"What do you plan to do with her?" Nian Yuexian asked.
Lu Ye glanced at Shen Chudan beside him and cupped his fists, saying, "This matter requires your decision, my lord."
At the sa ti, he secretly transmitted through ntal Consciousness: "My lord, I beca acquainted with her at the Cloud River battlefield; we have so ties. Last ti, it was through her passing a ssage to Ying Wuji that led to everything that followed."
Nian Yuexian understood, nodded slightly, and said to Shen Chudan, "I need a maid for nial tasks, so you shall follow from now on."
Shen Chudan was on the verge of tears but dared not disobey and could only reply, "Yes!"
She consoled herself, thinking that being a maid wasn't so bad; serving under such a renowned Divine Sea Realm like this wasn't humiliating, and it was certainly better than being captured alive by those people before.
Nian Yuexian looked at Lu Ye again, "Go rest, co find tomorrow; I have sothing to say to you."
"Yes, I take my leave!"
As Lu Ye left, Nian Yuexian's form flickered and disappeared, leaving Shen Chudan standing there, feeling sowhat bewildered, not sure where to go or what to do.
After so thought, she followed the direction Lu Ye had left and soon arrived at Lu Ye's bamboo loft, raising her hand to knock: "Lu Yiye, what am I supposed to do now?"
No response ca from inside.
She knocked for a while longer before the door opened. Lu Ye walked out, hand on his sword, passing by her as if he couldn't see her at all.
Shen Chudan was infuriated and quickly blocked Lu Ye's path: "Are you deaf? I'm talking to you."
Lu Ye stood there, pondering for a mont as if rembering sothing, then turned back to the bamboo loft, shutting the door with a bang.
Shen Chudan was dumbfounded, feeling that Lu Yiye was truly despicable, ignoring her after bringing her back, pretending not to see her, despite her previous help in passing the ssage and items for him.
Indeed, as Ying Wuji said, having connections with him leads to no good end.
The more she thought about it, the more wronged she felt, almost bringing her to tears.
Couldn't see her...
Suddenly, a light flashed in her mind...
Shen Chudan's heart skipped a beat, vaguely realizing sothing.
Inside the bamboo loft, Lu Ye sat cross-legged, responding to ssages from Cheng Xiu.
Cheng Xiu was the one from the Justice Departnt designated to coordinate with Lu Ye on the Explosive Fire Spirit Stones. Every seven days, he would co to Cangyan Mountain Pass to collect the stones Lu Ye had refined, but Lu Ye found this troubleso and asked him to report to Qian Wudang to change it to once a month.
Qian Wudang had agreed.
As a result, Lu Ye had been roaming outside for the past two months, naturally unable to hand over the Explosive Fire Spirit Stones. During this ti, Cheng Xiu had already sent inquiries multiple tis.
Lu Ye only instructed him to continue waiting.
Now, back at Cangyan Mountain Pass, it was ti to hand over the stones, as this related to obtaining battle rit.
Arrangents were made for the next day, and Cheng Xiu readily agreed.
Actually, Lu Ye also wanted to ask how his refined Explosive Fire Spirit Stones ended up at Jinglan Lake Pass, but this was an awkward question since, as Lu Yiye, he shouldn't know about the battle situation there so soon.
After settling the matter, Lu Ye briefly utilized ntal Consciousness to scout outside but found no trace of Shen Chudan within a mile radius.
"Not too stupid!" Lu Ye murmured to himself.
They had so connection, and considering she helped him last ti, Lu Ye couldn't outright trouble Shen Chudan, but when he saved her from that Haotian Alliance cultivator, he couldn't release her imdiately.
He could only bring her back to Cangyan Mountain Pass.
Now that she was lost here, it was no longer his concern, as he still had Nian Yuexian over him.
Having agreed with Cheng Xiu to deliver the stones the next day but with none in hand, Lu Ye had to work overti today to refine them quickly.
This wasn't difficult for him; refining Explosive Fire Spirit Stones was just a routine process.
The two months' worth amounted to sixty thousand Explosive Fire Spirit Stones, bringing him a full three hundred thousand battle rits, not to ntion the extra rewards from his initial agreent with Qian Wudang on refining losses.
A silent night passed.
The following day, when Cheng Xiu arrived at Cangyan Mountain Pass as agreed, Lu Ye had already prepared the sixty thousand Explosive Fire Spirit Stones. After a brief check, Cheng Xiu left satisfied.
Without a mont to rest, Lu Ye imdiately headed to Nian Yuexian's residence.
Inside the bamboo loft, Lu Ye entered as permitted and took his seat.
"The woman you brought back yesterday has safely returned to Gushan City Pass," Nian Yuexian stated.
Lu Ye was montarily stunned before realizing that Nian Yuexian must have secretly ensured her safe passage. He imdiately cupped his fists, "Thank you, my lord."
"Additionally, I am going into closed retreat," Nian Yuexian spoke once more.
"Rest assured, my lady, I will do my utmost to oversee the mountain pass here," replied the subordinate.
Nian Yuexian slowly shook her head, "This retreat may take so ti."
For a cultivator of the Divine Sea Realm to say it would take ti, it surely wouldn't be brief, most likely calculated in years.
Lu Ye pondered, "Did my lady gain significant insights within the Sword Weapon Sect's secret realm?"
