The Wheel-Turning Master.

Chapter 172 Pond Fish
Black Tower.

"Sister Pei, please take a seat."

Jiang Xiaobai led Pei Ning to the top floor.

Pei Ning had been here before. Looking around, he saw only the bookshelves and low desks, just as they were yesterday.

"It's quiet here, a good place for practicing." Pei Ning glanced at the low bed behind the bookshelf, then sat down.

Jiang Xiaobai naturally understood what he meant. She quickly poured some tea and said, "If you like it, you can stay here for a few days."

"I'm afraid it will ruin your plans." Pei Ning smiled.

Jiang Xiaobai also laughed and said, "Isn't my good thing also my sister's good thing?" She stopped pretending.

"Aren't you afraid that your ancestors will find out about you here?" Pei Ning asked.

"That won't happen." Jiang Xiaobai smiled.

The two girls chatted about nonsense in the boudoir for a long time before Pei Ning started asking about the real business.

"I heard something happened in your family some time ago. Is it true?" Pei Ning pressed the teacup.

Half a year ago, a rumor spread in Xinyifang that several foundation-building masters of the Jiang family had died. They were all well-known people, namely Jiang Xiangsheng, Jiang Huo, Jiang Yufeng, and Jiang Xianghan.

"Yes." Jiang Xiaobai sighed, "The soul lamp has gone out. I only found out about it later."

"What happened?" Pei Ning asked.

"I don't know." Jiang Xiaobai shook his head. "The ancestor never told me these things. I went to ask but got no news."

Pei Ning nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

The stone tablet had already been handed over to Lin Bai, who was in charge of dealing with it, and Lin Bai did not allow her to interfere.

The two chatted for a while about Miaomiao and Jiang Yu's practice, and then left the black tower.

But all the young men of the Jiang family who were watching the ceremony were shocked. Miaomiao was crying and lying on Lin Bai's legs.

"Go away." Jiang Xiaobai stepped forward and dispersed the crowd of young men.

"What happened?" Pei Ning held Miaomiao's hand and looked at Lin Bai.

"Brother Yumao is in trouble." Lin Bai shook off the feeling of loss in his heart and said, "Miao Miao has just entered the Dao, and her aura is unstable. Let her stay here for two days. I will go to Fengming Mountain to take a look."

After giving a few more instructions, Lin Bai set off.

Leaving Xinyifang, we headed towards Fengming Mountain.

When they arrived, only a few young men from the Zhu family were there. After asking, they learned that Zhu Yushu and his wife and Zhu Jianyang had all gone to the Tian family.

Is the Tian family involved? Seeing that the managers were not there, Lin Bai called Zhu Yuyang and Zhu Mingjun.

These two are also the foundation-building seedlings of the Zhu family, and Lin Bai has always been familiar with them.

The Zhu family's generational hierarchy was determined by Jian Yumingxin, the Jindan ancestor. Zhu Yuyang and Zhu Yushu and others were of the same generation, and Zhu Mingjun and Miaomiao were of the same generation.

As a result, the two of them knew nothing about anything.

Lin Bai went to find Zhu Yuqiang again, but still knew nothing.

There was no choice, Lin Bai could only sit and wait in the hall.

Two days later, Pei Ning came again with Miaomiao.

Miaomiao had stopped crying, but her eyes were red and swollen. Seeing Lin Bai, she couldn't stop crying again, "Master." She walked forward, knelt on the ground, and lay on Lin Bai's legs, crying again.

Lin Bai didn't say much, just patted her back gently.

Pei Ning looked at Lin Bai, and Lin Bai shook his head slightly.

"It's Tian Wanjun! It's all Tian Wanjun's fault!" Zhu Yuling suddenly rushed over, and Zhu Yuyang and others couldn't stop her.

After not seeing her for a few years, Zhu Yuling looked a little older, with wrinkles on her face, a mean look in her eyes, and her hair was disheveled.

“Miao Miao!” Zhu Yuling came to the main hall, staggered a few steps, fell in front of Lin Bai, pulled Miao Miao into her arms, and said, “It was Tian Wanjun who killed your father!”

Miaomiao was stunned for a moment, then shook her head, "Impossible, she is a good person."

