Demonic Dao Fanfiction: Protecting You from Worries for a Lifetime

Walking out of the library, Chaoyang patted his head lightly, turned around and looked at the library, couldn't help but sigh softly, and finally softened his heart.

As the morning glow faded, Lan Xichen quietly made his way to the secluded retreat in the back mountains where Qing Heng-jun remained in seclusion. He knocked softly on the door. Though no sound emanated from within, Lan Xichen felt certain his father was inside. Through the tightly closed door, Lan Xichen whispered with his usual respect, "Father, Sect Master Xuanyuan has entrusted me with a letter to present to you today."

The room remained silent and quiet, which did not surprise Lan Xichen. His eyes dimmed slightly, and he sighed softly, "Father, Sect Master Xuanyuan once said that as long as you read this letter, you will be able to come out of seclusion. Don't you have a little curiosity and don't want to see it with your own eyes?" Lan Xichen's voice echoed in the empty room, carrying a hint of subtle sadness and anticipation.

After Lan Xichen finished speaking, he bowed again, then slowly stood up and looked towards the door.

A gentle creaking sound, like the whisper of time, was heard as the carved wooden door slowly opened under Lan Xichen's gaze, as if welcoming the return of a long-lost relative. Behind the door, a calm figure gradually emerged: Lan Xichen's father, Qing Hengjun.

Qingheng Jun was dressed in a simple and elegant blue robe with fluttering sleeves, as if he was a scholar walking out of an ancient scroll. Perhaps because he had not seen the sun for a long time, his skin looked particularly white, with a somewhat sickly soft beauty.

"Xichen."

"Father." Lan Xichen quickly stepped forward and knelt before Qing Hengjun, his eyes filled with admiration and longing. His voice trembled slightly, as if at this moment, all his emotions were combined into these two words, simple yet profound.

Qing Hengjun reached out and gently stroked Lan Xichen's head, his eyes filled with love and relief. "Xichen, get up."

Upon hearing this, Lan Xichen slowly stood up, his eyes never leaving Qing Hengjun's face. "Father, this is a letter from Sect Master Xuanyuan." He held the heavy letter in both hands, as if it were carrying a thousand-pound weight. Lan Xichen felt a mixture of emotions, uneasy about the letter's contents.

A complex expression flashed across Qing Hengjun's eyes. He nodded slightly, took the letter from Lan Xichen, and said calmly, "It's late, go home early. Father will review this letter himself."

Upon hearing this, Lan Xichen, though deeply reluctant, had no choice but to respectfully agree. He bowed and slowly departed. The night was already deep, and the moonlight, like water, cast a long shadow over his slender figure.

Qing Hengjun sat at the table, his eyes revealing deep sadness and anger, staring at the unsettling letter on the table.

It records in detail the reasons why Mrs. Lan killed her mentor. It turns out that all of this was due to a misunderstanding and conspiracy.

Qing Hengjun's fingers gently brushed the edges of the letter, as if searching between the lines for a clue to unravel the mystery. Those memories, sealed away by time, surged like an undercurrent, and once revealed, they would overturn everyone's understanding.

Qing Hengjun closed his eyes, his mind racing to his wife's gentle and virtuous self. Knowing he had harmed his wife, the contrast pierced his heart, only to intensify his resolve to uncover the truth. Qing Hengjun knew a single letter alone wouldn't reveal the full story; he had to personally explore and unearth the secrets buried by time.

The lights in the room remained on all night. The next morning, Qing Hengjun, dressed in the solemn attire of a clan leader, walked into the Lan clan's solemn morning meeting. His face was slightly pale, but it could not conceal the majesty and grace of the Lan clan leader.

Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen stood up in shock upon witnessing this scene. Lan Xichen's expression suddenly changed, and he took two steps forward involuntarily, calling out in a low voice, "Father!!"

Qing Hengjun's eyes slowly scanned the surroundings, taking in everyone's expressions, and finally fixed on the main seat. He called out gently, "Qi Ren, Xi Chen."

Lan Qiren and Lan Mang stepped forward upon hearing the sound, their faces filled with surprise. Lan Qiren excitedly asked, "Brother!!! Are you finally out of seclusion?"

Lan Xichen followed closely behind, his eyes gleaming as he stared intently at Qingheng Jun, thinking to himself, "Sect Master Xuanyuan really didn't lie to him. Father has truly emerged from confinement."

Qing Hengjun nodded slightly and said softly, "I've been in seclusion for a long time, and now it's time to get out and stretch my muscles. Qi Ren, Xi Chen, you've worked tirelessly over the years. Thank you for your hard work."

Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen's eyes instantly turned red, and they called out affectionately, "Brother, Father."

At this moment, a series of chaotic footsteps came from behind, followed by a call full of surprise and disbelief: "Father."

Qing Hengjun slowly turned around, his eyes fixed on Lan Wangji, who had hurried over. He stood helplessly outside the threshold, hesitant and faltering, as if he didn't dare to take a single step forward.

