealing an exquisitely decorated and warm interior. However, it was undoubtedly a girl’s room.

Just as Liu Yuan’s perplexed gaze swept across the room, Ning Xiangrong’s eyes flickered. “This… this used to be the room I lived in when I was young. I moved next door after that.”

Oh… A room from her childhood, meaning she regularly occupied it when she was young?

Liu Yuan arched his eyebrows, as if he could visualize the appearance of Ning Xiangrong, the previous occupant of the room, just by observing its surroundings.

Moreover, by revealing such an intimate place to Liu Yuan, it indicated that Ning Xiangrong no longer harbored any reservations or secrets from him.

As he entered, Ning Xiangrong couldn’t help but whisper, “Why did my father react so strongly? What exactly is the power of the saints?”

Perplexed, Liu Yuan asked, “You don’t know either?”

Ning Xiangrong shook her head. “The saints are enigmatic figures. I only know that a major event occurred hundreds of years ago. During that time, numerous Immortal Dao geniuses emerged, but many also perished. The Saint appeared and then vanished, leaving no further information. Perhaps my father and Elder Zou had experienced that era.”

Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind, and she smiled. “Oh, Senior Zi Chen from the Soaring Wisdom Sect also vanished during that time. Didn’t you inherit his Spiritual Energy? How come you don’t know about it?”

Liu Yuan furrowed his brow and replied, “Well… He departed after transferring the Spiritual Energy to me. He didn’t disclose any details.”

“I apologize, Senior Ding. Although you still have six or seven days left to live, I’ve caused you to experience death once again.”

Pointing her finger at his forehead, Ning Xiangrong pursed her lips and said, “I tend to speak nonsense in a serious tone. You attacked Elder Zou, and he will surely bear a grudge…”

Liu Yuan shrugged and replied, “It’s alright. With my current cultivation, though not fully restored, I’m more than capable within the Wide Ocean Sect.”

The only concern he had was the presence of a spy from the Demon Sect.

Ning Xiangrong pouted and remarked, “No matter how powerful you are, I will still worry about you.”

Liu Yuan gazed at her slightly pouted soft lips and couldn’t resist lowering his body to kiss her.

They separated after a brief moment of connection.

Ning Xiangrong, who had just closed her eyes, opened them with a hint of doubt.

Liu Yuan smiled and spoke, “We still have a long journey ahead.”

Ning Xiangrong let out a gentle sigh and hugged him tightly. She felt his broad shoulders, a source of strength and reliability. She realized that this statement was even more intimate than their previous kiss, causing her entire body to relax, and her eyes filled with happiness.

Liu Yuan sighed. Ning Xiangrong had been overly protected since she was young, with everyone focused on her appearance. Unless she took the initiative, she would feel anxious at times like this. It was not a wise move.

Zou Wenrui and Ning Tingshan continued to gaze at each other in the room.

Ning Tingshan looked at the scroll in his hand and smiled. “Well? Elder Zou, my son-in-law is much stronger than your adopted son, isn’t he? Do you still want to discuss the marriage?”

It turned out that Zou Wenrui had wanted Zou Zishi, who had recently become the Chief, to marry Ning Xiangrong. He had hoped to strengthen their relationship and had added the condition that he would side with Ning Tingshan.

However, Liu Yuan had disrupted all those plans.

Zou Wenrui felt a fog of confusion in his mind’s spiritual realm. His Nascent Soul seemed to be immobilized within it. With a complex expression, he said, “If he truly is the legendary disciple of the Saint, he will reshape the landscape of the Middle Continent. I concede.”

His expression darkened, and he added, “But I fear… that he is not.”