劍問蒼天 - 第72章 絕境 - 清風書屋

Xiao Yichen nodded and went on: "In truth, with the Burning Cloud Valley we can put them off and it will be no matter. But this time Junior Brother Zhang, before everyone—uh—many of our fellow cultivators have demanded that our Canglan Sect step forward and give an accounting, and explain why a demon cult evil thing from eight hundred years ago should be found on a disciple of our Canglan Sect?"

Tian Buzhu's hands clenched into fists, faint crackling sounds rising from time to time, his face hideous beyond measure. He cursed in a low, furious voice: "That little beast!"

Cangyan Daoren said slowly, "Junior Brother Tian, there's no need to be too angry. No one could have foreseen such a thing. But the situation now is too grave—it involves the Brahma Sound Temple and the demon cult as well. This is a matter of great moment. I think we must hurry back to the mountain at once and seek the sect leader's instructions before deciding anything!"

Tian Buzhu let out a deep breath. After all, he had cultivated for many years; he forced down the anger in his heart and nodded, saying, "Very well, then we set out at once." As he spoke his gaze shifted to the black iron staff in Cangyan Daoren's hand.

To his surprise, Cangyan Daoren smiled faintly and tucked the iron staff into his own bosom.

Tian Buzhu's expression changed. Beside him Xiao Yichen frowned as well and said, "Uncle Cangsong, this magical treasure—"

Cangyan Daoren waved a hand at him, turned to Tian Buzhu, and said, "Junior Brother Tian, a disciple of your household has brought such a scandal upon us that our Canglan Sect has lost all face before the righteous path of the world, and we have offended the Brahma Sound Temple as well. As his master, I fear you must bear some responsibility for this?"

Tian Buzhu gave a snort, his pupils contracting. He said coldly, "And what of it?"

Cangyan Daoren said mildly, "I am the one in the Canglan Sect who oversees punishment. This piece of evidence will remain with me—I trust you will have no objection, Junior Brother Tian?"

Tian Buzhu stared at Cangyan Daoren for a long while, then suddenly stamped his foot and strode out in a fury.

In the streets of Changhe City, people came and went as ever, bustling and lively.

Zhou Yixuan and little Wan stood at a corner of the street, gazing at a small inn further down the road whose signboard read "Eastern Sea Inn," and both frowned at once.

Little Wan licked the candied hawthorn stick in her hand, gave a satisfied smacking sound, then said casually to Zhou Yixuan, "Grandpa, are you really sure the Canglan Sect people are staying here?"

Zhou Yixuan nodded and said, "Nonsense—don't you see all the people going in and out the door are cultivators?" At this he went on, as though to himself, "These people go off to Liubo Mountain and stay for ages. Now they've come back, and who knows what the outcome was?"

Little Wan gave him a sidelong look and said, "I really can't figure you out. If you say you're one of the Canglan Sect, well, you don't dare go claim kin; and if you say you're not, then why are you so concerned about them?"

Zhou Yixuan choked, then said angrily, "Your grandpa may disdain to acknowledge these Canglan Sect juniors, but that's because I long ago saw through the ways of the world. I choose a life of poverty, roaming the ends of the earth, doing something for the common people of the world—"

Little Wan turned and walked off.

Zhou Yixuan swallowed the rest of his self-praise back into his belly, gave a snort, cast one last glance at the Eastern Sea Inn, and turned to follow.

Xiao Wan said as she walked, "You've got some nerve saying that. We'd originally meant to go take a look at Liubo Mountain too, but we asked around the East Sea for over ten days and couldn't find a single boatman willing to take us."