Chapter 65 — The Past
劍問蒼天 · Page 1 of 6
~r期:~09月21r~
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No one knew when it began, but the atmosphere in the net had somehow grown oppressive. Tian Buhui slowly straightened, his expression shifting unpredictably, impossible to tell what he was thinking.
Xiao Yichen was silent for a while, then said: "Uncle Tian, I hesitated over this matter for a long time, but I thought it would be wrong to keep it from you..."
Tian Buhui drew a deep breath and nodded: "Nephew Xiao, I understand your meaning. My thanks to you."
Xiao Yichen nodded, then seemed to recall something and said: "Uncle Tian, I see that although Brother Zhang knows the Nether King and his daughter, he does not appear to have entered the evil path. It is only that the demon cult's people are treacherous and vicious, and Brother Zhang is still young—I fear there is a good chance he is in some danger."
Tian Buhui gave a cold snort, his face frost-white, and said coldly: "That beast—wait till I get back and see how I teach him a lesson!"
Xiao Yichen glanced at him and said: "Uncle Tian, there is something I would say, but I do not know whether..."
Tian Buhui said: "Speak."
Xiao Yichen said: "Yes. Uncle Tian, the reason I spoke to you privately about Brother Zhang is that I hoped you might handle it well before the matter grows too large. Uncle Cangsong has always overseen Qingyun's punishments, and his temper is rather rigid; if it came to his knowledge, I fear Brother Zhang... Only, he is your disciple after all, and over these years you must have poured no small amount of effort into him. If this truly blew up, neither you nor Uncle Cangsong would look good. So..." He lowered his voice: "If Brother Zhang has not committed any great fault, a private word of instruction from you should be enough."
Tian Buhui raised his head and gave him a long, deep look, then suddenly said: "Nephew Xiao, you truly have the bearing of a great general—no wonder our sect leader thinks so highly of you. It seems that in the future, the seat of sect leader will be yours and no one else's."
Xiao Yichen lowered his head slightly and said: "Uncle Tian, you flatter me."
By now Tian Buhui's face had returned to its usual state. He smiled faintly and said: "Very well! You should rest soon too. For your kindness this time, my Dazhu Peak lineage will remember it."
Whether by design or not, he put a heavier stress on the three words "Dazhu Peak."
Xiao Yichen, however, seemed to understand nothing at all, and smiled: "Uncle, you are too polite."
Tian Buhui nodded, rose, and walked out.
Tian Buhui stood alone in a quiet spot within the woods, his hands clasped behind his back.
It was already deep into the night. The vault of heaven was speckled with stars, the bright moon hung high, and its clear light filtered down through the lush branches and leaves of the forest, falling upon him. Seen from the darkness, his brows were slightly knit—clearly something was weighing on his mind.
Just then, footsteps suddenly sounded behind him.
Tian Buhui turned and looked back, and gave a start of surprise: "You?"
The newcomer was his wife, Su Wan. In the desolate night, in the silent woods, she came walking quietly, and in an instant she seemed to draw every gaze to herself.
As though all these many years had not effaced the least part of her beauty.
Su Wan came near, looked at Tian Buhui, and a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. She said: "You just sent Daren back to call Xiaofan here, but Xiaofan happened to be out. I told him to go look for the Venerable Strongman of the Vajra Sect—he should be here before long."
Tian Buhui nodded, glanced at Su Wan, and seemed about to say something, but in the end did not speak.
Su Wan said mildly: "Ever since you went to see Xiao Yichen this evening, your brows have been knitted the whole time you have been back. Is something the matter?"