Chapter 142: Chapter 74: Aren’t You a Bit Early?

The latest decision announced by the Ancestral Hall will be made public tomorrow at noon, but it has already been widely discussed since yesterday. It’s like when there’s a new official policy — before the documents are formally issued, rumors are already flying all over at the grassroots level.

After seeing off Senior Lin Qingshuang post-dinner, He Kao made a trip to the Construction Bank, then hastily headed to the hospital. He was there to deliver the house deed to Yao Shaolan, having been told by Miao Shaolan to bring it directly over.

What is the relationship between Miao Shaolan and Qian Guran? He Kao, Gao Xue’e, and Huang Xiaopang were all curious, but they refrained from asking questions, understanding that what goes on between others is none of their business.

However, He Kao couldn’t help but have questions about Old Qian’s “condition” and Lawyer Yao’s identity, especially since the words Lawyer Yao said before they left seemed suspicious.

The doctor supposedly instructed that Qian Guran needed rest and requested that coworkers avoid disturbing him too much. Even when He Kao offered to come in shifts to watch over him, he was politely but firmly refused by Yao Shaolan.

From He Kao’s limited knowledge, he understood that a situation like Qian Guran’s typically needed familiar people around to talk and provide external stimulation for a better and quicker recovery.

Therefore, Old Qian’s condition should be quite special, and Yao Shaolan’s identity should also be that of a Sorcerer. This was confirmed when he met Lin Qingshuang over lunch.

Yao Shaolan was also a Qi Observation Sect disciple, her current level Tier Two Broker, theoretically Qian Guran’s junior sister but practically his disciple. As for the two of them, it was nothing more than a pure… male-female relationship.

This wasn’t He Kao gossiping, but rather Lin Qingshuang brought it up himself, after which He Kao asked a couple of questions.

As a Sorcerer, Qian Guran naturally wanted his close ones to learn the Technique, so he taught Yao Shaolan in secret. As it happened, Yao Shaolan had this aptitude and actually reached the Entry Level.

Magic Sect has customary rules regarding mentor-student heritage, requiring a twenty-year age gap between mentor and student. Old Qian was only six years older than Yao Shaolan, which was evidently unsuitable.

In such situations, it was usually simple: have your own master accept them as a disciple, thus acquiring a junior sister for oneself.

But since Qian Guran’s master was no longer alive, he sought out his senior master and gave him a generous gift, making Yao Shaolan his disciple.

The senior master, already advanced in age, soon passed away without getting the chance to teach Yao Shaolan anything, so her Technique skills were all taught by Qian Guran himself.

In the afternoon, He Kao returned to the hospital bearing things. The main entrance, as well as the inpatient department, looked normal, with no one blocking the way. He wondered how Lin Qingshuang got stopped.

The Sect Law Hall Elders ordered that no Magic Sect Disciple should engage with Qian Guran, yet it seemed there was no oversight here, and even if there was, how would they identify who is a Magic Sect Disciple?

Questions flashed briefly through his mind, but this was none of his concern… Old Qian in the ward remained the same; He Kao took out the house deed and handed it to Yao Shaolan, then brought out the pair of golden paperweights.

Yao Shaolan said, surprised, “Just giving me the house deed is enough, there’s no need for this.”

He Kao explained, “Here’s the thing, I’d also like you to convert this pair of golden paperweights into cash; any fees should come from there.

Additionally, without knowing when Old Qian will wake up, the costs seem quite expensive, and in case of any urgent needs, I’d like to be of assistance.

Once Old Qian is discharged after recovery, whatever remains after all the expenses, you can give it back to me then.”

Yao Shaolan exclaimed, “This is a family heirloom, you really don’t keep it for yourself!”

He Kao sighed, “I can’t call it an heirloom; I’ve never seen it since childhood, just a relic. Regardless of what it is, it should serve a purpose. If hidden away in a safety box, it’s no different from non-existent.”

Having gone through recent turmoil, He Kao seemed to have gained some enlightenment, seeing through many things. He received the relic in the safe, and soon after nearly lost his life… What good are the items if one loses their life?

