The Untold Stories of the Marquis of Dingshan's Residence

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After being persuaded by the sect leader, the White Dragon retreated back to the Dragon Fishing Pool. The turbulent storm clouds gradually dispersed, and in the blink of an eye, the clear blue sky was restored. The rising sea of clouds also receded halfway down the mountain.

Mount Shu returned to its peaceful tranquility.

Only a group of disciples, startled out of their reverie, remained standing on the plaza before the Infinite Palace, lingering for a long time before dispersing.

Zhang Xiaohan gazed toward the direction where the sect leader had just appeared, her heart surging with emotion.

A true dragon’s descent and the leader’s taming of the dragon—this was undoubtedly the top news for this month’s Kyushu Wind and Cloud Chronicle, beyond question!

And since she happened to witness it firsthand, this story would surely be penned by her. Along with the reports on Jiang Yuebai and Nanguan City, she would claim a significant portion of this month’s Chronicle.

This was her golden opportunity to make a name for herself!

The Celestial Pivot Pavilion was not as old-fashioned as Mount Shu’s sect. Merely relying on the Seven Star Gazette, they earned a substantial monthly income. The rewards for outstanding disciples were generous indeed.

Once everything settled completely, Jiang Yuebai spoke up, “I must return to the Azure Peak first. Xiaohan, come find me when you’re done. You should have a good talk with Junior Brother Linbei and this other junior brother.”

Chu Liang remained silent.

After saying this, she smiled faintly and bid farewell to the others.

“All right, Sister Jiang,” Zhang Xiaohan replied sweetly.

Watching Jiang Yuebai leave, Linbei burst out excitedly, “Just now, Sister Jiang smiled at me! She definitely smiled only at me! Did you see that?”

“Indeed,” Chu Liang nodded.

“She even secretly rolled her eyes at me—did you catch that?”

He felt rather helpless. He had already tried his best to clear up any rumors about a relationship with Xue Lingxue, but when a woman was angry, she paid no heed to explanations.

Zhang Xiaohan turned back and said, “Young Hero Chu, you can continue telling me the story of the Marquis of Mount Ding.”

Her eyes once again sparkled with anticipation for the salacious tale.

Since Jiang Yuebai had already left, Chu Liang no longer needed to hold back and began in earnest.

“The Marquis and his son were utterly debauched and vile…” he started.

“Huh?” Zhang Xiaohan questioned, “It could be said the young marquis enjoyed pleasures, but wasn’t the Marquis himself always devoted to cultivation and abstaining from women?”

“Well…” Chu Liang’s expression remained calm, “Think about it—why would he avoid women? Because in his youth, he indulged to excess until his body was depleted. Most people don’t know these stories.”

“Ah?”

“Do you know that one day in the past, the Marquis was wandering the streets when he was hit by a wooden beam supporting a window? When he looked up, he saw a beguiling young woman…”

“That young woman’s name was Jinlian. She already had a husband, a diligent and honest pancake seller… Yet these two adulterers destroyed him…”

“Did you know the Marquis had a close friend whose wife was named Li Ping’er, whom the Marquis always called sister-in-law? Yet, as you might guess… he was responsible for the friend’s demise…”

“Do you know that long ago, there was a maid in the Marquis’s household named Chunmei…”

As he continued recounting, back inside the quiet chamber, Zhang Xiaohan and Linbei sat stunned, their mouths agape as they stared at Chu Liang.

“My goodness…” Zhang Xiaohan shook her head in amazement, “This is incredible! So that’s how the Marquis of Mount Ding truly was…”

Linbei slammed the table and sighed, “A true man should be like this!”

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“Hm?” Chu Liang and Zhang Xiaohan glanced at him strangely.

Was this really the moment to suddenly get fired up?

“Ah, sorry… a slip of the tongue,” Linbei hastened to clarify, then feigned indignation. “He deserves to be punished by all!”

“The Marquis of Mount Ding’s household had such sordid history, no wonder they committed the atrocity of trafficking women!” Zhang Xiaohan added, “What about the young marquis? He’s still quite young—surely he hasn’t committed as many evil deeds?”

“You don’t know the half of it…” Chu Liang lowered his voice, “Ever since the young marquis entered the academy as a child, he already showed his beastly nature.”

“The young marquis’s academic performance was far from ideal…”

…

After returning to Azure Peak, Jiang Yuebai ascended directly to the ancient Azure Tree.

Daoist Yan was still quietly meditating atop the tree’s crown, seemingly unaffected by the earlier storm that accompanied the true dragon’s appearance. When Jiang Yuebai arrived, she slowly opened her eyes.

