The group exited the door and walked along the steep mountain path for about half an hour. Before them appeared a relatively large open space, piled with many burial mounds. There were traces of incense burning by the tombstones, indicating that people often ca to pay respects here.
"This is where the Zhang family mbers are buried, and your family is buried across from here," said Zhang Tiegong. "We carried the deceased from the mountain hollow, placed them in coffins, and buried them in the earth. At least they have a peaceful resting place."
Zhang Yao, the eldest sister, added, "Unfortunately, your family was burned beyond recognition. We couldn’t tell who was who and could only erect a single tombstone without any inscription. Let’s go, after the stream in front, we will be there."
"No, we’ll just watch from here..." Jiu murmured as he walked to the edge of the open space, below was a towering cliff. Another piece of protruding land across the way was slightly lower in elevation, with just a stream separating the two sides. The burial ground was backed by a mountain, elevated with lush green grass beneath, and no large trees around to obstruct the view—anyone could see this was an excellent piece of Feng Shui land.
Chen Xuan ca to stand behind the siblings and could imdiately see a total of twelve graves on the opposite side, with a wordless monunt standing at the forefront of these graves.
Looking further into the distant mountain hollow, the remains of a courtyard could be vaguely seen.
That should be the residence of the Wei family.
Chen Xuan surveyed the surroundings with his heart thod, and sensing no presence of a cultivator, he patted their shoulders, saying, "You may pay your respects; it’s safe here."
Jiu and Hua suppressed their grief, knelt on the ground, and bowed three tis and nine tis in the direction where their family lay.
The Zhang family mbers stood behind them, looking sowhat mournful. From now on, there would be one less household on the border of Feng County.
After paying respects, the two wiped their tears and returned to the group.
"Brother Tiegong, may I ask... are all the Wei family mbers here?" Jiu asked in a low voice.
"Everyone we could find is here," Zhang Tiegong quickly responded. "Why, is the number incorrect?"
"Well... Hua and I thought carefully, and excluding the two of us, there should have been thirteen mbers of the Wei family back then."
"But we searched every room, and there shouldn’t be any missing deceased," Zhang Tiegong pondered. "Your loose cultivator master, was he particularly tall, half a foot taller than your father?"
"Yes. Master Ji is indeed very tall," Jiu nodded.
"Then it’s not surprising; none of the deceased we found were that tall," Zhang Yao, the eldest sister, shrugged. "He must have run off on his own, as cultivators... always prioritize their own lives."
"Master Ji wouldn’t do that!" Jiu imdiately retorted, "When fighting the enemy, he even reminded us to hide in the well! If he wanted to run, he could have escaped from the very beginning!"
"Could Master still be alive?" Hua was also excited, "If he’s not dead, then he must have been captured by the murderer!"
"But why would they capture Master? Master never ntioned having enemies..." Jiu clenched his fist, looking at Chen Xuan, "Immortal Master, you possess great supernatural powers and know everything; can you help us find Master Ji’s whereabouts?"
"Well... I can try," Chen Xuan thought for a mont. "But do you rember what you said to when we first t?"
"I rember!" Jiu answered solemnly, "I want to improve my strength to avenge my family!"
"Exactly, so focusing on your cultivation is the most important thing for you now. Don’t let this news disturb your state of mind," Chen Xuan advised. "Otherwise, even if you find them, you’ll only be able to do nothing."
"Yes! I understand!" the siblings replied in unison.
He then turned to ask the eldest brother of the Zhang family, "You ntioned before that taking in loose cultivators isn’t a good idea... why is that?"
"Ah, actually, near the Qinling area, loose cultivators often appear," Zhang Tiegong replied truthfully. "These people aren’t skillful, sects aren’t willing to take them in, so they must find their own ways to cultivate; they won’t miss any unconventional paths. Even though this mountain range stretches for thousands of miles, many regions actually have owners. Loose cultivators, whether they kill demons or seek caves rich in spiritual qi, inevitably clash with sect disciples, and even... causing a fatal incident isn’t uncommon."
Jiu bit his lip upon hearing this, hesitant to speak.
Zhang Tiegong noticed his change in expression and quickly said, "It’s not that I want to discredit your master, but Jiu and Hua... be honest with ; did that loose cultivator master ever tell you about his background specifically?"
The siblings had no words to reply.
Even after five years together, they knew very little about their master’s past.
Master often said not to trust sects, the larger they are, the more terrifying, and even the Immortal Alliance is unreliable.
