Chapter 104: Subjugation [Please Subscribe!]

Zhou Yi’s hand came down heavily, cutting him off.

“I’ll ask you just one question: the demon uprising, the suppression within the court, and the destruction of Qingcheng Mountain—were you involved in any of this?”

Xu Shiqing’s eyes widened, his eyebrows and beard trembling. He jabbed his cane into the ground, stiffening his neck.

“So what if I was involved?”

In an instant, Zhou Yi’s expression darkened.

He fixed Xu Shiqing with a piercing gaze that made the elder shudder. Having lived over eighty years, this was the first time a young man’s look had made him feel so guilty.

Yet, he still forced himself to stand firm, though he no longer dared to meet Zhou Yi’s eyes directly.

Zhou Yi waved his hand and silently recited an incantation. Suddenly, an ice arrow, as thick as a thumb, shot out and pierced the stone slab before Xu Shiqing, half of it exposed and radiating a chilling cold.

Though Xu Shiqing was an elder and somewhat versed in sorcery, seeing Zhou Yi shoot an ice arrow without a word—piercing the stone half a foot deep with such force and speed—was beyond what he could withstand.

Zhou Yi took a step forward, eyes locked on Xu Shiqing.

“Once more, I ask you: were you involved in the upheaval at Qingcheng Mountain?”

Xu Shiqing faltered.

He instinctively took a step back. Zhou Yi’s gaze was murderous now; resisting would only mean the next moment the ice arrow would pierce his chest.

“No… I wasn’t. I only know how to heal. My sorcery is limited to energy-saving climbing techniques. As for martial arts, I can fend off one or two petty thieves, but I couldn’t even defeat Ye Qing. How could I have been involved?”

He hurried on, “Although I have grievances with my senior brother, the sect leader, that’s because of the previous generation. They appointed me to take charge of medicine, which meant I was excluded from the leadership. This has been a lingering resentment. Three days ago, we were still in the capital—we only just returned.”

Xu Shiqing was truly cowed.

His words came out quickly, driven by Zhou Yi’s intimidating aura. Though Zhou Yi did not shoot another arrow, the temperature around them was freezing, as if the air itself was crystallizing. This power was beyond their ability to resist.

Yao Tianci, who had been arrogant earlier, now shuffled forward nervously.

“Sect Leader, it’s all my fault. Please don’t blame the elder. We only received Ye Qing’s message yesterday and hurried back to Qingcheng Mountain, unaware of what had transpired here.”

Zhou Yi’s gaze shifted to Yao Tianci. The man’s calves twitched, and he nearly knelt, quickly adding:

“Three days ago, Yingzhou City was sealed. Even though we received the message, we couldn’t get out. Many troops were redeployed, and the city guards, usually reasonable, acted as if they had changed. We truly couldn’t leave until the elder arrived, then we came together.”

Zhou Yi’s eyes moved over the group and finally, with a flick, several genuine medical books appeared in his hand.

His ability to summon items from thin air made Xu Shiqing envious. Seeing Zhou Yi’s power, the elder’s initial defiance vanished, and he stood respectfully with hands lowered.

“Take these medical books and study them. Remember what I said before: the most important quality of a healer is compassion. If you lack that, or treat medicine merely as a means for profit, you will only damage yourself and the reputation of Qingcheng Mountain.”

Xu Shiqing hurriedly accepted the books, glancing at the titles with disbelief.

He hadn’t expected this.

After all his resistance, Zhou Yi still entrusted him with the treasured volumes he had long coveted—books he had requested from the previous sect leader over forty years ago, only to be told the time wasn’t right.

“Sect Leader… this is…”

Xu Shiqing faltered, awkwardly looking at Zhou Yi.

“Keep them. Qingcheng Mountain has suffered greatly—over ninety percent of disciples lost. We must gather all remaining disciples and head to the capital to investigate who controls the demons and seeks to destroy Qingcheng Mountain.”

“As for your faction, stay hidden for now. When the dust settles, you may come out again. Even if we suffer casualties, you will not be implicated.”

Xu Shiqing paused, a sudden pang twisting in his heart.

So this newly appointed sect leader actually wished for the healers to remain concealed, to focus on their studies and avoid involvement, lest they be dragged into this catastrophe.

What had he done before?

Was he even human?

Suddenly overwhelmed with shame, Xu Shiqing threw down his cane. The nearby stout man flinched, suspecting the old man might lose his temper and cause a scene, but Cheng Zhi gripped his coat firmly.

“Watch,” Cheng Zhi whispered.

The stout man puckered his lips and remained still.

Sophia’s performance was outstanding—truly at the level of a skilled enforcer.

