Since returning from the He Family, Chu Keqing has shut herself in, except for the day she visited Chen Yan’s house to deliver those medicinal herbs. Elder Zi has since not stepped out.
Over these days, she has been diligently studying the Cloud Sect Technique that Chen Yan corrected for her. After Chen Yan pointed out and amended those errors in the technique, Chu Keqing felt that many long-standing obstacles began to unwedge within just a few days of practice. The bottlenecks that were previously impossible to break through due to incorrect handling of Primordial Qi saw some loosening after a few days.
Even her cultivation and Tao Practice had slightly improved!
She was pleasantly surprised and gained even more reverence for Chen Yan — she had been cultivating for twenty years, and had reached a bottleneck for the past few years. Despite tirelessly practicing every day, her cultivation hadn’t increased at all over the past two or three years.
Her daily cultivation was merely to maintain her Taoist cultivation from deteriorating. The path to progress seemed invisible.
Now, after just a few days, her cultivation has improved. How could Chu Keqing not feel excited and joyful?
Putting down the pen, Chu Keqing took a sip of the tea on the desk and frowned slightly — the tea had already turned cold.
She simply poured the cold tea into the brush washer, then got up and sat on the couch. Just as she was about to start meditating and channeling Primordial Qi, she suddenly felt a vibration on the tea table; her phone was blinking.
Seeing the name displayed, Chu Keqing raised an eyebrow and picked up to answer.
On the other end of the line was a voice full of vigor yet slightly old.
Chu Keqing spoke calmly, "Third Senior Brother, what do you need from me so late?"
On the other end, Third Senior Brother remained silent for a while before speaking slowly with a hint of reprimand, "I heard about what happened with Junior Brother Luo... You were too harsh in punishing him this time."
Chu Keqing’s expression did not change, and she replied indifferently, "Third Senior Brother, are you here to scold me for Luo Qing?"
Third Senior Brother spoke seriously, "I know Luo Qing has always been somewhat erratic in his actions since childhood. He has certainly given you countless headaches over the years alongside you. He made a mistake; a minor punishment would suffice. But such severe measures, were they truly necessary? After all, he is the only bloodline of our late master."
Chu Keqing chuckled softly and replied indifferently, "If Third Senior Brother is dissatisfied with my handling of him, I’ll send Luo Qing to Port City to stay with you so that you can personally guide him. With your daily teachings, I suppose he would sober up and not make foolish mistakes anymore?"
"..." Third Senior Brother was somewhat speechless, and then he laughed awkwardly, "I’m not blaming you, Junior Sister, don’t misunderstand. I just want to say..."
Chu Keqing took a deep breath, and a trace of Evil Qi appeared in her delicate face’s eyebrows, "That worthless Luo Qing, if he truly feels wronged by my judgments but dares not speak to me and only cries to you, seems breaking his legs was too lenient!"
After a pause, Chu Keqing continued coldly, "Do you know how much trouble Luo Qing caused this time? He nearly offended an immensely powerful outsider whom I cannot afford to offend! He almost made Cloud Sect miss out on an opportunity that could benefit our sect for generations!"
"If I hadn’t noticed the trouble and immediately taken full measures to remedy it... given that precursor’s ruthless methods, Luo Qing would currently face more than just broken legs."
Third Senior Brother’s tone also turned serious, "Luo Qing mentioned a bit... What kind of formidable person could make you compromise your family’s prestige?"
Chu Keqing sneered, "I’ll be blunt! I cannot afford to offend him! And neither can you! It’s best not to have any other notions, Third Senior Brother."
Third Senior Brother laughed dryly twice, "I’m not trying to defend Luo Qing, but regarding the opportunity you mentioned..."
Chu Keqing sighed lightly and replied indifferently, "It was just a matter of befriending the precursor well and establishing some goodwill. Seeing my respectful demeanor, he merely gave me some pointers on cultivation."
"... If that’s the case, such a benefit, Junior Sister, wasn’t it unnecessary to go to such lengths and make such concessions?"
"When encountering an opportunity, it’s best to thoroughly make efforts." Chu Keqing shook her head, "As for anything else, it’s up to fate."
Chen Yan corrected my technique, such a tremendous benefit, I have no intention of telling this Third Senior Brother!
Chu Keqing’s voice remained calm and indifferent, but inwardly she was sneering.
Years ago, when the master was dying and appointed me as Sect Leader, there were already hidden discontents.
Later when I assumed the role of Sect Leader, Third Senior Brother frequently opposed me, often using his seniority to pressure me.
After a major conflict, he directly stormed out and left Jinling Prefecture heading south to Port City.
Over the years, he has never returned to Jinling Prefecture, maintaining only a superficial contact, occasionally calling and making superficial gestures — yet still liking to brandish his seniority in front of me.
"Junior Sister, you’re not being truthful with me, are you? You have always been the shrewdest since childhood. If there wasn’t enough benefit, how could you make such significant concessions and posture so low?"
Chu Keqing’s face turned cold, and she responded icily, "Third Senior Brother, I have said all I need to say. Whether you believe it or not is up to you.
But I advise you, as you are successful and mingling with the powerful in Port City and have made quite a name for yourself... matters within Cloud Sect shall be managed by me as the Sect Leader, without troubling you."