Qin Shi: I went astray in the Heavenly Sect

Chapter 199 Returning to the Clan, Entering the Farming Family
"Senior brother, is what Situ Wanli said true?"

Beside the fire, Xiaomeng asked with some curiosity.

According to the information she currently possesses, there are not many Grandmaster-level combatants among the various schools of thought. The fact that the Farmer School has suddenly produced six of them makes her feel somewhat unreal.

Xiu Yuan held a tree branch in his hand and gently poked at the dry branches in the fire. When he heard Xiao Meng's words, his gaze sharpened. Situ Wanli was a farmer, and he didn't believe that what the other party said was not an exaggeration.

This shrewd and worldly-wise head of the Four Mountains Hall wouldn't be so honest about such matters.

However, to say there really isn't one is probably not true. The fact that the Farmer's School became the largest school among the Hundred Schools of Thought must mean it has something special about it, and there are probably some unknown secrets hidden within. The six top experts at the Tomb of the Six Sages must have some limitations.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "I'm not sure about the specifics, but there are indeed six highly skilled farmers living in seclusion at the Tomb of the Six Sages. There are almost no records of these six people taking action in the martial arts world. The only time they did this was when they besieged and killed Bai Qi, the Lord of Wu'an of Qin."

"I have a pretty good understanding of the combat strength of Grandmasters now. If these six people are all Grandmasters, they wouldn't need to send out all of them to deal with Bai Qi. This shows that their actual combat strength is not comparable to that of a Grandmaster."

"But in the end they were able to kill Bai Qi, which means that the combined power of the six of them is extremely terrifying and cannot be resisted by ordinary grandmasters. Therefore, Situ Wanli's words should not be completely disbelieved, but they should not be completely believed either."

Yan Lingji sat to one side, resting her chin on one hand, while the other hand gently drew circles in the air near the fire. The flames, attracted by the scent emanating from her fingers, danced merrily.

Upon hearing Xiu Yuan's words, the girl casually replied, "Young master, I have just thought of something."

Upon hearing this, Xiu Yuan looked over.

"Oh?"

Yan Lingji's internal energy surged, and with a clench of her right hand, a blazing flame rose from her palm.

"If the Farmer's Clan's hidden strength is truly that great, would Situ Wanli still be so polite this time?"

Upon hearing this, Xiu Yuan gently shook his head.

The peasants value nobility and high-ranking officials, and they don't care about being born with a special destiny. They won't play the humble card. If the peasants really had that kind of power, they would never have been infiltrated to that extent by the Net in another timeline.

Just like the Taoist Heavenly Sect, even if there is only one Grandmaster in charge, the Luo Wang (Net of Heaven) can hardly be seen within the sect.

This is because a Grandmaster holds considerable power and prestige for a dynasty. Those people also don't want to provoke a Grandmaster-level expert.

Therefore, Xiu Yuan still had doubts about the six Grandmaster-level experts that Situ Wanli mentioned.

However, regarding the other item that Situ Wanli mentioned, namely the notes on breaking through from the Grandmaster realm, he believed that the item was more likely to be genuine.

Each school and sect has been established for generations. Any school that has survived to this day must have had a glorious history, otherwise it would have been eliminated by history long ago.

If one's ancestors were brilliant, it is highly likely that a few exceptionally talented individuals will emerge. These individuals may leave behind some insights on their deathbeds or during breakthroughs.

After thinking for a moment, Xiu Yuan sighed softly.

"Forget it, let's just take things one step at a time when it comes to the farmhouses!"

"However, there is one thing I hope you and your junior sister will return to the sect first and not linger here at the farmhouse. If things get really complicated here, it will be easy for me to get away on my own."

Upon hearing Xiu Yuan's words, the two women felt a sudden sinking feeling in their hearts.

But when it came to cultivating affinity, they couldn't say anything else.

Xiu Yuan's concerns are possible. If the farmers really turn their backs on her, it wouldn't be difficult for Xiu Yuan to leave alone given her level of cultivation. However, if she were to join the two of them, the situation would be completely different.

Yan Lingji deeply understood this. Back in Xinzheng, to create an escape opportunity for her companions, she used a secret technique to hold off Bai Yifei, the Blood-Clad Marquis, which led to her capture and imprisonment in the dungeon. Imagine if she hadn't had any entanglements at the time; she would definitely have escaped alive.

Xiu Yuan then continued, "This time, the Farmer's Clan only invited me. Although they won't be unhappy that I brought you along, I think it would be safer for you to return to your sect first."

