12dz Chapter 38 Another Clash
Chapter 38 Another Clash
According to Shen Qing's guess, Zhao Yuanlang had been harboring doubts since his last search of the mountain had yielded no results. However, after observing the situation for some time, and considering that his own health was indeed deteriorating day by day, he realized that Zhao Yuanlang's condition was indeed worsening.
Zhao Yuanlang's suspicions about "the great secret of Qingyun Mountain" should have been largely dispelled. As for asking this question now, it's less of a test and more of a casual, "why not give it a try" mentality.
The problem is, Shen Qing really doesn't have any secrets to offer.
There are indeed no secrets in Qingyun Mountain. The Foundation Establishment cultivators of all generations have relied on their aptitude and external opportunities, which have nothing to do with Qingyun Mountain itself.
As for what's different, it can only be the foundation-building method passed down from the Qingyun Sect. But Shen Qing doesn't dare to take it out at all. He doesn't know the value of this foundation-building method, but even if he's stupid, he knows how precious it is.
As for why the Huang family was so certain that Qingyun Mountain held a great secret, Shen Qing was also very annoyed. As a genuine successor of the Qingyun Sect, he knew less than outsiders, which Shen Qing found utterly ridiculous.
Shen Qing remained silent for a long time before finally raising her head to meet Zhao Yuanlang's gaze with a calm expression.
"Your Excellency, I, Shen, swear to Heaven."
Shen Qing held up three fingers and pointed to the sky. "Qingyun Mountain really has no secrets. This mountain is just an ordinary mountain, with a spiritual energy concentration only slightly higher than that of mortal gathering places."
"My late master, Daoist Fushan, was able to establish his foundation because he had an opportunity in Fenglin County when he was young. Uncle Mo was able to establish his foundation because of his extraordinary talent. As for the earlier predecessors, they all relied on their own talent or external opportunities, which had nothing to do with Qingyun Mountain itself."
"To be honest, sir, I have suspected countless times that there is a secret in the mountains, and I have searched for decades, but to no avail."
Zhao Yuanlang looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly nodded.
He did not question Shen Qing's words, because he had personally examined Shen Qing's body. Given Shen Qing's current condition as a dying person, if there was any chance of survival, why would he just wait to die?
Moreover, he personally walked through Qingyun Mountain and used his divine sense to explore every inch of the land, and indeed found nothing unusual.
"Since Sect Leader Shen says so, I will not consider it further."
Zhao Yuanlang sighed, though there wasn't much disappointment in his voice. "However, Sect Master Shen, there's something I must remind you of. If your Qingyun Sect continues to operate at such a large scale after Huang Yuanji's return, it will inevitably attract unnecessary attention."
"I am not instructing Sect Leader Shen on how to do things; this is merely a friendly reminder."
Shen Qing's heart skipped a beat. Zhao Yuanlang's words were actually giving him a way out.
On the surface, Zhao Yuanlang was reminding him of the saying "the taller the tree, the more the wind will blow," but the deeper meaning was probably:
You used to say that you took on disciples to continue the Qingyun Sect's lineage. Now that you're about to die and the Huang family patriarch is coming back, if you still keep these dozens of disciples on the mountain, wouldn't that prove that everything you said before was just a lie?
Shen Qing felt that Zhao Yuanlang was testing his true purpose in taking on disciples. If Shen Qing insisted on not dismissing his disciples, it would mean that these disciples had other uses for him, and this "other uses" might interest Zhao Yuanlang.
Shen Qing's mind raced, then he sighed, a helpless expression on his face.
"Your Excellency is absolutely right. I have long considered this question: what will happen to these disciples after my death?"
"If we let them roam freely in the martial world without any supervision, their current abilities will easily lead to trouble, but we have never had a proper solution. Since you have brought it up today, I am willing to follow your wishes."
Zhao Yuanlang seemed surprised that Shen Qing agreed so readily, and paused for a moment.
Shen Qing changed the subject, "However, regarding the academy, I have another request. As you should know, the forty children of the academy go up the mountain every morning and come down in the evening, which takes a lot of time and effort, and is even more inconvenient in wind and rain."
"I implore you, sir, to take better care of these poor children after I dismiss all my disciples in the future."
Zhao Yuanlang remained silent for a while. He himself came from the Heavenly God Sect, so how could he not understand that the immortal cultivators who ruled the mortal world mostly disdained the education of mortals? He didn't really have any real interest in the future of these children.
But Shen Qing's words touched another nerve for him. As the magistrate of Qinghe County, he had a share in the achievements of educating the local people.
Qingyun Academy is now a well-known name in Qinghe County. If it can continue to operate after Shen Qing's death, it will bring even more prestige to Zhao Yuanlang.
"I can grant your request."
After thinking for a moment, Zhao Yuanlang said, "I have a suggestion. In the future, the vacant rooms in Qingyun Gate can be converted into dormitories, where children can stay on the mountain and return home every five days. This will surely be of great benefit to their studies. I wonder what Master Shen thinks?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Qing felt a surge of anger. Zhao Yuanlang was directly trying to destroy the foundation of the Qingyun Sect!