Nian Yuexian nodded, "In that Sword Mountain, every flying sword held an enduring thought from the Sword Weapon Sect's ancestors, filled with profound Sword Dao. My previous climb up the Sword Mountain granted much, and I must now carefully comprehend it. Moreover..."
She retrieved the Willow Catkins Cutlass, "I must also completely refine this treasure."
The Willow Catkins Cutlass is sothing beyond that of a spirit treasure. Although Nian Yuexian had been refining it for a while, she hadn't fully succeeded. According to her estimate, it would take a considerable amount of ti to completely refine it.
"Do you an..." Lu Ye slowly began to understand.
If Nian Yuexian were rely to retreat for ten days to half a month, or even one or two months, it wouldn't be a major issue. However, if it took too long, she would certainly need to find a safe and reliable place, aning she would have to leave Cangyan Mountain Pass.
Once she departed, no one would be left guarding this side.
Lu Ye alone at the True Lake Level 3 could not accomplish much. Staying here alone was dangerous. If those from Ten Thousand Demons Ridge learned of the situation, they would launch a large-scale attack against the Righteous Blood Sect Lu Yiye.
"I have already reported this to Haotian City. Soon, another cultivator of the Divine Sea Realm will co to take over and oversee this area. Concurrently, a large number of provincial guards will be mobilized here. Cangyan Mountain Pass will be like any other pass."
The peculiarity of Cangyan Mountain Pass lay with Nian Yuexian, who, single-handedly guarding a pass, held great fa across the Nine Provinces.
But without Nian Yuexian, Cangyan Mountain Pass would be no different from any other pass.
"I offer you three choices," Nian Yuexian gazed at Lu Ye, "First, stay at Cangyan Mountain Pass. You now hold the rank of Capital Commandant and aren't considered weak. Regardless of which Divine Sea Realm cultivator cos, they will not belittle you. However, due to your connection with the Righteous Blood Sect, they might be hostile towards you, making your days ahead difficult."
"Second, if there is a mountain pass you wish to visit, I can have you transferred there. This small matter I can still arrange."
"And the third?" Lu Ye inquired.
Nian Yuexian's eyes softened, "Justice Departnt Chief Qian Wudang has been asking for you, wishing to transfer you to the Justice Departnt. I have ignored him. However, if you don't wish to stay at a mountain pass, you can go to the Justice Departnt. Although Qian Wudang can sotis be unreliable, at least you needn't worry about him targeting you. You seem to have dealt with him before; joining the Justice Departnt would earn you attention."
"I understand," Lu Ye nodded, "My lady, do you have any recomndations?"
Nian Yuexian glanced at him, speaking slowly, "The peculiarity of the Righteous Blood Sect is sothing you must be aware of. In Bingzhou, the Righteous Blood Sect has many friends but also nurous enemies. No matter which mountain pass you go to, you can't guarantee you won't be targeted. Almost every pass has at least two Mountain Pass Chiefs in charge, and above the Chiefs is the checkpoint lord. Each Chief has their allies, making it hard to guard if soone intends to trouble you. The Justice Departnt is different. It wields significant power and is a strong institution. Qian Wudang is a decent person, known for defending his own. His appreciation of you ans working under him will eventually lead to prominence."
"So, my lady suggests I go to the Justice Departnt?"
"It's rely my personal suggestion. Whether you go or not is up to you. There's no need to rush your decision; give an answer in three days. Before I enter retreat, I will ensure you're settled."
"I understand. Thank you for your guidance, my lady."
Nian Yuexian's gaze was complex, "You have assisted greatly during this ti, it is only right."
Reflecting back, Lu Ye had been at Cangyan Mountain Pass for only a few months, yet more had happened in these months than during her decades of solitary guarding here.
"By the way, my lady, this is for you." Lu Ye took out a jade slip.
"And this is..." Nian Yuexian looked at him, puzzled.
"An inscription rubbing of the Sword Dao True aning from the Sword Weapon Sect." Lu Ye explained, "It should be useful to you."
Before the secret realm of the Sword Weapon Sect collapsed, Khong Khong had entrusted Lu Ye with the sword gourd, a token of the Sect Master, along with a jade slip. Contained within the slip were Artifact Refining essentials and the Sword Dao True aning.
The artifact crafting essentials were of no use to Nian Yuexian, but the Sword Dao True aning suited her well.
Yesterday, Lu Ye had separated the contents of the jade slip into two parts and inscribed several copies using his ntal Consciousness.
Nian Yuexian nodded, "You are thoughtful."
"Then, I shall take my leave."
Leaving Nian Yuexian's bamboo pavilion, Lu Ye returned to his residence and sat down in deep thought.
Yiyi noticed and asked, "What's the matter?"
"Our Mountain Pass Chief is entering closed retreat for a long while..." Lu Ye shared the three choices he received from Nian Yuexian.
After hearing, Yiyi asked, "Which one do you choose?"
"Actually, I wish to go to Jinglan Lake Pass." Lu Ye's words were surprising.
The situation on Third Brother's side was concerning. If he could go to Jinglan Lake Pass, he could look out for Third Brother as well.
However, should he go, there was a significant issue.
His identity as a disciple of the Righteous Blood Sect would inevitably invite considerable targeting and oppression!
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