Chapter 174: The Qin Clan
Gazing upon these two items, Song Yan felt a mixture of relief and apprehension.
He was relieved that the Twin Jade Pearl had gone undetected, yet troubled by the fact that the provenance of the Heretic Cultivator’s Chronicle would require considerable effort to explain.
If the other party were determined to make things difficult…
Then this matter would be impossible to clarify.
“Nephew Song, what is the function of this object? Would you enlighten this old man?”
Yang Wenxuan pointed at the mask and asked.
“Elder Yang, both this item and the Heretic Cultivator’s Chronicle were things I obtained after slaying demonic cultivators during the Changping affair.”
Song Yan had regained his composure. He spoke with neither servility nor arrogance. “The mask is no wondrous treasure. It merely uses spiritual energy to locate spiritual materials of the same attribute.”
“As for the Heretic Cultivator’s Chronicle, it is nothing more than a personal memoir. It contains no demonic cultivation techniques.”
“This disciple merely read it out of idle curiosity to broaden his knowledge.”
Yang Wenxuan furrowed his brow slightly.
He was well aware that Song Yan had slain numerous demonic cultivators during the Changping affair.
Strictly speaking, these were Song Yan’s spoils of war.
Though Yang Wenxuan could inspect his cosmos pouch under the pretext of oversight, so long as no demonic cultivator’s artifacts were found, he would absolutely have no grounds to confiscate anything.
That would violate protocol.
Yang Wenxuan picked up the Heretic Cultivator’s Chronicle and flipped casually through several pages.
Indeed, it contained no demonic cultivation techniques or heaven-defying forbidden arts.
And Song Yan’s explanation adequately accounted for why his spirit stone resources were somewhat more abundant than those of an ordinary cultivator.
Yang Wenxuan nodded and placed both items back into the cosmos pouch one by one.
Though the Heretic Cultivator’s Chronicle was a demonic cultivator’s possession, it involved no demonic cultivation methods. It was equivalent to a miscellaneous volume, a travelogue of sorts.
It fell into a gray area—something that could be confiscated, or not.
To Yang Wenxuan, it was entirely meaningless.
Having completed his inspection, he released his spiritual pressure and tossed the cosmos pouch back.
“Do not take offense, Nephew.”
He gave Song Yan a meaningful look. “The path of cultivation requires one to tread on solid ground.”
“One may borrow influence and leverage to walk a smoother path.”
“But there are certain shortcuts that must never be taken.”
Song Yan felt the oppressive pressure around him ease as he retrieved his cosmos pouch.
He hurriedly drew Xiao He into her arms.
He eyed the two of them with guarded wariness.
Yang Wenxuan continued. “Reading such demonic cultivator memoirs to broaden one’s experience is perfectly acceptable. But one must be careful not to be led astray and veer down the wrong path.”
Song Yan had wanted to offer a few words of rebuttal, but the other party’s accusation was baseless to begin with.
Even if he defended himself, he would only receive an admonition of “correct your mistakes if you have them, and take heed if you do not.”
“Heh…”
Song Yan let out a cold laugh. “This disciple naturally understands.”
“Forgive the disturbance today. I hope Nephew Song will not hold it against me.” Yang Wenxuan said no more and turned to leave. “Sheng’er, let us go.”
The two turned and departed from the small courtyard.
Watching their receding figures, Song Yan’s expression was grave.
“Yan Yan, who is that old man? How hateful he is! Rummaging through other people’s things!”
Xiao He said indignantly.
Song Yan stroked his head and spoke softly. “That man came with ill intent. We must be more careful in the future.”
He had never before been involved in these so-called factional struggles and had not imagined them to be so perilous.
The other party had issued a warning—a gentle tap on the knuckles—simply because of his refusal.
He could hardly imagine how exhausting it would be to become entangled in such conflicts.
He drew a deep breath and returned to his cave dwelling, immediately checking his cosmos pouch.
Fortunately, aside from the signs of having been rifled through, nothing was missing.
The Twin Jade Pearl was safe and sound.
“Yang Wenxuan…”
He murmured the name, pondering.
“I must inform Grandmother Qin about this matter.”
…
On the mountain path, Yang Wenxuan walked with his hands clasped behind his back, Qin Sheng following close behind.
Only when they were well beyond the vicinity of Song Yan’s dwelling did Qin Sheng finally venture to speak. “Master, why did you suddenly strike at him?”
“Even if he was unwilling to align with the Qin clan, there was no need to make an enemy of him…”
Yang Wenxuan glanced at her. “Do not call me Master. You are not worthy.”
Qin Sheng’s face froze.
“Y-yes. Elder Yang.”
Yang Wenxuan’s stride did not falter. He suddenly sneered. “Your sister, Qin Ying—how lofty are her standards?”
“Of all the Qi Refining disciples she has personally sought to recruit over the years, aside from Li Yi, he is only the second.”