“Master…” Jiang Yuebai bowed.

“What is it?” Though Daoist Yan’s demeanor carried a divine aloofness, she was always gentle toward her disciple.

“The true dragon descended upon Mount Shu just now. I felt…” Jiang Yuebai frowned softly, “as if it was staring directly at me…”

She had sensed the dragon’s gaze atop Tongtian Peak as well.

At that moment, the white dragon had been heading in this direction; both she and Chu Liang had felt it.

In that room, there had only been a few of them—she was most likely the dragon’s target.

Because of her innate celestial spirit body, she had endured countless predatory beasts’ covetousness since childhood, so naturally she felt some concern. Though she had not shown it before Chu Liang and the others, she had immediately returned to seek her master.

“The true dragon is no ordinary demon beast, but a genuine spiritual entity of this world. Would it covet a celestial spirit body as well?” Daoist Yan frowned upon hearing this.

“I do not know…” Jiang Yuebai shook her head.

“Since this has occurred, I will soon visit the sect leader to report the situation,” Daoist Yan’s expression turned stern. “Even a true dragon is not permitted to harm my disciple.”

“Thank you, Master,” Jiang Yuebai felt moved.

Orphaned since birth, she had grown this far only due to her master’s support; otherwise, she wouldn’t know what might have become of her.

As they spoke, a distant voice called out: “Yan Zi…”

Upon hearing it, Jiang Yuebai instantly recognized who had arrived.

It was the Silver Sword Peak’s sect leader, Empress Di Nüfeng, a childhood confidante of Daoist Yan and longtime friend. Only she would address her master by her given name so casually.

Come to think of it, female peak leaders were few on Mount Shu, yet the two most renowned for their cultivation were both women.

If not for Daoist Yan’s detached and cold demeanor, and Empress Di’s flamboyant, combative, and unruly nature, the peak leader position might not have fallen to Wang Xuanling.

Because of the friendship between master and Empress Di, Jiang Yuebai had initially regarded Chu Liang from Silver Sword Peak with some goodwill.

But…

Thinking of Chu Liang stirred an inexplicable flare of anger within her.

Hmph.

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Better not mention it.

Hearing Empress Di’s call, Daoist Yan’s tranquil face revealed visible reluctance.

But there was no avoiding it. With a flash of light, Empress Di appeared beside her.

“Yuebai, you should go back first,” Daoist Yan dismissed her disciple.

“All right,” Jiang Yuebai nodded and took her leave.

Then she turned her gaze to Empress Di. “What brings you here again?”

“Yan Zi, my little Yan Zi…” Empress Di giggled as she sidled closer, “You’re my best friend, of course I have to visit often.”

Daoist Yan glared coldly. “And to swindle another three or five thousand sword coins from me, no doubt?”

As Empress Di’s only friend on Mount Shu, she had truly endured a great deal over the years.

“Oh, don’t be so formal,” Empress Di waved her hand. “Is it really swindling? I always borrow properly.”

“A loan is only a loan if it’s repaid,” Daoist Yan retorted mercilessly.

“Exactly!” Empress Di nodded emphatically. “That’s why I’m here to repay you.”

She pulled out a bag of sword coins. “Of course, I owe you too much to pay all at once. Here’s a thousand sword coins, consider it interest.”

Daoist Yan accepted the bag, quite surprised. What kind of solar eclipse had occurred for Empress Di to repay her?

Before she could respond, Empress Di smiled as she leaned in. “But, you see… I have a big matter to handle recently. Can you lend me something?”

“Heh.” Only then did Daoist Yan smile. “I thought so…”

Sure enough.

The truth was about to be revealed.

“Hey—” Empress Di raised a hand. “I’m not repaying just to borrow something.”

“What do you want to borrow?” Daoist Yan asked cautiously, sensing ill tidings.

“The Ancient Sword of Misty Clouds,” Empress Di replied.

“Out of the question.” Daoist Yan rose and turned to leave.

“No, why not? Using it won’t break it…” Empress Di hurried after her. “I’m not asking you to give it to me…”

But Daoist Yan’s steps quickened, and in an instant, she vanished beyond the distant horizon, having employed the “Shrinking Earth to Inch” celestial technique.

No matter how fast Empress Di was, she couldn’t keep up, only able to shout from afar.

“Yan Zi, don’t go…”

“Come back and talk to me!”

“Yan Zi, how am I supposed to live without you! Yan Zi!”