Stealing Immortal

Chapter 130: Chapter 129: While It’s Hot

Chen Qingyang knew well that people are most prone to hesitation at the beginning of any venture.

Two days ago, Hu Sheng and Lu Sheng had a public confrontation. They were still fuming, so it was the perfect time to strike while the iron was hot. If he waited for them to cool down, it would be difficult to make any progress later.

He didn’t know what was wrong with those seven. The Tai Xu Sect was enormous, yet they insisted on living in the same courtyard. Chen Qingyang couldn’t just show up directly, so he could only lie in wait on the road, using his Conscious Fish to monitor Hu Sheng’s movements.

It had been two days now. Thanks to the Conscious Fish, he could do two things at once, allowing him to peacefully meditate in the woods and focus completely on his Danxia Nourishing Truth Sword Manual.

Ever since entering Essence Condensation and opening his Earth Root Acupoint, the amount of True Essence his body required was immense. Though he cultivated day and night, absorbing a great deal, it was still just a drop in the bucket. The speed of his cultivation progress had noticeably slowed.

He remembered that when Li Qianxue reached this stage, she had managed to break through a minor realm every three to five years. Her talent was truly terrifying.

Just as Liu Tao had said, most who advanced at such a speed were reincarnated Golden Core True Monarchs who had used the Bridge of Longevity, which only made Li Qianxue’s achievement all the more remarkable.

Qi came from all directions, condensed into essence in his Dantian, then passed through the Seven Meridians and Eight Vessels to connect with the Earth Root Acupoint, circulating throughout his body.

Every breath, every movement, followed its own rhythm.

After a long while, he finally sensed Hu Sheng move. He was heading toward the Water Moon Grotto Heaven again. Chen Qingyang "ran into" him on the path. "Greetings, Senior Brother Hu. In such a hurry. Where might you be going?"

When Hu Sheng saw it was him, he looked furtive. He pulled Chen Qingyang down to the ground, and they sat beneath a tree to avoid being seen. "To the Water Moon Grotto Heaven. I have to report on this task every few days. Junior Brother, you’re here... You’re not looking for me again, are you?"

’The task he mentioned must be related to that peach grove,’ Chen Qingyang thought, but he didn’t press for details. "Senior Brother Hu is as perceptive as ever. I was just on my way to pay you a visit. I didn’t expect to run into you here again."

This time, however, Hu Sheng waved his hand dismissively. "From now on, try not to look for me in Peach Blossom Valley. And especially, don’t draw any attention."

’This guy is actually being cautious,’ Chen Qingyang feigned a look of confusion. "Why is that? I’m visiting Senior Brother Hu openly. Surely that doesn’t violate the Sect’s rules?"

Hu Sheng looked troubled. Of course, he couldn’t tell Chen Qingyang the truth, so he could only say, "You don’t understand. We Seven Immortals of Peach Valley do everything as one. I still need to discuss the matter you mentioned with Senior Brother Long. It’s best if you don’t show your face until it’s settled."

’This guy looks honest and simple, but he’s a practiced liar.’ Chen Qingyang deliberately tested him. "If it’s too much trouble for you, Senior Brother, then let’s just forget about it. I’ll go find another senior brother. I won’t trouble you any further."

Seeing him about to leave, Hu Sheng grew anxious as expected. "Hey, Junior Brother, what’s the rush? Since I already agreed to help you, how could I go back on my word? I just need a little more time."

Hearing this, Chen Qingyang offered him another Tier Three Qi-Introducing Pill. Considering he had taken the last two in close succession, this elixir contained no Star Meteor Powder at all. Consuming it would only bring benefits.

As expected, Hu Sheng’s eyes went wide. After carefully tucking the elixir into his robes, his face was all smiles.

’As long as he can accept it with a clear conscience, it’s fine.’ Chen Qingyang pressed his advantage, "I wonder what sort of resistance you’ve met, Senior Brother. Could you perhaps tell me about it?"

