Ch 122: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

Shen Yunxuan stood up in surprise. “Really?” She quickly stepped forward and carefully examined Dominating Tycoon and the two elderly people’s faces. The other elders present also turned their attention to them.

Shen Yunxuan smiled. “That’s right. Although the blood ties are faintly visible, they are indeed your biological parents.”

Some people who weren’t skilled at face reading felt that the two seemed like strangers and quietly asked Taoist Bai He, “Is Master Shen telling the truth?”

Taoist Bai He nodded. “Their fates have been obscured by a spell. Only by breaking the spell can the blood ties be clearly seen.”

While they were talking, Shen Yunxuan had finished her calculations and smiled knowingly. “Breaking the spell is simple. You just need to kowtow three times to the elderly couple and sincerely call them ‘Dad’ and ‘Mom.’ When they respond, the spell will be broken!”

“What?” Dominating Tycoon wasn’t the only one shocked—everyone else present was equally astonished. Was the spell really broken this way? But on second thought, in modern society, bowing and kowtowing had long fallen out of favor. Even if people found their relatives, they wouldn’t usually perform such an act, naturally leaving the spell unbroken. Without Shen Yunxuan’s proactive help, they might have met their relatives and not recognized them, missing the chance altogether.

Dominating Tycoon trusted Shen Yunxuan completely. Without hesitation, he knelt before the elderly couple, kowtowed three times, and called out, “Dad! Mom!”

“Oh! Oh!” The elderly couple, overwhelmed with emotion, helped him up with tears streaming down their faces. Just as they were about to speak, they saw Xuan Yang suddenly spit out a mouthful of blood, and their expressions immediately changed.

Shen Yunxuan clasped her hands behind her back and walked toward Xuan Yang, smiling faintly. “Elder Xuan Yang, how does it feel to suffer backlash?”

Everyone stared at Xuan Yang in confusion and doubt. “Is it really you? Were you the one who abducted those six children and separated them from their families?”

“It must be him! Look, he’s suffering backlash!”

“Yes! The spell was just broken, and he immediately spat blood. Minister Zhou, the culprit has been identified—he cannot be allowed to go unpunished!”

“Exactly. Xuan Tian Sect has always claimed to be the top sect, yet they secretly commit heinous crimes. This cannot be tolerated.”

“No wonder they produced disciples who manipulate malicious spirits. Turns out the root is rotten.”

No one had expected Xuan Yang to be the perpetrator. Upon further reflection, with his two disciples also being evildoers, could it be that the entire Xuantian Sect was a den of heretics? Had they all been deceived by Xuantian Sect for years?

The conference room erupted into an uproar. Taoist Bai He frowned and said, “Xuan Yang, do you have anything to say?”

Xuan Yang coughed a few times, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and calmly replied, “I was simply angered by those two renegade disciples, causing my spiritual energy to backfire. I managed to suppress it earlier, but after arguing with Master Shen, my emotions flared up, and I lost control, resulting in the blood spit.”

Dominating Tycoon, enraged, yelled, “You were the one who helped Fang Dehai harm us, weren’t you? And you call yourself a Taoist elder? You disgrace the Taoist tradition! How will you repay us for the family bonds we’ve lost?”

Dominating Tycoon rushed forward to attack him, and his parents, equally furious, charged forward with murderous intent, seemingly ready to fight Xuan Yang to the death.

Mao Ximing quickly restrained them, while Shen Yunxuan advised, “A disgrace to the Taoist sects will be dealt with. You are ordinary people and shouldn’t confront him directly. If you trust me, leave this matter to me.”

Dominating Tycoon’s mother said, “Master Shen, of course we trust you, but… he’s harmed us so much. Are we supposed to do nothing?”

Shen Yunxuan smiled. “Who said you can’t? You just broke the spell, didn’t you? That made him spit blood. All you need to do is help the others find their relatives. Even through the internet, a bow can break the spell. Once he spits blood six times, he’ll either be dead or close to it.”

Dominating Tycoon and his family froze for a moment, then immediately ran out. They didn’t want to waste any time—helping others reunite with their families would hasten their revenge on the shameless elder!

