Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

Chapter 338: 338 The Returning Sect Master of the Jade Pot Sect

Jade Pot Sect, Yulan Hall!

Bang!

Crash!

A teacup was furiously hurled to the ground by an Elder in a green robe, shattering upon the hard floor, one could imagine the force used.

”This Yun Xiao is truly audacious to the extreme, even daring to steal the Xuanyue Treasure Mirror. Isn’t this causing our Jade Pot Sect to become hostile with the Xuanyue Imperial Family?”

The speaker was the very Elder in the green robe who smashed the cup, Elder Fu Du of the Jade Pot Sect, who has always had an extreme dislike for Yun Xiao.

At this point, a full ten days had passed since the birthday celebration of the King of Xuanyue Country, and the major incident that took place in the Imperial City was finally communicated to the Jade Pot Sect via flying messages, prompting them to convene this Elder Council meeting in Yulan Hall immediately.

Since Sect Leader Yu Shu had not returned from the Imperial City, naturally the two major factions within the Sect were headed by the Great Elder and Second Elder. Hearing Fu Du’s condemning words, the three Elders from the Medical Pulse faction frowned but did not immediately speak.

”Second Elder is right. With such an absurd act committed by Yun Xiao, it is bound to be detrimental to our Jade Pot Sect. I propose that we expel that kid Yun Xiao from the Jade Pot Sect right away to avoid the Royal Family using this as an excuse to punish us!”

Elder Mo Li, who clearly also disliked Yun Xiao, and as someone always in the same camp as Fu Du, naturally echoed the sentiment.

”Hmph, Elder Mo Li, Yun Xiao is a disciple of the Sect Leader, and even if we are to expel him, it is not your decision to make, is it?” Great Elder Lu Zhan glanced sideways at Mo Li, whose words made the Third Elder fall silent on the spot.

Regardless of anything else, the status of Great Elder Lu Zhan was there, and although Mo Li was not afraid to confront him, he found it inconvenient to rebut in the face of this reality, so he turned his gaze to Second Elder Fu Du instead.

The absence of the Sect Leader left only Second Elder Fu Du to openly oppose Lu Zhan. Moreover, with the Poison Vein faction recently having lost one of their Elders, Yan Chun, there was a subtle trend of being overshadowed by the Medical Pulse faction.

”Great Elder, what you’re saying is not correct. Now Yun Xiao has disappeared without a trace after stealing the Royal Supreme Treasure, and even the Sect Leader cannot find him. Such a disciple, I’m afraid, may bring disaster and misfortune upon our Jade Pot Sect!”

Fu Du stated sharply, speaking a known fact. After all, the theft of the Royal Treasure, the Xuanyue Treasure Mirror by Yun Xiao, was a confirmed matter, and with the Xuan Kill Order issued, could there be any falsehood?

”So what about the Royal Family? I don’t believe that Yun Xiao would do such a thing. It might be that he was framed with false accusations!”

This time, the speaker was Fourth Elder Li Shan. One should know that his own life had been saved by Yun Xiao, and due to subsequent events, he knew that the Fire Poison he suffered from was inflicted by former Fifth Elder Yan Chun.

The fact that Yan Chun turned out to be the former Commander of the Xuanyue Empire’s Xuantie Army made Li Shan refuse to accept this situation, both out of gratitude for Yun Xiao saving his life and the involvement of the Royal Family.

”Elder Li Shan is right, this matter is only one-sided from the Royal Family. We must find Yun Xiao first, then we can plan the next step!”

Although Sixth Elder Su He had the lowest status among the Elders, he was after all from the Medical Pulse faction and had a favorable impression of Yun Xiao, so he took the opportunity to interject.

The three Elders from the Medical Pulse faction spoke one after another, causing the now two-member Poison Vein faction to appear at a disadvantage. However, Fu Du was not willing to appear weak; his animosity toward Yun Xiao had never diminished.

”Humph, under the Royal Family’s Xuan Kill Order, I’m afraid that Yun Xiao has already been captured. There’s no point arguing here; let’s wait for news!”

Seeing Fu Du’s rolling eyes and the words he stated, all three Elders from the Medical Pulse faction felt a sinking feeling in their hearts, recognizing the fact as fact.

And from the flying messages sent back by Yu Shu, the Elders knew that it would be unwelcome for the Jade Pot Sect to get involved with the matter. If it led to a great war with the Royal Family, it would possibly be a time of life or death for the Sect.

For a moment, the Elders no longer spoke. Unseen by them, outside the doors of Yulan Hall, stood a graceful figure in black clothing, her shape trembling slightly, her pretty face staring in the direction of the Xuanyue Imperial City, her eyes filled with an unmistakable worry.

...

Xuanyue Imperial City, Baiyue City.

In the Royal Family today, however, there arrived a guest who was both familiar and puzzling. When the Royal Guards saw this person, their eyes couldn’t help but reveal an extremely odd look, as if they were quite perplexed about certain matters.

Because this middle-aged man with a face as fair as jade but as grim as water was none other than Sect Leader Yu Shu from the Jade Pot Sect, the Guard Captain was completely baffled as to why he would return after leaving, coming back to the Xuanyue Palace ten days after the King’s birthday celebration.

That night’s events had already spread throughout the Xuanyue Imperial City. Moreover, these Royal Guards of the Xuanyue Imperial Family were well aware that the Treasure Thief being pursued by the Xuan Kill Order was precisely this Sect Leader of the Jade Pot Sect’s beloved disciple.

