The next day.
Ning Qi went to pay his respects to Dragon Mountain Daoist early in the morning.
"Xiao Jiu, what is it?"
Dragon Mountain Daoist's heart inexplicably tightened; Ning Qi rarely chose to come at this time.
Ning Qi said softly,
"It's about Eighth Senior Brother."
He slowly recounted what had happened last night, including Qin Yun's various abnormalities and his own conjectures.
Originally, he had wanted to seek out Dragon Mountain Daoist last night, but on second thought, immediately confronting Qin Yun might be awkward.
That's why he waited until the second day.
Dragon Mountain Daoist's expression grew more solemn with every word he heard.
"He actually snuck to your residence last night? No, we must go and see now. I originally thought Xiao Ba (Eighth)'s obsession had just begun, but I didn't expect his inner demon to be so deep, possibly even influenced by external forces."
Ning Qi was also startled.
The two immediately rushed to Qin Yun's residence, using their movement techniques.
They happened to run into Song Cheng rushing out of Qin Yun's residence in a panic. When he saw Dragon Mountain Daoist, he quickly shouted,
"Master, something bad has happened!"
"I came this morning to chat with Eighth Senior Brother, but I found him missing. I found two letters on his desk."
Dragon Mountain Daoist's spirit was roused.
He took the letters Song Cheng handed him.
One of them clearly read:
For My Master's Eyes Only.
Dragon Mountain Daoist quickly opened it and scanned it, reading ten lines at a glance. He didn't know what Qin Yun had written on it, but Dragon Mountain Daoist's expression kept changing, and he couldn't help but sigh.
Ning Qi watched from the side.
Then Song Cheng handed over the other letter:
"Xiao Jiu, there's another letter for you."
Ning Qi froze.
He took the letter, which read: For Xiao Jiu's Eyes Only.
He opened it.
There were many messy scribbles and revisions on the letter paper, revealing the chaotic state of mind of the writer.
In the end, only a few brief sentences remained.
"Xiao Jiu, I know you like to read. I've collected a batch of classics in my room over the past few years. If you don't mind, take them."
Ning Qi's gaze was complex.
He seemed to see the sunny youth from years ago, when he had just arrived at Zhenwu Mountain, proudly declaring that the True Martial Nine Sons were finally gathered.
Just by looking at his own letter, he roughly guessed what the letter in Dragon Mountain Daoist's hand said.
He feared that Eighth Senior Brother would not return.
He could feel the conflict and complexity in Qin Yun's heart; perhaps even he himself could not control the evil thoughts within, and thus chose to leave.
At this moment,
the other True Disciples also rushed over upon hearing the news.
"Master, what exactly happened to Xiao Ba (Eighth)?"
Luo Wentian voiced everyone's unspoken question.
Dragon Mountain Daoist put down the letter, remaining silent and offering no explanation.
Finally, he slowly said,
"Wen Tian, please pay more attention to the sect's affairs during this time. Your Master will be going down the mountain for a trip."
With that, he patted Ning Qi's head and left the mountain directly without even packing his belongings.
Everyone sensed that something was amiss and felt a bit uneasy.
"Xiao Jiu, do you know why?"
Numerous gazes turned towards Ning Qi.
Ning Qi pondered for a moment and said,
"Perhaps, it's related to Eighth Senior Brother's inner demon."
He didn't explain too clearly, but everyone had already guessed a little, and their expressions dimmed. They looked in the direction Dragon Mountain Daoist had left, only hoping that everything would go smoothly.
...
Inside the Seeking Dao Courtyard.
Ning Qi exhaled a long breath.
Before him lay a pile of precious classics.
Among them were medical scriptures and miscellaneous studies, but most were martial arts Secret Manuals, including several Inner Strength cultivation methods of no low grade, all of which were not found in the Scripture Pavilion.
"It seems Eighth Senior Brother truly had an extraordinary encounter. Could it be that he obtained some kind of inheritance?"
Ning Qi speculated.
To be honest, these classics were quite useful to him.
Then he sighed a little.
Although Eighth Senior Brother's inner demon had arisen because of him, he had never harmed him over the years and had even been quite good to him.
"Such is his nature; perhaps sometimes even he couldn't control himself. The Yazi Stance is merely a Pile Exercise martial art, it shouldn't be like this. One can only say that when Eighth Senior Brother chose this stance, there was also a God's will. However, perhaps the root of this inner demon was already planted when I first learned the stance."
