Volume 3, Chapter 159 – Stop Acting, I Beg You (Part 2)

Upon hearing this, Sect Leader Liu scrutinized Qi Huang from head to toe before letting out a knowing chuckle. “If I’m not mistaken, Junior Cheng, you’re here for the Black Gold Lily, aren’t you? Well, with your talent, reaching the Incarnation Realm is only a matter of time. It makes sense to prepare the Soul-Stabilizing Elixir early.”

“You could say that.”

After a brief pause, Qi Huang didn’t deny it. After all, the Black Gold Lily had been bought by her father—taking it back was only right.

“In that case, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed, Junior Cheng.”

Sect Leader Liu sneered. “Our Yuxiao Sect also urgently needs the Black Gold Lily, which is why we sent someone to bid for it. We can’t possibly transfer it to you.”

“Sect Leader Liu, you seem to have misunderstood. I’m not here to beg for a transfer—I’m here to take what’s rightfully mine. That Black Gold Lily belongs to me.”

Qi Huang laid her cards on the table.

“Belongs to you?”

Sect Leader Liu was so angry he laughed. “Junior Cheng, this isn’t Honghua Sect, where you can act as you please. The Black Gold Lily was legally acquired by my people at the auction. How does that make it yours?”

“I’m afraid that’s not the case. My father was the one who won the bid. Unfortunately, he was ambushed by your men on his way back—not only was the item stolen, but he was also kidnapped, with plans to extort me later.”

Qi Huang summarized the events coldly.

“You’re saying our Yuxiao Sect members robbed your father? And kidnapped him?”

Sect Leader Liu asked in disbelief.

“Correct. You heard right.”

Qi Huang reaffirmed calmly.

“Impossible! Though Yuxiao Sect may not be a top-tier sect, we’re still a reputable orthodox faction. How could our disciples engage in such underhanded deeds?”

Sect Leader Liu flatly denied it.

“I bear no prejudice against Yuxiao Sect, but even the cleanest mirror has a few specks of dust. This matter is irrefutable—otherwise, I wouldn’t have come to you directly.”

Qi Huang patiently explained.

“But this is just your side of the story! Do you have any proof, Junior Cheng?”

Sect Leader Liu frowned.

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“Proof? No, but I do have a witness.”

Qi Huang had anticipated this. Calmly, she retrieved a bamboo tube-shaped object from her sleeve, opened it, and spoke into it:

“Sister Ruoyi, are you there?”

“Hongling-mei? Missing me already? My doting wasn’t in vain!”

Mu Ruoyi’s cheerful voice rang out like a delighted child’s.

“Of course! I dream of you! But first, I must rescue Father. Right now, Sect Leader Liu doesn’t believe my account. Could you explain it to him?”

After speaking, Qi Huang handed the Thousand-Mile Communication Tube to Sect Leader Liu.

“What are you trying to do?”

Sect Leader Liu accepted it stiffly.

“You wanted a witness, didn’t you? On the other end is Mu Ruoyi, Holy Maiden of Shuiyu Valley. Surely that witness carries some weight?”

Qi Huang smirked.

Sect Leader Liu’s expression darkened. He took a deep breath before speaking into the tube:

“Junior Mu of Shuiyu Valley?”

“It’s me, Uncle Liu! We met just months ago at the Evergreen Conference—you should recognize my voice, right?”

Mu Ruoyi’s tone was pointed.

“Junior Mu, what kind of question is that? You’re Shuiyu Valley’s pride, a future pillar of the Western Radiance Dynasty’s cultivation world. How could I not recognize you?”

Sect Leader Liu forced a laugh.

“Since you remember me, then you won’t object to me vouching for Junior Cheng, will you? You know our Shuiyu Valley’s Wooden Exquisite Art can uncover any truth.”

Mu Ruoyi’s words were polite but carried an edge.

“Naturally!”

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Sect Leader Liu nodded repeatedly. Though he didn’t fear Shuiyu Valley, both sects belonged to the Immortal Alliance—there was no need for open hostility.

