Translator – Misty

Chapter 40: Agreement
  
In the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect, at the back mountain, in the Hidden Spirit Garden.

Huo De sat alone in the garden, drinking sullenly. Glancing at the sun in the sky, he realized it was already noon and cursed under his breath.

“What time is it already, and this kid is still sleeping.”

He stood up intending to wake Gu Qingfeng but then thought better of it. Since he had been playing the part of a subservient ‘grandson’ for so many days, a few more wouldn’t make a difference. Moreover, Huo De was prepared to continue this role until Gu Qingfeng agreed.

Ever since he learned that Jin De and Shui De were scheming for the position of sect leader, Huo De hadn’t had a single day of peace. Over the years, he had nurtured disciples, but alas, they either died or were injured, disappeared without a trace, or were found dead in the streets. He knew that all these were the doings of Jin De and Shui De.

But what good did knowing do?

None.

He was a straightforward man, lacking in cunning and without any backing or power of his own. Furthermore, he had been injured during the Catastrophic Calamity of the Heavens and had yet to fully recover. In many matters, he was helpless. If not for his many old friends in the Qingyang region, whether he could have survived until now was uncertain.

Originally, he was prepared to fight to the death with Jin De and Shui De if it came to that.

But he never expected Gu Qingfeng to appear suddenly.

This gave him hope.

Truthfully, if it weren’t for a lack of options, Huo De wouldn’t want to ask this favor of Gu Qingfeng, because he knew more than anyone the hardships Gu Qingfeng endured in his youth at the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect. After Gu Qingfeng made a name for himself, not destroying the sect was already a great mercy. Now, asking him to help the sect was indeed putting Gu Qingfeng in a difficult position.

Moreover, Gu Qingfeng was left with nothing after being judged by the Heavenly Dao… Not only could Huo De not help him in any way, but he was also making things harder for him.

It really was somewhat unfair to Gu Qingfeng.

He could completely understand why Gu Qingfeng needed time to consider.

Huo De sighed heavily and began to drink from the jar more vigorously.

“Why are you drinking alone and sulking at noon?”

Hearing the voice, Huo De knew that Gu Qingfeng had finally gotten up. Looking over, he indeed saw the young man, dressed only in a single layer of clothing, standing at the doorway, stretching and yawning, appearing half-asleep.

“Hey, Great Ancestor Gu, it’s still early, why are you up already?”

Huo De said sarcastically, a bit annoyed.

“What, got tired of playing the ‘grandson’ role after just a few days?” Gu Qingfeng laughed. “Not planning to ask for my help anymore?”

“Don’t get cheeky just because you’re getting a bargain.” Huo De stood up, gulping down another mouthful of wine angrily. “I can’t keep up this act anymore, are you going to help or not? Give me a straight answer!”

Gu Qingfeng just smiled and didn’t speak, instead beginning to wash up.

Seeing Gu Qingfeng ignoring him, Huo De, who had been acting tough, suddenly softened and quickly went over with a flattering smile, fanning Gu Qingfeng with a fan.

“Great Lord Gu, I was wrong… Shall I continue to play the ‘grandson’ for you?”

“You are my revered ancestor.”

Huo De began to thick-facedly flatter and plead for mercy.

Gu Qingfeng remained silent, finished washing up, and dressed properly. He looked at Huo De, shook his head, and sighed, “Let’s go.”

Go? Where?

Such a vague statement left Huo De confused.

“Aren’t you asking for my help? Shouldn’t we at least find a place to discuss it?”

“You… Gu… you…”

Perhaps because happiness came too quickly and unexpectedly, Huo De was somewhat at a loss for words: “You… you agreed?”

“You’ve been playing the great grandson for so many days, how could I not agree!”

“Gu… you! I!”

Overwhelmed, Huo De’s eyes reddened.

“Getting emotional already?” Gu Qingfeng walked over and patted his shoulder. “Come on, a grown man crying, let’s go.”

“You… don’t you want to think about it a few more days… I didn’t force you!”

Huo De genuinely hoped Gu Qingfeng would agree, but at the same time, he hoped he wouldn’t.

His hope stemmed from having no other choice but to turn to Gu Qingfeng.

His reluctance was because he knew the suffering Gu Qingfeng endured in his youth at the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect, and agreeing to help now seemed too unfair to him.

“I’ve thought it through, no need to think anymore.”

Gu Qingfeng replied indifferently.

He indeed did not need to consider any further.

Because he had never considered it in the first place.

When Huo De asked for help, Gu Qingfeng had already agreed in his heart. His claim of needing time to think was merely a playful tease.

In Gu Qingfeng’s heart, Huo De was his lifesaver. If Huo De was in trouble, Gu Qingfeng would never refuse to help.