Hearing Shen Yunxuan’s words, Xuan Yang turned pale with anger. His two disciples behind him snarled, “How dare you slander Elder Xuan Yang! What evidence do you have that it was him? It’s just a coincidence. If Master Shen hadn’t provoked him, he wouldn’t have spat blood. He might even have been able to help find the real culprit.”

Shen Yunxuan clapped her hands mockingly. “As expected of Xuantian Sect—you can turn black into white.”

Taoist Bai He coughed lightly, reminding Shen Yunxuan not to overdo it. After all, Xuantian Sect was powerful, and without sufficient evidence to accuse them, it wasn’t wise for the small Idle Cloud Temple to go head-to-head with Xuantian Sect. It could lead to more danger, just like this time.

Little did he know that Shen Yunxuan was fully confident. She sat back down and said to Minister Zhou, “Could we project the livestream onto the big screen? They’ve been searching for relatives for a while now, and with today’s traffic skyrocketing, I’m sure there will be more good news soon. By then,” she glanced at Xuan Yang and smiled, “we’ll see if Elder Xuan Yang conveniently spits blood again. No matter how bad his temper is, six times would be too much of a coincidence, wouldn’t it?”

Minister Zhou hadn’t expected Shen Yunxuan to propose this tactic and chuckled. “Let’s go with Master Shen’s suggestion.”

Xuan Yang snorted coldly. “So, this was a trap all along. You’ve all conspired to target Xuan Tian Sect. I will not sit here and be wronged. If you want trouble, come to Xuantian Sect!”

He rose with his disciples to leave, but upon reaching the door, he found it blocked. He froze in disbelief and anger. “Zhou, are you detaining me?”

Minister Zhou looked at Taoist Bai He in confusion, who also appeared puzzled.

Shen Yunxuan laughed lightly. “It’s just a precaution against anyone fleeing in guilt. While I was walking around earlier, I set up a Heaven’s Net Formation. To break out, you’d need the strength of a Golden Core cultivator.”

Everyone gasped. A Golden Core cultivator? Some skeptics tested the door and windows, but no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t leave.

Stunned, they turned to Shen Yunxuan. This was too unbelievable. Even if Shen Yunxuan were a prodigy, she had only just reached the Foundation Establishment stage. Yet she had effortlessly trapped people, including at least four with higher cultivation levels than hers, without them noticing.

Minister Zhou was also puzzled. “Master Shen, how did you manage this?”

Shen Yunxuan smiled. “It’s part of the temple’s inheritance, so I can’t go into detail. I only wanted to trap someone who’s revealing their true colors, not to harm anyone else. I apologize for the inconvenience and hope the seniors won’t take offense.”

Taoist Bai He laughed heartily. “No offense! Waiting won’t hurt. After all, everyone is eager to uncover the truth, aren’t they?”

The others agreed, sitting back down. They even turned to question Xuan Yang, “Why are you so eager to leave? Feeling guilty?”

Xuan Yang, caught between retreating and staying, had no choice but to sit back down, glaring darkly at Shen Yunxuan.

Shen Yunxuan remained unfazed. Her merits suppressed misfortune, and she had paid reparations to Xuantian Sect, forcing them to use her money against her, violating heavenly principles and bringing bad luck upon themselves.

With such a perfect opportunity, how could she not strike Xuantian Sect hard to make up for all the suffering she had endured in her past life?

Just then, Dominating Tycoon’s brother suddenly connected to someone. On the screen appeared two tearful people who immediately cried out, “Son! You’re our son! You have symmetrical birthmarks on both sides of your shoulder blades, don’t you? When you were born, we even said those birthmarks were like wings—you’re our angel…”

Dominating Tycoon pulled open Big Brother’s shirt and exclaimed, “No mistake! The birthmark really is a pair! Big Brother, quickly follow my instructions to break the spell!”

In a hurry, he used another phone to make a separate video call with their parents and placed it on the table, aiming it at Big Brother. Big Brother, still reeling from the excitement, was pressed to the ground and hesitantly kowtowed three times. “…Dad,” he paused before saying again, “Mom…”

“Oh! Son! We’ve finally found you!” The parents’ faces flushed with excitement. Big Brother’s mother was so overwhelmed that she fainted on the spot.