Mu Ruoyi then recounted everything she had witnessed before adding pointedly:

“Uncle Liu, as Yuxiao Sect’s leader, I’m sure you’re a man of integrity. You’ll handle this matter fairly and give everyone a satisfactory resolution, won’t you?”

“Of course! Of course!”

Fully aware he was being buttered up, Sect Leader Liu gritted his teeth and ended the call.

“Sect Leader Liu, now that the truth is clear, I must ask you to order the culprit to return my father and the Black Gold Lily.”

Qi Huang pressed further.

Cornered by two juniors, Sect Leader Liu’s face turned ashen. He slammed his palm on the armrest and barked toward the door:

“Someone! Summon all the elders and above to the assembly hall!”

“Yes!”

A disciple outside hurried off to comply.

“Rest assured, Junior Cheng. If this is true, I will see justice done.”

Sect Leader Liu struggled to compose himself, unwilling to lose face before a junior.

“I trust your integrity, Sect Leader Liu.”

Qi Huang played along with the flattery.

“How’s it going?”

Meanwhile, Cheng Hongling’s telepathic message echoed in Qi Huang’s mind.

“Relax, everything’s fine. I’ve explained everything to Sect Leader Liu, and Mu Ruoyi testified. Given how reasonable he seems, he’ll surely uphold justice.”

Qi Huang reassured her.

“Don’t let your guard down. A sly old fox like him could be plotting anything.”

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Cheng Hongling warned urgently.

“Don’t worry. If he tries anything, I’ll start acting immediately. Let’s see if he dares to play games with a seventh-layer Incarnation Realm expert.”

Qi Huang replied confidently.

“Remember—the moment there’s danger, tell me.”

Cheng Hongling reiterated sternly.

Meanwhile, in a secluded courtyard house on Yuxiao Sect’s back mountain, the mastermind was inventorying newly purchased spirit herbs in the basement while Cheng Yuan lay bound in a corner.

After over ten days, Cheng Yuan was a shadow of his former self—gagged, emaciated, and barely clinging to life.

“Here, this one’s yours.”

The pale-faced middle-aged man tossed a spirit herb to his disciple, Xiao Zhi.

“Thank you, Master!”

Xiao Zhi’s cheeks flushed with excitement as he cradled it reverently.

“Look at you—getting worked up over a common century-old ginseng. People will think I starve you of resources.”

The man scoffed.

“Forgive me, Master! This disciple has mediocre talent and usually only gets scraps from the sect. I’ve never seen such fine herbs before.”

Xiao Zhi bowed deeply, grateful for this rare chance to accompany his master to the prefecture. Had they not kidnapped Cheng Yuan, he’d never have become a trusted aide.

“Wanting good herbs is easy. Just obey me, and as long as we hold Cheng Yuan, his daughter will get us whatever we want.”

The man sighed.

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“But Master, look at him—the moment he’s free, he tries to kill himself. We’ve had to keep him tied up, starving for days. If this continues, he won’t last.”

Xiao Zhi voiced his concern.

“Tch. With his daughter absent, who’s he putting on this act for?”

The man sneered in disgust.

Cheng Yuan could only respond with a weak, muffled grunt.

“Master, I don’t understand. Since we’re extorting Cheng Hongling anyway, why does it matter if he lives or dies?”

Xiao Zhi’s eyes glinted coldly—his patience with Cheng Yuan had long worn thin.

“Fool! Experts above the Unity Realm share a spiritual bond with close kin. If he dies, Cheng Hongling will know instantly. Then what leverage would we have? So you will keep him alive.”

The man snapped.

“Yes…”

Xiao Zhi replied reluctantly.

“Elder Zheng… Elder Zheng…”

A faint call suddenly came from above.

“Who now? Such a nuisance!”

The pale-faced man ascended the steps, ordering his disciple to keep Cheng Yuan breathing no matter what.

“What is it?”

He stepped into the courtyard.

“Elder Zheng, the sect leader summons you to the assembly hall.”

A disciple’s voice carried in from outside.