“She could not persuade him. Neither could I. And he is Qin Xijun’s disciple.”
“A person like this requires no further effort.”
“The reason the Qin clan has been unable to expand its influence within the Eastern Abyss Sect for so long is precisely your indecisiveness.”
A harsh light flashed through Yang Wenxuan’s eyes. “Those who cannot be utilized need not be treated with courtesy.”
Qin Sheng fell silent.
Yang Wenxuan’s palm rose slowly, a wisp of spiritual energy floating above it.
“Moreover… there is something peculiar about this boy’s spiritual energy.”
This was the wisp of Song Yan’s spiritual energy he had intercepted earlier. Within it lurked a subtle sharpness.
“His spiritual energy is not pure. There seems to be sword qi within…”
During his earlier observation of the battle, he had assumed that the sword qi was merely some technique of condensing spiritual energy into the shape of a blade. He had not expected…
“Either he possesses a formidable treasure, or he has cultivated some demonic art…”
Yang Wenxuan gazed into the depths of the sea of clouds. “Since he is Qin Xijun’s disciple, then it is safe to assume that this person will inevitably stand opposed to the Qin clan.”
“Report today’s events to your clan elders in full.”
“Whether to attempt recruitment or to continue suppressing him—that is for you to decide.”
“But you must ensure that when the time comes for him to stand against the Qin clan, he does not grow so powerful that the clan cannot handle him alone.”
“Yes, Elder Yang.”
…
Several hours later, Song Yan arrived at the Jieyou General Store.
Before he could knock, a languid voice drifted from within. “What are you standing there for? Come in.”
Inside the shop, Qin Xijun was not behind the counter. Instead, she reclined upon a jade-green couch.
Her slender fingers toyed with medicine bottles and a few pills.
“Grandmother…”
“No respect. Call me Master.”
“Master…”
“Good disciple.”
She nodded with satisfaction. This time at the Sword Tempering Competition, little Song had given her considerable face before her sisters-in-arms.
She flicked a pill into a porcelain vial. “What is it? The final round is only days away, and yet you have time to seek me out?”
“There is something I must inform you about.”
Qin Xijun noticed something amiss.
The usually irreverent little Song wore a grave expression today.
“Master, how much do you know about Elder Yang Wenxuan?”
“Yang Wenxuan?”
Qin Xijun frowned slightly. “I know him, but not well. What happened?”
Song Yan recounted the details of Yang Wenxuan’s visit in full.
When he described the interception of his cosmos pouch, Qin Xijun suddenly sat bolt upright, a cold gleam flashing through her eyes. “How dare that Yang Wenxuan!”
“Inspecting my disciple? Does he think he has the right to search the belongings of Qin Xijun’s apprentice?”
Grandmother Qin was about to storm out on the spot to confront him, but Song Yan stopped her.
“Master, please do not be rash.”
His gaze was clear, devoid of either rage or indignation.
“If there is truly a grudge to be settled, I wish to resolve it myself.”
Having comprehended sword intent in the life-and-death struggle at Changpin, he now wished to rely on himself, on the flying sword within its case.
Not on his master. Not on his friends.
“Master, put your mind at ease. The machinations of Yang Wenxuan and the Qin clan will have no effect on this disciple.”
On the contrary—the trace of complacency that had crept in after forging his natal flying sword had been shattered by this incident.
What he must do now was cultivate diligently without rest and lay the foundation of the Dao!
When faced with humiliation and bullying, having one’s master step in to reclaim one’s honor was certainly a fine thing.
But on one hand, Qin Xijun had precisely because she wished to avoid further entanglement in sect affairs that she voluntarily relinquished her position as elder.
He did not wish to disturb her “retirement” and pull her back into the mire.
On the other hand, even if Qin Xijun intervened, it would likely prove of little use.
The Qin clan’s influence within the sect was already formidable.
This incident reminded Song Yan that even within the small confines of the Kingdom of Chu, the strength of the Qi Refining stage was far from sufficient to achieve true freedom.
He might as well use this event as a reminder and a spur.
He must not become complacent over a modicum of cultivation progress.
He must grow ever stronger, ever more refined!
“What this disciple wishes to know is…”
“Master, do you also have ties to the Qin clan?”
Song Yan suddenly shifted the topic, his gaze fixed intently upon Qin Xijun’s eyes.
Caught off guard by the question, Qin Xijun was momentarily dazed.
“…”
Then she sighed and finally nodded.
“That is correct. Like Qin Ying and Qin Sheng, I too hail from the Qin clan.”
“In terms of seniority, I am in fact their paternal aunt.”
Her expression was somewhat complicated, as though she were reluctant to acknowledge this fact.
She spoke slowly. “The Qin clan established its ancestral hall in Southern Chu nearly four hundred years ago.”
Four centuries was not particularly long for a cultivation family possessing over a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators.
The Yan clan of Northern Chu, it seemed, boasted a history of nearly a millennium.