"Good guy?" Zhu Yuling sneered, "You are still young, how can you tell good from bad? In the future, this Fengming Mountain may not be named Zhu anymore!" After saying this, Zhu Yuling looked up at Lin Bai again, grabbed the hem of Lin Bai's shirt with both hands, and said, "My family has been very kind to you, and Yumao is even more of a benefactor to you. He was killed by the Tian family, you must avenge him!"

Upon hearing this, Miaomiao immediately broke free from Zhu Yuling's arms, angrily pushed Zhu Yuling away, and said with red eyes: "My father told me a long time ago that only the Zhu family owes Master, and Master does not owe the Zhu family! My father and Master are friends of life and death, so I treat Master like my own father!" Miaomiao became angrier and angrier, kicking Zhu Yuling away, "Now that my father's cause of death is unknown, you force Master to become enemies with Jindan. Do you want to harm my Master?"

"Miaomiao..." Zhu Yuling burst into tears, "Miaomiao, we both have the surname Zhu, we are a family, how could I lie to you?"

"My father's surname is also Zhu. Could it be that he has been deceiving me all along?" Miaomiao became more and more impatient.

"You..." Zhu Yuling cried louder and louder, pulling Miaomiao's clothes, "When you were a child, I taught you how to use an abacus and how to identify elixirs... Have you forgotten?"

"Of course I remember." Miaomiao pushed her hand away, retreated to Pei Ning's side, and said, "Tomorrow I will teach your children how to use an abacus to identify elixirs. After you die, I will also mention it to them every day."

“You…” Zhu Yuling was stunned, then looked at Lin Bai and said, “It’s you! It’s you who taught Miaomiao bad things, it’s all…”

Before she could finish her words, Zhu Yuqiang stepped forward and slapped her on the back of the neck, knocking her unconscious.

"Ever since she was fired from Fengming Pavilion, she has been resentful." Zhu Yuqiang shook her head and sighed, "Later, Wanjun took power. She was dissatisfied and went to find her uncle, but was scolded by her uncle again. Since then, she has become more and more crazy."

Zhu Yuqiang called more people over and carried Zhu Yuling out.

After waiting for another five days, Zhu Jianyang and others still did not return.

Pei Ning couldn't stay for long, so he went back to Tianchi Sect first.

Two days later, Zhu Yushu and others finally returned.

Zhu Yushu looked unhappy, and Tian Wanjun looked distraught. Only Zhu Jianyang, who had seen a lot of ups and downs, looked calm.

Everyone was too busy to talk, and Zhu Yushu drove all his disciples away, leaving only him and his wife, Zhu Jianyang, and Lin Bai.

After they sat down, Lin Bai asked the reason.

It turns out that this matter is really related to Tian Wanjun.

Tian Wanjun hasn't done anything big since she took over the affairs of Fengming Mountain. She just saw that the Zhu family had too few people, so she went to her mother's house to bring back many precious spiritual plants.

She came from a farming background, so she was good at it.

Then, seeing that the Zhu family was in a period of transition and no one was good at alchemy, refining tools or making talismans, she called her sisters and brothers from her mother's family to visit Fengming Mountain and teach the Zhu family's children. Lin Bai was also bribed by her several alchemy recipes and often came to Fengming Mountain to teach the alchemy and talisman making skills.

After more than a year, the Zhu family's children really learned a lot. However, the interest rate did not increase much, of course, it was not their fault, this thing would take ten or twenty years to take effect.

Tian Wanjun was fair and gentle, and everyone in the Zhu family remembered her well.

Not long ago, Lu Haike, the Yuanying from Jiuyin Mountain, visited Qiaoshan Sect.

Although Jiuyin Mountain is not on good terms with the Yunxia Sect, it has always had dealings with the Qiaoshan Sect.

Of course, a few years ago, because of the fox incident, the Yang family of Qiaoshan School and Jiuyin Mountain also had a conflict.

As the fox became the ancestor of the three surnames, the news that the Yang family and Jiuyin Mountain were helping others spread and became a joke, but it did not prevent the Yang family from getting along with Jiuyin Mountain.

The Yuanying Lu Haike had a Jindan descendant, Lu Shiping, a female cultivator. She went to the Tian family's sacred place in person to buy some fish bead grass, a specialty of Guinong Mountain.

This fish bead grass is beneficial for the practice of golden elixir, but its output is very small and has always been used by the Tian family themselves.

