Stealing Immortal
Chapter 28 - 27: Information

Chapter 28: Chapter 27: Information

Despite knowing he would run into Qi Xiuyuan if he went down the mountain, Chen Qingyang ignored Liu Tao’s advice and insisted on leaving.

Based on what he had just witnessed, though Qi Xiuyuan appeared arrogant and domineering, he was clearly intimidated by those like Liu Tao, whose cultivation was far superior. Coupled with Liu Tao’s effective warning, Qi Xiuyuan surely wouldn’t dare do anything to him.

’After all, his goal was to eliminate the trouble surrounding Xu Baoling’s death. Why would he invite even bigger problems for himself?’

As for Chen Qingyang, he had his own reasons for needing to see the man.

...

He slowly descended the bluestone steps.

Just as he expected, Qi Xiuyuan was waiting by the path some distance from the Golden Summit.

The man’s searing gaze was fixed on him. Only after confirming that no one was following behind did he suddenly erupt in fury. "Get your ass over here!"

’This behavior matched Chen Qingyang’s impression of him.’

But Chen Qingyang didn’t scramble over as ordered. He didn’t even jog. He simply walked forward at an unhurried pace. "Greetings, Senior Brother Qi."

His leisurely pace only infuriated Qi Xiuyuan further. "Hmph! Don’t think you can act so brazenly just because Liu Tao has your back. I could crush you with a single finger!"

’Given his usual temper, he would have attacked by now. The fact that he was patiently talking instead confirmed Chen Qingyang’s suspicions.’

He began to bow with his hands clasped, his attitude exceedingly humble. "Senior Brother Qi, you’ve truly misunderstood me. I am but a Miscellaneous Task disciple. How would I dare offend an Outer Sect Senior Brother? I have even been reflecting on my actions, afraid I may have been inconsiderate in some way."

Seeing this, Qi Xiuyuan seemed to calm down, a hint of smugness creeping into his voice. "Let me ask you. Since you were Xu Baoling’s Miscellaneous Task disciple, how is it you didn’t know when she died? Why was it Master’s Daoist Child who discovered her first?"

’He still has doubts, just as I thought.’

Having already anticipated this, Chen Qingyang said directly, "I already explained this on the Golden Summit, Senior Brother. As a Miscellaneous Task disciple, my assignments are not up to me. I went to Senior Sister Xu’s residence once, but I was assigned to Senior Sister Liu Tao afterward and never went back."

Qi Xiuyuan’s expression was unreadable; it was impossible to tell if he believed him. "Then let me ask you this: you perform alchemy for Liu Tao. What did you do for Xu Baoling?"

"I delivered some alchemy ingredients. Senior Sister Xu even rewarded me with a Qi Gathering Pill. In fact, I only learned of Senior Sister Xu’s... death from you today, Senior Brother Qi."

"Nonsense!"

The story was flawless, but Qi Xiuyuan erupted in anger anyway.

"Master said Xu Baoling died from qi deviation, but when I saw her three days ago, her Qi Mechanism and her overall state were excellent. She looked like she was on the verge of breaking through to the Qi Refining Ninth Realm. How could she suddenly suffer a fatal qi deviation? Do you take me for a fool who’s never reached the Qi Refining Ninth Realm himself?"

"Besides, everyone knows Liu Tao and her had a serious feud. It’s hard to believe there weren’t other factors at play." As he spoke, his gaze shot back to Qingyang. "If that was the end of it, I might have let it go. But then you suddenly appeared in Liu Tao’s Alchemy Room, and I knew things weren’t that simple."

’I really underestimated this man!’

’I thought he was just a reckless, arrogant brute, but he’s actually quite perceptive.’

Chen Qingyang knew that if he couldn’t explain this clearly, the blame would fall not only on Liu Tao, but on him as well.

He immediately feigned a look of utter horror. "This... Senior Brother Qi, are you suggesting I killed Senior Sister Xu? I... I don’t have that kind of power!"

This act only earned a cold sneer from Qi Xiuyuan. "You wish, old man. You don’t have that kind of power on your own, but if you were working with Liu Tao, that’s another story."

Chen Qingyang fell silent.

Exasperated, Qi Xiuyuan raised a finger as if to poke him in the forehead. Though Chen Qingyang’s face remained impassive, his hand tightened around the Warm Jade Scroll.

In the end, however, Qi Xiuyuan pulled his hand back.

"Speak!"

When Chen Qingyang spoke again, he wore a look of dawning comprehension. "I understand what you mean, Senior Brother Qi. So if anyone else asks, I should just pin this on Senior Sister Liu Tao, is that right?"

Whether from anger or surprise, Qi Xiuyuan was stunned. "Who told you to say that? I’m asking you whether it happened or not!"

Chen Qingyang could only reply, "Senior Sister Liu Tao has me do nothing but alchemy. As for what you’re suggesting, Senior Brother Qi, I can’t speak for her, but I can say for certain that I know nothing about it."

Hearing this, Qi Xiuyuan sized him up again. Perhaps realizing he couldn’t find a weak point to exploit in this dull-looking old man, he decided to give up.

"Hmph. Relay my words to Liu Tao. This matter is riddled with suspicion. Master may have announced her conclusion, but that doesn’t mean she’s fully convinced. Tell her to watch her step!"

It was unclear if he was just venting or if he truly intended to expose the matter. With a gust of wind, he vanished over the horizon.

This was the Wind Control Skill, which allowed one to rise twenty or thirty feet into the air and travel five or six hundred li.

To ride the clouds or achieve Sword Flight, one needed to be at least in the Essence Condensation Realm.

Chen Qingyang knew this matter was far from over.