Hu Sheng’s eyes darted around, and he immediately started talking. "It’s Lu Sheng. He’s taken a disliking to you, and he’s the one obstructing things. Otherwise, this would have been settled long ago. From now on, you must stay far away from him. And whatever you do, don’t give him any more of these elixirs."

Chen Qingyang nodded, acting as if he completely believed Hu Sheng’s words. "From what I’ve seen, among the seven of you, Senior Brother Hu and Senior Brother Long should have the highest cultivation. Hasn’t our Tai Xu Sect always respected the strong? Is it not the same for you, Senior Brother Hu?"

This question actually made Hu Sheng pause. "...That’s right. When it comes to cultivation, mine is much higher than his. If anyone among the seven of us is going to break through to the Inner Sect first, it can only be me."

A smile appeared on Chen Qingyang’s face. "Exactly. And from my perspective, this Senior Brother Lu doesn’t seem like a very good person. I’ve never even offended him, so why would he treat me this way?"

Hu Sheng held his tongue, ultimately deciding not to bring up Tian Jingzhao, as that would likely cause even more trouble.

He even felt that he should go and give Tian Jingzhao a stern warning to not provoke Chen Qingyang in the future.

"That man has a vicious mind, who can say what he’s thinking? But don’t you worry. I’ll handle things for you and make sure you’re not in any danger. As for the rest, just wait a little longer!"

With such a solemn vow, Chen Qingyang was finally convinced of his determination.

After speaking, Hu Sheng waved his hand and was about to leave, but Chen Qingyang had more to say and quickly called out to stop him.

"Senior Brother Hu, I have a rather presumptuous request, and I was wondering if you could help?"

Having taken so many of his elixirs and just made a solemn promise, it was naturally difficult for him to refuse. "What is it?"

Chen Qingyang said, "I know Senior Brother Hu has a great reputation among the Outer Disciples of Cyan Bamboo Peak. If you take charge of this matter, it’s sure to be a success."

"As you know, Senior Brother, I often perform alchemy and need a Dan Tongzi to assist me. I’ve recently taken a liking to a certain miscellaneous task disciple. I’m hoping Senior Brother Hu can help mediate and have this disciple transferred to me?"

The one he spoke of was none other than Hong’Er.

’If Hu Sheng agrees, Tian Jingzhao will most likely not dare to refuse under his pressure. If he doesn’t agree, then I’ll just drop it. It won’t have any effect on Hong’Er either way.’

Hu Sheng replied boisterously, "I thought it was something serious! What’s the big deal about a mere miscellaneous task disciple? It’s not like she’s a full disciple. Tell me her name and who she serves. Let me see if I know them."

Chen Qingyang said, "Senior Brother, the miscellaneous task disciple is named Hong’Er. She’s a young woman of about fifteen or sixteen, currently serving under Senior Brother Tian Jingzhao of Master Water Moon’s lineage."

Hearing that it was a young woman, Hu Sheng gave a suggestive grin. But when he heard the name Tian Jingzhao, he frowned and fell silent.

"What’s wrong? Is this difficult for you, Senior Brother Hu?"

"It’s not that it’s difficult... It’s just that I’ve had some friction with Lu Sheng recently, and Tian Jingzhao has always been close to him. If I do this, we’ll really be tearing off all pretenses!"

This was the third part of Chen Qingyang’s plan; he couldn’t wait for Hu Sheng and Lu Sheng to have a complete falling-out.

Chen Qingyang continued to guide him along persuasively. "It seems Senior Brother Lu’s cultivation is not to be underestimated, if even Senior Brother Hu is wary of him. Perhaps I should go pay Senior Brother Lu a visit myself..."

He seemed to be muttering to himself. After saying this, he turned to Hu Sheng. "I can’t make things difficult for you, Senior Brother Hu. I’ll take my leave!"

Whether or not he understood the hidden meaning, having been backed into a corner like this, how could Hu Sheng back down? "I can do it, but I don’t like your attitude!"

His tone was cold, as if he was angry. He wasn’t a fool; how could he not understand Chen Qingyang’s attempt to rile him up?

