Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1331 - 858: The Greater the Secret, the Greater the Danger (Part 2)

"My master passed away more than a hundred years ago; even if you cling to that grudge, it's time to release it!"

"If that old fellow were alive, I'd pulverize his bones into powder!"

Yue E's utterances clashed sharply with her refined appearance. From a woman so exalted and impeccable, such coarse language proved shocking.

Lin Daoyuan stole a quick peek at her, his eyes brimming with resignation.

A unique sentiment lingered in Lin Daoyuan's heart for Yue E—not romantic love between man and woman, but the deep tie of master and disciple.

Yue E had nearly wed his master, and for a time, she truly had.

The tale unfolded like a dramatic saga: a faithless man strayed and tangled with a loyal woman by chance.

He dusted off and returned home, leaving her to pine for decades.

This affair back then nearly sparked a clash between Illusion Moon Sect and Yu Xuanqing Sect. Only his lecherous master's sudden demise prevented Yue E from becoming Xuanqing Sect's top foe.

Naturally, Yue E now felt no fondness for Xuanqing Sect, nor for him, her former disciple.

"I wish to inquire about the Yang family matters!"

"Has the Yang family wronged you?" Yue E shot him a frosty look.

"No, I simply take an interest in the Yang family," Lin Daoyuan replied.

Yue E responded tonelessly, "The Yang family stands as an ally to Illusion Moon Sect. You must not lay a hand on the Yang family!"

"What kind of ally?" Lin Daoyuan probed.

"An ally far more vital than Xuanqing Sect!" Yue E declared firmly.

Lin Daoyuan peered intently into her eyes, seeking to gauge if Yue E spoke truth.

In truth, Yue E's claim rang false. The Three Sects of Lingxiu once formed a single force. Though rivalries simmered among them, shared goals and foes bound them closely.

Thus, ties among the Three Sects of Lingxiu ran deep.

By contrast, Illusion Moon Sect's link to the Yang family amounted to mere partnership at most.

The Yang family furnished goods to Illusion Moon Sect, which resold them for gain. While interests intertwined, the Yang family proved replaceable to Illusion Moon Sect.

Regarding Yang Zhenshan as Guest Elder, he wasn't vital; after all, a Guest Elder remained just a guest.

A flicker crossed Yue E's eyes, yet she insisted, "The Yang family's roots remain shrouded in mystery; even now, their true origins elude us!"

"Isn't the Yang family merely a minor clan?"

"Do you swallow such misleading tales?"

"No, hardly believable!" Lin Daoyuan mused, nodding faintly.

Across the years, Illusion Moon Sect probed into Yang Zhenshan, yet deeper scrutiny only reinforced that his early claims might hold water.

Simply, ’In the Skies lie the White Jade City, with Twelve Floors and Five Towns’.

The cause was straightforward. The Yang family ran few ventures in the Sea of Spirit, yet their output surged endlessly, beyond count.

To an extent that even Illusion Moon Sect struggled to match.

Thus, Yue E and Yue Qing suspected Yang Zhenshan's White Jade City truly existed.

"The Yang family hides numerous mysteries; you have no urge to uncover them?" Lin Daoyuan questioned.

"Why probe? Secrets abound in this world—does Xuanqing Sect lack them? Does Illusion Moon Sect? What of Hidden Sword Mountain?" Yue E's voice echoed through the cave, carrying a mysterious tone.

"This stands apart!" Lin Daoyuan denied with a shake of his head.

Yue E regarded him, her aggressive expression tinged with scorn.

"How so?"

"Their shown strength doesn't yet inspire fear in me," he answered.

Yue E's smile bloomed radiantly beautiful. "The bigger the secret, the deadlier the peril. I warn you to tread carefully, or you might doom Xuanqing Sect's three millennia of legacy!"

Lin Daoyuan fixed his gaze on her for a prolonged moment before saying, "I get it!"

He left unclear what he grasped; maybe it didn't signify. Crucial was that he fathomed Yue E's position.

...

