Chapter 911 – South of the Stream, Somebody Speaks (2/2)

Qiushan Jun rose and began walking out of the forest.

The Mount Li Sword Sect disciples in the stream hurriedly ran out of the water and used true essence to dry their clothes. Carrying ten-some fresh fish, they followed behind.

The mountain path was still quiet and peaceful. The birds had felt it safe and returned to the forest, and the air was filled with their pleasant songs.

From the mountains came the sounds of monkeys tussling with each other.

Qiushan Jun leaned his head to listen for a while, then took a sip from his wine pot and led his junior brothers down the mountain path, his clothes drifting in the wind.

……

……

The plateau on the summit of that mountain was empty of people, but the plateau upon which South Stream Temple sat was packed. Beneath the green trees and flowers, several hundred disciples of South Stream Temple quietly stood, no longer as nervous as they had been in the past few days. Upon smelling the cloying fragrance of the flowers, a few of the younger disciples even sniffed a few times.

The problem had still not been resolved, but since the Holy Maiden had already left her seclusion, what did these disciples have to worry about?

In the deepest part of South Stream Temple's complex, two prayer mats were laid out at the highest position in the thatched cottage. Xu Yourong and Chen Changsheng were seated there.

At this sight, Huai Shu slightly frowned in displeasure while Huai Bi silently pondered her own thoughts.

Huai Ren slowly said, ”Your Holiness the Pope has suffered significant injuries. It would be best if you went to rest.”

It was obvious what this most senior martial grandaunt of South Stream Temple meant.

Regardless of what opinion Xu Yourong had on closing the temple or on the return of these martial grandaunts from their travels, these were all internal matters of South Stream Temple.

Since they were internal matters, they should be resolved by South Stream Temple. Even if Chen Changsheng was the Pope, it was not inappropriate for him to sit here.

But her words failed to produce a reaction.

All the South Stream Temple disciples, both within and without the thatched cottage, remained calm and quiet as if they had not heard anything.

Xu Yourong also acted like she did not hear. She only quietly looked at Ping Xuan and Yi Chen.

Before entering seclusion behind the stone wall at the summit, she had handed over administration of South Stream Temple to these two senior sisters.

Her calm gaze was now clearly asking them to give an explanation for today's events.

Huai Ren sighed, wanting to say something.

Xu Yourong continued to ignore her, her gaze remaining fixed on Ping Xuan and Yi Chen.

Although they were disciples of the same generation, Ping Xuan and Yi Chen had no will to remain standing. They had been kneeling for some time.

Yi Chen's eyes were moist, her voice shaky. ”I truly did not know what to do.”

As she said this, tears dripped from her eyes.

Xu Yourong knew that her nature had always been gentle and agreeable. Presumably, she had been unable to withstand her teacher's endless exhortations last night, resulting in her agreement to the closing of the temple on the plateau.

Ping Xuan was much calmer, saying, ”This disciple knows her wrongs, but Master is old and weak, and she had no ill intentions. I ask for Temple Master to be lenient.”

Huai Ren appeared somewhat startled. She didn't expect that this disciple that had defied her several times today on the plateau would now plead for mercy on her behalf.

But she did not accept these words because even now, she still believed that she was correct.

She calmly narrated the events of the past few days to Xu Yourong. Just like last night and today, she clearly explained why she wanted South Stream Temple to close for ten years.

From start to finish, Xu Yourong did not say a word, only quietly listened.

Huai Ren said, ”Today's matter seems to have been peacefully resolved, but Holy Maiden, by breaking out of seclusion, you have inevitably paid an extremely heavy price.”

Chen Changsheng glanced at Xu Yourong.

Huai Ren continued, ”What if these things continue to happen? Holy Maiden, how many times can you continue to pay such a price? How many times can Holy Maiden Peak pay such a price? The Imperial Court and the Li Palace, this war between teacher and disciple—why must we disciples of the temple have to bleed for them?”

At this moment, Xu Yourong finally spoke.

She spoke very softly, yet also clearly, with all the disciples standing beneath the trees able to hear her loud and clear. And these words went straight into Huai Ren's heart.

”Martial Aunt is an elder, so it is only proper that you concern yourself with the matters of the temple, but you are not the temple master. Or do you mean to say… that you want to take my seat?”