eurekapd Chapter 1781 Qingyuan Sect!
Chapter 1781 Qingyuan Sect!
Leng Xi walked to his side and stood shoulder to shoulder with him: "People are all different. Su Hongzhen, Su Yuze and their group have already paid the price. Even if the remaining people are from the same sect as them, they have different ideas. Su Hao and Luo Yang are examples."
When Leng Xi said this, Ming Chuan couldn't help but laugh.
"The two of them used to be very loyal to this sect. When I first arrived, they both keenly realized that I was not the original Cang Zi'ang, but they couldn't resist how awesome I was and how I could win people's hearts. They quickly switched sides and became my brothers."
"The reason I haven't directly attacked the Qingcheng Yufa Sect before is because those brothers... are really pitiful."
"They don't have to bear the blame for the mistakes made by Su Hongzhen and the others."
There's actually something else I didn't say.
When Mingchuan was known as Cang Ziang, Su Hongzhen treated him with all his heart.
However, Su Yuze's life always separated them.
So no matter how soft-hearted he is and how unwilling he is to start a war directly, he can't escape the current situation.
Seeing his hesitant expression, Leng Xi knew that he had many complicated things on his mind that he hadn't said, so she remained silent and just stayed quietly with Ming Chuan.
After a long silence, Mingchuan suddenly asked, "Which path do you think they will choose?"
Leng Xi pondered, "If it's only for their own future, disbanding the sect and finding their own way is the easiest option. But Su Hao and Luo Yang... still retain some of the pride and sense of responsibility of sect disciples. I guess they'll choose the second path. It's just..."
"Just what?"
“But this path is much harder for them, for those disciples,” Leng Xi said softly. “Bearing the name of being affiliated with the Sin Sect means having to endure the strange looks from the outside world, having to constantly reflect on oneself, and having to put in twice the effort to earn even a sliver of recognition. Not everyone has the courage to choose this path.”
Mingchuan nodded: "Yes. So, if they really choose the second option... I'll have to think more highly of them."
Just then, Zhao Hu strode in from outside, his expression somewhat grave.
"Brother Ming," Zhao Hu lowered his voice, "I just spoke with a few old fellow disciples with whom I had a good relationship. Most of the disciples are indeed willing to change their ways and follow Su Hao and Luo Yang. But... there are also a few who are not so well-behaved in private."
"Oh?" Mingchuan raised an eyebrow.
“There are a few who used to follow Su Hongzhen’s direct followers. Their cultivation is in the mid-to-late stage of Foundation Establishment. On the surface, they are obedient, but in private they complain constantly. They think that Wan Chuan Sect forced the old sect master to death and is now giving alms. They have ulterior motives. They even... vaguely mentioned that someone from the Holy Domain seemed to have secretly contacted them.”
Mingchuan's eyes turned cold: "The Holy Domain's reach is truly swift."
He looked at Zhao Hu: "Do you know exactly who it is?"
Zhao Hu gave out several names.
Mingchuan noted it down and said calmly, "Don't alert them yet. Have Jizhou secretly keep an eye on these people's movements. If they're just complaining, that's fine. But if they really dare to collude with foreign enemies and plot something..."
A cold glint flashed in his eyes: "Then let's settle both the old and new scores together."
The night is getting darker.
Lights began to illuminate various parts of the Qingcheng Imperial Dharma Sect, scattered here and there, but they brought a touch of life to the otherwise deathly silence of the past few days.
Inside the side hall where the meeting was to be held, Su Hao and Luo Yang gathered all the disciples of the sect and frankly told them the two options given by Ming Chuan.
The hall was completely silent, except for the crackling sound of the torches burning.
After a long silence, a young disciple asked in a trembling voice, "Senior Brother... if we choose the second path, will we... will we still be able to live with dignity in the future?"
Looking at those bewildered yet expectant faces, Su Hao swallowed hard and said decisively:
"Roads are made by walking. Honesty and integrity are not given by others, but earned by oneself!"
“The Qingcheng Imperial Law Sect has made a mistake, and we acknowledge it. But we are human beings, not branded criminals. As long as we are righteous and clean-handed, one day we will be able to wash the words ‘criminal sect’ off our bodies little by little through our actions.”
His gaze swept across the entire room, his voice hoarse yet powerful:
"Those who are willing to take a gamble with me, stay. Those who find it too bitter or difficult, go to the Deacon's Hall tomorrow to collect your travel expenses and go your separate ways. I will not force you to stay."
"But no matter which path you choose—"
Su Hao took a deep breath and said, word by word:
"From now on, I will have no shame before Heaven or Earth."
A long silence fell over the hall.
Then, people started raising their hands, one, two, ten... more and more.
The flickering candlelight illuminated pairs of eyes that were gradually hardening.
Outside the palace, the night sky was sparsely populated with stars.
Mingchuan stood in the guest courtyard, gazing towards the side hall, as if he could sense the faint glimmer of life struggling to emerge from the dead end.
"The seeds have been planted," he said softly. "Whether they grow into big trees is up to them."
Leng Xi walked to his side and took his hand.
Palms pressed together, warm and steadfast.
“You will help them,” she said.
Mingchuan smiled and did not deny it.
……
Three days later, early morning.
There was a gentle knock on the door of the guest house.
Mingchuan pushed open the door and stepped out. In the morning light, Su Hao and Luo Yang stood side by side outside the courtyard. Their eyes were bloodshot, indicating that they had not slept well for the past few days, but their backs were straight and their expressions showed a calm that had settled down.
"Sect Master Ming," Su Hao stepped forward, presenting a newly made jade slip with both hands, his voice steady, "we and all the remaining disciples have reached a decision. The Qingcheng Yufa Sect... is willing to choose the second path."
He paused, his Adam's apple bobbing, and clearly uttered the new name: "From this day forward, there will be no more Qingcheng Yufa Sect. Only Qingyuan Sect will remain, cleansing the turbid waters and re-establishing its foundation. I am willing to accept the control and supervision of Wanchuan Sect, follow the righteous path, restrain myself, and seek a new life."
Luo Yang added from the side, his tone firm: "This is not an expedient measure, but a choice we willingly make. We are willing to share the blame for our past sins with the sect; and even if the road ahead is fraught with difficulties, we will walk hand in hand."
Mingchuan took the jade slip, scanned it with his divine sense over the detailed terms and the blood oath signed by all the disciples, and remained silent for a moment.
The jade slip was slightly cool, but it contained the desperate determination and heavy future of hundreds of people.
“Since the path has been chosen, there is no turning back.” Mingchuan put away the jade slip and glanced at the two of them. “I approve of the name of Qingyuan Sect. But the agreement of being subordinate is not a promise made in a day. Wanchuan Sect will send elders to assist in the management, supervision and education, and the allocation of resources must also be in accordance with regulations. Ten years will be the time limit. If the Qingyuan Sect adheres to the righteous path and works hard to govern, then we can discuss our relationship again at that time.”
"Ten years..." Su Hao and Luo Yang exchanged a glance, showing no fear of difficulty, but rather a sense of relief.
Having a clear deadline and a promising future is always better than being forever branded with sin and never seeing the light of day.
"Thank you, Sect Master Ming!" The two bowed in unison.
Seeing them like this, Mingchuan couldn't help but think of the past again, his mind filled with countless emotions that he couldn't stop...
Hopefully, those who stood by him through thick and thin can have a bright future again.