Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 255: Praying to God and Worshiping Buddha
While the two were discussing, the housekeeper tiptoed outside and reported to him, "Master, Elder Zhong has returned and is requesting an audience outside the mansion."

"Please come in." Song Xian replied immediately.

Soon, Zhong Wenyuan came in from outside and bowed to him respectfully.

"Brother Wenyuan, please take a seat. Did you get to see Hu Xiaobao during your visit to the Kong family?"

Zhong Wenyuan glanced at Huang Ye and sat down aside.

He also knew that Huang Ye was not only in charge of the sect's intelligence affairs, but also served as Song Xian's chief military advisor. Therefore, he did not hide it: "The Kong family is very tough. I waited a whole day before I saw a cultivator come out to meet me. They said that Hu Xiaobao had injured a disciple of their sect and had been detained in Qiushi. After being convicted, he would be imprisoned in the Kong Mansion. They also did not let me see Hu Xiaobao."

Song Xian had expected the Kong family to be unwilling to release Hu Xiaobao, but he was a little worried because he had not seen whether Hu Xiaobao was safe and sound. What he feared most was that the Kong family would directly kill Hu Xiaobao in revenge.

If you lose money, you can earn it again; if you lose property, you can regain it.

If such a talented disciple who has awakened his innate supernatural powers through a single spiritual root is lost, it will be an irreparable and huge loss.

"Master, I have a suggestion." Zhong Wenyuan spoke when he saw that he was silent.

"Senior Brother Wenyuan, please speak."

"We can use the Jade Fragrance Pill to get Hu Xiaobao back. Didn't the Sect Leader say that the Kong family was responsible for the leak of the Jade Fragrance Pill? Since they're after the Jade Fragrance Pill, why not give them a share? As long as we can get Hu Xiaobao back, it's not something we wouldn't accept."

"Let me think about it!" Song Xian mused, "The most urgent thing is to ensure Hu Xiaobao's safety. If he is safe, there is no rush to rescue him. I am now worried that the Kong family will destroy him in revenge."

Yuxiangdan is an important financial pillar of the sect and is related to the income of many disciples. If a share is to be given to the Kong family, it will inevitably affect the dividends of the sect disciples. He cannot be dictatorial on such a major matter involving so many people.

Especially the relationship between Hu Xiaobao and him, everyone in the sect knows it. If he makes decisions arbitrarily, he will inevitably be gossiped about behind his back.

Sacrificing the interests of the sect's disciples in order to save one's own relatives will not bring good reputation and influence.

Since Song Xian took office as the sect leader, he has always paid attention to maintaining his own image, which is why he can gain the respect and recognition of the sect's disciples.

"I have ordered the people at Qingfengfang to do their best to find out Hu Xiaobao's current situation."

"They alone may not be able to help. I plan to go to Bianxi City in person to negotiate with the Kong family."

Zhong Wenyuan's brows immediately furrowed. "Master, don't take any risks. The Kong family might have captured Hu Xiaobao just to lure you out. If they truly have evil intentions, wouldn't you be walking right into the tiger's mouth if you went to the Kong family?"

"Don't worry, I won't go alone. I'll go to Qiyuan Mountain first. If I can't get Jiang Feng to come, then I'll ask Xu Hao to accompany me. Even if Kong Zhenqing hates me, he shouldn't offend Jiang Feng for me."

"Since you are going, Master, please bring more people with you to avoid any ambush along the way."

"If the Kong family sends someone to ambush me, they'll be targeted because of their large number of people. I left without anyone noticing, so it's safer to go alone quietly."

…………

The moon was bright in the sky and the stars were like rain. To the east of Qiyuan Mountain, a flying magic weapon came rapidly and landed in front of the mountain gate. A man with broad shoulders and a burly figure jumped out. It was Song Xian.

To avoid being ambushed, he quietly left Tianshan alone, used an invisibility talisman to travel over a hundred miles, and then set up a flying magic weapon to head towards Bianxi City.

After he introduced himself, a disciple of the Beast Taming Sect quickly led him into the inner room and took him to a hall. After waiting for a while, he stood up and bowed when he saw Xu Hao striding in.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, I'm sorry to bother you."

"Master Song, you're welcome. Please take a seat!"

After exchanging pleasantries, the two took their respective seats. Xu Hao smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Song has become quite famous recently! I heard that during this Foundation Establishment Selection Competition, you defeated masters from various factions in Bianxi City and won first place. Even Uncle Huo Yuan praised you highly. Before Uncle Huo left, he discussed you with my master during a banquet. He said you had extraordinary magical powers and a promising future."

"Senior Huo, thank you for your compliment. To be honest, I am disturbing you just because of this matter. I won the first place in this foundation-building competition, but unexpectedly caused trouble. I would like to ask for help from Fellow Daoist Xu." Song Xian did not beat around the bush and directly stated his purpose.

"Oh? What do you mean?"

