Chapter 29: Perfect Timeline
"Disciple Zhang Xishun pays respects to Senior Brother Chen!"
The dark-skinned, seemingly simple and honest, thin disciple before him bowed respectfully toward Chen Yan with fearful deference.
Chen Yan stared at Zhang Xishun before him, momentarily stunned.
"Pfft!"
Then he laughed out loud.
The reincarnation save point had actually updated again.
What he never expected was that the reincarnation save point would refresh to this exact moment.
Perfect!
But this time was different.
Seeing that he hadn't received a response for some time, Zhang Xishun cautiously raised his head to observe Chen Yan's reaction.
"Hello there."
Chen Yan said.
"Today this disciple personally witnessed Senior Brother Chen achieve three consecutive victories. My admiration for you flows like a mighty river, endless and boundless..."
Zhang Xishun said:
"I humbly request that Senior Brother Chen grant me the honor of providing some guidance on my cultivation after today's competition concludes."
"Of course, no problem."
Chen Yan replied quite decisively.
"Then, Senior Brother Chen, what time would be suitable?"
"Tonight at hai hour, in front of the empty space at the outer court market."
Chen Yan said.
"Good, then this disciple thanks Senior Brother Chen in advance."
Zhang Xishun said.
Afterward, Chen Yan stepped down from the arena and began walking toward the viewing stand.
When he passed by the group from Qingchan Peak, Chen Yan stopped in front of Chu Xiyao.
"Senior Sister Chu."
Chen Yan called out.
"What?"
"May we speak privately?"
...
Half an hour later.
Qingchan Peak, Cangwu Residence.
Two elderly men sat solemnly in the tea room, with a chessboard placed between them.
One of them was precisely the master of Cangwu Residence, Qingchan Peak's Martial Elder Fu Qian.
The other elderly man, judging from his clothing, demeanor, and the aura he naturally exuded, indicated that his status seemed no lower than Fu Qian's.
Fu Qian held a black stone, rotating it between his fingertips. After contemplating for a moment, he placed the stone on the board.
The other elderly man sitting across from him studied the board situation for a moment before smiling:
"Brother Fu, won't you reconsider? The situation in the lower left corner isn't looking good right now. Do you still plan to continue your offensive in the upper right?"
"What's already decided cannot be changed by further deliberation."
Fu Qian said calmly:
"Rather than hesitating and looking back and forth, it's better to burn one's bridges and fight desperately—perhaps then we might grasp a sliver of hope."
The elderly man sitting opposite Fu Qian chuckled softly without speaking, simply placing the white jade stone he held onto the chessboard.
The bamboo grove outside the residence rustled without any wind, causing both Fu Qian and the elderly man across from him to turn their heads toward the doorway.
"Elder Fu, Elder Bai."
A Qi Sea Realm cultivator entered the tea room, bowing respectfully to Fu Qian and the elderly man opposite him:
"Chief Chu requests an audience."
"Xiyao?"
Fu Qian raised his eyebrows slightly, surprised that little girl Chu Xiyao would visit him today.
According to the peak's arrangements, Chu Xiyao should currently be at the outer court viewing stand watching the outer court competition with Lan Wei.
Could there be some urgent matter?
"Let her in."
Fu Qian said.
"Yes."
The Qi Sea Realm cultivator said, but just as he turned around, his footsteps paused for a moment:
"Elder Fu, she brought an outer court disciple with her..."
"An outer court disciple?"
"Yes, someone named Chen Yan, I believe."
Fu Qian had no recollection of this name at all.
"Let him come in too."
Fu Qian said.
After about two minutes, a young woman in white clothes entered first, followed by a handsome young man who appeared to be around her age.
Chu Xiyao first saw Fu Qian, then noticed the other elderly man sitting across from him.
"Disciple Chu Xiyao pays respects to Elder Fu, pays respects to Elder Bai."
Elder Bai?
Chen Yan, following behind Chu Xiyao, looked at the two elderly men in the tea room.
On Qingchan Peak, an elder who could sit as an equal with Martial Elder Fu Qian, and with the surname Bai...
The elderly man's identity was already quite clear.
Qingchan Peak's True Dharma Elder, Bai Qiming!
The True Dharma Elder's position on Qingchan Peak was second only to the Sword Master Elder, making him unquestionably the second most powerful figure on Qingchan Peak.
In terms of status, he was actually half a step higher than Fu Qian.
And Lu Li had been promoted to serve on Qingchan Peak precisely because he had gained Bai Qiming's appreciation.
According to etiquette rules, when disciples meet two elders simultaneously, they should greet the higher-ranking one first.
But the reason Chu Xiyao greeted Fu Qian first was simple.
This was Cangwu Residence, Fu Qian was the master of Cangwu Residence, and Bai Qiming was merely a guest.
The host-guest order generally takes precedence over status hierarchy, unless the status difference is extremely vast.
Moreover, Fu Qian was significantly older than Bai Qiming.
"Outer court disciple Chen Yan pays respects to Elder Fu, pays respects to Elder Bai!"
Chen Yan bowed respectfully.
"It's you?"
This time, after seeing him in person, Fu Qian finally remembered exactly who Chen Yan was.
Then Fu Qian looked more carefully and noticed the token at Chen Yan's waist engraved with "Outer Court Administrator."
"Why are you carrying Lin Qifeng's token?"
Fu Qian asked.
"Reporting to Elder, Outer Court Elder Lin is this disciple's master."
"You're Lin Qifeng's disciple?"
Fu Qian's expression shifted slightly:
"When did that fellow take on a disciple."
"Just over two months ago."
Chen Yan continued answering.
"Speak, why have you come to Cangwu Residence this time?"
Fu Qian asked, redirecting his attention back to the chessboard and picking up another black stone.
"Naturally, I have matters to report."
Chen Yan's tone paused slightly:
"This disciple has discovered someone on the list."
"Oh?"
Fu Qian's finger, about to place the stone, halted momentarily in mid-air.
"I suddenly remember that the cauldron of pills in the alchemy room currently has no one watching over it. I concede today's game, Brother Fu. We'll continue another day."
Bai Qiming stood up with a smile.
To reach the position of True Dharma Elder, merely having profound cultivation was far from sufficient—the ability to assess situations and adapt accordingly was extremely important.
It would be best if he didn't hear the upcoming topic.
Not for any other reason, but simply to show Fu Qian some respect.
Thus Bai Qiming chose to leave.
Fu Qian naturally understood Bai Qiming's thoughts, which aligned perfectly with his own intentions, so he didn't try to keep him.
After Bai Qiming left Cangwu Residence, Fu Qian continued questioning Chen Yan:
"You found the list?"
"No."
Chen Yan denied:
"But I'm certain this list must still be hidden somewhere in the outer court and hasn't been taken by anyone."
"How can you be so sure?"
The answer was simple.
Because if those who killed Song Mingde had obtained that list, Zhang Xishun wouldn't need to come find him.
"This disciple is absolutely certain."
Chen Yan said.
Of course he couldn't reveal what had happened in the previous cycle.
"Whether this disciple speaks truth or falsehood, Elder Fu will know tonight."