"I only hope Master can bring Eighth Senior Brother back. In the future, when my cultivation is more profound, I can try to remove his inner demon."
Shaking his head,
Ning Qi didn't think further.
Even if he had sought out Qin Yun last night, the outcome might not have been any different.
The key lay with Qin Yun himself.
If Qin Yun wanted to return, he naturally would. If he didn't want to, he would always find an opportunity to leave the mountain, unless he was locked up like a prisoner, which would be different.
Adjusting his emotions, he gradually cast aside distracting thoughts.
Ning Qi began to enter a state of cultivation.
His comprehension of the Transforming Force method had reached its most crucial moment, and this batch of martial arts classics from Qin Yun was quite helpful to him.
Time passed leisurely.
Half a month later.
Dragon Mountain Daoist returned to the mountain alone.
All the Disciples gathered in Mingwu Pavilion.
"Master, where is Eighth Senior Brother?"
Dragon Mountain Daoist slowly spoke, his voice a little hoarse.
"Qin Yun... he joined the Demon Sect."
His eyes held a complex expression.
In the letter, Qin Yun had recounted many things, and only then did Dragon Mountain Daoist realize the true state of his eighth Disciple's heart over the years.
Not long after he went down the mountain, he had already found traces of Qin Yun.
But Qin Yun refused to return to the mountain.
He even knelt before Dragon Mountain Daoist, willing to accept death.
He felt he had let Dragon Mountain Daoist down, and his fellow Disciples.
That night,
Master and Disciple stood silently like statues.
Finally, Dragon Mountain Daoist wearily waved his hand, allowing Qin Yun to depart.
Afterward, he heard news that Qin Yun was suspected of being favored by a Heavenly Human expert from the Demon Sect and had joined them. At this point, it was too late for regret. After a confrontation with members of the Demon Sect, he could only return to the mountain helplessly.
"Demon Sect?"
All the Disciples were incredulous. The former sunny youth would actually join the Demon Sect? This Demon Sect was suspected to be related to the previous dynasty, and their activities had become increasingly frequent in recent years. Associating with the Demon Sect was not a good thing.
"Master, you..."
Dragon Mountain Daoist waved his hand and said,
"You may go. From now on, there is no longer a Qin Yun in the True Martial Sect. You are not to concern yourselves with this matter again. Your Master is tired and needs rest."
The Disciples silently withdrew.
Upon leaving Mingwu Pavilion, they all sighed. The fifth Disciple, Jiang Baishan, snorted coldly:
"If I ever meet this traitor, I will surely demand to know the reason and give him a harsh slap. Did Master's years of nurturing go to the dogs?"
He strode away.
The others offered bitter smiles.
Luo Wentian quietly said to Ning Qi,
"Xiao Jiu, this matter has nothing to do with you. You don't need to overthink it."
Ning Qi nodded silently.
Eighth Senior Brother Qin Yun ultimately joining the Demon Sect was something he hadn't expected.
The way things unfolded was not within human control.
Even a Martial Saint, invincible under heaven, had things they were powerless to do, but he thought that if there was an opportunity in the future, he would still try to help Qin Yun.
Late at night,
Dragon Mountain Daoist quietly arrived at the Seeking Dao Courtyard.
He saw Ning Qi standing silently under the moon.
"Xiao Jiu, Qin Yun's matter was his own choice. Such is his nature, and it has nothing to do with you."
Ning Qi turned to look at Dragon Mountain Daoist, sensing that he seemed somewhat dejected. The one most affected by Qin Yun's affair was Dragon Mountain Daoist.
"Master, I never blamed Eighth Senior Brother. If one day I can create a secret art to remove inner demons, you can give it to Eighth Senior Brother then."
Dragon Mountain Daoist's body stiffened, and a hint of relief seemed to flash in his eyes.
Then he shook his head and said,
"Let's talk about this later."
"Xiao Jiu, from now on, you don't even need to tell me about your cultivation progress. This is the key to the True Martial Sect's treasury. If you need anything, just go and get it yourself."
Dropping the treasury key, Dragon Mountain Daoist's figure drifted away.
During his trip down the mountain to find Qin Yun, he had heard him mention the 'True Martial Sect's hidden strength,' but how could he not know what hidden strength the True Martial Sect possessed?
He knew that his young Disciple's strength had probably reached an extremely powerful Realm.
The fewer people who knew, the better; it was best if even he didn't know.
Ning Qi merely let out a soft sigh.