The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS
Chapter 533 - 29 Familiarity

Chapter 533: Chapter 29 Familiarity

Xuanzhen had seen the corpse of the so-called "Qing Yu" nephew.

Despite the long journey from Yang City to the Zhenwu Sect, which took many days, Xuanfeng maintained the body with his True Qi, so when they arrived at the Zhenwu Sect, the corpse was stiff but not yet decomposed.

Now that he thought about it carefully, that "Qing Yu" and this Qing Yu did have some resemblance.

However, Xuanzhen certainly did not think they were the same person. Although there were similarities, they were only that—similar, and there were differences. Even if the two stood side by side, no one would feel they were the same person.

When Qing Yu left Yang City, he was still a boy, underage—now, more than two years, almost three years have passed, and Qing Yu had fully grown. Compared to the past, there were tremendous changes.

Not just in appearance but also in aura and charm. The Qing Yu of the True Pill Realm and the Qing Yu of the Postnatal Realm were as different as heaven and earth.

The Postnatal Realm is merely the beginning of the Martial Arts journey, while the True Pill Realm marks the initial sublimation of one’s life level—the gap between the two realms is truly vast.

The ghastly youth in the coffin and the current Daoist with intimidating Daoist energy—could they be the same?

Let alone the disparity in their power.

Thus, Xuanzhen simply took this as a coincidence, merely sighing and saying, "Daoist friend, you do resemble an old acquaintance of mine."

Xuanzhen did not equate the two, but Qingling thought differently.

This now gloomy little Daoist nun, looking at Qing Yu’s face, muttered in a trance, "Qing Yu... junior brother... little junior brother..."

She couldn’t help wanting to step forward and take a closer look at this familiar face.

Back then in Yang City, the junior brother younger than her had died in her arms, the blood spurting from his massive wounds had splashed into her eyes, painting everything she saw in red.

It was an unbearable nightmare that had startled her awake many a midnight.

Although Qingling’s words were soft, everyone present was a master of Martial Arts; even if ten times softer, they would easily hear.

Hearing Qingling’s words, Xuanzhen grasped her hand, holding her back, and said softly, "Ling’er, Qing Yu is dead. This Daoist brother is just someone who looks somewhat similar."

Xuan Shang, hearing this master-disciple conversation, also cast a strange glance at Qing Yu. He had only known this Daoist shared the same Daoist name as the tragically deceased nephew, but he did not expect there to also be a certain resemblance.

Thinking further about what Qing Yu had mentioned earlier concerning his grievances with Xuan Guang and Xuan Chen, Xuan Shang’s gaze grew even more peculiar.

However, Qing Yu, the cause of all this, remained as steady as an old dog. Flicking his horsetail whisk, he smiled and said, "It seems this little Daoist friend has a troubled heart and mind."

Xuanzhen comforted Qingling, apologizing, "It’s my disciple’s lack of discipline, I hope the Daoist brother won’t take offense. My disciple Qingling, after witnessing my nephew Qing Yu die in her arms, started to have nightmares. Later, having seen many other fellow disciples die tragically, these nightmares became an unceasingly haunting dream."

’These nightmares...’ Qing Yu had an inexplicable feeling of oddness in his heart, ’as if these nightmares were entirely my making.’

The stand-in death in Yang City was a script Qing Yu had written long ago. Those so-called tragically deceased fellow disciples, each had died because of Qing Yu.

Looking at it this way, this lucky little Daoist nun, although she had survived several dangerous encounters, did not seem to have an easy life.

"Daoist Qing Yu is quite knowledgeable in the ’Calming Heart Technique.’ If you don’t mind, I can recite it for your disciple later, to help calmer her mind and get some good sleep," Qing Yu said, with a compassionate look in his eyes at the somewhat disoriented Qingling.

"My thanks for your thoughtful assistance, Daoist Qing Yu," Xuanzhen expressed her gratitude.

"It was but a simple gesture," Qing Yu nodded in response, reciprocating the gesture of courtesy.

Xuan Shang said, "Senior Sister Xuanzhen, and Mr. Qingyu, it would be best to continue our conversation inside the temple. My niece Qingling is currently restless and unable to practice, making it difficult for her to resist this scorching summer sun. Staying out here much longer, I fear her health might suffer."

"Do you not trust your sister’s medical skills?" Xuanzhen replied with a gentle smile.

Her medical skills were unparalleled in the Zhenwu Sect and also renowned in the Xinglin. Treating heatstroke was but an easy task for her.

That being said, Xuanzhen still supported Qingling and followed the two inside Tianzhen Temple.

"The heavens adore authenticity, and one need not adhere to convention. The design of this Taoist Temple, brother, it conveys a profound meaning," Xuanzhen praised as they approached.

"Who can truly live without adhering to convention? Sister, your visit today— isn’t it an attempt to draw me back into the mundane world? Otherwise, why would you suddenly think of your brother who has been in Shu Province for ten years?" Xuan Shang retorted somewhat coldly.

"This..." Xuanzhen was at a loss for words.

Both were perceptive, and it was clear that Xuanzhen’s sudden visit to Shu Province after ten years to see her long-lost brother had an important motive. Otherwise, was she merely bringing her disciple for a leisurely visit?

’To ensnare by pretending to let go. Though Xuan Shang is honest by nature, he is not stupid. When strategy is called for, he does not hesitate,’ Qing Yu observed silently to himself.

A visit from a sister unseen for ten years was certainly not just for old time’s sake but for serious business. Most likely, Xuan Shang was about to leave Tianzhen Temple.

However, this also served Xuan Shang’s purpose. If he wished to confront Xuan Chen, he could not remain in Shu Province indefinitely. Eventually, he would have to return to the Zhenwu Sect.

Xuanzhen’s arrival was, thus, a timely intervention. Xuan Shang’s current aloofness was merely to keep up appearances.

The atmosphere suddenly grew silent, and the group made their way into the Taoist Temple.

"Brother Xuan Shang, what has happened here..." Xuanzhen gestured towards the chaotic ground.

"Earlier, swept up in the moment, Daoist Xuanfeng and I exchanged a few blows in friendly contest, and we have not yet tidied up," Qing Yu explained with a laugh.

In truth, tidying up wouldn’t have been an issue, but traces would inevitably be left behind. Not to mention, why is there a stone stool without its accompanying stone table?

Even if they disposed of the stool as well, the suddenly vacant ground would still be conspicuously obvious.

In that case, it was better not to cover it up and to be straightforward. By omitting certain details, it could pass as a mundane occurrence.

It was perfectly normal for martial artists to give in to an itch to spar now and then.

"So you sparred to the point of knocking out your disciple?" Xuanzhen remarked with a strange expression, looking at Qing Hai still lying on the ground.

Being well-versed in medical science, she could tell why Qing Hai had fainted. Seeing that they had left the little Taoist to greet her, she wasn’t sure whether to feel honored or pity for him.

"I’ll go settle Qing Hai. Please make yourself comfortable, sister," said Xuan Shang, picking up Qing Hai and heading towards a nearby hut.

"You must find this amusing," said Xuanzhen with a smile to Qing Yu, watching Xuan Shang’s retreating figure. "Brother Xuan Shang still has that fondness for martial arts, just like back in our Sect days when he often challenged the other disciples. It seems that even after ten years, Brother Xuan Shang hasn’t changed, and he remains the familiar junior to me."