CH 96

Back to the Countryside

Chapter 96: 结束

The End

The previous Valley Master had already died, so it was the most urgent matter of the moment to choose a new Valley Master. Many disciples gathered in the Council Hall to discuss the funeral affairs, at the same time also to choose the new Valley Master so that he could take charge of the funeral ceremony for Yun Valley Master.

“I wonder where Qi Shi Xiong is now?”

All the high ranks and senior disciples were present in the hall, but Qi Yue, the Valley Master’s main disciple was nowhere to be seen, so someone raised a question.

“He has been grieving since the death of the Valley Master. He has been in the ice chamber guarding the corpse of the valley master for the past few days…” Han Yang sighed with a concerned look on his face, “He has also been informed about this. If he hasn’t shown up now, he must be unwilling to come,ba!”

He was the most beloved disciple of the Valley Master during his lifetime. It was understandable that he would behave like this now but there were many disciples present who would like to choose him as Master of the Valley. What could be done if he didn’t show up?

“It’s fine, just need to follow your heart! If in the end, it was decided to be Qi Shi Di, we have no objection.” Seeing the crowd whispering, Ye Xin waved his hand and interrupted them. It didn’t matter whether he came or not, he was wholeheartedly determined to accompany the Valley Master, it was understandable.

The election of the new head of the valley, to say it was difficult then it was not but to say it was not difficult, it was difficult too. It was reasonable to say that as the head of the valley’s main disciple and an extremely outstanding and capable man, It was the most logical thing that Qi Yue should succeed him.

But the remarks that arose in the valley recently indeed make their hearts worried. If his methods were too harsh and ruthless, then their life in the future definitely would be in extreme misery.

The three Shi Xiong’s characters who were in charge now were all pretty good, handling works also very well organized. But in terms of ability, they couldn’t be compared with Qi Yue and were still somewhat far behind Qi Yue.

It was indeed a dilemma to settle the matter at once in this period of time, no matter who was chosen, it did not seem to be the best outcome and there was always something unconvincing about it.

While everyone was discussing spiritedly, Han Yang looked a little off, his eyes hesitating as if he had something to say, but somehow hesitated.

When the Second Shi Xiong, Le Yushi who was sitting beside him, noticed his strange appearance. He frowned, turned his head and asked, “What’s wrong with you? If you have something to say, just say it, don’t hesitate like that!”

Han Yang took a quick look at him, gritted his teeth, stood up and waving his hand to make everyone quiet down, “Everyone, there is actually something I have always wanted to say, but I am afraid that it would be unfair to the two Shi Xiong and Qi Shi Di, therefore …”

He stopped talking at this point, the look on his face was indeed very torn. They didn’t know what kind of trouble could cause him ‘to find things difficult’ like this, but everyone subconsciously turned their attention to the other two Shi Xiong.

“You don’t need to have such a lot of worries, we will not mind and I believe Qi Shi Di won’t either, so just say it!” Ye Xin waved his hand at him and told him to speak quickly. This was the time for them to get together and discuss, there was nothing too unpleasant to say.

“Actually a few days ago when I went to visit the valley master, he had been sober for a moment …” Han Yang paused and seeing that everyone looked a little surprised so he continued, “It didn’t take a long time for him to regain consciousness and he soon fell back into a coma, but during that time, his old man handed over the Valley Master token to me.”

The hall was in an uproar before he could hardly finish speaking. Why did the Valley Master give him the token? Didn’t he mean to pass on the throne to him? They had always thought that the Valley Master preferred Qi Yue, but they had never imagined that it would be Han Yang!

It’s not that no one doubted his words, such as Le Yu Shi, who was still very calm at the moment, “Are you sure the Valley Master is giving it to you and not asking you to give it to someone else? For example, Qi Shi Di?”

This comment calmed everyone down a bit. There was indeed some truth to it, he was the only one present at the time, so naturally whatever he said was what he said. However, normally San Shi Xiong (The third Shi Xiong) had a gentle disposition and didn’t put much on self importance. He didn’t look like someone with such a plotting heart.

“Le Shi Xiong, are you doubting me?” Han Yang looked as if he (LYS) had broken his heart. He took out a jade token from his pocket and put it on the small table beside him. He said sadly, “I was afraid of being thought of in this way, that’s why I didn’t want to say anything about it. Now the token is here, you guys can take it! Anyway, I never considered myself becoming the valley master!”

Ye Xin took the jade token and examined it, it was indeed the Valley Master’s token. He smiled and shoved it back into Han Yang’s hand, “Don’t be angry anymore Han Shi Xiong! Le Shi Xiong is just asking. He didn’t mean anything else.”