However, Lu Shiping was a descendant of the Yuanying stage after all, so he had to give her some face. Tian Guiqin, the head of the Tian family, decided to give her three branches of fish bead grass.

Lu Shiping thanked her again and again, saying that according to the rules of Jiuyin Mountain, she had to sleep with Tian Guiqin. How could two female cultivators sleep together? Tian Guiqin was frightened and refused. Lu Shiping then said that she could replace her with a male cultivator from the Tian family, but Tian Guiqin still refused.

Lu Shiping did not force it any more and invited the Tian family to go to Jiuyin Mountain. He said that the Jiuyin Mountain Island produced a lot of seafood, but the people of Jiuyin Mountain were not good at business, so they wanted to give up some things and let the Tian family sell them on their behalf.

Jiuyin Mountain used to have a business in Xinyifang, but it was closed down by the Yang family because of the fox incident and has never been reopened since then. The same is true for Santongfang.

There is a market on the coast of Jiuyin Mountain, but it is far less prosperous than that of Qiaoshan.

When the Tian family saw this good opportunity, they did not dare to agree immediately, but went to ask the Gu family first.

Gu Jinzhen disagreed, but Gu Jiuzhong said it was feasible. After two days of arguing, he finally agreed.

Tian Wanjun was determined to work for the Zhu family. After learning about her mother's family's affairs, she also wanted to take a flying boat to see if she could get some soup.

However, she was a female cultivator after all, so it was inconvenient for her to go to Jiuyin Mountain in person. After discussing with Zhu Yushu, she sent Zhu Yumao, the manager of Fengming Pavilion.

As Tian Wanjun said, it is easier to do business with honest people.

The Tian family didn't want to take the Zhu family to drink soup, but Tian Wanjun went back to her parents' home and cried for two days. Finally, she grudgingly agreed to take Zhu Yumao with her.

Since then, the Tian family sent three foundation-building and four Qi-training people, together with Zhu Yumao, a total of eight people, to accompany Lu Shiping to Jiuyin Mountain.

The eight people stayed in Jiuyin Mountain for half a month. After negotiating the contract, they went home to consult the head of the family.

However, less than two days after the eight people left Jiuyin Mountain, Lu Shiping caught up with them, saying that something was lost and wanted to check the flying boat and everyone's storage rings.

The Tian family naturally disagreed, but Lu Shiping was completely unreasonable and smashed the flying boat to pieces with just one palm.

The eight people came to discuss business and had little experience in battle. They did not expect Lu Shiping to turn against them and be so ruthless, so five of them died on the spot.

Later, Lu Shiping did not stop and killed only one old Qigong practitioner from the Tian family.

Lu Shiping scolded the Tian family for being dishonest, called off the deal, and only asked the old cultivator to go back and deliver the message.

"The people who went to my mother's house were all uncles and aunts, all of them are mature people, how could they have dirty hands? Yu Mao is honest and kind, and he would never take things from others." Tian Wanjun wiped her tears, "Jiuyin Mountain must be slandering people!"

No one said anything.

"It's all my fault for being blinded by greed..." Tian Wanjun started crying again.

"I don't blame you." Zhu Yushu held Tian Wanjun's hand and comforted her gently.

"What do you think?" Zhu Jianyang looked at Lin Bai.

Lin Bai felt that Jiuyin Mountain was simply treating the Tian family like dogs.

The Yuanying Sect is certainly qualified to play tricks, but behind the Tian Family is the Gu Family. Therefore, this is not a slap on the Tian Family's buttocks, this is a slap on the Gu Family's face.

Moreover, Jiuyin Mountain did not assassinate, but came openly. They also left a person alive and asked him to go back and report the news.

This is really bold. It seems that he does not take the Gu family seriously and even does not care about the reputation of the Qiaoshan Sect.

Did something happen to Gu Qingshui? Lin Bai had a headache.

"The so-called stealing is just an excuse. Yumao is in trouble, and the Tian family may be affected as well."

Lin Bai was also confused, so he asked again: "Who did the Yuanying Lu Haike visit in Qiaoshan Sect? When did he return?"