Song Xian sighed slightly. "It was because of the competition that I offended the Kong family. In one of the competitions, I faced Kong Xiangyuan of the Kong family and defeated him during the competition. Because Kong Xiangyuan was so powerful and his skills were so sophisticated, I used all my tricks and barely won, breaking one of his arms."

"This caused dissatisfaction within the Kong family. Senior Kong Zhenqing, a Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Kong family, was watching the battle at Yixian Peak at the time. Upon seeing Kong Xiangyuan's defeat, he came to the competition arena and uttered harsh words."

"I didn't take it seriously at first, thinking it was just a momentary outburst of anger. Unexpectedly, a few days ago, our sect disciple Hu Xiaobao was captured by the Kong family and has not been released to this day. We don't know whether he's alive or dead."

"This Hu Xiaobao is not only the only single spiritual root disciple in our sect, but in terms of seniority, he is my uncle."

"The Kong family designed to arrest him, saying that he injured a member of the Kong family and wanted to convict him."

"I've tried everything, but the Kong family is so powerful they won't let me go. I'm forced to go visit Senior Jiang, hoping he can mediate."

Xu Hao didn't express his opinion after hearing this, but just nodded: "Oh! So that's how it is!"

"Excuse me, Fellow Daoist Xu, I wonder if Senior Jiang is free right now. I would like to report this matter to Senior Jiang in person."

"Master has been in seclusion for cultivation recently and has instructed not to see visitors. Fellow Daoist Song, please be patient and wait for a while. I will report this matter to you after Master comes out of seclusion."

Song Xian didn't know whether what he said was true or not, but since he had something to ask of him, he could only humbly plead, "Since Senior Jiang is busy, I have something to trouble Fellow Daoist Xu. I hope Fellow Daoist Xu can help me."

"Fellow Daoist Song, please speak!"

"My sect currently has no idea whether Hu Xiaobao is alive or dead. I only heard from the Kong family that they are holding him in a cell, and we have no idea of ​​his condition. I would like to go and see for myself, but I'm afraid the Kong family will harm me. If you are free, could you accompany me on this trip? With you here, I believe the Kong family will not dare to do anything evil. If you can help me, I will be very grateful."

"Well!" Xu Hao looked embarrassed. "Master is in seclusion now, so I can't make the decision. If I suddenly intervene in the feud between you and the Kong family, it would be bad if I get into trouble and cause trouble for Master. Besides, I don't have that much face to protect you. The reason why others in Bianxi City respect me is because of Master."

"How about this! Let's wait for Master to come out of seclusion, and then I'll report to him. After Master's approval, I'll go with you. Fellow Daoist Song, please wait patiently for a few days before we make any decisions."

Song Xian was not surprised to see him making excuses. Although he and Xu Hao had some contact, they could not really be called friends. At most, they were just partners.

The only reason they received us so warmly was because they were given a dividend of spirit stones every year.

But this amount of spirit stones was the agreed reward when they conquered Tianshan. To be fair, he did not take this money to serve as a protective umbrella for Hunyuan Sect, so naturally he had no obligation to solve problems for Hunyuan Sect.

This kind of personal grudge has no benefits, and outsiders are definitely unwilling to get involved. The Kong family's influence is naturally not worth mentioning compared to the Beastmaster Sect, but it still has influence in Bianxi City, and even Jiang Feng has to give them some face.

Xu Hao is just Jiang Feng's disciple, and he is a little respectable because of this status. The Kong family does not need to look at his face.

What's more, he received dividends from the Hunyuan Sect, so how could we know that he didn't get benefits from the Kong family?

"I wonder when Senior Jiang will come out of seclusion?"

"It's hard to say. It could be tomorrow, or it could be ten days or half a month."

"I have a humble request. I hope I can stay at your place until Senior Jiang comes out of confinement so I can report this matter to him in person. Is that possible?"

"That's no problem. You can stay here. I will report to Master after he comes out of seclusion."

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Xu." Song Xian flipped his hands and took out a bag, offering it with both hands. "I'm sorry to bother you with your care and concern for our sect. This is just a small gift. I hope you won't despise it."

Xu Hao did not pretend to be righteous. He took the bag and took a look. Inside were five fourth-level spirit stones, which translated to five thousand spirit stones.

He smiled and said, "No merit, no reward. I feel unworthy of receiving this generous gift from Fellow Daoist Song!"

"Hu Xiaobao is our sect's only single-spiritual-root disciple, and he is also Song's uncle. He is currently being held captive by the Kong family, and only Senior Jiang can rescue him. If Fellow Daoist Xu is willing to speak well of him, he will be our sect's great benefactor. A few mere spirit stones are nothing to him. If Hu Xiaobao can return safely to our sect, I will offer a generous reward."

"Then I shall be most gracious in refusing. Fellow Daoist Song, rest assured that I will report this matter to Master as soon as he emerges from retreat. Please describe in detail the circumstances of the competition that day and the circumstances surrounding Hu Xiaobao's capture by the Kong family, so that I may report to Master."

"Yes." Song Xian then recounted the whole story.