Qin Xijun appeared to hold certain indescribable emotions toward the “family” in which she had grown up.
A look of reminiscence surfaced in her eyes.
“When I was young, the Qin clan ranked last among the four great cultivation families.”
“At that time, the Qin clan and another family, the Hu clan, were evenly matched in strength.”
“Generation after generation labored with determination, all so that the Qin clan might grow ever stronger and secure its footing in this devouring world.”
“From the branch family members to the clan elders…”
“Everyone was a part of the Qin clan, and everyone was proud to have been born into the Qin family.”
Song Yan listened in silence. In truth, this was not what he had originally wished to know when he asked.
But these were the memories of Grandmother Qin—the only elder kin he had in this world.
“If a disciple of the clan was found to possess a respectable spirit root, they would be sent to a sect.”
“Long ago, all six great sects had members of the Qin clan among their ranks. Later, for various reasons, only the Xuan Yuan Sect, the Hanging Sword Mountain, and the current Eastern Abyss Sect remained.”
“Back then, I was the one the clan elders sent to the Eastern Abyss Sect.”
“My dual spirit root talent naturally placed me among the finest in the clan, and coupled with my own fortuitous encounters, my cultivation advanced with remarkable speed.”
“In a mere five or six years, I was already preparing for Foundation Establishment.”
Song Yan’s face betrayed no emotion, but inwardly he sighed.
The world was truly unjust.
Some spent their entire lives trapped at the three barriers of late-stage Qi Refining.
While others could cultivate from mortals to the ninth level of Qi Refining in five or six years.
Qin Xijun suddenly laughed bitterly. “It was also from that time onward that the clan elders’ thinking began to change.”
“At that time, the clan had a full three Foundation Establishment cultivators within the Eastern Abyss Sect.”
“After I succeeded in Foundation Establishment, that number rose to four. Consider—the entire Qin clan, both main and branch families combined, possessed only eight Foundation Establishment cultivators in total.”
“The clan elders wished to use those four Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Eastern Abyss Sect as a foundation to expand their influence.”
“To recruit and befriend those cultivators within the sect who lacked backing and resources, yet possessed considerable talent.”
At this point, Qin Xijun added. “This was not a bad thing.”
As she said this, she looked at Song Yan. Her gaze was nothing like that of a powerful elder or an exalted master.
It was simply that of a “person” seeking validation.
“…”
Song Yan nodded. “For a family seeking rapid growth, this is perfectly normal.”
Receiving this response, Qin Xijun’s mood seemed to ease somewhat.
She continued. “I naturally did as the other three did and gave my full support.”
“Over the years, the Qin clan indeed built an extensive network within the sect.”
“Several Foundation Establishment cultivators even became guest elders of the Qin clan.”
“But…”
Everything hinged on the word “but.”
“The means by which the Qin clan recruited people grew increasingly underhanded, increasingly despicable.”
Qin Xijun leaned back with a slight sigh. Song Yan could sense the deep helplessness within her.
“Ah, let us not speak of it.”
“I argued with the clan elders time and again. Some among them were willing to stop at nothing for the clan’s ‘prosperity.'”
“Others were caught in the game, unable to act of their own will.”
“At first, I too deceived myself, telling myself that the Qin clan did this for the sake of future generations.”
“But the clan grew ever more extreme. In recent years, I could no longer bear the torment in my heart. I ceased assisting the Qin clan and, in fact, relinquished my position as elder.”
She looked at Song Yan. “That is part of the reason I did not let you become Qin Ying’s disciple.”
“The Qin Ying of today is who I was back then.”
“Except she is an obedient chess piece. A useful puppet.”
Song Yan furrowed his brows.
He had never imagined that this matter would involve such complexity.
“What truly drove me to sever all ties with the clan was the discovery that in recent years, a certain ‘spirit pill’ had appeared within the family—one that could enhance a disciple’s cultivation talent.”
Hmm?
Song Yan’s eyes narrowed, somewhat puzzled. “Enhance cultivation talent?”
Unless one possessed a special inheritance like his own Sword Sect lineage, the talent that primarily influenced cultivation speed was the spirit root.
But to enhance the quality of one’s spirit root?
“Indeed. As far as I know, it was under the influence of this spirit pill that Qin Ying’s cultivation speed approached that of a single spirit root cultivator.”
It sounded like something out of a fever dream.
How could such a thing exist in this world…
Suddenly, Song Yan’s thoughts ground to a halt.
He recalled a type of pill he had confiscated from a band of demonic cultivators several years ago.
The pill known as the Spirit Transformation Blood Pill.
Consuming it allowed a mortal without any cultivation talent to develop a special set of meridians within their body, thereby granting them the opportunity to cultivate up to the third level of Qi Refining.
It was not the same as what Qin Xijun described.
Yet it seemed that aside from supreme-grade natural treasures, only demonic cultivation pills could produce such heaven-defying effects.