"According to Gu Fang, Lu Haike first visited Patriarch Xiang but was rejected, then went to see Patriarch Cheng, and finally went to speak to Patriarch Gu." Zhu Jianyang sighed helplessly, "When the Yumao soul lamp went out, Lu Haike had just left for one day."

Can't visit Xiang Laozu? Is Xiang Laozu not here? Lin Bai remembered what the fox said, Xiang Laozu kidnapped the wood demon and seemed to be out.

That means something happened in Qiaoshan Sect, and Lu Haike saw the clue, otherwise why would Jiuyin Mountain slap the Gu family in the face for no reason?
"What does the Gu family say?" Lin Bai asked.

"Gu Fang went to Guinong Mountain, said a few words to comfort the people, and then went back." Zhu Yushu said.

Lin Bai was speechless. The Gu family was really unreliable. They should at least get a golden elixir!

"What does the Tian family say?" Lin Bai asked again.

"My family..." Tian Wanjun shook her head and sighed, "My family said that everything should be based on the order of Grandpa Gu."

All four of them remained silent.

After a long time, they discussed for a while and decided to leave Zhu Yushu and his wife at home while Lin Bai and Zhu Jianyang went to Qiaoshan Sect to inquire about the news.

As soon as I walked out of the hall, I saw Miaomiao coming towards me.

She was wearing a black Taoist robe, her hair was tied behind her back, and her eyes were slightly bloodshot.

"Just stay at home and relax. I'll take care of everything." Lin Bai patted her head gently.

"Yeah." Miaomiao responded softly.

Lin Bai said no more and headed west with Zhu Jianyang.

After entering the territory of Qiaoshan Sect, they spent some time with the patrolling disciples and then continued on their way inside.

Seeing the Xianqiao blessed land from afar, the two men split up into two groups. Zhu Jianyang went to Qingyun Mountain where the Gu family lived, and Lin Bai went to look for Sister Huanhuan.

After a long time of effort, I finally saw the person.

Still in the same yard, Yang Huan came out to greet them, "I thought if I didn't go looking for you, you wouldn't come looking for me." She was very happy and pulled Lin Bai into the house.

Seeing her pulling down her clothes, Lin Bai quickly told her the reason for coming there.

"Because of Fairy Chenyu, my family has never had any dealings with Jiuyin Mountain. That's why Lu Haike has never come to see my ancestor." Yang Huan had a faint scent of fruit wine and his cheeks were slightly red, but he looked much more serious.

"Is Ancestor Xiang on the mountain?" Lin Bai asked again.

Lu Haike wanted to see the ancestor but was refused. It might be that the ancestor was not at home or was stuck with something.

The great power belongs to one person, and the stabilizing force of Qiaoshan Sect is Ancestor Xiang. As long as Ancestor Xiang is around, no Yuanying of any sect dares to act recklessly.

“This…” Yang Huan shook his head, “Ancestor Xiang rarely shows up, I’m afraid only my ancestor knows about this.”

“Then—” Lin Bai lowered his voice and asked, “Is there any movement from Ancestor Gu?” He was afraid that Gu Qingshui had died silently like Gu Qingshan.

"He has never shown up since the grand sacrifice." Yang Huan said.

Lin Bai got the message and went to look for Zhu Jianyang again.

When they arrived at Qingyun Mountain, they saw several people walking out of the side hall. They were Gu Jinzhen, Gu Jiuzhong, as well as Li Shouyan, the leader of the Huaqing Sect, and Tian Guiqin, the head of the Tian family.

Zhu Jianyang followed behind, his face showing no emotion; Gu Fang followed behind, but looked as if she had a headache.

Lin Bai stepped forward and bowed, but no one paid any attention to him.

Tian Guiqin and Li Shouyan left with grim looks on their faces. Zhu Jianyang pulled Lin Bai, bowed again, and left as well.

Only after they left the territory of Qiaoshan Sect did the two begin to talk.

"Ancestor Gu has gone to Yunxia Sect." Zhu Jianyang said.

"Yunxia Sect?" Lin Bai was stunned. "Want to fight?"

"Who knows?" Zhu Jianyang smiled.

"Does Ancestor Xiang agree? Or is Ancestor Xiang really not on the mountain?" Lin Bai asked.

"Who knows?" Zhu Jianyang still smiled, "People say that the fish in the pond are affected by the disaster, but in fact, we are not even fish."

(End of this chapter)