Chương 42: Li’s Family Seal
"Please wait, Celestial Master," Yun Qingyi called out loudly, stepping forward quickly, "My junior brother lacks manners, please forgive him."
"Celestial Master, I can testify that my junior brother and this little demon have nothing to do with the missing artifact," Yun Qingyi said.
SiTu Fanzhi countered, "With the suspect and the item both apprehended, how can you testify?"
"The Celestial Master should remember that my junior brother had been missing for several days," Yun Qingyi explained calmly.
"I am aware of that. When your master came to ask for the Empty Flower Token to open the barrier to The Flatland, was it because of this?" SiTu Fanzhi thought for a moment and then asked.
"Exactly because of that," Yun Qingyi responded.
"And how do you explain that this little demon has nothing to do with the missing artifact?" SiTu Fanzhi questioned further.
Kneeling on the ground, Qingping replied anxiously and with a sense of injustice, "I found this item while I was picking fruits in the peach blossom forest, I have explained this many times."
Earlier that day, bored in the cottage, Qingping had ignored Li Luoning's previous instructions and went alone to the peach blossom forest to gather some fruits and flowers.
On her way back, she found an Yi Lu Si Nan lying in the middle of the path. Just as she picked it up, a group of celestial soldiers surrounded her.
The celestial soldiers, seeing that Qingping was a demon, did not bother to talk and started fighting, and she was then brought here.
When the celestial soldiers captured Qingping, she indeed had the Yi Lu Si Nan in her hand. Regardless of whether Qingping actually stole the artifact or not, the fact that a small demon fought with a group of celestial soldiers and caused such a commotion was itself a serious offense.
"If she weren't guilty, why would this little demon have attacked the celestial soldiers? Yun Qingyi, how can you prove this little demon's innocence?" SiTu Fanzhi declared.
Yun Qingyi, still lacking in authority, found himself momentarily at a loss for words, unsure how to defend.
"I can prove it."
Li Luoning's voice appeared just in time, and Yun Qingyi, relieved, looked toward the entrance to see his master walking into the hall.
Right after Mi Xingzhe was taken away by the celestial soldiers, Yun Qingyi immediately sent a message to Li Luoning, who was already on his way back. Upon receiving the message, he hastened his return and headed straight to the hall upon reaching Liao Yin Immortal Realm.
Seeing his master finally arrive, Yun Qingyi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Mi Xingzhe's face showed a trace of relaxation as he watched Li Luoning approach.
Expecting his master to help him out, Mi Xingzhe stood up straight, feeling justified. Unexpectedly, Li Luoning approached him, flicked his finger, and struck Mi Xingzhe's knee, causing him to kneel down abruptly.
Li Luoning bowed deeply to SiTu Fanzhi, then said, "My disciple is unruly, and I have failed in my teachings. Please forgive us, Celestial Master."
Kneeling on the ground, Mi Xingzhe looked up defiantly at his master. Li Luoning gave him a stern look without saying a word.
SiTu Fanzhi's tone softened upon seeing Li Luoning, "Xiao Yi, how can you prove this little demon has nothing to do with the missing artifact?"
"There are three reasons," Li Luoning began. "First, with this little demon's cultivation, she couldn't possibly enter Xuan Ming Xing Jun's palace. Second, the Yi Lu Si Nan is used to track the location of celestial disciples, and since he is neither a celestial master nor a disciple, why would he need it? Third..."
Li Luoning paused, surveying the people in the hall.
"What is the third reason?" SiTu Fanzhi asked, intrigued.
"This little demon previously helped me rescue my disciple from Wuming Demon Mountain because he had offended the Demon Lord. I left him in the peach blossom forest. I can testify that he arrived in Liao Yin Immortal Realm after the Yi Lu Si Nan was lost, so it is impossible for him to be connected with the disappearance of the artifact," Li Luoning explained calmly and clearly.
Hearing Li Luoning's explanation, SiTu Fanzhi pondered for a moment before speaking, "If it is as you say, how did this little demon just happen to find the Yi Lu Si Nan so coincidentally?" SiTu Fanzhi murmured thoughtfully, then asked further, "Rescued from Wuming Demon Mountain? What exactly happened?" The mention of Wuming Demon Mountain particularly stood out to SiTu Fanzhi.
"Respected Celestial Master, after being ambushed and injured, it was indeed this little demon who saved my disciple and brought him to Wuming Demon Mountain to recuperate, preventing his body from being lost to the wilderness," Li Luoning explained, glaring at Mi Xingzhe who was still kneeling on the ground.