He hadn't expected Zhao Yuanlang to turn the tables on him, but Shen Qing was able to accept the suggestion and immediately nodded: "We will do as you say, sir."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuanlang completely dispelled his last remaining doubts: "Qingyun Academy will continue to operate free of charge, funded by the county government. As for the matter of boarding for the children, I will have someone draft an official document as soon as I return."
"As for the safety of the academy, I will order the Qinghe County Lieutenant to send a squad of yamen runners to the mountain to guard it. These yamen runners will be uniformly dispatched and supported by the county government, so there is no need for Master Shen to worry about it."
Shen Qing breathed a sigh of relief, having passed another hurdle. His face showed gratitude, and he stood up and bowed deeply: "On behalf of all the students, I, Shen, thank you for your kindness, Your Excellency."
Zhao Yuanlang waved his hand, then suddenly said, "There's one more thing. If your disciples have nowhere to go, I can help them find a place to stay."
Shen Qing was shocked. He was worried that the reason for dismissing his disciples from the mountain was not legitimate enough, but Zhao Yuanlang actually offered him this way out.
However, Shen Qing felt he couldn't appear too eager, so he frowned, looked troubled, and then sighed and said:
"This is also what Shen is worried about. These disciples have lived on the mountain for more than half a year, reading and writing, and practicing martial arts. They are completely different from before they came up the mountain."
"If we rashly dismiss them all and let them do as they please, given their current abilities, gathering together might bring unnecessary turmoil to Qinghe under your rule."
"To be honest, sir, these peasants have a deep attachment to me and a sense of belonging to the Qingyun Sect. I have planted a seed of 'Qingyun' in their hearts. If I let them stick together without any guidance, I can't say what kind of flower this seed will bloom and what kind of fruit it will bear. I humbly ask you, sir, to find a way out for them."
Zhao Yuanlang frowned slightly, realizing that Shen Qing was telling the truth.
The sudden displacement of dozens of literate, martial arts-trained young people onto the streets without a proper livelihood is indeed a significant destabilizing factor.
Xuanji also whispered a reminder from the side: "My lord, what Sect Master Shen said makes sense. If this group of people band together and join various industries in Qinghe, it may cause a considerable impact in a short period of time. If they are properly settled, they can be used by the merchants and government offices in Qinghe."
Zhao Yuanlang pondered for a moment, then nodded.
"Sect Leader Shen's concerns do have some merit. Very well, when I return, I will have the county government draft a resettlement plan. Any vacancies in Qinghe County's businesses, docks, carriage shops, and clerk offices should be given priority to hiring Qingyun Sect disciples."
"I will have Xuanji coordinate with Sect Master Shen regarding the specifics."
Shen Qing stood up again to express his gratitude, and this time, his thanks were at least nine-tenths genuine.
He was originally looking for a suitable excuse to dismiss his disciples and send them down the mountain, but now the county magistrate not only found an excuse for him, but also personally arranged a way out for him.
This allowed Wang Shouzhou and others to legitimately infiltrate various industries in Qinghe, thus making their plan a natural outcome.
Just as Zhao Yuanlang was about to get up and take his leave, he suddenly stopped and turned to walk towards the academy.
He arrived at the lintel of the academy's main gate, looked up at the plaque that read "Qingyun Academy," remained silent for a moment, and then suddenly drew the sword from his waist.
Shen Qing's heart tightened, wondering what kind of trouble this county magistrate was up to this time.
But then Zhao Yuanlang's actions puzzled Shen Qing. Zhao Yuanlang used his sword as a pen and slowly carved four characters on the wooden frame below the plaque.
Where the sword tip passed, wood chips fell in a flurry, and the brushstrokes flowed with vibrant energy.
As the last stroke was made, the four characters flashed with a faint light before disappearing into the wood grain.
"Reading enlightens one's mind."
Zhao Yuanlang sheathed his sword and looked at the four characters he had personally carved on the plaque. "Sect Master Shen, these four characters are what you taught those children. I carved them on the plaque for you."
"As long as I am in Qinghe, these four characters will serve as a sign to tell everyone that this academy is approved by me."
He didn't say anything more and turned to walk towards the mountain gate.
Shen Qing followed behind, seeing them off until the sedan chair with its green curtains gradually disappeared along the mountain road. He then stopped and stood in front of the mountain gate for a long time without saying a word.
Zhao Yuanlang brought him two pieces of news this time, one good and one bad.
The bad news is that the Huang family patriarch will return in a month at most, but the good news is that Zhao Yuanlang has tacitly approved of his plan to dismiss his disciples and promised to arrange a way out for them.
More importantly, the four characters Zhao Yuanlang carved on the plaque were tantamount to telling everyone: This academy is under my protection, and anyone who touches this academy is disrespecting me.
For the soon-to-be-returned Huang family patriarch, although Zhao Yuanlang has temporarily left, he will eventually return as the magistrate of Qinghe County.
A county magistrate's goodwill may not be enough to completely stop the Huang family's ambitions, but it will at least make Huang Yuanji more cautious when taking action.
Shen Qing really needed the concern that Zhao Yuanlang brought.