Cheng Zhi was ruthless too, adept at manipulating branches and vines with practiced ease, binding and threatening with finesse. It was clear he had extensive experience in the original world.

Meanwhile, his own standing was plummeting—down, down, down...

The progress of the leader was incomparable. Before, he could at least shout a command; now, ice arrows were conjured effortlessly, and the surrounding air seemed filled with frozen particles. This was genuine power, not mere boasting.

Even as a sycophant, one must have some skill. After a day of practice, his progress was still meager. He sighed.

“Fine, fine. I’ll watch.”

Xu Shiqing swayed slightly, clasped his fists, and knelt on one knee. The dozen or so disciples behind him obediently followed suit.

“I’m getting more confused with age. Thank you, Sect Leader, for your mercy. We remain part of Qingcheng Mountain, no doubt. We admit we failed to take the demon purge seriously before.”

“Though our healing faction lacks sorcery, we still have some influence in the capital and Yingzhou City. If the sect leader permits, I’ll dispatch agents to investigate—so we won’t act blindly.”

Zhou Yi nodded in agreement.

This man was cunning, selfish, and cowardly in parts, but he could be useful if handled properly. After all, both the capital and Yingzhou City needed investigation, and his men were best suited for the task.

“One last question: I heard your daughter was violated by Wu Wencai?”

Ye Qing saw Xu Shiqing hesitate and quickly explained.

“The mountain received news that Elder Xu’s daughter was assaulted and driven mad. That’s why we went to Wanzhou City.”

Xu Shiqing paused, trying to recall.

“She is my adopted daughter, taken in out of pity years ago. She helped at the medical hall in Yingzhou City. Could she have told others she was my biological daughter?”

Zhou Yi’s thoughts clicked into place. It was clear this was orchestrated by the Black-Robed National Advisor, and this was merely the pretext. He then looked to Sophia.

“Asu, take Elder Xu to the main hall. Explain the whole matter, then arrange what information needs to be gathered.”

Having just been defiant, Xu Shiqing was now entrusted and treated with respect. He bowed properly and followed Sophia to the main hall with his men.

Once they left, the stout man couldn’t contain himself and approached Zhou Yi, glancing at Ye Qing.

“No one else has come—is it possible they too suffered harm?”

Ye Qing hurriedly bowed.

“It’s been only about a day since the message was sent. I checked the messenger hall—everyone received the dispatch. The journey is long, and Yingzhou City remains sealed. Elder Xu and his group had to use connections to get out.”

Zhou Yi nodded.

“Wait here. When they arrive, settle them first. Soon, I’ll have Xu Shiqing send people to gather intelligence. The Black-Robed National Advisor’s arrival will surely have instructions. His prolonged absence must have consequences.”

“What we don’t know is the full extent of Liang Huang’s scheme. Is he truly ignorant, or is he using the Black-Robed National Advisor to destroy Qingcheng Mountain?”

“If it’s the latter, we must plan carefully. The Black-Robed National Advisor cannot act alone—he must have sect backing.”

Zhou Yi trailed off.

His real worry was that this forbidden technique might have been created by Liang Huang himself, and the Black-Robed National Advisor was merely a disciple. After all, in this world, cultivators and demon practitioners alike existed.

Ye Qing bowed deeply. Zhou Yi, accompanied by the two, headed toward the main hall.

Upon entering, everyone rose and saluted. Zhou Yi nodded slightly and glanced at Sophia.

“Has Asu explained everything?”

Sophia promptly bowed.

“Sect Leader, I have recounted the entire event and its origins to Elder Xu. He is about to leave.”

Xu Shiqing approached Zhou Yi.

“Sect Leader, rest assured. Though I cannot guarantee everything, I know some people in Yingzhou and the capital. Some of my methods remain effective. The Black-Robed National Advisor’s arrival must be at someone’s behest. After all, the defenses around Yingzhou City have been adjusted.”

“As for the capital, I will personally go. It’s a day’s ride by fast horse, three days at most. I will send back news. The matter at Qingcheng Mountain has not spread there yet. If anyone in the court knew, they would have reacted.”

“Besides, demons have long been a common enemy of all nations. Two hundred years ago, the three kingdoms united to resist demons on the Gobi. If this news is made public, even Liang Huang would have to reconsider.”

Zhou Yi nodded.

Xu Shiqing was a wily old fox—useful when he applied himself.

“One more thing: we must investigate the Black-Robed National Advisor’s origins. If that proves difficult, start by tracing from the entry of Noble Consort Shu into the palace. There must be some clues.”

Xu Shiqing bowed.

“I will take my leave now. Sect Leader, please await further messages from the messenger.”

With that, he departed.