Xu Hao just nodded slightly without saying anything. After listening to him, he did not comment on the matter, but changed the subject and chatted about some gossip.

Song Xian then said goodbye and stayed in a room in the guest house on Qiyuan Mountain.

…………

Two days later, Xu Hao found him. Yan Jiangfeng had already come out of confinement, but he had other important matters to deal with and could not see him yet.

He also said that he could go with him to the Kong family to find out the situation, so the two of them left Qiyuan Mountain and headed towards the Kong family's mountain gate.

In the dim training room, Kong Zhenqing was sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, practicing, when there was a knock on the door.

He opened his eyes and unlocked the door to the room. Standing outside was a short, well-built, middle-aged man. He was none other than Kong Xiangjun, the person in charge of etiquette reception at the Kong family.

"Uncle, the Beastmaster Sect's leader, Jiang Feng's disciple Xu Hao, and the Hunyuan Sect's headmaster, Song Xian, have come to visit the Patriarch. The Patriarch has asked you to make the decision."

Kong Zhenqing narrowed his eyes slightly. He naturally knew the relationship between Hunyuan Sect and Jiang Feng. Xu Hao's purpose this time was also obvious, but he didn't know whether it was Jiang Feng's intention behind this.

"Go meet them and find out what Xu Hao has to say, then report back to me."

"I'm sorry for not welcoming you in person, Brother Xu." Kong Xiangjun strode into the spacious and bright hall with a smile on his face and bowed to Xu Hao.

"Don't be polite, Friend Kong. It's our fault for disturbing you."

"I'm truly sorry, Fellow Daoist Xu, the Patriarch is not at home today. I wonder if you have any instructions? I'll be sure to let him know later."

"I heard that there was some minor friction between your mansion and Hunyuan Sect. Fellow Daoist Song is a good friend of mine, so I came here to pay a visit with him." Xu Hao said indifferently, as if it was none of his business.

The meaning of this statement is very clear. He came here just to accompany others. He does not represent anyone and has no position. He is just acting as a middleman.

Kong Xiangjun then turned his gaze towards Song Xian, still with a kind smile on his face: "I wonder what brings you here today, Fellow Daoist Song?"

"My sect's disciple Hu Xiaobao has offended a cultivator from your sect. I have come here to apologize and hope that your family can release Hu Xiaobao. I will strictly discipline him in the future. My sect is willing to pay a sum of spirit stones as compensation to the disciple of your family who had the conflict with Hu Xiaobao. If your family is still not satisfied, my sect can hold a banquet in Qingfengfang and apologize in public." Song Xian had a sincere look on his face and went straight to the point, keeping a very humble attitude.

"Hu Xiaobao injured a cultivator in our government. We punished him according to the rules, so we detained him. The country has its laws and the family has its rules. I hope Fellow Daoist Song can understand." Kong Xiangjun replied politely.

Song Xianben didn't think that just a few words would make the Kong family release Hu Xiaobao. He came here just to express his attitude and test the Kong family's background.

"If your government has any conditions, please feel free to propose them."

Kong Xiangjun still smiled and replied, "This isn't a matter of conditions. Your sect's Hu Xiaobao injured our monks, and we were only following the rules. If we release Hu Xiaobao, how will our sect survive in Bianxi City in the future? Anyone can wantonly humiliate our disciples and then pay them a fine. Isn't that absurd?"

"May I ask what punishment your government will impose on Hu Xiaobao?"

"This is the matter of the Punishment Hall, and they will make the judgment when the time comes."

"As a relative of Hu Xiaobao, may I be allowed to meet Hu Xiaobao?"

"According to the rules of our palace, detained mortals are not allowed to meet with outsiders. Fellow Daoist Song, please rest assured that we will give Hu Xiaobao a fair judgment."

Song Xian didn't respond, but turned his gaze to Xu Hao, hoping that he could help say a word or two.

But Xu Hao really kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, and kept his mouth shut.

Seeing his expression, Song Xian knew what he meant. Obviously, he didn't want to get involved in the dispute between the two sides. He brought him here this time because of their previous friendship.

"I wonder who the Taoist friend from your house was who was injured by Hu Xiaobao? Could I meet him? I hope to gain his forgiveness."

"This person is recovering from his injuries and is not able to meet with visitors, so please don't bother him." Kong Xiangjun still had a kind smile on his face and spoke softly, but his attitude was indeed very tough.

"In that case, I'll take my leave." Song Xian was at a loss. He had already lowered his posture very much. Even after saying so much, the Kong family remained unmoved and did not give him any room for negotiation. Xu Hao also acted as if it was none of his business. Continuing the conversation would not produce any results. It would be better for him to go back early and think of another solution.

"Friend Xu, you are a distinguished guest. Please stay at my house for a banquet today!" Kong Xiangjun ignored Song Xian and said to Xu Hao with a smile on his face.

"I have something else to do. I'll visit you next time."

"Then I'll see Fellow Daoist Xu off."

(End of this chapter)