A warm smile spread across Qing Hengjun's face. He waved gently to Lan Wangji and called out affectionately, "Wangji, come here quickly."

Lan Wangji finally mustered up the courage and slowly stepped forward until he stood before Qing Heng-Jun. He softly called out again, "Father."

Qing Heng Jun responded softly, his voice a little dry. He closed his eyes for a moment to regain his composure, then said softly, "Well, let's take care of the business first. Let's reminisce about the past later, so as not to keep the elders waiting." After that, he calmly sat in the main seat, Lan Qiren sat firmly in the second seat, and Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji stood respectfully behind Qing Heng Jun.

Qing Hengjun wore a gentle smile, but his eyes revealed a sharpness that could not be ignored. He spoke calmly, "Elders, I, Lan, have made some progress during my retreat. I have now emerged from seclusion and am ready to take over the Lan Clan again. I wonder if you still welcome me?"

The elders, despite their own thoughts, had to stand up respectfully at this moment and pay a solemn tribute to Lord Qing Heng, saying in unison: "Congratulations, Sect Master, for coming out of seclusion and retaking control of the Lan Clan!"

Lan Xichen stood quietly behind Qingheng Jun, his heart filled with confusion. He didn't understand why his father had chosen this moment to emerge from seclusion, but he had a vague feeling that it was inextricably linked to Senior Xuanyuan's letter. He exchanged a glance with Lan Wangji, their eyes gleaming with the same joy and excitement. They finally had their father's protection and guidance.

Qingheng Jun's coming out of seclusion was a major event for the Lan family and even the hundreds of immortal families in the entire sect. No matter what the families were thinking, they all sent letters to express their congratulations and tried to find out the intentions of Qingheng Jun's coming out of seclusion this time.

At this time, Qinghengjun was in Chaoyang's courtyard.

"Master Xuanyuan."

"Master Lan." Chaoyang found it difficult to address him as "Lord Qingheng." It was actually an insult to the title of "Lord." In Chaoyang's heart, he was not worthy of it.

Qing Hengjun took out the letter and asked, "Master Xuanyuan, is what is written in this letter true?"

Chaoyang gently picked up the teacup, glanced at it quickly, and then answered the irrelevant question: "It is an indisputable fact that your Lan family committed the act of exterminating the entire family." As soon as these words came out, Qingheng Jun's expression suddenly became extremely solemn.

Upon hearing this, Lord Qingheng's expression changed drastically. He suddenly raised his head and stared at the rising sun, his eyes filled with disbelief and shock. He asked in a deep voice, "Is all this true? Sect Master Xuanyuan, can you confirm this is absolutely true?"

Chaoyang: "Of course, every word is true."

Hearing such a certain statement, Lord Qingheng was struck by a bolt from the blue. He froze on the spot, unable to move. His lips trembled slightly as he managed to force out the words, "That's impossible. I witnessed her murder our mentor with my own eyes, and only then..." However, his words choked in his throat, and he could no longer continue.

Qing Hengjun clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white from the exertion. He tried his best to calm the turmoil and rage in his heart, and asked in a low and powerful voice, "Master Xuanyuan, how did you know this?"

Chaoyang smiled softly, a hint of mystery in his tone: "If you don't want others to know, then don't do it yourself." He continued, "Back then, you directly convicted without any investigation. Wasn't that too hasty? Everyone says that the Lan family is a family of gentlemen, but in my opinion, that doesn't seem to be the case. What do you think, Sect Master Lan?"

Qing Hengjun frowned, suppressing the turmoil in his heart. He spoke slowly, "Master Xuanyuan, I admit that the events of that year were a truth unknown to the Lan family. But you cannot insult the Lan family's reputation."

Chaoyang nodded gently, as if he had already anticipated Qingheng Jun's reaction. "Sect Master Lan, your Lan family seems to be overly praised. Once the truth is revealed, how will the world view it? Sect Master Lan, are you ready to face this? To be lifted high and then thrown down hard?"

Chaoyang's words were like a sharp sword, piercing Qingheng Jun's heart. Qingheng Jun fell silent, knowing full well that Chaoyang's words were true and that the Lan family's reputation was in jeopardy. He faced a choice: choose his wife, or continue to maintain the family's precarious reputation.

Seeing that he was silent, Chaoyang said, "Whether to investigate or not is entirely up to you. But your Lan family owes the lives of hundreds of people in the family, as well as your wife's innocence. Do you think a direct descendant of a 'criminal' can control the family? Will he be a mascot or a puppet?" These words were like a huge rock suddenly falling into a tranquil lake, instantly stirring up circles of delicate ripples.

As soon as Chaoyang finished speaking, he stood up and took his leave without waiting for Qingheng Jun's response. Chaoyang was worried that if he stayed any longer, he might accidentally say something inappropriate.