If he had given the item out so easily, then he must not be lying. After all, the other party had a good reputation in the valley and did not have that much ambition.

Although there was still doubt in Le Yu Shi’s eyes, he didn’t say anything more and lifted his cup of tea and drank it silently. Now most people are beginning to favour the other side. It would be useless for him to say more. It might even give people the impression that he had an ulterior motive.

After he returned the token, Ye Xin said in a clear loud voice, “Since the Valley Master has already given the token to Han Shi Xiong. Then there is no need for us to take the time to choose, the new Valley Master will be him!”

“Shi Xiong, isn’t it improper for me to be the valley master. Qi Shi Di, he…” Seeing the other party announce this directly, Han Yang seemed to have these concerns in his heart.

“You were personally chosen by the valley master and are the perfectly justifiable successor, where is it improper? Qi Shi Di respects the Valley Master the most so he would not have any objections with this. You don’t need to think too much about it!” Ye Xin smiled faintly and reached out to pat his shoulder.

After hearing his words, Han Yang breathed a sigh of relief. The expression on his face relaxed a little, just when he was about to open his mouth to say something to him, his eyes caught a glimpse of someone coming in the doorway. He frowned unnoticeably as he looked over.

“Ye Shi Xiong is wrong, I have a lot of objections in mind!” Qi Yue stepped up from the door with his hand on his backs. He looked down at the token he held in his hands. The corners of his mouth lifted in mockery.

Han Yang was secretly annoyed, but his face instead showed an expression of pleasantly surprised, “Qi Shi Xiong, I thought you wouldn’t come today, but it’s good that you’re here!”

Qi Yue walked over to him, bypassed slowly around him, looking him up and down as he ‘tsk’, “Shi Xiong looks well-dressed and looks like a proper human, but I never thought that you would be a thief!”

[啧啧 zeze or the popular use in english is ‘Tsk!’ / ONOMATOPOEIA for clicking of the tongue]

“Shi Di, pay attention to your wording!” Ye Xin wrinkled his eyebrows, no matter how great he was, he was still a Shi Di. This kind of disrespect for his Shi Xiong was really a bit rude, “Are you not dissatisfied with the fact that the Valley Master has passed the position to Han Shi Di?”

“Naturally I am dissatisfied because the candidate in Shi Fu’s mind is not him at all!” Qi Yue stopped his step, with a smile on his face as he looked straight into Han Yang’s irritated eyes that were contained in a concealed form, “That piece of token in his hand was stolen from me!”

When he said that, many of the disciples looked at each other in disbelief. They didn’t know whether to believe his arguments or not. For a while, they were very silent and could only wait to see what would happen.

Han Yang let out a long sigh and laughed a bitter laugh as he lifted his hand that was holding the jade token and handed it over to him, slowly spreading it out,”If Shi Di really wants it, then take it,ba! Shi Xiong will not compete with you.”

“Compete?” Qi Yue pinched the jade token in his hand and rubbed it gently a few times, “It’s not even yours in the first place, so what qualifications do you have to compete for it? You really think too highly of yourself!”

“Qi Yue!” Ye Xin was somehow really furious at the moment. He had, out of nowhere, inexplicably come to accuse Han Yang of being a thief, then so be it. However, the other side had already given the token to him yet he was still talking nonsense. No matter what, he was still his Shi Di from the same Shi Fu so how could he let him bully and insult him like that? “You are so arrogant (presumptuous) that you don’t even take your Shi Xiong into account, so what qualifications do you have to be the valley master?

Everyone felt the same way, if he was so arrogant (behaving unscrupulously) like this, even before he took up the position of Master of the Valley, then who else would he put in eyes once he was in the position?

Le Yushi, who hadn’t said another word for a long time, however found it very interesting. Qi Yue’s temperament was really to his liking. He did not stubbornly cling to outworn rules and regulations. Normally, he seemed to have a very good temper, but if he became openly angry, he would not be easily persuaded by anyone.

Not caring about his annoyance, Qi Yue sat down on an empty chair, playing with the Valley Master’s token, up and down with one hand indifferently, “Who said I wanted to be the Valley Master?”

“You don’t want to be the valley master, then why are you acting like this now?” Ye Xin had never understood this person before, even though based on age, he was not that old, his subtle thinking was indeed very deep.