Huo De was overwhelmed with joy and immediately ran to the sect leader’s dwelling to share the news. Tu De, upon learning of this, cried tears of gratitude and bowed repeatedly in thanks. Gu Qingfeng, seeing his weakened state, advised him to rest, but Tu De refused to budge, insisting on kneeling to atone and express his gratitude.

In a fit of anger, Gu Qingfeng knocked him unconscious and had Huo De carry him back.

When Huo De returned, the two of them drank and discussed the specifics of their plan.

Initially, Gu Qingfeng thought it would be simple enough for the sect leader, Tu De, to appoint him as the Heir-Apparent Disciple. Anyone who objected could be dealt with on the spot through sheer force.

Gu Qingfeng wasn’t a proponent of violence, but after five hundred years of cultivation, he understood that force was often the most effective and quickest solution. All schemes were useless in the face of overwhelming power.

However, his idea was rejected by Huo De.

“Ancestor! Things can’t be done like that. Our Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect may seem insignificant to you, but it has a thousand years of heritage. The position of the Heir-Apparent Disciple is a significant matter, something that cannot be decided rashly.” Huo De poured a cup of wine for Gu Qingfeng and continued, “Not to mention that you are not a disciple of our sect. Even if you were, the sect leader doesn’t have the authority to appoint you as the Heir-Apparent Disciple without following proper procedures. Otherwise, the members of our sect won’t accept it.”

“People are already trying to usurp the position of sect leader, and you still want to follow procedures? Huo De, are you out of your mind?”

“Ancestor, let me explain. Even if we force your appointment as the Heir-Apparent Disciple, then what? Shui De and Jin De will definitely oppose it, accusing us of not following procedures. They will appear justified, and others in the sect will side with them.”

“If you resort to force, Shui De and Jin De, driven into a corner, will rebel with their followers. Remember, they control half of the sect’s power. If they rebel, many will join them. Since we didn’t follow procedures, those who are neutral will also likely side with Shui De and Jin De.”

“Moreover, our sect has maintained complex relationships with surrounding sects and families for many years. If we act rashly, we’ll destroy these relationships, causing them to side with Shui De and Jin De. In such a scenario, even if we regain the position of sect leader, what’s the point? It would leave the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect isolated and ruin years of hard work.”

Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng pondered and realized there was some truth to it. Having spent much time in the Heavenly Realm, he had forgotten that the mortal world was a place of intricate relationships. A sect like the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect, with over a thousand years of history, had deep roots and extensive branches. As Huo De said, the sect was deeply entangled in the web of relationships within the Qingyang region.

“So what do you propose?”

“Jin De and Shui De have indeed gathered a lot of support over the years, but most people in our sect are reasonable. They know that if the sect falls into their hands, disaster will follow. It’s just that everyone lacks a leader, someone credible and qualified to contest for the position of the Heir-Apparent Disciple.”

“And then?”

Gu Qingfeng continued to listen while sipping his drink.

“As long as they realize that you, Ancestor, are qualified, I will step in to… persuade them. Then everything will be settled.”

“So you’re saying I should flaunt my abilities? And this show of strength can’t give Shui De and Jin De any fault to find, yet it must convince the rest of the sect?”

Huo De excitedly nodded: “Yes, exactly!”

“When I was young, I flaunted my abilities many times. But to do so in a way that’s both reasonable and convincing… that’s not easy.”

“There’s no difficulty at all, especially not for you. Just follow the procedures, and no one will be able to fault you. So, tomorrow I’ll give you the status of a menial worker. The day after, you’ll participate in the Outer Sect examination. Once you become an Outer Sect disciple, you’ll strive to become the chief of one of the Twelve Courtyards of the Outer Sect. After that, aim for the position of chief disciple in the Nine Halls of the Inner Sect… Going through this process, I believe no one will question your credibility.”

“All this trouble?” Gu Qingfeng frowned, slightly displeased. “I’m already so old, and you want me to compete with a bunch of kids?”

“Ancestor… this is the only way, there’s no alternative.” Huo De stood up, poured another cup of wine for Gu Qingfeng, and said, “And don’t underestimate those kids. Remember how I got injured? You’ve always asked me about it. I didn’t want to say because I was afraid you’d laugh at me. My dantian was injured by a demon during the Catastrophic Calamity, but my Golden Core was damaged by a newly established True Body disciple of our sect.”

“Damaged by a newly established True Body disciple?” Gu Qingfeng looked Huo De up and down, disbelieving. “Are you kidding me? Even if your dantian was severely injured, your Golden Core contained hundreds of years of spiritual power. How could a new True Body disciple harm you? Huo De, do you think I’m a three-year-old?”

(End of Chapter)