Moreover, he felt guilt towards Old Qian, as well as towards Xiaopang and Gao Xue’e. But since Xiaopang and President E seemed to be doing well for now, yet here Old Qian lay.

Before the incident, Old Qian still remembered to ask his junior sister to help deal with that house. If he didn’t do something, He Kao couldn’t get past that hurdle in his mind, and the most useful thing he could offer at present was this pair of golden paperweights.

Yao Shaolan looked over at the bedridden Qian Guran, then at He Kao, her expression tinged with understanding: “This morning, your company’s high executives came and left a ten thousand gift envelope.

But you, just like that, bring forth a sum of several million. This friend of yours, Old Qian definitely didn’t make friends in vain, nor is his suffering unjustified. While the sentiment is appreciated, there’s absolutely no need for such a valuable item…”

As she spoke these words, it was clear she intended to decline, but at this moment, a voice suddenly echoed in Yao Shaolan’s mind: “This young man is really nice, quite rare! Just keep the items here, I like them very much.”

Yao Shaolan immediately reconsidered and said, “If you trust me, leave them here first. Once these matters are settled, I’ll return them to you, and if you still want them converted to cash, I can help you then.”

In that office on the top floor, Gu Chun asked, “What do you think of that pair of paperweights?”

Wild Phoenix: “Such great items, especially with the engraved plum branch design, so beautiful. I find myself quite fond of it at first glance.”

Gu Chun teased, “You really got your eyes on that handsome guy, wanting both him and his wealth?”

Wild Phoenix: “Do I look like someone who takes advantage? If he wants to sell those paperweights, I’m willing to offer double the gold price, even just for those two plum blossoms on it!”

Gu Chun: “So generous indeed, does this mean you’re willing to let him take advantage of you?”

Wild Phoenix stood with pride, “I’d spend a fortune just to be happy! Seeing that he’s both handsome and of stellar character, I’m willing to be taken advantage of, not convinced?”

At this moment, Gu Chun suddenly furrowed his brow, got up, circled around the desk, walked to the window, and said softly, “Wan Zhongle!” He then turned to look inside the room, and Wild Phoenix had already left.

Wan Zhongle, in his fifties this year, looked to be under forty, with a square face, tall build, and dignified appearance; in short, he had a very good image.

He is the practical steward of the Alchemy Sect, a shrewd and capable person who handles many affairs within the sect daily. He especially manages cultivation resources such as Peiyuan Pills, earning flattery from many and envy from more.

Wan Zhongle knows many people have their eyes on him, waiting to find his faults, especially during sensitive times like this. Yet, he still walked into the hospital with determination, exuding an energetic demeanor, even in every strand of hair.

Just as Wan Zhongle reached the parking lot in front of the outpatient department building, he was stopped by a curvaceous woman.

Wild Phoenix reproached, “Wan Zhongle, why are you here? I have clearly communicated that disciples of the Magic Sect are not to approach Qian Guran, nor enter this hospital!”

Wan Zhongle wore an angry expression: “I came to see Qian Guran! Since the Ancestral Hall won’t let me, then I’ll ask the two elders.

My disciple Liang Kai disappeared in Qi Yuan and remains missing. He sneaked into Qi Yuan without authorization, likely with malicious intent, and is suspected of attempting to harm Lin Hua Lei. It’s my failure in teaching, and I’m deeply ashamed.

However, I sent my direct disciple Zhao Hai Zhen to Qi Yuan to investigate this matter. Just as he found some clues, he suddenly also went missing. I also heard that he wasn’t the only Magic Sect disciple to disappear in Qi Yuan.

By what fault of Zhao Hai Zhen has this occurred? Has the Ancestral Hall found any concrete evidence? I’ve heard the latest decision is that if the missing disciples do not return in a month, they will temporarily be removed from the rolls. Is that fair to him?

He did not enter Qi Yuan without authorization but was executing the orders of the sect. We do not know what change of events caused him to lose contact. If a disciple goes missing while on a sect mission, shouldn’t the sect be concerned about their wellbeing instead of removing them from the rolls?

