100: Chapter 100 Testing

Chapter 101: Probing (Bonus chapter for "Guangyin Nike"!)

Qingwu Terrace.

Jiang Xingshi and his group of three spent several days arriving at the border of the Gu Clan.

In the distance, Qingwu Terrace looked like a giant beast crouching in the clouds, with layered mountains and connected peaks.

Above the mid-mountain level, faint Formation lights glimmered, spiritual woods formed forests, and waterfalls hung from cliffs. Several high platforms extended from the mountainside, with pavilions and flying eaves; one could faintly see Cultivators in green robes traveling back and forth using their artifacts.

It was different from Baili Mountain.

Baili Mountain still resembled a small Family that had just struggled out of the frozen lands, with traces of new construction and initial establishment visible everywhere.

As soon as the three reached the foot of the mountain, a Cultivator in green robes came up to greet them.

This person looked to be about thirty years old, with cultivation around the Middle Stage of Qi Refining, and a jade tablet with the Qingwu pattern hanging from his waist. Seeing Jiang Xingshi and the others land, he bowed first, his expression gentle.

"Clan Chief Jiang."

"I am Manager Gu Huaiheng, currently managing the external affairs of the clan. Since you have come from afar and I did not greet you personally, I hope Clan Chief Jiang will not take offense."

Jiang Xingshi quickly returned the salute.

"You are too polite, Fellow Daoist Gu."

"The Jiang Family is merely a subordinate Family; coming to ask for instructions today is already an intrusion. How could we dare to trouble the Gu Clan to come out and greet us?"

Manager Gu Huaiheng took a look at him, a flicker of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Jiang Xingshi was not old, and his aura was shallow; it was clear he had only recently begun to channel Qi into the Dao.

Yet, these words were spoken steadily, without the restraint of a young man from a small Family first entering a Foundation Establishment Family, nor did he put on an artificial air of toughness. Manager Gu Huaiheng smiled.

"Please, Clan Chief Jiang."

A green leaf-shaped Magical Artifact flew from his sleeve.

The Magical Artifact grew in the wind, and in the blink of an eye, it transformed into a green boat about a zhang long. The body of the boat was like a phoenix tree leaf, and once activated, it was lifted by a gentle breeze.

Jiang Xingshi, Lin Suwen, and Old Crow Chen boarded the green boat.

The green boat slowly rose into the air, crossed the mountain gate, and flew deep into Qingwu Terrace.

The deeper they went, the more one could see the foundation of the Gu Clan.

On both sides of the mountain path were layers of spiritual fields, and between the fields were water channels like ribbons, the water vapor in the channels full and gleaming with green light.

Several medicinal gardens were separated by Formations, each tended by Cultivators.

Further up were the residences of the Gu Clan members, with white walls and green tiles, built against the mountain; they did not appear extravagant, but were orderly in every respect.

Higher up, there was a high Qingwu platform.

A very tall phoenix tree was planted on the platform, its branches and leaves like clouds, the canopy almost covering half the mountainside.

Below the phoenix tree was the main hall of the Gu Clan. The stone steps in front of the hall were wide, and bronze lamp posts stood on both sides, the lights burning even in the daytime.

The green boat landed in front of the main hall.

Manager Gu Huaiheng put away his Magical Artifact and said: "The Clan Leader is already waiting in the hall; please enter, Clan Chief Jiang."

After speaking, he looked at Lin Suwen and Old Crow Chen and said apologetically: "You two may drink tea in the side hall first."

Jiang Xingshi nodded.

He looked back at Lin Suwen.

Lin Suwen's gaze was gentle, and she only nodded slightly.

Jiang Xingshi withdrew his gaze and entered the hall alone.

The dome of the hall was painted with a picture of a phoenix tree supporting the sun, and portraits of past Clan Leaders of the Gu Clan hung on the four walls.

There were not many furnishings in the hall; only a large wooden desk was placed in the center.

A middle-aged man sat behind the desk.

The current Clan Leader of the Gu Clan, Clan Leader Gu Tingyuan.

This person only had the cultivation of the seventh level of Qi Refining, but he had long managed the affairs of Qingwu Terrace. His brows were steady, he wore a robe with green patterns, and there was a slight frost at his temples.

In terms of cultivation, he was naturally inferior to the Foundation Establishment Old Ancestor Gu Chengyue who sat in the back mountain, but sitting here, he represented the entire Gu Clan mountain gate.

When Jiang Xingshi entered the hall, the scrutiny of a long-standing noble Family leader still made his mind tighten slightly.

Jiang Xingshi stepped forward, bowed, and saluted: "Jiang Xingshi of the Jiang Family of Baili Mountain, greets Clan Leader Gu."

Clan Leader Gu Tingyuan raised his hand.

"Clan Chief Jiang, there is no need for such formalities."

Jiang Xingshi thanked him, but he did not sit fully, only sitting on half of the chair.

Clan Leader Gu Tingyuan glanced at him and said: "I heard from Manager Gu Huaiheng that the three families on the east side also sent letters to your Jiang Family."

