Path of the Sect Leader

Chapter 99: Seeking Counsel from Bai Xiaosheng

The Liu clan took Zhan Yuan's lavish gift—prime shop deed—and paired it with Chu Qin's clean delivery of Wang Qing's corpse. Ironclad proof of loyalty. Their regard for the sect shot up overnight. Even sent a Foundation Establishment elder hauling Liu Yi up Black River Peak for a "friendly" visit. Old grudge from the workshop clash? Wiped slate-clean formal.

Chu Qin struck gold with the Wang century hoard. Overnight wealthy. Dozen-plus mouths could idle decades on this windfall, no sweat.

Qi Xiu doled shares fair: small storage bags each, an artifact pick, scatter of talismans and pills. Yu Denou snagged a second-tier Fate Soul Spike—fired just like his old date-pit tricks, perfect fit. He Yu claimed Kunliang Zhupu Jade, eyeing it for synergy trials. Zhang Shishi grabbed top-grade first-tier Mangshan Sink shield. Even Wei Minniang—Qi Xiu let her and Bai Muhong split a pair second-tier Magnetic Light Emerald Step Shakers for protection.

Everyone geared up fresh. Grins all around, like some backwater mortal clan hitting the jackpot—decked head to toe in new finery.

Zhang Shishi's crew carted Wang library plus Qi Xiu's stockpiled tomes back to Immortal Forest Valley. Broke ground on a proper scripture pavilion. Side bonus: overhaul the mountain gate while at it.

He Yu, Qin Weiyu, and the Wei mother-daughter stayed Black River Peak. Zhan Yuan couple lugged bulk herbs from the haul, reclaiming the Wang old store in Black River Market. Planning a herb specialist shop—funnel future valley yields through there too.

Qi Xiu tagged along to the market. Last time, Yu Denou probed Bai Xiaosheng—stonewalled tight, no bite.

Now Chu Duo greenlit freedom post-ten years. Crunch the math: three left. Perfect window—probe again, deeper. Plus unload sect headaches on him.

Bai Xiaosheng aged rough. Seven years chained roadside like a sideshow freak—Qi Condensation gawkers mocking, spitting insults. Mental scars ran deep, no doubt. But post-Qi Xiu's stand against Chu Youguang's torment, harassment ceased. Zhan Yuan couple nearby care kept him sharp. Dressed neat. Bai Muhong even commissioned a small cabinet stocked with his favorites—trinkets to kill time.

"Sect Leader Qi... long time."

Spotted him afar, warm greeting. Fine ivory knife in hand, carving a woman's likeness—brows echoing Bai Muhong's. Late wife, likely.

"Been a while..."

Small talk flowed brief amid market bustle. Seized a lull, cut straight.

Spilled Chu Duo's decade deal. Reiterated guest elder seat waiting.

"Oh..."

Freedom dangling—not endless rot. Even Foundation poise cracked. Tear traced cheek silent. Knife clattered ground unnoticed.

"Sect Leader... thank you..."

Long pause to compose. Voice thick.

"Twice you pulled me through. Careful with Muhong. Can't repay nothing. But..."

Gaze lingered on the half-finished carving.

"But face matters. Seven years joke in White Mountain. Everyone's laughingstock. Can't stay—shame too thick."

"Always figured: free one day? Vanish far. Nowhere knows my name. Fade quiet."

Qi Xiu's gut sank. Recruitment pipe dream, dead.

But Bai Xiaosheng pivoted quick. "Not ungrateful scum. Agree no fanfare on the guest spot. I step in only crises—hands off daily grind, no public face. That elder role? I'll take it. Ten years your shield. After? Gone forever. No ties. Deal?"

Qi Xiu? Hell yes. Decade with Foundation muscle? Sect strength leaps. He Yu's pace—Foundation likely by then. Loss later? Manageable.

"Done! Chu Qin awaits you in three years, Senior Bai."

Deal sealed—mood lifted. Qi Xiu spun the succession tangle: swapped names, places, timelines for "some other sect."

Bai Xiaosheng fixed him steady, smirk creeping. "Sect Leader's memory slipping? That 'other' sect... Chu Qin, right?"

"Uh..."

Busted flat. Fluster hit hard—ribbed on top. Old gossip king: mouth sharper than blade. Chained here? Earned, damn it.

Laughter barked free. Freedom's glow loosened him—old Chu song madman flair resurfaced, unscarred.

"Daughter visits often, chats plenty your sect. Truth? Envy that harmony. Those little ambitions? Any cultivator sniffing chance nurtures 'em. Zhang Shishi, Zhan Yuan types? Mild ones. You griping? Greed plain."

"But... after I'm gone a century..."

Veil dropped—own up, dive deeper.

"Pfft. You're dust then. All void. Why fret?"

Long chats rare—chained humility shed fast. Sharp tongue unleashed full.

"Real talk: your issue? No rules. You breathing? All heel. You croak? Chaos. Love the sect beyond life—worrying succession at forty? Plan longevity proper."

"Long-term... this works fine now..."

Crew small—dozen loyal. Even newcomer Yu Denou proved solid, no gripes.

"Small now. Scale up? Insiders, outsiders—fair lines? No code, everyone eyes the throne. My son-in-law included!"

Chains rattled with gestures wild.

"Why hesitate? Pick Zhang Shishi—tell Zhan Yuan straight: no shot. Done. But you don't. Deep down? Doubt Zhang too. Straight-laced fool. Right?"

Stunned freeze. [Illuminate Self-Heart] hummed confirmation. Zhang's rigid honor—unreliable edge. That niggle swayed him, sparing Zhan Yuan's hopes. Headache born.

Impressed now. Bowed sincere. "Teach me, sir."

"Hmph." Smug swelled. "Son-in-law? Profit-chaser. Fine peddler. Lead? Small tricks flop—miles short you. Zhang worse: blind to limits, stubborn relic. Teacher? Maybe. Merchant? Bankrupt. Sect leader? Laughable."

Top hands trashed bare. Irk flared. Gruff retort: "Then who for Chu Qin?"

"Daughter's solid. Not your caliber, but bloodline deep, steady—not my flighty mess. Prime material. But you'd balk—outsider."

"Stick defensive? Yu Denou works. Older though—likely predeceases you."

Rambling nowhere. Spot on: Qi Xiu clung house-born tradition. Zhang, Zhan flops? Wait Li Tan generation mature. Qi Cloud unspoken rule.

"Chained here, cultivation sealed—but physiognomy lingers."

Swerve wild. Qi Xiu lagged, worry churning.

"Your face... veiled fortune thick. Soaring potential. Three flowers bloom, dragon roams seas. Fret mere century? Petty."

Unreliable streak clear. Overlooked before pity. This troublemaker sparked Kan Lin's wound—debt chain to exile. Invite him in? Decade disasters brewing.

Regret flickered. "Lesson taken. Farewell."

Stood to leave.

"Wait!"

Halted him. "Closer. One thing."

Qi Xiu leaned in wary, ear offered.