Qi Xiuyuan would add the humiliation he suffered today to his grievances, and he would definitely pursue the matter. Chen Qingyang had to come up with a proactive countermeasure.

He continued down the mountain.

After finding the pine tree he was looking for, Chen Qingyang released Xu Baoling’s Divine Soul from the Warm Jade Scroll.

She floated ethereally. After the Refinement of an Elixir and two days of rest, her Divine Soul now looked slightly more substantial, no longer in danger of scattering at the slightest gust of wind.

"Master!"

Her tone was shy, her attitude humble.

’He hadn’t made her practice saying it every day, so she sounded a little stiff.’

As was his custom, Chen Qingyang gave her a Qi Gathering Pill. "Tell me, what kind of person is this Qi Xiuyuan?"

Xu Baoling paused briefly. A woman of her intelligence could easily guess why Chen Qingyang was asking.

"He is my junior brother. He has been cultivating for less than two hundred years and is quite talented, but his character is poor. He’s arrogant and domineering, one might even say idiotic..." One could tell this assessment was tinged with personal animosity. "...The Dharma Gate he cultivates is the Ice Skin Jade Bone Technique, the most profound True Skill of our lineage. Even Master cultivates this path. It’s a pity he’s always been so careless that he’s shown little progress."

"That sword on his back is the Six Rites Jade Bone Sword, a Magical Treasure gifted by our Master. Though he’s terrible in almost every respect, he does possess considerable talent. In the beginning, Master favored him and taught him diligently. But when she saw he was just a good-for-nothing, her favor turned to anger, and he became the least-liked person in our lineage... I’ve always looked down on him... Hmph. Him, my Dao Companion? In his dreams..."

It was as if being unable to speak to anyone for two days had left her completely pent up; she rambled on and on, venting her complaints.

Chen Qingyang seized upon the key point: Master Yun Ci did not like Qi Xiuyuan.

"What kind of Divine Power is this Ice Skin Jade Bone Technique?"

Hearing this, an expression of reverence appeared on Xu Baoling’s face—reverence, undoubtedly, for Master Yun Ci. "When this technique is fully mastered, its power is immense, rivaling even the Sword Dao. It can draw upon the Nine Heavens Void Spiritual Qi and Jade Marrow Ice Crystal to reforge one’s Dao Body. Of course, if it’s cultivated to Qi Xiuyuan’s level, it’s just so-so... Master, why do you ask all this?"

Whether out of curiosity or a desire to offer counsel, Xu Baoling voiced her question.

"Then how do you think I could kill Qi Xiuyuan without anyone ever knowing?"

Hearing such a question asked in such a gentle tone sent a chill up Xu Baoling’s spine. She suddenly remembered how decisively he had acted when he killed her.

Her Master hadn’t answered her question, but his own question was answer enough.

"A Poison Pill, and Liu Tao. You need both; neither can be omitted. Otherwise, there would be too many openings. It’s just..."

Chen Qingyang smiled. "It’s just that if two disciples die suddenly in such a short span of time, Master Yun Ci is bound to become suspicious, right?"

Xu Baoling nodded lightly.

"Heh, you’re very clever. Much cleverer than Liu Tao... But enough about that. Tell me more about your master, Master Yun Ci."

Xu Baoling thought carefully once more. It was clear she was starting to take Chen Qingyang seriously. "It goes without saying that Master’s cultivation is profound. Even among the Foundation Establishment Masters of the Four Golden Peaks, her combat power is top-tier. She is also naturally suspicious and resolute, and her dedication to the Dao is second to none. Because of this, she is extremely strict with her subordinates. The disciples are all terrified of her, falling silent in her presence. As for her flaws..."

"...Well, she is extremely pragmatic and results-oriented. She wears her likes and dislikes on her sleeve, never hiding them. For instance, because Liu Tao hasn’t had a breakthrough in two hundred years, she dislikes her greatly. And since Qi Xiuyuan let himself go, she finds him detestable... As for me, she was quite invested in my development..."

Xu Baoling’s expression grew distant, as if she were lost in a memory.

The benefit of having spared her life became apparent at this very moment.

"There’s something that’s been bothering me. No matter how you look at it, there were some strange circumstances surrounding your death. You’re saying a naturally suspicious person like Master Yun Ci really doesn’t have any other thoughts on the matter?"

"This..." Since the matter concerned her directly, Xu Baoling was at a loss for words.

"It’s fine. The you of the past is gone. I’m only speaking with the you of today. Just tell me things as they are."

Xu Baoling finally spoke up. "I was poisoned to death. While it might look like a fatal qi deviation to an outsider, Master understands each of her disciples. She knows exactly who is ready for a breakthrough and what level everyone is at. She sees it all clearly."

"I see. So you’re saying that in her mind, you were never a candidate for a fatal qi deviation?"

Xu Baoling nodded. "Exactly. Even though the matter has been officially closed, her suspicions will be hard to dispel."

Chen Qingyang nodded, giving her another Qi Gathering Pill. "Very good. You’ve done well. The only reason you lost to me was your arrogance. Don’t worry, I’ll give you another chance in the future."

With that, he closed his eyes and began to meditate.

"Yes, Master."

Xu Baoling lowered her gaze submissively. When she lifted her head to look at Chen Qingyang again, she froze.

A faint silver light was emanating from his body.

It possessed an unstoppable, unrivaled sharpness!

’I’ve only ever seen this kind of aura on the Sect’s Sword Cultivators. This shouldn’t be possible... Didn’t he just get the One-Origin Sword?’

’Did he achieve Enlightenment overnight, or had he already dabbled in the Sword Dao before this?’

As Xu Baoling reeled from this shock, her acceptance of her new identity as a servant deepened.