“Even if I don’t want to be, I don’t like people stealing from me!” Qi Yue stopped flinging and moving his hand as he squeezed the string of the jade token and shook it a few times, “For such a thing, even he dares to plot to murder the Valley Master, Han Shi Xiong’s wild ambition is truly a little too much.”

“Qi Shi Di, just because the Valley Master handed over the token to me, do you hate me so much then?” Han Yang looked at him with a sad expression. His body staggered as he took a step back, “You say I stole from you, so be it, or if I have wild ambitions, I am okay with it, as long as I can calm your anger. However, how can you put such a big charge like murdering the valley master on my head?”

The contrast between his ‘on the verge of collapse’ appearance and Qi Yue’s leisurely and carefree sitting in his chair was so strong that many of the disciples could not help but feel biased in their hearts; Han Yang Shi Xiong was known in the valley for his respect to the teacher, yet to say that he had plotted to murder the valley master was simply a complete nonsense.

“Qi Shi Xiong, you have gone too far by making slanderous accusations like this!”

“Even if Qi Shi Di wants to sit as the head of the valley, then just say so! No need to beat around the bush and ‘in order to loosen the reins only to grasp it better’ like this, just to kill Han Shi Xiong!”

[欲擒故纵: leave sb. at large the better to apprehend him; allow sb. more latitude first to keep a tighter rein on him afterwards; give sb. rope enough to hang himself]

Qi Yue raised his eyes and swept them over, those people immediately shut up, but they still looked unconvinced.

As Ye Xin and the others quieted down, their emotions also somehow calmed down. He opened his mouth and said, “Qi Shi Di, you need to have real evidence to back up your words. You’re being a bit nonsensical to bring down such a big charge out of the blue.”

“Since I can say this, naturally I am not just talking nonsense.” Qi Yue leaned back in his chair and rested his chin on his hand, “I have a living witness here who witnessed everything.”

Han Yang’s eyes flashed at his words. He was sure and certain that no one else was there when he did it, this witness he was talking about was probably just to swindle him. He slowed his mind down and tried not to show any flaws.

“Is this true?” Ye Xin did not expect him to really have evidence. He had thought he was just upset and had come here just to make trouble, “If there really is such a person, you can have him come and confront Han Shi Di face to face.”

“Hold on!” Han Yang suddenly spoke up to stop it and all eyes turned to him.

“What? Is Han Shi Xiong afraid now?” Qi Yue raised his eyebrows, the smile at the corner of his lips containing a bit of mockery.

“Naturally not.” Han Yang looked as if he didn’t feel trouble in the slightest, very calm, “The fact that my reputation is at stake makes me ask a few more questions, since Qi Shi Di is now displeased with me in his heart, if he deliberately finds someone to come here and talk nonsense, how can we tell?”

Everyone in the room was stunned. That’s right! They completely didn’t know what was going on. If he were to find one little Shi Di in the valley casually and promised him some good benefits to slander Han Yang. They would have no way of knowing it too.

Qi Yue let out a soft laugh with an arched brow that seemed to be amused by him, “This witness of mine, you will understand as soon as you see it

He will never lie about this matter.”

“Shi Di, these words of yours are a bit too excessively absolute right?” Han Yang didn’t care if he had real witnesses. He just needed to plant the seed of suspicion now, then no matter what the other party said, everyone would only be half-believing and half-doubting, “If Shi Di has the intention to frame me, therefore it will be difficult to clarify. ”

“Who said my disciple would set you up (make a false charge against someone)? You think too highly of yourself!”

As soon as the words left his mouth, his voice, which couldn’t be more familiar for everyone, sounded at the door. They turned their heads in horror. The sight of the man made them feel a chill run down their spine. Their mouths were open yet unable to utter a word.

Yun Gu Zhu slowly walked in, amidst the astonished eyes of many disciples. He Ling , who followed behind him, immediately went to Qi Yue’s side as soon as he entered and was taken into his embrace.

“I wonder if my testimony as the living witness is convincing or not?” Yun Gu Zhu stopped in front of Han Yang, his unruffled and powerful aura pressed the other party’s to be out of breath, his face was also instantly pale.

“Valley Master!” Ye Xin snapped out of his stunned state and looked him up and down in pleasantly surprised, “You are not …”

“Humph!” He snorted coldly and walked past the pale faced Han Yang to sit down on the main seat. “Even though I’ve become useless over the recent years. I’m not going to be poisoned to death so easily like that!”

Han Yang stiffened his body, a layer of cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and when he tilted his head, he met Qi Yue’s ‘like a smile yet not a smile’ gaze. He even waved the Valley Master token in his hands at him.The mocking intent was so obvious.