Everyone in the conference room immediately turned to look at Xuan Yang, who struggled to suppress the urge to cough up blood, his expression becoming increasingly strange. Shen Yunxuan suddenly spoke, “A third person has found their relatives!”

Xuan Yang, already tense, couldn’t hold back anymore and spat out a mouthful of blood.

“Elder Xuan Yang!” Two disciples were alarmed, and one quickly sent a message to Xuan Qing.

Shen Yunxuan sipped her water and said, “I just misspoke. No third person has found their relatives yet. Elder Xuan Yang, was this another coincidence that you spat blood? Your conduct is unacceptable! Getting this angry over two renegades—how are you supposed to set an example for the sect? Look at the two disciples beside you; they’re worried sick. As an elder, you should at least maintain some composure.”

Xuan Yang, suffering from two consecutive backlashes, no longer had the strength to argue. He glared at Shen Yunxuan, unable to utter a word.

Minister Zhou said coldly, “Xuan Yang, will you confess your crimes now, or will you persist in your obstinacy and wait for six backlashes?”

At that moment, a disciple suddenly raised his phone. “The Sect Master is calling! It’s our Sect Master!”

He frantically answered the video call. Xuan Qing appeared on the screen, his gaze sweeping over Xuan Yang with authority before turning to Minister Zhou. “Old Zhou, long time no see. I didn’t expect my subordinates to cause such a mess and trouble you.”

If Xuan Yang was a hothead who could be provoked by targeting his weaknesses, then Xuan Qing was slippery and elusive, impossible to pin down. In the past, everyone respected Xuan Qing, but now, after learning about Xuantian Sect’s hidden deeds, he looked more and more like a hypocrite.

Minister Zhou said indifferently, “The purpose of SAD is to eliminate anything that poses a threat to the people and society. This is our duty, not trouble. However, this time, we must ask Sect Master Xuan Qing to enforce justice impartially. Xuan Yang has already suffered two backlashes and is indeed the one who helped Fang Dehai commit his evil deeds.”

Shen Yunxuan scrutinized Xuan Qing’s face but gave up when she realized she couldn’t see through someone of higher cultivation than herself. Xuan Qing noticed her gaze and said, “This must be the talented Master Shen? I’ve roughly understood the situation. It was my failure to manage the sect properly and oversee my disciples, which caused Master Shen undue harm and the destruction of your Idle Cloud Temple.”

“Master Shen is compassionate and even compensated those two wretches for their medical expenses, which fills me with shame. Rest assured, Master Shen, Xuantian Sect will bear all your losses.”

Shen Yunxuan smiled. “I was waiting for you to say that. I used top-grade imperial jade for my healing talismans, which have now shattered. Surviving nine lightning tribulations almost killed me, causing immense harm to my body and mind. It also worried countless fans and netizens who couldn’t sleep at night, distressed and heartbroken. They deserve compensation for emotional damages.

Adding to that the costs of rebuilding Idle Cloud Temple and the loss of potential disciples… after some calculation…”

She pretended to estimate for a moment before smiling again. “A billion shouldn’t be unreasonable, right?”

Everyone looked at her as if she were crazy. They were cultivators, accustomed to simple living. Who would waste time making money? What sect could come up with a hundred million? Even if their real estate assets were worth over a billion, they couldn’t produce that much cash. Xuan Qing’s expression grew colder.

Shen Yunxuan spread her hands and sighed. “I can’t help it. I really almost lost my life this time. If I had died, my critically ill senior brother would’ve followed me, and we’d both have been turned into ghost servants, driven to commit evil without reason. Idle Cloud Temple would’ve been wiped out, and our founder would’ve been heartbroken underground. My fans would’ve fallen ill from grief, deeply affected, while the culprits continued posing as righteous heroes, calling themselves the top sect…”

“Master Shen.” Xuan Qing interrupted her. “My disciples made mistakes and will be severely punished according to the sect rules. It was my failure to discipline them, but these were their personal actions. I hope you won’t generalize to tarnish the reputation of Xuantian Sect. As for compensation, we will sell off assets if necessary to ensure you’re reimbursed.”