Upon hearing this, both women knew about Xiu Yuan's decision, but neither of them spoke.

After a long while, Xiaomeng finally spoke slowly, "If this is Senior Brother's intention."

Yan Lingji reached out and poked Xiu Yuan's shoulder, saying with a hint of dissatisfaction, "Young Master, when we were in Shouying City, Master Xiaomeng and I got through it safely, didn't we? Can Daze Mountain be as dangerous as Shouying City, where tigers and dragons roam?"

Hearing this complaint, Xiu Yuan reached out and gave the girl a sharp rap on the head.

“These are two different things. In Shouying City, we were in the dark while the enemy was in the light. But this time, when we go to Daze Mountain, we are in the light while the enemy is in the dark. The situation is very different now. Most importantly, I don’t want anything to happen to either of you.”

The next day, just as dawn broke, Situ Wanli reappeared. He was somewhat taken aback when he found that only Xiu Yuan remained in the same spot.

He instinctively asked, "Master, what about those two girls from last night?"

Xiu Yuan calmly raised his head and looked at the other person.

"What? Did the farmer invite them too?"

Situ Wanli narrowed his eyes, then shook his head. This time, the leader of the chivalrous sect had only invited one person: Xiu Yuan. As for the other two, there were no special instructions given, but now that they had left, he felt as if they were deliberately keeping an eye on them.

"Master, you misunderstand. That's not what I meant. It's just that in this desolate wilderness, wouldn't it be unsafe for those two women?"

Xiu Yuan's perception of this shrewd and worldly person wasn't very good, so he didn't continue explaining.

Seeing this, Situ Wanli shook his head helplessly. To be honest, he didn't really want to deal with these Taoists. If the leader of the chivalrous sect hadn't assigned him this task, he would never have come here to make a fool of himself.

After a while, Situ Wanli spoke again: "Then, Master, shall we set off now for Mount Daze?"

Xiu Yuan nodded, turned around, and got into a carriage.

A gentle breeze blew, stirring up a thick layer of fallen leaves. Two figures emerged from the void. Watching the carriage disappear into the distance, the silver-haired girl whispered, "Senior brother walks too fast; even I can't keep up with his pace. If you want to be closer to him, then you should cultivate diligently!"

After saying this, the girl turned and walked down another road without looking back, a road that also led to the Qin state.

The girl in the red dress stood there for a while, her gaze shifting uncertainly. What the other person said was certainly true; if they wanted to get closer, this was naturally a better way.

But she forgot one fact: the boy's talent was far beyond her reach. No matter how hard she tried, the chances of catching up to him were practically zero. The girl then murmured to herself.

"That's easy for you to say. If I had his talent, he would be calling me 'Miss' by now."

However, she accepted the suggestion in her heart. Not for any other reason than for herself, but to survive in this chaotic world, she needed to improve her cultivation as much as possible, because in this world, might makes right. Everything else was just empty talk.

On the other side, in a carriage, Situ Wanli and Xiu Yuan sat facing each other. Looking at the calm-looking young man before him, the head of the Four Mountains Hall was greatly surprised. Unfamiliar surroundings, unfamiliar people, and an unfamiliar destination—most people would never remain so indifferent in this situation, yet he could see no tension in the other's expression.

Recalling the intelligence he had received earlier, Situ Wanli nodded to himself again. To achieve the status of a Grandmaster at such a young age was truly rare. Such a person must have something extraordinary about him.

"What is the master thinking?"

Situ Wanli reached out and lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, watching the scenery rushing past on both sides of the road. His expression inexplicably softened a little.

Xiu Yuan seemed to have guessed something and asked, "Have we already reached the farmland?"

Situ Wanli was taken aback upon hearing this. They had indeed arrived at the farm's territory, but how had this boy discovered it? He hadn't mentioned this before.

"Has the master visited the farmhouse?"

Xiu Yuan shook his head.

"I have never been here before. I just saw that the hall master's expression had softened, so I guessed that we must have arrived at the farm's territory."

Upon hearing this answer, Situ Wanli could not hide his surprise. His keen observation was his assessment of the young man at that moment.

"Master, you have a good eye! We have indeed arrived at our farmland! However, it is still quite a distance to Four Seasons Town. The chieftain is waiting for us there."

Four Seasons Town?
Upon hearing the name, a flash of reminiscence crossed Xiu Yuan's eyes; he remembered that this town did exist.