Xuanqing Sect nestled in Green Jade City's northern reaches, at Qingyun Peak's base, where tiers of jade stairs dangled like silver chains piercing the thick fog atop the mountain. At the foot loomed a two-zhang jade gateway, upheld by four soaring dragon pillars; Luminous Pearls gleamed amid the dark scale carvings, their soft glow rendering the entire entrance as if suspended in clouds.

Centered on the gateway hung a plaque hewn from pure Mystic Ice Jade; this three-foot square bore ’Xuanqing Sect’ in gold-filled script, strokes bold like gashes in ice, from distance seeming to shed fine snow, chill seeping forth.

Flanking couplets crafted from Xuanji Patterned Cyan Jade Plates gleamed with red-gold inked characters.

When Genwu awakens, it gathers thousand-mountain cloud essences into its Heavenly Abode.

When Creation Light ascends, it lights the Ninefold Gates, unveiling true essence.

Gateway sides featured stone blue bird statues clutching pearls, humanoid mythical birds with wings poised for flight.

Gateway crest bore cloud-flow eaves with twelve proud Jade Cranes at edges, each beak clasping a wind chime that chimed crisply in mountain gusts, echoing ten miles like heavenly cranes calling.

Upon the nine-level jade stairs before the gateway stood eighteen watchful disciples, heads lowered, clad in moon-white robes embroidered with pale blue clouds at cuffs, Jade Pendants etched ’Xuan’ dangling at waists.

The pair at the summit positioned toes on translucent talisman arrays matching the gateway dragon pillars' scales; this formed Xuanqing Sect’s Communication Array. Any gate anomaly let guardians relay instantly to peak-top Qingyun Hall.

In Qingyun Hall, the Outer Sect Elder kept vigil, and intruders would prompt the Guardian Elder to signal via Communication Array to twenty-four peaks, rousing Mountain Protection Array segments against foes.

Today’s gate overseer was Qingyun Peak steward Lu Yang. Though Qingyun Peak tied to Outer Sect, it stood apart, ruled by Inner Sect’s Heavenly Cloud Peak and integral to Xuanqing Sect’s defenses.

Hence, Lu Yang served as Inner Sect steward, commanding Inner Sect Disciples.

Truthfully, gate duty dragged tediously; daily two-hour shifts just checked entry-exit Tokens.

External dangers hadn't plagued Xuanqing Sect in ages.

"Aye, such tedium!"

Lu Yang lingered under the gateway, gaze idly tracking sky's drifting clouds, fancying them like a swordsman drilling; only the blade seemed overly bulky. Slimmer, it'd mimic Star Point Stab from Chasing the Stars and Moon sword art.

"Star Point Stab's core? Right, sword tip vibrates, forging three-inch sword aura!"

Lu Yang mentally rehearsed the Star Point Stab technique.

Boredom ached his head, driving him to practice sword forms in thought.

Suddenly, from Green Jade City direction, a broad trail brought a throng.

This group stood out, each brandishing long spears while herding six chained captives.

Trailing them came crowds, surging ceaselessly to the gate.

The hubbub shattered Lu Yang’s ennui; he whipped around, eyes catching an odd gleam.

"Something intriguing approaches?"

Distance remained, yet a vaguely known silhouette appeared.

"Stay alert!"

Lu Yang cautioned softly.

Guard disciples snapped to attention, eyes locked warily on the nearing mass.

Long monotony bred their own craving for novelty.

"Wang Shanhu looks so wretched now, tsk tsk~"

Lu Yang identified the escorted man, inwardly exclaiming.

Not close with Wang Shanhu, but acquainted, both joining Xuanqing Sect Outer Sect together.

Wang Shanhu stemmed from Wang family, Lu Yang from Lu family—not Ancient County's, but Xuanqing Sect Inner Sect's Lu family.

Similar standings as Elder family branches, yet Lu Yang stayed humble, rule-abiding, never bullying peers with kin might, earning sect favor.

Wang Shanhu, domineering bully in Outer Sect days, toned down in Inner Sect but still scorned common disciples.

Without Wang family shield, he'd have faced Law Enforcement Hall countless times.