Shen Yunxuan nodded in satisfaction, and Xuan Qing continued, “Those two wretches are undoubtedly guilty and deserve death. However, my junior brother Xuan Yang has contributed significantly to our sect over the years and is not an evildoer. There must be some misunderstanding. Xuan Yang, do you have anything to say?”

Xuan Yang, ashamed, said, “I nearly suffered qi deviation during cultivation and damaged my internal organs. When I learned of my two renegade disciples’ heinous acts, I was so enraged that I suffered a backlash and spat blood twice. Although Master Shen has targeted me repeatedly, these were mere coincidences. I am a Xuantian Sect elder; I would never commit such acts. What benefit would I gain from them?”

Shen Yunxuan couldn’t help but marvel at his acting. He made it sound so convincing. Then she noticed the bloodstain on the table in front of Xuan Yang, where he had accidentally spat blood earlier. For some reason, she discerned a cross in the pattern, thought for a moment, and said, “Today’s breakthrough lies in the hospital.” She promptly sent a red alert message to her livestream audience.

Xuan Qing frowned. “Master Shen, what do you mean by this?”

Shen Yunxuan calculated briefly and replied, “Be patient. The truth will soon be revealed.”

The livestream was already trending due to the two successful family reunions. The power of the internet was immense, with many viewers being medical staff. As they turned their attention to hospitals, new clues quickly emerged. Soon, the stream connected with an elderly couple who had just come out of the ICU. They were the biological parents of Dominating Tycoon’s second sister—an elderly couple in their seventies who had a late-born daughter.

Family members by their side explained, “We saw the livestream half an hour ago and immediately had the elderly couple confirm if it was our younger sister. The shock was too much for them, and they fainted. We were too preoccupied in the ICU to think about anything else, but it turns out she found us first. We’re sorry for letting you suffer alone for so many years.”

The elderly couple, still frail, gazed tearfully into the camera. “Daughter… our daughter…”

The second sister, having finally found her parents, was overwhelmed by the sight of their frail, white-haired forms. Having never fulfilled her filial duties, she immediately knelt and bowed. “Dad! Mom! Your unfilial daughter…”

Dominating Tycoon quickly reminded the elderly couple to respond, and at the same time, Xuan Yang, already injured, suffered another backlash and spat out blood before fainting.

Shen Yunxuan spread her hands again. “What a coincidence! Sect Master Xuan Qing, this time we stayed quiet and didn’t provoke Elder Xuan Yang, yet he coincidentally spat blood again. Could it be that he has some karmic connection with those six victims? Should we wait and see if the remaining three will also bring coincidences?”

“No need!” Xuan Qing could no longer maintain his smile. He never imagined that a third reunion would happen so quickly, causing Xuan Yang to suffer another backlash. He even suspected that Shen Yunxuan had orchestrated everything, deliberately timing it to publicly humiliate him and severely damage the authority of both him and the Xuantian Sect.

Judging from Minister Zhou’s and the others’ expressions, the Xuantian Sect’s position as the number one sect was now a thing of the past. The entire Taoist world would need a reshuffling. Restoring their former glory would require a thousandfold effort. Shen Yunxuan had dealt them a ruthless blow!

A young upstart girl had managed to inflict such a devastating blow on the Xuantian Sect—they had underestimated her.

Further denial would only deepen their humiliation. Xuan Qing glanced at the unconscious Xuan Yang and said sternly, “It is an unfortunate day for the sect. As of this moment, the three culprits are expelled from the sect! However, given that they are privy to many of the sect’s secrets, allowing them to wander the outside world would be unwise. May I ask for your understanding to allow Xuantian Sect to take custody of these three? Rest assured, Xuantian Sect adheres to strict rules and will certainly cleanse its ranks.”

“Sect Master Uncle, is it true that something happened to my master?” Ling Zhi, who had been released earlier, rushed into Xuan Qing’s room after hearing about Xuan Yang’s trouble from another disciple. His face also appeared in the video.

Shen Yunxuan widened her eyes in surprise. “Didn’t they say that Sect Master Xuan Qing was pure-hearted, strictly adhered to the Dao, and abstained from all worldly attachments? How does he have such an adult son?”