”Could it be that the Sect Leader of the Jade Pot Sect still can’t let go, wanting to plead for mercy on behalf of Yun Xiao in front of His Majesty?”

At the same time these thoughts were stirring in the Royal Guard’s mind, a majestic great hall appeared before both men. Seeing that the guard bowed his body in greeting to the great hall, he directly signaled Yu Shu to enter on his own.

With an impassive face, Yu Shu entered the hall without saying a word. As he lifted his gaze, what he saw were two old acquaintances. One of them was quite old, being the King of the Xuanyue Empire.

And when Yu Shu saw the other young figure, his already grim face grew even darker, because it was this Crown Prince who had put his newly-accepted disciple into such a precarious situation, which could very well drag the entire Jade Pot Sect down with him.

Compared to Yu Shu, Crown Prince Xuan Jiuding was also not feeling so well. He had gone to great lengths to obtain the Black Key in Yun Xiao’s possession, but in the end, he still couldn’t open that old wooden box and obtain its Treasure. How could he be content?

”Sect Leader Yu Shu, your arrival is timely. I ask you, is it your Jade Pot Sect that is hiding Yun Xiao? Are you aware of the consequences of this matter?”

Feeling extremely unhappy, Xuan Jiuding saw Yu Shu enter and immediately began a barrage of accusations, showing no respect for the Sect Leader of the Jade Pot Sect.

It seemed that the usually composed Crown Prince had become somewhat irritable over the matter of the wooden box, and the fact that there had been no trace of Yun Xiao for ten days was making his mood even worse.

”Crown Prince, we should speak with evidence. If we really come to blows, my Jade Pot Sect may not necessarily be afraid of your Xuanyue Royal Family!”

As the Sect Leader of the Jade Pot Sect, Yu Shu was not one to be pushed around. This youngster, who had not yet ascended to the throne, dared to speak to him in such a tone. Yu Shu’s sharp retort made Xuan Jiuding’s heart skip a beat.

It was not until this moment that Xuan Jiuding realized how domineering the Sect Leader of the Jade Pot Sect was, and he knew that his father, the King, would not possibly go to war with the Jade Pot Sect over one Yun Xiao, unless things truly became uncontrollable.

To be honest, in Yu Shu’s heart, he couldn’t help but feel a trace of admiration for his newly accepted disciple. How had a young man in the Late Stage of the Meridian Rushing Realm, with no assistance from Jade Pot Sect, managed to escape the Heaven and Earth Net under the imperial Xuan Kill Order?

When the Royal Family took action that day, it was with incredible swiftness. Yu Shu hardly believed that Yun Xiao could have escaped Baiyue City in such a short time. Yet ten days had passed and still there was no news of the Royal Family having captured or killed Yun Xiao, clearly indicating they did not catch him.

For a big incident like this, the Royal Family would certainly not conceal it if they truly captured or killed Yun Xiao. To expose the Great Thief who dared to steal Royal Treasures to the public would uphold the Royal Family’s dignity to the utmost and deter the major families and sects.

”Sect Leader Yu Shu, do not take offense. Jiuding is young and speaks without restraint. This matter all arose because of Yun Xiao and is not a deliberate targeting of your Jade Pot Sect by our Royal Family!”

Seeing the anger still evident on Yu Shu’s face, the King Xuan Haoran, who sat upon the high throne, found himself having to speak out. Just as the former had said, even if the Xuanyue Royal Family was a huge entity within the Xuanyue Empire, their overall strength was not necessarily much stronger than that of the Jade Pot Sect. A full-out war would likely lead to a pyrrhic victory, with both sides suffering more losses.

As a wise ruler, after ten days of reflection, Xuan Haoran’s initial anger had already been suppressed deep inside. Although he would not let Yun Xiao off the hook, he understood that the matter had nothing to do with the rest of the Jade Pot Sect’s people.

”I wonder what brings Sect Leader Yu Shu here today. If it is to plead for Yun Xiao, I would ask you to spare us the effort.”

Not waiting for Yu Shu to respond, Xuan Haoran had already preemptively blocked that path. And in the hearts of both father and son, the Sect Leader of the Jade Pot Sect’s uninvited appearance was probably most likely to plead for Yun Xiao.

No matter how magnanimous Xuan Haoran was, he could not dismiss from his mind the loss of the Xuanyue Treasure Manual, which held extraordinary significance to the Royal Family. Having lost it on his watch, he feared he would face his ancestors without honor after his death.

”Your Majesty is mistaken. My visit today is not to plead for Yun Xiao, but...”

Who knew that as soon as Xuan Haoran finished speaking, Yu Shu shook his head and, as he began to speak, reached for his waist and immediately, a somewhat familiar yellow paper appeared in his hand.

”Is this the Imperial List seeking a physician which Your Majesty had posted?”

Yu Shu lifted the yellow paper in his hand, and upon seeing Xuan Haoran nod, he spoke with formality: ”I wish to make a deal with Your Majesty. If I am able to cure the patient listed on this Imperial List, could you please rescind the Xuan Kill Order against Yun Xiao?”

Upon hearing this, Xuan Haoran immediately rose from his seat. Although Yu Shu’s underlying intent was still to plead for Yun Xiao, that prerequisite put him into a severe dilemma.