"In that case, it seems this matter truly has nothing to do with them," SiTu Fanzhi sighed.
"Celestial Master's judgment is appreciated," Li Luoning said firmly.
"Well then, since they are not involved, let them be released. However, your disciple... Ah, it's fine, everyone may leave now," SiTu Fanzhi concluded, casting a meaningful glance at the kneeling Mi Xingzhe.
With that, the people in the great hall began to disperse, and a tiny firefly flew out from behind Mi Xingzhe, disappearing where no one could see.
Soon, only Yue Ruling, Yun Qingyi, Li Luoning, and the kneeling Mi Xingzhe and Qingping remained in the hall.
Yue Ruling hurriedly went forward to untie Qingping and helped him to his feet, while Yun Qingyi walked over to stand by Li Luoning. Only Mi Xingzhe remained on the ground, his face sullen, looking at Li Luoning.
"Master, may I stand now?" Mi Xingzhe asked, sounding pitiful.
Li Luoning looked stern and ignored Mi Xingzhe's question, simply turning away after flicking his sleeve. Yun Qingyi quickly stepped forward to help Mi Xingzhe up and followed Li Luoning out.
The group returned to Mirror Cloud Residence. After briefly treating Qingping's wounds and giving him some medicine, they sent him on his way.
Now only Yue Ruling, Yun Qingyi, Mi Xingzhe, and Li Luoning were left in the residence. Since entering the study, Li Luoning had spoken to everyone except Mi Xingzhe. After Qingping left, and the room quieted down, Mi Xingzhe knelt down, sensing it was the prudent thing to do.
Li Luoning maintained a cold demeanor, sipping tea and flipping through a book.
Yue Ruling glanced at Yun Qingyi, who shook his head and subtly pointed at Mi Xingzhe, indicating she should not interfere.
The two stood there playing a silent game of charades; Mi Xingzhe remained stoically kneeling, playing with the ribbon of his belt, Red Dust into Silence.
"Xiao Yi, the disciple didn't mean to disrespect the Celestial Master; please don't be too hard on him," Yue Ruling, ever insightful, tried to mediate, despite Yun Qingyi's continual headshakes telling her to keep quiet.
"Do you not have duties today, General Yue Ruling? Do you need to inform your master that you will stay for dinner?" Li Luoning continued to read, his offhand comment serving as a dismissal.
He knew Yue Ruling should have been patrolling at this time but had stayed out of concern for Mi Xingzhe.
Hearing Li Luoning's words, Yue Ruling playfully stuck out her tongue and then exchanged a resigned look with Mi Xingzhe, signaling, "I tried, but no luck. You're on your own."
"I'll leave first then, junior brother. I'll visit you another day," Yue Ruling said, realizing she could neither help nor stay to watch the unfolding drama, and tactfully made her exit.
Mi Xingzhe waved to Yue Ruling as she left.
After her departure, the study became quiet again, with Yun Qingyi standing by, grinding ink and preparing tea. Knowing Li Luoning well, he figured it was best to keep silent at this moment.
Mi Xingzhe didn't feel he was in the wrong and was kneeling simply because Li Luoning was visibly upset with him. Although unsure of the exact reason, he knew it must be related to him and, based on past experiences, kneeling seemed the safest bet.
After about half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, unable to hold back his feelings of injustice, Mi Xingzhe finally spoke up, "Master, what exactly are you upset about today?" His tone carried a hint of defiance.
"Is that how you speak to your master?" Li Luoning's eyes remained unexpressive, his voice stern.
"I... I dare not. But I just wanted to reason with
the Celestial Master. You saw how he beat Qingping to a pulp without provocation. Was I wrong to stand up for my friend? Why must you hold such a trivial matter against me?" Mi Xingzhe muttered, not feeling at fault.
"Failing to respect your elders, speaking out of turn, arrogant and rude—is this how I taught you?" Li Luoning said, slamming the book onto the table.
Yun Qingyi flinched, surprised that Li Luoning would be so angered by the incident.
"Master, Xingzhe isn't usually like this. Perhaps he was just impulsive just now. Please consider that he was upset on behalf of his friend today and let it pass," Yun Qingyi intervened, trying to diffuse the situation.
Hearing Li Luoning's sharp words, SiTu Fanzhi paused to think and then said, "If what you say is true, how did this little demon just happen to find the Yi Lu Si Nan?" He pondered briefly, then asked, "Saved from Wuming Demon Mountain? What's that about?" The mention of Wuming Demon Mountain seemed particularly striking to SiTu Fanzhi.