Jiang Xingshi took the Flying Sword transmission from his sleeve and presented it with both hands.

"That is correct."

"The Xu Clan of Cangpu, the Jiang Clan of Wangchao, and the Fang Clan of Qingjiao have jointly asked for help, saying that the families of Yanque Circuit are moving south, and the east side of the East Sea is already struggling to hold on, hoping that the families on the south side understand the principle that when the lips are gone, the teeth are cold, and will go to the east side to help."

Clan Leader Gu Tingyuan took the letter, scanned it, and his expression seemed to have been expected.

Jiang Xingshi continued: "The Jiang Family is nominally still a subordinate Family of the Gu Clan. For such a major event, the Jiang Family dare not act without permission, so Xingshi came personally to ask the head Family to decide."

Clan Leader Gu Tingyuan placed the letter on the desk and pondered for a moment.

"If the east side is lost, those families of Yanque Circuit will continue to press south."

"This matter is indeed not a dispute between one or two families."

He looked at Jiang Xingshi, his tone more solemn.

"Since that is the case, the Gu Clan will send a few elite disciples from the clan to go and assist."

"Your Jiang Family can also send people to accompany them at your discretion; it does not need to be too many, the point is to express your attitude."

"As for the Han and Lu families in Hedong, I will communicate with the Shen Clan and let them also send corresponding combat power; we cannot let the families on the east side support this alone."

Jiang Xingshi stood up and saluted.

"Clan Leader Gu is wise; the Jiang Family will naturally obey the order."

He had come precisely for these words.

The Jiang Family needed to show that they still respected the Gu Clan as their master.

The Gu Clan also needed to admit personally that the actions of the southern families could not bypass the Gu Clan.

Once these words were spoken, his trip was already half successful.

But there was still the other half.

Jiang Xingshi did not retreat immediately, but raised his eyes and said: "There is one more matter; Xingshi dares to ask Clan Leader Gu to discern the truth."

Clan Leader Gu Tingyuan said: "Speak."

Jiang Xingshi said: "Some time ago, the Qian Clan and Du Clan under the Han Family actively attacked the Formation of our Luoxi Mouth, wanting to harm our former Clan Chief, Jiang Chengning."

"That day, the Qian Clan broke the Formation first, and the Du Clan entered the game later; for the sake of self-preservation, the Jiang Family had no choice but to strike, which caused the Clan Chief of the Qian Clan to be seriously injured."

"This matter was originally black and white."

"But recently, the Han Family has acted perversely, instead slandering our Jiang Family for actively ambushing and killing the Clan Chief of the Qian Clan, and using this to frequently exert pressure."

He paused, arched his hands and said: "The Jiang Family is weak, so I dare not speak recklessly; I only ask the head Family to discern right from wrong and uphold justice for the subordinate Family."

The hall became quiet.

Clan Leader Gu Tingyuan was silent for a moment before saying: "I have also heard something about the matter at Luoxi Mouth."

"The disputes among the families along the river often involve old grievances. It is not necessarily clear in a short time."

Jiang Xingshi lowered his eyes and said: "The Qian Clan broke the Formation first, and the Du Clan assisted; this is witnessed by Cultivators from the Luo and Sun families."

Clan Leader Gu Tingyuan nodded.

"Testimony must naturally be reviewed."

"But now the situation on the east side is urgent, and the families should prioritize the big picture. Whether it is the Han Family or the Jiang Family, they are ultimately on the south side of Guli Circuit."

"If we fight over old grievances at this time, it will only make people from Yanque Circuit laugh at us."

Jiang Xingshi said: "Clan Leader Gu is absolutely right."

"But if the Han Family continues to exert pressure using this, how should the Jiang Family conduct themselves?"

Clan Leader Gu Tingyuan said: "I will send someone to pass a message to let the Han Family restrain themselves."

He spoke vaguely, making it impossible for anyone to find any fault in it.

Jiang Xingshi asked again: "And the matter of the Qian Clan breaking the Formation—"

Clan Leader Gu Tingyuan said: "We will discuss it after the matter on the east side is settled; now, the families on the south side should not engage in internal strife."

Hearing this, Jiang Xingshi knew that asking further would yield no results.

Clan Leader Gu Tingyuan was willing to acknowledge that the Jiang Family was a subordinate Family and was willing to arrange assistance for the east side, but he was unwilling to truly intervene in the old grievances between the Han Family and the Jiang Family.

He stood up and saluted.

"Xingshi understands."

"In that case, the Jiang Family will first follow the orders of the head Family and prepare for the assistance on the east side."

Clan Leader Gu Tingyuan nodded.

"You are young, yet your conduct is steady. It seems there is a reason why Chengning handed the position of Clan Chief to you."

Jiang Xingshi lowered his head and said: "I dare not accept the Clan Leader's praise; Xingshi will take his leave."

He exited the main hall.

The hall door closed again.

The hall was quiet for a moment.

Then, a light sound of footsteps came from behind the screen in the back.