Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Qin Yu drew in a deep breath, “It's fine. For them to use Hidden Tiger Lagoon to kill someone and then try to shift blame onto you, it can be seen that even though they are a formidable secret influence, they still have a great deal of caution and don’t dare to do anything too reckless. To you and me, this is good news.”

Yun Die’s eyes widened, her heart moved. “Teacher…teacher…you aren’t driving me away…” Even if her teacher didn’t force her away, she believed he would still send her back to Midmorning City so that he wouldn’t be implicated by her in the future.

“After I destroyed their plans last night, I had already become their enemy. Even if you leave, I won’t necessarily be able to avoid trouble.” Qin Yu’s expression softened. “Moreover, you are my disciple. As your teacher, I need to protect you as best as I can.”

With Yun Die by his side, it was no different from him personally wielding the Chaotic Sky Chronicle. If they joined forces he would be a true Grand Expert. Even when facing such a powerful hidden influence, with his status he should be able to contend with them.

And the Beast King War of the Seven Sects was starting soon. If he had Yun Die’s help, the Hidden Fog Sect’s chances of victory would be much higher.

Qin Yu had his own considerations. But in Yun Die’s point of view, her teacher was someone who didn’t covet her treasure nor did he covet her beauty. Rather, he was willing to protect her and shelter her from danger…wuwu, her teacher was really too good, there was no better teacher in the world!

Her eyes reddened and shimmered with tears. Yun Die respectfully bowed down and said, “If this disciple remains safe, it will all be because of teacher’s asylum. Even if I will meet a cruel death in the future, I will repay teacher’s kindness!”

Seeing Yun Die kneel in place and present such a moving image, Qin Yu looked to the side, feeling that this whole situation was awkward. He couldn’t help but think that this time, he was afraid he had maxed out his favorability in this young disciple’s heart.

While he had no other thoughts toward Yun Die, this didn’t stop Qin Yu from feeling refreshed. Perhaps this was the biological instincts of all male creatures. When facing the beautiful aesthetics of women, it was difficult to not feel anything.

…

Zhou Li stood outside the reception pavilion, hesitating for a moment before stepping inside. This young girl had originally come from a small village in the mountains, but as her status and identity changed, coupled with her cultivation that increased with every day, she had become far more beautiful.

At this time, she wore a light blue dress. With her slender figure and the gorgeous accessories she wore, she gave off a noble temperament.

Strictly speaking, Zhou Li’s current clothing had exceeded the category of a maid. This sort of behavior was originally taboo. Everything in this world had its rules; how could a maid dress so well?

But Feng Qing treated her well. Not only did she trust her, but she even treated her with a closeness akin to a sister. For instance, this dress that Zhou Li wore as well as her accessories were gifts given to her by Feng Qing. Due to this, no one would point them out.

Right now, everyone in Sky Declaring Pavilion knew how highly Miss Feng Qing regarded her maid. No one dared to look down on her.

“Miss, I have returned.”

Feng Qing nodded. Looking at her pretty appearance, she furrowed her eyebrows a little. She wanted to say something but in the end only sighed faintly.

Someone was pursuing Zhou Li. She had investigated in secret and it was indeed an outstanding young man who also came from a good background.

If it weren’t for that, Feng Qing would have already secretly taken action and chased away the person who was trying to get close to Zhou Li.

Zhou Li had had pursuers before, but this time was clearly different. Feng Qing could tell that Zhou Li wasn’t disgusted by this young man, and the way she dressed up today was the best proof of that – a woman would dress up for someone they liked!

In all fairness, if she considered things for purely her own interests, Feng Qing should stop her. But after spending so much time with Zhou Li, she really had come to like her.

After hesitating over and over, Feng Qing chose to remain silent. She didn’t stop Zhou Li nor did she encourage her.

In the end, Qin Yu had never expressed that he had any feelings toward Zhou Li.

She couldn’t ruin a beautiful marriage that might belong to Zhou Li just because of her own worries.

Zhou Li lowered her head. She occasionally looked over, fiddling with her hands.

Feng Qing smiled, “You can speak openly.”

Zhou Li blushed. “I knew I couldn’t hide the truth from miss…I…if it’s possible, I would like to request a vacation for several days.”

Feng Qing asked, “What, do you want to go home? Yes, to have two old people living on their own is very worrying. You may go and ask them. If they are willing, they can come and stay in Midmorning City.”