That town seems to be a town before entering the Tomb of the Six Sages. Geographically speaking, it is a place that can be attacked or defended. In the words of the Guigu School, that place can be considered a celestial pivot.

"Does the master know this place?"

Seeing Xiu Yuan deep in thought, Situ Wanli's heart skipped a beat; he felt like he'd seen a ghost.

In his memory, the farmhouse had never hosted this boy, but he had a considerable understanding of the farmhouse's situation. The most crucial question was how the other party had learned about these things, which was the most troublesome part.

"do not know!"

After a moment of silence, Xiu Yuan spoke again, and upon hearing this answer, Situ Wanli breathed a sigh of relief.

"Who is the current head of the Six Halls of the Farmer's Clan? Could Hall Master Situ please enlighten me?"

Upon hearing this, Situ Wanli's expression changed slightly. He was unsure whether he should answer the other party's question or not.

Then he remembered the meeting arranged by Xia Kui, where all six hall masters should be present. It didn't seem to matter whether they met sooner or later, so he said, "The Farmer's School is divided into six halls: Kuiwei Hall, Chiyou Hall, Lieshan Hall, Siyue Hall, Gonggong Hall, and Shennong Hall."

"The current head of Kuiwei Hall is named Chen Sheng. He is a man of integrity and an outstanding man among our peasant family."

"The leader of the Chiyou Hall is named Tian Hu, and he wears the famous sword Tiger Soul. He is extremely powerful."

"The head of the Lieshan Hall is named Tian Meng, the elder brother of Tian Hu, and also a top expert of our Farmer Clan."

"I am the head of the Four Mountains Hall. I am responsible for handling rare and precious treasures for the sect. Every two months, I will hold a treasure appraisal conference in Four Seasons Town. If you are interested, Master, you may come and have a look!"

"As for the Gonggong Hall, its leader is named Tian Zhong, who is also extremely skilled. He has a close relationship with Tian Meng, the leader of the Lieshan Hall, and Tian Hu, the leader of the Chiyou Hall."

At this point, Situ Wanli stopped abruptly. There were some things he desperately wanted to say, but others he couldn't discuss, as they involved the secrets of the peasant family and weren't suitable for an outsider.

"The last hall is Shennong Hall, whose leader is named Zhu Jia. He is known in the martial arts world as 'A Thousand Faces,' and is also known for his public-spiritedness and righteousness. He has an excellent reputation both among farmers and in the martial arts world."

After listening to Situ Wanli's explanation, Xiu Yuan nodded gently, then slowly closed his eyes. The results were slightly different, but the general situation seemed to remain the same.

However, one thing he guessed correctly was that the black swordsman Sheng Qi in the future was none other than Chen Sheng, the current head of the Kuiwei Hall.

The current leader has not been framed, and Tian Guang's countermeasures against Luo Wang have not yet been fully launched. It seems that it will still be some time before the grand drama of the Farmers' Clan begins.

After a while, Xiu Yuan frowned slightly, as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself.

Actually, there was another person in the peasant family who interested him. This person was also from the Lieshan Hall, but not the hall master, Tian Meng. Instead, it was Tian Meng's wife. If nothing unexpected happened, this person should be the previous "Jing Ni" of the Luo Wang!

Under the guidance of the Sword Saint Nameless, she finally decided to betray the Net and is now hiding in the Farmer's Clan. Her daughter, Tian Yan, will be an extraordinary figure in the future, especially in terms of wisdom and strategy. That girl is also known as the Farmer's Daughter Guan Zhong.

However, it's not advisable to ask about this matter without a proper reason. After all, she is now Tian Meng's wife and a married woman. Asking about a woman on the first meeting could cause serious problems if Tian Meng or other members of the Farmer's Family found out.

He had not forgotten the lesson of Chen Sheng. Chen Sheng was the leader of the Kuiwei Hall, Wu Guang was the general manager, and Wu Guang's wife was Tian Mi. It was unknown who came up with the idea to use Tian Mi to frame Chen Sheng, leaving him speechless.

This also shows that the people in the farming family are not simple, and their skills in scheming and plotting are unfathomable.

"Master, Master??"

Seeing that Xiu Yuan didn't react for a long time, Situ Wanli thought he had said something wrong, so he called out a couple of times.

Xiu Yuan looked up, a hint of doubt in his eyes. He had been thinking about something, which was why he hadn't spoken.

"what happened?"

Seeing that the boy was alright, Situ Wanli waved his hand.

"It's nothing, Master. You seem to be very familiar with the affairs of our farming families?"

(End of this chapter)