Chen Qingyang slipped a hand into his sleeve, and when he pulled it out, he held another elixir. This one was poisoned. One to deplete, one to replenish; one yin, one yang. It would somewhat neutralize the effects, so they wouldn’t be quite so severe.

"Senior Brother Hu, please don’t be angry. I was indeed a bit hasty just now. This is the last elixir I have on hand. Please take it as my apology."

His attitude was sincere this time. The moment Hu Sheng saw the elixir, any trace of anger in his heart vanished. He took it and said, "Forget it, forget it. We are senior and junior brothers. I can understand why you were impatient. Since you’ve said you want to follow me in the future, then it’s my duty to handle this miscellaneous task disciple matter. Go back and wait for my news!"

He agreed so readily, without a trace of his earlier hesitation.

Chen Qingyang didn’t know how he planned to do it, so he asked, "Thank you, Senior Brother Hu. I wonder, what is your plan?"

"Hmph!" Hu Sheng snorted. "If Lu Sheng finds out about this, he’ll definitely make trouble. So, I’m going to find Tian Jingzhao right now, drag him to the Sect registration office, and have that miscellaneous task disciple reassigned under your name. She can make her own way over to you afterward. Just you wait."

’He’s as swift and decisive as his name, Tiger, implies.’ Chen Qingyang gave him a thumbs-up. "A problem I can’t solve, Senior Brother Hu can resolve in just a few words. I’m impressed!"

...

Not wanting to chat any longer, Hu Sheng hurried away. Chen Qingyang couldn’t be bothered to track him with the Conscious Fish and headed straight for his own small courtyard.

He was calm and composed, his movements as graceful as a startled swan. If Hu Sheng were to see him like this, he would surely be astonished once more!

It wasn’t easy for Chen Qingyang, all for the sake of a few Immortal Seedlings. Not only did he have to constantly lie in wait outside, but he also had to rack his brains scheming against others.

’After some thought, to get more Immortal Seedlings, I still need to make a play for the Peach Spirit. If I could covertly disrupt Master Water Moon’s plans just a little, who knows how many Immortal Seedlings I could get?’

The greatest gain from the Separation Dragon Assembly all came from that senior brother at Half-Step Foundation Establishment. Truly unforgettable!

Controlling the wind, he returned to his small courtyard in an instant.

It was already afternoon. The sun gradually sank westward, stretching the shadows of the houses long upon the ground.

Chen Qingyang made a point to tell Zhang Ping, "Prepare a bit more for dinner tonight."

Zhang Ping replied, "Could it be that Senior Brother Chen has a craving and wants to sample my cooking?"

To be honest, besides his passable noodles, the rest of his cooking wasn’t that great. But that didn’t change his usual self-confidence one bit.

"It’s not for me. We have someone else coming. From now on, there will be three miscellaneous task disciples in this courtyard. You’ll need to prepare a room for her."

Zhang Ping had no idea the third miscellaneous task disciple would be that young woman. "That’s easy. We can just set up a bed next to mine. The room is plenty big, and we can look out for each other."

Chen Qingyang shook his head. "How would that be appropriate? The miscellaneous task disciple’s name is Hong’Er."

"Understood."

Zhang Ping immediately called Li Sheng out from the Alchemy Room where he was processing ingredients. "Go, move your things over here. We’ll share a room. The other one is for Hong’Er. Remember to clean it up properly!"

The small courtyard originally had three buildings, and a new one was built later. Three were for living, and one served as a reception hall for storing miscellaneous items. Zhang Ping arranged it this way thinking that Senior Brother Chen would need to receive guests in the future.

After hearing this, Li Sheng didn’t say a word and simply went to pack his things.

The moon rose over the willow trees; the meeting was set for after dusk.

The sun sank behind the mountains, and the land was cast in a dusky yellow light. A young woman carrying a cloth bundle walked to the courtyard gate, still feeling a bit baffled by it all.

The young cook inside had already spotted her and shouted, "Perfect timing! My food is just ready. You’re in for a treat!"

...

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