"Respected Celestial Master, after my disciple was ambushed and injured, it was indeed this little demon who rescued him and took him to Wuming Demon Mountain for recuperation, preventing his demise in the wilderness," Li Luoning explained, while giving Mi Xingzhe, who was still kneeling, a stern look.
"It seems, then, that this matter indeed has nothing to do with them," SiTu Fanzhi sighed.
"Celestial Master's discernment is appreciated," Li Luoning affirmed firmly.
"Enough, since they are not involved, let them go. But this disciple of yours... Well, everyone may leave now," SiTu Fanzhi said, glancing meaningfully at the kneeling Mi Xingzhe.
As SiTu Fanzhi spoke, everyone in the great hall began to leave. Mi Xingzhe saw a tiny firefly flutter out from behind him and disappear where no one could see it.
Soon, only Yue Ruling, Yun Qingyi, Li Luoning, and the kneeling Mi Xingzhe and Qingping remained in the hall.
Yue Ruling quickly went forward to untie Qingping and help him up, while Yun Qingyi moved to stand by Li Luoning. Only Mi Xingzhe remained on the ground, his face sullen, looking up at Li Luoning.
"Master, may I stand now?" Mi Xingzhe asked in a pitiful tone.
Li Luoning looked sternly at him and ignored Mi Xingzhe's question, simply turning away after a dismissive flick of his sleeve. Yun Qingyi quickly helped Mi Xingzhe to his feet and followed Li Luoning.
The group returned to the Mirror Cloud Residence, where they briefly treated Qingping's wounds and gave him some medicine before sending him on his way.
Now only Yue Ruling, Yun Qingyi, Mi Xingzhe, and Li Luoning remained in the residence. Since entering the study, Li Luoning had spoken to everyone except Mi Xingzhe. After Qingping left and the room quieted down, Mi Xingzhe tactfully knelt down.
Li Luoning sat with a cold expression, sipping tea and flipping through a book.
Yue Ruling glanced at Yun Qingyi, who shook his head and subtly gestured towards Mi Xingzhe, indicating she should not interfere.
The two stood there silently; Mi Xingzhe remained stoically kneeling, fiddling with the ribbon of his belt, Red Dust into Silence.
"Xiao Yi, your disciple didn't mean to disrespect the Celestial Master, don't be too hard on him," Yue Ruling tried to mediate, despite Yun Qingyi's headshakes telling her to keep quiet.
"Do you not have duties today, General Yue Ruling? Do you need to inform your master that you will stay for dinner?" Li Luoning continued to read, his offhand comment serving as a dismissal.
Knowing Yue Ruling was supposed to be on patrol at this time but had stayed out of concern for Mi Xingzhe, Li Luoning understood.
Hearing Li Luoning's words, Yue Ruling playfully stuck out her tongue and then exchanged a resigned look with Mi Xingzhe, signaling, "I tried, but no luck. You're on your own."
"I'll leave first then, junior brother. I'll visit you another day," Yue Ruling said, realizing she could neither help nor stay to watch the unfolding drama, and tactfully made her exit.
Mi Xingzhe waved to Yue Ruling as she left.
After her departure, the study became quiet again. Yun Qingyi stood by, grinding ink and preparing tea, knowing it was best to keep silent at this moment.
Mi Xingzhe didn't feel he was in the wrong and was kneeling simply because Li Luoning was visibly upset with him. Although unsure of the exact reason, he knew it must be related to him and, based on past experiences, kneeling seemed the safest bet.
After about half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, unable to hold back his feelings of injustice, Mi Xingzhe finally spoke up, "Master, what exactly are you upset about today?" His tone carried a hint of defiance.
"Is that how you speak to your master?" Li Luoning's eyes remained unexpressive, his voice stern.
"I... I dare not. But I just wanted to reason with the Celestial Master. You saw how he beat Qingping to a pulp without provocation. Was I wrong to stand up
for my friend? Why must you hold such a trivial matter against me?" Mi Xingzhe muttered, not feeling at fault.
"Failing to respect your elders, speaking out of turn, arrogant and rude—is this how I taught you?" Li Luoning said, slamming the book onto the table.
Yun Qingyi flinched, surprised that Li Luoning would be so angered by the incident.
"Master, Xingzhe isn't usually like this. Perhaps he was just impulsive just now. Please consider that he was upset on behalf of his friend today and let it pass," Yun Qingyi intervened, trying to diffuse the situation.
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