“Thank you, miss!” Zhou Li’s flushed red. “I was indeed thinking of visiting grandma and grandpa. But before then…I should be going with Ji Yun to the Eastern Plains…he has invited me many times to go watch the Beast King War of the Seven Sects. Miss, you should know that my dream is to become a true beast trainer…so I agreed…”

Feng Qing’s complexion darkened. “Your relationship with Ji Yun has already…”

“Ah!” Zhou Li shouted out loud, “Miss, you can’t just say that! We are only friends, there is nothing else between us!”

Feng Qing felt relieved. Although she wouldn’t stop the two of them, she didn’t want their relationship to progress too quickly.

Qin Yu had secretly gone to the Hidden Fog Sect. Although he hadn’t clearly stated his reason, with Feng Qing’s intelligence it wasn’t hard for her to guess.

He should also be planning on participating in the Beast King War of the Seven Sects. If he saw Zhou Li and Ji Yun going to observe the competition together, he would naturally understand everything. At that time, whether he would help them would be his decision to make.

After coming to a decision, Feng Qing nodded, “Alright, I will authorize your vacation time. Go out and enjoy yourself…but, you must be especially careful when it comes to matters between men and women. I believe you understand what I am saying.”

Zhou Li was embarrassed but also happy. She stamped her feet, “Miss is speaking nonsense again! I’m going to ignore you. I’m leaving!” She turned around and left like a butterfly.

Looking at her back, Feng Qing sighed. She didn’t know whether she should feel happy or regretful for Zhou Li.

Even if Qin Yu once felt something for Zhou Li in his heart, if he were to see her together with Ji Yun, that last spark should be completely extinguished.

…

In the Dark Parliament’s mysterious and gloomy hall, six Senators gathered together once more. Oriole’s young voice was flooded with anger.

“Before you even implemented your stupid plan, I already expected failure. But, I never thought you would make such a careless mistake and almost expose the existence of the Dark Parliament!

“Because of your failure, the arrangements that we placed in Hidden Tiger Lagoon over dozens of years have been completely destroyed. Someone needs to take responsibility for this!”

Limitless bleakly said, “Our losses are indeed great this time. Moreover, Hidden Tiger Lagoon seems to have obtained some kind of evidence. The Dark Parliament must resolve this issue as soon as possible, otherwise with the way Hidden Tiger Lagoon acts, the Dark Parliament will face the risk of being exposed.”

It was clear that this was further trouble.

Moon Shadow’s faint and ethereal voice seemed to come from far away. “The failure of this mission is because I didn’t consider things well enough. I will make sure to process the matter of Hidden Tiger Lagoon.”

Sage nodded. “Then Senator Moon Shadow will be responsible for this matter.” He swept his eyes across the hall. “Everyone, there are many reasons why the second attempt failed. However, the main point is that we weren’t able to discover that Ning Qin possessed strength at the Grand Expert boundary.

“But luckily our efforts didn’t go in the wrong direction. The treatment plan that Yun Die put forth to the Hidden Fog Sect to treat the dark star ice serpent has been confirmed to possess a formidable effect. It undoubtedly stems from the Chaotic Sky Chronicle.”

Oriole sneered, “I propose once more that we immediately exert pressure on Ning Qin and force him to hand over Yun Die…I think that no Senator here will object to the motion this time!”

Limitless said, “Now that the matter of Hidden Tiger Lagoon has been exposed, Ning Qin must suspect something. We cannot wait any longer.” He raised a hand, “I approve of Senator Oriole’s proposition.”

This time, no one objected. The motion passed with six votes in favor.

Oriole excitedly said, “Since I raised this issue, then I will handle it. I will accomplish the Dark Parliament’s goal in the shortest time possible and obtain the Chaotic Sky Chronicle.”

She looked at Sage. The latter was silent for several breaths of time and then he slowly nodded, “Of course. But I hope Senator Oriole will be discreet.”

This was a vague warning.

Senator Jasmine’s premonition seemed to have been verified. But, he was afraid that being a Grand Expert level beast trainer still wasn’t Ning Qin’s bottom line.

Oriole’s figure blew apart and dispersed, the flames flying back to the torches. Her laughter echoed through the hall, “This is my business, so I won’t bother Sage for guidance!”

Limitless quietly chuckled. “Then, I will be waiting for the good news.”

The third meeting ended. Quiet waves began to roll towards the Hidden Fog Sect.