He gritted his teeth and felt quite unwilling. He had been calculating for so long, but at the last moment it was a wasted effort (竹篮打水: using a wicker basket to draw water). He did not understand how he was worse than the other party. He treated people gently and honored the teacher and revered his teachings. This person however hid a dagger behind his smile and was very cruel and ruthless. Why the Valley Master could not see it?

“Ye Xin, how should a person be punished for plotting to murder the Valley Master?” Yun Gu Zhu stared at his back, casually raising his hand to the armrest of his chair, lightly smashing it.

Ye Xin was surprised in his heart and looked at the ashen Han Yang, still very overwhelmed with shock and horror. This Shi Di of him really daring to that sort of disgraceful and rebellious things. He didn’t dare to think any further. He arched his hand in greeting and said, “Reply to the valley master, it’s immediately killed and will not be spared.”

As soon as the four words left his mouth, Han Yang immediately fell to the ground with weak legs, unable to even say the beg for mercy words. In an instant, what was so close at hand had turned into a bubble (illusion/ empty hope). He could not even keep his life.

“Then what are you waiting for?” The Valley Master didn’t even want to give him another look, waving his hand lazily, “Drag Han Yang out of here!”

With these words, his guilt was decided. Everyone in the hall didn’t even dare to breathe, as the rapid change of events had really made it difficult for them to digest.

The wrongs committed by Han Yang were made known to the public. The disciples he had bribed were also uncovered one by one. The Qi Du Valley took this opportunity to reorganize itself inside and outside.

The dark cloud that had been hanging over everyone’s heart was dispersed with the end of the incident. While they were thinking that Qi Yue would really take over the position in the future, the other party was already saying goodbye to the Valley Master.

“You’re going back so soon?” Yun Gu Zhu knitted his eyebrows and looked at the two of them who were standing in front of him, “Just stay here and live in the valley, what is wrong with that?”

“Although the valley is good, it couldn’t give us real peace. The ordinary daily life and peaceful one, it’s the life I want nowadays.” Qi Yue and the person beside him looked at each other and smiled, understanding without words what was in each other’s minds.

Yun Gu Zhu sighed deeply, knowing that he could not keep him, so he instructed, “When you have free time in the future, come back and visit me more frequently!”

“Shi Fu, please be at ease! This disciple will definitely come back to visit.” Hearing his words, Qi Yue pulled He Ling to kneel down in front of him and both paid their respects, “Shi Fu, take care.”

Yun Gu Zhu smiled as he nodded his head, his heart was gratified. In fact, no matter where he was, as long as this child who he had watched him grow up could be happy, it would also be considered as he was able to justify himself in front of his old friend.

After bidding their farewell to the Valley Master, both of them sat inside the horse carriage and wandered out of the valley. Everything was already over and they were able to return to peace again.

“Xiang Gong, I miss Big Brother Lin and the family, also Hua Ge’er and the others!” He Ling caressa his belly and leaned on Qi Yue’s arms. He felt that this period of more than one month had been short yet also long at the same time, “I miss our home too.”

Qi Yue hugged him tighter and kissed him softly on the corner of his lips, “We’ll live there for the rest of our lives, until Ah Ling gets bored of it.”

He Ling made a soft laugh sound and rubbed against his chest, “Who would be annoyed with their own home ah? Xiang Gong entirely talks nonsense!”

Qi Yue curled his lips and closed his eyes to feel the peace of the moment. That’s right, ah! Who would feel unhappy (depressed) with their own home? It held all their memories and also the place to spend their entire lives.

Not only he and Ah Ling, but when their child was born, that would become the child’s home too. He would grow up there, play there, and in many years to come, perhaps would marry there too.

Until the moment they were old, they could still sit in the courtyard and watch their children and grandchildren being naughty and mischievous. They would still hold each other as tightly as they did at this moment, until the moment they died.

It would be a long, long time away before that day. He and his little Fu Lang still have countless days and nights. Spring, summer, autumn and winter where from now on, for the rest of their life, they would never leave each other’s side.

The End

Author has something to say:

That’s right, this is the end of the main story. I am very thankful for all of your support during this period of time, so that I can keep on writing consistently (although the style of writing is really bad 23333). Some of you, in particular, have been following me since I started writing and have left comments below every chapter, even if it’s just one sentence ‘Jia You’! I’ve been encouraged by all of them and I’ve seen them all (I also took it all into my heart). I am extremely grateful for it, love you all and salute by bowing～

There are two more extras that will be released at the same time tomorrow. Muaach ~

^.^