Chương 44: 2-12

At the sound of the knocking, Yu Qingyu straightened up and tidied up his robes and hair a bit. He didn't bother hiding the books. With how often he has visited the library recently, everyone noticed the change in his habits. And Liu Wei already found out his identity anyway, so there was no need to bother pretending anymore.

"Come in," he called out.

The door opened, and Zhang Fei, courtesy Longshu, the leader of Lanshan Sect, walked in.

"Ah, Zhangmen-shixiong!" Yu Qingyu sprang right to his feet and bowed down in a polite greeting. "I wasn't expecting you!"

Zhang Longshu waved his hand, gesturing Yu Qingyu to sit down. "Yes, I have just returned from the Donggong Sect."

"Would Zhangmen-shixiong like some tea?" Yu Qingyu immediately offered, feeling slightly awkward. He has only met the Sect Leader twice so far, and never had a private conversation with him before, so naturally, the situation made him nervous.

"Yes, thank you." Zhang Longshu took a seat at the table.

The whole surface was cluttered with books and Yu Qingyu's notes, with a kettle in the middle. There was not even enough space to put a second cup anywhere. Not wanting to make the Sect Leader wait, Yu Qingyu quickly pushed his things to the side, accidentally making a few books fall down on the floor with a thud.

Slightly embarrassed by the mess, Yu Qingyu cleared his throat and spoke up, pouring the tea, "What brings Zhangmen-shixiong here today?"

"I have heard about the misfortune that happened to shidi's eldest disciple," Zhang Longshu started slowly, pausing to take a sip of tea. "It appears that his cultivation might be affected in the future?"

"Yes… Although I am currently looking for a solution," Yu Qingyu explained briefly, before consulting 520 in his mind. 'Is there a reason why the Sect Leader would be concerned about Zhao Weixin?' he asked.

However, there was no need for 520 to answer, because everything became clear with Zhang Longshu's words immediately after. "Does shidi still intend to make him the next Peak Master then?"

It seemed the Sect Leader already knew about his plans. Gu Huiji must have been considering making Zhao Weixin his successor even before Yu Qingyu transmigrated. It was quite surprising. Yu Qingyu would have expected him to choose someone like Xue Molin or Han Yanwu, who were much stronger when it came to martial arts and cultivation…

Taken aback, it took him a while to respond. "…I am not sure," he finally answered. "It depends on whether I can find a cure or not."

Of course, Yu Qingyu had to try to make Zhao Weixin the next Peak Master regardless of his cultivation, but he couldn't exactly say it out loud. After all, that was because of his mission. And there was no reasonable justification for such a decision he could present to Sect Leader right now…

Zhang Longshu nodded his head slowly. "I understand. However, it would be best to start considering other candidates. I have come across that other disciple of yours, Xue Molin, on my way here. He seems to have matured quite a lot recently. And I've heard that his progress in martial arts and cultivation is going well?"

"Ah, Molin, yes…" Yu Qingyu rubbed the side of his neck, his lips bent in an awkward half-smile.

Xue Molin did indeed seem like a great disciple. But he was in fact Liu Wei! Even if Yu Qingyu had to temporarily choose someone else as an alternative option, Liu Wei was the last one he'd ever think of! He might have been acting nice recently, but Yu Qingyu doubted it was genuine. It was likely just calm before the storm.

So, he just shook his head. "Molin is the strongest, that's true. However, he is not suitable for the Peak Master. Zhao Weixin is still the only candidate in my mind."

Zhang Longshu observed Yu Qingyu in silence. The man's decision to push ahead his weakest disciple seemed unwise, especially in the current circumstances. True, Zhao Weixin did have a lot of admirable qualities, but that still wasn't enough. With limited cultivation, how would he guide his own disciples in the future?

But it was unlike Gu Huiji to be so insistent on something unreasonable. So, in the end, Zhang Longshu assumed that Chunren Peak Master must have his reasons, and let it go for now.

"If shidi says so. However, how does shidi intend to deal with the demonic qi infection?"

Yu Qingyu bit his lip, hesitating for a moment. He was still unsure what to do… Because of his recent failure, or rather failures, counting the events from previous worlds, he was questioning his ideas, even more than he used to do before.

[Host, if Host wants to leave the peak to search for a cure, Host should just do it. At this point, it is safe to assume that there is no solution to be found in the books from the library,] 520 interjected. It had noticed Yu Qingyu's lack of decisiveness, and it has been constantly trying to encourage him to act bolder, to no avail.

"Does shidi have any ideas?" Not getting any answer, Zhang Longshu asked again.

Yu Qingyu let out a long sigh, and finally spoke up, "I am considering leaving the peak for a while. If Zhangmen-shixiong allows it, I would like to go on a journey."

"Hmm…" Zhang Longshu took a sip of his tea, observing Yu Qingyu scrutinizingly with his brows furrowed. "I will allow it. I assume shidi intends to leave Chunren Peak under Zhao Weixin's care?"

"Yes, that is what I'm planning. He is capable of handling all the internal tasks. And it is a good opportunity for him to showcase his skills to the others, and gain more respect as a potential future Peak Master."

Zhang Longshu nodded lightly, agreeing with Yu Qingyu's point. "Yes, that would be good."

Afterward, the topic of the discussion shifted to the Sect Leader's visit to Donggong Sect. Engaged in the conversation, they missed the faint rustling of the clothes and muted footsteps coming from outside the window, concealed by the sound of the wind and the mountain streak.