Among the missing Magic Sect disciples in Qi Yuan, only Qian Guran has floated down the river to be rescued at Jinshan Temple. What about the others, including Zhao Hai Zhen? Could they have perished in the river with no trace to be found?

What did they encounter, and who is responsible? I fear only Qian Guran knows now. Naturally, I want to ask him clearly, but since I am not allowed to see him, I ask that the two elders investigate this thoroughly.

If Zhao Hai Zhen was executing a sect mission and met with disaster, I plead with the Ancestral Hall for a just ruling, so that many disciples do not become disheartened!

I am also aware of the Ancestral Hall’s order that Magic Sect disciples should not enter this hospital. Since I entered, I’ve prepared to be punished, preferring to be reprimanded by the Ancestral Hall to get these words out!”

Wan Zhongle stood with a stiff neck and a formidable presence, and more importantly, what he said was completely reasonable! These were likely the sentiments of many Magic Sect disciples, and Steward Wan had become their spokesperson at this moment.

Elder Ye, with hands clasped behind her back, squinted slightly and said calmly, “Some things, Steward Wan, you might have misunderstood or heard wrongly.

When has the Ancestral Hall ever been indifferent to the life and death of disciples? Nor did it ever prevent anyone from investigating the whereabouts of missing disciples. The truth is quite the opposite of what you said; the latest decision is to urge everyone to find out the current situation of all disciples.

Some Magic Sect disciples live such obscure lives that even the sect’s stewards, their respected elders, or close relatives know nothing about what they do or even whether they are alive or dead!

Had it not been for the Ancestral Hall’s decision, who would have thought so many disciples were unaccounted for, living their lives in such opaqueness even to their closest kin and elders!

Wan Zhongle, as far as I know, wasn’t it the Ancestral Hall who notified you about Zhao Hai Zhen’s disappearance? Not the other way around!

He went missing; did the Ancestral Hall hide him away? Whose responsibility is it to investigate his whereabouts? You sent the person; you should investigate the matter thoroughly and give an explanation to the Ancestral Hall.

You lost someone and come to me complaining? Am I here to babysit for you?”

The last sentence was classic Elder Ye style, well-known to everyone, but her words also stood unchallenged. Not about fists, just rationale, and hers seemed more substantial.

Wan Zhongle evidently wasn’t here to debate her. He immediately lowered his head and said, “It is my oversight, and if there is offense, I am willing to accept punishment. But those words came from the bottom of my heart and had to be spoken!”

Wild Phoenix: “This is not just about offending me; it’s about violating the Ancestral Hall’s order and misconstruing its intent!

Allowing you to finish what you had to say while standing was a gesture of leniency, given that two of your disciples are missing and, as their master, you have to investigate; it’s understandable.

But there’s something you might have forgotten, Steward Wan. May I ask what tier you currently are?”

Wan Zhongle paused, “Still a Tier Five Medicine Gatherer, not yet breaking through to Tier Six.”

“I represent the Ancestral Hall in ordering that sorcerers of Tier Four and above from various Magic Sects must not enter Qi Yuan recently unless there’s a necessity, in which case they must clarify their reasons and report to the Ancestral Hall.

Steward Wan, did you apply to the Ancestral Hall before coming to Qi Yuan this time? Why do I know nothing about it?” As she spoke, Elder Gu Chun also approached, carrying a cane in his hand.

Wan Zhongle paused again, “Elder Gu, your order was only temporary. Once the Ancestral Hall issued the latest command, that restriction wasn’t in place anymore. Have you forgotten?”

Prohibiting Tier Four sorcerers and above from entering Qi Yuan was indeed only temporary; it doesn’t make sense for it to be permanent. Once the Ancestral Hall’s latest command was issued, the previous ban was naturally lifted. Otherwise, some things would be hard to investigate.

Wild Phoenix said coldly, “Steward Wan, aren’t you early? The Ancestral Hall’s very latest command hasn’t been announced yet, and if it were to be announced, that would be tomorrow!”

**

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep