Xuanqing Guard

Compared to the Inspector Chief Officer’s residence, Jingying Prefecture’s layout is clearly a different style. It lacks that strict, oppressive atmosphere, and feels more like an ordinary wealthy household. Through the door’s gap, one could glimpse a lush bamboo grove inside?

"Esteemed lord, may I ask what business brings you here?"

The person greeting him wore a long robe, smiling warmly and very polite, yet his aura was strong and forceful. From Shen Hao’s perception, the other’s cultivation was about equal to his, likely the Post-God-Gathering Realm, eighth or ninth layer.

A Post-God-Gathering Realm master is merely serving as a gatekeeper in Jingying Prefecture?

But honestly, this person didn’t feel like a gatekeeper at all—not just his powerful presence, but also a scholarly, refined air. Shen Hao could even catch a faint scent of sandalwood from him. If he claimed to be the scion of a wealthy family, people wouldn’t doubt it.

"This official is the Inspector Chief Officer, surname Shen, given name Hao. I’ve come specially to request an audience with Master Wushan of Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute. Please kindly announce my arrival." Shen Hao cupped his hands in salute; this person clearly couldn’t be treated as an ordinary gatekeeper, so proper etiquette was necessary. He took out his waist token and handed it over.

The man accepted the waist token, a faint glow flickering across his palm. He then glanced at Shen Hao several times and smiled, "Lord Shen, do you still serve in the Xuanqing Guard?"

"Hm? Yes."

"Hehe, might you show your other identity credential?"

Shen Hao paused slightly. The other seemed to know his name, but "another identity credential"—what did that mean? He quickly thought it over, then suddenly understood, and hurriedly took a silver Little Gourd from his storage bag and hung it on his waist.

This gourd was given to Shen Hao by Nie Yun previously and had been refined; not only was it an identity magical artifact, but it also served as proof of being a disciple of Old Tree Peak.

Sure enough, upon seeing the Little Gourd and sensing the unique mana fluctuations on it, the man cupped his hands to Shen Hao and said, "Junior Brother Shen, well met."

Junior brother?

Shen Hao returned the salute, and only now noticed a jade pendant hanging from the other’s Jingying Prefecture style waist belt—it was indeed the insignia of Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute. No wonder he knew his name and addressed him as junior brother. At present, Shen Hao’s identity had been declared in the sect by Nie Yun as a Named Disciple, even if it was false; it wasn’t convenient to explain further.

"Shen Hao greets this senior brother. Please forgive my lack of perception earlier."

"Just call me Qingshan. I’ve long heard that Deacon Nie scouted a talented Named Disciple from outside and brought glory to our Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute at Chang Baifeng. Didn’t expect to meet you here—indeed... what overwhelming Evil Qi! Haha, junior brother, don’t misunderstand—no offense intended! It’s just that mountain folk are usually calm and rarely see someone with such strong Evil Qi as you. Please don’t take it amiss."

"Wait here—I’ll go inside and announce your arrival."

"Thank you, Senior Brother Qingshan."

The other nodded, smiling as he quickly entered, leaving Shen Hao waiting at the door.

It was the first time someone had remarked "overwhelming Evil Qi" to his face, but Shen Hao’s thick skin left him unfazed, and the words showed no malice. Besides, folks in the sect were known for their peculiar temperaments; after experiencing Nie Yun and others’ odd personalities, Shen Hao was rather immune.

After roughly half an incense stick’s time, Qingshan returned, smiling, "Junior Brother Shen, please come in. The Fourth Elder is available at the moment."

"Thank you, senior brother."

"Come now, no need for formality."

Following behind, Shen Hao walked through Jingying Prefecture’s main door and immediately felt as though he’d passed through a thin membrane, several chilly auras sweeping across his body. As expected, a bamboo path stretched ahead.

"Junior Brother Shen, stay close. This bamboo grove is an array—step wrong and it’ll be quite troublesome."

"Yes, I’ll follow closely, senior brother."

After the bamboo grove, rows of dwellings appeared, with many cultivators gathering in small groups outside, chatting idly, or striding hurriedly in and out of larger houses toward the back.

"This area was just set up, lots of things are still underway, so it’s a bit chaotic. This way." Qingshan gestured, leading Shen Hao to another section, passing through two more arrays and a bright guard post.

Moreover, it was much larger inside than Shen Hao had expected before entering. It appeared to encompass many surrounding residences entirely, with some kind of blinding technique used on the outside for concealment.

"Here we are." Qingshan led Shen Hao to a secluded dwelling, reminded him once, then knocked on the door.

"Fourth Elder, Shen Hao has arrived."

"Come in."

Qingshan opened the door, completed his duty, and bowed out, closing the door behind him. Before Shen Hao stood a thin, elderly man, sitting cross-legged on a Puduan, eyes closed as if meditating, his whole body frail, hair sparse and white, skin loose and wrinkled.

"Shen Hao, greets Master Wushan." Shen Hao bowed respectfully. He knew that Master Wushan, despite appearing fragile and aged, possessed a cultivation above even Master Pingyang Li Shuyang—rumored to be at least Profound Sea Realm Third Layer. His appearance was said to result from a cultivation technique lacking longevity-preserving effects.

"Why? Upon seeing me, you won’t claim the identity of a Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute Named Disciple?"

Master Wushan, real name Lin Dashan, was originally the son of a mountain hunter. By chance, a passing predecessor from Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute enlightened him, and after entering the sect, he succeeded in cultivation. Now he serves as the Fourth Elder of Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute, bearing the title Wushan.

Now Lin Dashan opened his eyes, his gaze blazing as he looked at the bowing Shen Hao, his expression an inscrutable half-smile, revealing neither like nor dislike.

Shen Hao cupped his hands and said, "Please do not take offense, Master. I never intended to disrespect Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute, nor to offend you. There’s simply some misunderstanding regarding my identity. Earlier..."

Shen Hao wished to explain, understanding that others’ misunderstandings were one thing, but he could not pretend ignorance; otherwise it would seem he intentionally sought to profit off Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute, which would reflect poorly on his character.

But as he began to explain, Lin Dashan waved his hand to interrupt.

"I know everything that transpired. Nie Yun reported it to the sect when he returned. You surely don’t think that with Nie Yun’s status, announcing at such a ceremonial occasion at Chang Baifeng that you are a Named Disciple of our Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute can be brushed aside as ’circumstantial’? Moreover, you gained opportunity and made your name in the Sword Pool at Chang Baifeng, and many in the sect within Jingxi Territory have heard of you.

If you deny it, wouldn’t that be throwing Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute’s reputation aside? Or do you think the identity of our Named Disciple is something to claim or refuse at will?"

Shen Hao’s heart sank, feeling as if he were suddenly encased in mud, even his breathing becoming labored. He could tell this was merely Lin Dashan’s aura enveloping him, perhaps not even intentionally, just the normal pressure of a Profound Sea Realm cultivator.

"This junior is apprehensive." Though uncomfortable, Shen Hao wasn’t frightened; he was certain the other wouldn’t harm him, not with Nie Yun’s influence.

But why put on such a questioning stance? Was this meant to frighten him?