"It was only when I went to the Wei family to deliver at during the New Year that I learned about this. At that ti, I advised Uncle Wei to quickly make the other party leave, but your father thought it was improper to drive soone out in the harsh winter. Moreover, the loose cultivator was still recovering and very weak, so they planned to make a decision in the spring. But that dragged on for several years..." Zhang Tiegong said regretfully, "If he had listened to back then, he might have avoided this disaster."
As it was inconvenient to fly at night, everyone stayed overnight at the Zhang Family’s place.
The Zhangs also slaughtered pigs and sheep, bringing out the most sumptuous dishes and drinks to feast the guests.
Early the next morning, the two parties bid farewell at the foot of the mountain. Chen Xuan specifically reminded Zhang Tiegong that if anything unusual happened here, or if the Zhang Family encountered difficulties, they could co to the South Suburban Manor in Chang’an City to seek his help.
The Zhang Family expressed their gratitude profusely.
Taking a helicopter back to the manor, Xu Xuanling was already waiting at the main building’s door with large bags. Chen Xuan asked Jiu and Hua to take her for a couple of laps around the manor to familiarize herself with the environnt while he discussed cultivation matters with Liu Shuyue.
The Wanshan Wilderness was not an option for now. Xu Xuanling was not a custor of the shop, and Chen Xuan didn’t want the Immortal Alliance to know that he possessed a vast, undeveloped land.
Yet, truly using the manor as a place for cultivation seed too makeshift, completely wasting these people’s talents.
The Only I am Venerable Sect at least needed to live up to its na.
Liu Shuyue thought for a mont and then said, "How about... we use my room as a ditation room for now? I’ll find so furniture to block the back door, then outsiders will just think it’s a small grotto heaven."
Having a small grotto heaven in the manor was already impressive, and indeed much better than the vast Wanshan Wilderness.
"How abundant is the Spiritual Qi in Room 201? Isn’t the Fu Jiaolu’s room comparable?" Chen Xuan asked curiously. He had also visited the latter’s room, which maintained a pure farmhouse style, with thatched roofs, a handmade wooden table, and various beast head decorations on the walls.
"It’s similar to the sea of clouds atop Kunlun Peak when it’s full, and it can maintain an abundant state at all tis, so it’s actually more useful than the ditation room at Lotus Cloud Sect." Liu Shuyue praised generously.
"In that case, we’ll have to inconvenience you for a while."
"It’s okay. If I have to stay in the shop, the sofa is also very comfortable." She smiled slightly.
The thought of Liu Shuyue falling asleep on the sofa made Chen Xuan’s heart skip a beat.
"Uh... that’s not necessary. You could sleep with Lin Qing. I’ve toured her room; the bed is quite large."
The only drawback is a bit of light pollution.
Suddenly, there was a commotion coming from the direction of the manor gate.
Chen Xuan and Liu Shuyue ca to the gate and found a gathering of over a dozen cultivators, with jade tokens hanging from their waists, clearly not here to apply for entry into the sect.
"What brings you all to visit the sect?" Chen Xuan asked.
Soone quickly recognized him, saluted with fists folded, and said, "Greetings Sect Leader Chen, we are here to inquire about the Demon Fiend causing havoc in the west."
"That’s right, we confird your background with the Immortal Alliance, and the Complete Map of Mountains, Seas, and Lands has been updated with the territory of France, so we want to learn precisely how far from Chang’an City to the Demon Fiend-infested western world one needs to travel?"
Hearing this, Chen Xuan felt gratified. It seems the earlier publicity from the tournant had an effect, as cultivators now want to take their chances in the west.
"I see." He smiled and said, "As far as I know, every year, there are trade caravans traveling between Chang’an and the Western Regions, taking half a year each way. And France is even further west, so it would likely take a whole year."
Upon hearing this, the cultivators revealed signs of withdrawal.
It would take a year just for the journey, and thereafter, one would be wandering for years without the Immortal Alliance’s protection. If they died at the hands of the Demon Fiend, wouldn’t there be no one to even collect their bodies?
Cultivators are humans too; they hope to return to where they belong after death and be buried beside their families.
Chen Xuan clearly understood this issue.
Or rather... the journey is the greatest obstacle to the Immortal Alliance supporting France.
He originally planned to address the issue of long distances after the sect competition, but given the faster-than-expected progress of the publicity, he could naturally adjust his plans slightly and prioritize the "Teleportation Gate" project.
"There’s no need to be troubled, our sect has its own way to spare you the long journey." Chen Xuan said calmly, "When the ti cos, it won’t take a year and a half. You’ll just need a few breaths to go from here to the Demon Fiend-infested Far Western Sea, to fight for the peace and tranquility of all humanity!"
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