Chapter 187: The Aftermath (II)

Chapter 187: The Aftermath (II)

There were 24 neighborhoods in Jade Capital, divided into the Upper Eight Blocks, the Middle Eight Blocks, and the Lower Eight Blocks.

Taishang Place was a part of the Upper Eight Blocks, while Haichan Place was located in the Lower Eight Blocks. The former was located in the northwest corner of Jade Capital, close to Xuan City, while the latter was located in the southeast corner of Jade Capital, close to the ports where the flying ships landed outside the city.

Nun Cui’s vacation ended, so she took the flying ship back to the Jade Capital on New Year’s Day. It departed from Zhongzhou and arrived in Jade Capital on January 2nd.

The port in Jade Capital was so large that it could accommodate more than 20 flying ships docking at the same time. On January 2nd, many flying ships docked in a neat row, which was a spectacular sight.

When Nun Cui walked down the ramp, the passengers from other flying ships were also disembarking one after another. Since it was still the festive period, there were not many people disembarking. Nun Cui noticed that there was an empty docking bay not far away.

Nun Cui was surprised by this. “Is that ship late?”

After she got off the ramp, she saw a crowd gathering in the front. She was curious about what was going on and happened to spot a colleague, so she went over and asked about the situation.

Her colleague said, “I heard that there was an accident. A flying ship was shot down by cult demons, killing many on board. Even the Tiangang Hall was dispatched.”

“The flying ship crashed?!” Nun Cui was startled. She recalled the empty docking bay and asked, “Which flying ship was it?”

The colleague replied, “I think it’s from the Shangqing Palace. They say that the cult demon sneaked onto the flying ship. These demons are really pervasive, causing trouble all the time.”

Nun Cui suddenly had a bad premonition; her face tinged with worry.

The colleague noticed her expression and asked, “Why? Do you have an acquaintance on that flying ship?”

Nun Cui shook her head. “My neighbor went to Yunjin Mountain, but he’s supposed to return on the 15th of January. I don’t think it’s him, but it’s such a close call.”

“Yeah, it’s such a close call. Fate is a cruel thing. If those passengers had left a few days earlier with the Quanzhen Sect’s ship, they would still be alive. After all, there are many Sages onboard that ship, so no one would dare hijack it. If those passengers left later, on the 15th of January, there would be more high-ranking priests and Heavenly Beings onboard. They’re so unlucky to have taken the flying ship on New Year’s Day. Those people were probably rushing back for their duties. What a pity...” The colleague sighed.

Most people felt sorry for their own kind; the same was true for these Daoist priests. They might not care much about what happened to ordinary people because they could not relate to them. But they were deeply shaken by this accident because it could have happened to them. Thus, they were saddened but also fearful.

Due to this fear, the higher-ups would soon reach a consensus to crack down on the secret societies, especially the three major cults.

While they were talking, a flying ship landed on the lake behind them, stirring up a cloud of mist.

“That’s the flying ship of Tiangang Hall!” Someone had already recognized the logo on the flying ship.

After the ramp was lowered, a group of Tiangang Hall priests in formal attire disembarked, looking exhausted. Trailing at the end of the group was a woman dressed in casual clothes, looking so out of place. Her face was pale, and her eyes were downcast.

Nun Cui recognized the woman at a glance and shouted, “Deputy Hall Master Zhang!”

Zhang Yuelu turned around upon hearing her name. When she saw that it was Nun Cui, she hesitated for a moment and dismissed Mu Jin before walking toward the old woman by herself.

Nun Cui excused herself from her colleague and went up to Zhang Yuelu.

“Mage Cui.” Zhang Yuelu still remembered Nun Cui, who was Qi Xuansu’s neighbor. They met and chatted briefly when Zhang Yuelu went to Haichan Place over a month ago.

Nun Cui looked behind Zhang Yuelu and did not see the person she was looking for, so her heart skipped a beat. She asked softly, “Where’s Tian Yuan? He didn’t come back with you?”

Zhang Yuelu closed her eyes for a few seconds. When she opened them again, she whispered, “Tian Yuan... He fell...”

......

Zhang Yuelu returned to the Yaoguang Pavilion in Tiangang Hall and went to her room. That was when she noticed a set of folded new clothes and some documents on Qi Xuansu’s table.

“What’s this?” Zhang Yuelu stopped in her tracks.

Mu Jin replied hesitantly, “That’s the sixth-rank priest’s formal attire, insignia, salary, subsidies, and relocation fees.”

Although Mu Jin did not mention who it was for, they both knew who the recipient of these was.

Zhang Yuelu was silent for a while before she instructed, “Put them away in a cabinet in the inner room and give them to him when he comes back.”

Mu Jin subconsciously answered, “But he’s—”

Before Mu Jin could complete her sentence, Zhang Yuelu shot a sharp glance at her.

Zhang Yuelu sighed and ordered, “Go.”

“Alright.” Mu Jin picked up Qi Xuansu’s things and turned to leave.

As soon as Zhang Yuelu sat down in Qi Xuansu’s seat, the Tiangang Hall Master came in. Zhang Yuelu was startled to see him here and subconsciously wanted to get up to greet him. But the Hall Master stretched out his hand, signaling for her to relax.

He said, “I’ve heard what happened. Is he the young man who accompanied you to the theater?”

Zhang Yuelu nodded.

The Hall Master sighed. He had always treated Zhang Yuelu as his disciple. A few months ago, he had given her two theater tickets as a reward, hoping that she would perhaps find a lifelong partner for herself one day. The pair of theater tickets did have some effect, but no one had expected this accident to occur.

“I know of that young man. He had good prospects. It’s just a pity this happened.” The Hall Master lamented. “But don’t be too sad. Everyone dies eventually. We must learn to move on.”

Zhang Yuelu said softly, “Yes, Hall Master.”

The Hall Master added, “You have to cheer up as soon as possible. If I’m not mistaken, the Daoist Order will soon launch an operation to crackdown on the secret societies. When the time comes, I’ll select you for the mission.”

Zhang Yuelu answered solemnly, “Please rest assured, Hall Master.”

The Hall Master did not say anything more and left.

After the Hall Master left, Lingquanzi, Sun Yongfeng, Cao Liyou, and Xu Kou came over to check on Zhang Yuelu, who had survived this catastrophe. They also wanted to confirm the news of Qi Xuansu’s death.

Cao Liyou asked with a trembling voice, “Deputy Hall Master, is it true that Deacon Qi—”

Zhang Yuelu nodded.

Cao Liyou was so shocked that he did not know what to say.

Regardless of their sincerity, everyone bore somber expressions upon hearing this. Lingquanzi, who had fought side by side with Qi Xuansu, was truly saddened by the news.

Xu Kou mumbled to no one in particular, “I’m finally convinced that you’re a true man.”