She turned to Mao Ximing. “Didn’t you say so yourself?”

Mao Ximing waved his hands hurriedly. “I don’t know! Are you saying this young man is Sect Master Xuan Qing’s son? Impossible! I’ve never heard of such a thing!”

Others also frowned, and Taoist Bai He said, “Many years ago, someone pursued Sect Master Xuan Qing, but he swore to devote his life to the Dao and abstain from all romantic entanglements. Master Shen, where is this coming from? Judging by the young man’s face, there’s nothing unusual.”

Shen Yunxuan replied, “This is Xuan Yang’s illusion technique, similar to what he used on the six Fang siblings, only more advanced. I’ve studied this extensively, which is why I can see through it.”

Her knowledge wasn’t just from studying the six Fang siblings but also from her past life experiences with Xuan Qing and Xuan Yang’s methods, which allowed her to see through Xuan Yang’s tricks.

Xuan Qing snapped, “Enough nonsense!”

Ling Zhi was equally furious. “Are you the one who harmed my master?”

Shen Yunxuan’s gaze flickered. “Your biological mother was killed by your biological father. If you don’t believe me, kneel before Sect Master Xuan Qing, kowtow three times while calling him ‘Father,’ and draw a drop of blood from your heart. That will break the illusion and reveal the truth.”

Xuan Qing waved his hand and sent Ling Zhi flying toward the door. “Don’t listen to her nonsense…”

“Father!” Ling Zhi, bold as ever, drew his own heart’s blood as he was thrown out, smashed open the door, knelt on the ground, and called out, rendering Xuan Qing too late to stop him.

As the illusion shattered, those present who could read faces saw it clearly—Ling Zhi’s biological father was Xuan Qing! Even Ling Zhi himself could feel it.

The unconscious Xuan Yang spat out another mouthful of blood, slumped to the ground, and his face turned ashen. He was barely breathing, more dead than alive.

“It’s backlash!” Several people stood up in shock. “Xuan Qing, he really is your son? And you killed his biological mother?”

Everyone was incredulous. Ling Zhi stormed over to Xuan Yang, demanding, “Are you my father? Then why didn’t you acknowledge me? Why did you watch Xuan Yang suppress me all these years without stepping in? If you didn’t want me, why did you kill my mother?”

Xuan Qing struck him aside. “Utter nonsense! Someone, lock him in the Reflection Chamber!”

“No need! I treated Xuan Yang as my master, and he constantly oppressed me. You are my father, yet you wouldn’t acknowledge me and killed my mother? A mother’s killer cannot coexist under the same sky—I’ll one day use your blood to honor her memory!” Ling Zhi’s voice grew distant as a disciple reported that he had fled the sect.

Xuan Qing ignored Ling Zhi and solemnly explained to the others, “Years ago, I was ambushed and conceived a bastard child. The woman tried to coerce me into wrongdoing, so I killed her to protect the people. Out of pity, I spared the child and left him to my junior brother’s care, intending for him to remain confined to the sect for life. I never expected Master Shen to uncover this.”

“Sect Master Shen, the Xuantian Sect owes you. We will offer ample compensation and hope that the next time we meet, our two sects can coexist peacefully.”

He deliberately mentioned compensation to signal to Shen Yunxuan not to push further; otherwise, the deal would be off.

Shen Yunxuan truly had no further intentions. After all, this was the extent of what she currently knew. Ling Zhi’s revelation had been a surprising bonus. She readily agreed to a truce and accepted the compensation of one hundred million.

Xuan Yang, practically a corpse, along with Ling Xiao and Ling Yun, were taken away by two Xuantian Sect disciples. With Xuan Yang beyond saving and Xuantian Sect already severely weakened, there was no need to insist on detaining them and causing further trouble.

With a wave of her hand, Shen Yunxuan collected some fragments of jade from the corners, and the Heaven’s Net Formation dissolved.

Taoist Bai He exclaimed in amazement, “Was the formidable power of this formation due to top-grade jade?”

Shen Yunxuan shook her head. “No, it was due to top-grade jade tempered by lightning tribulation. Without it, how could I possibly trap such esteemed seniors? It was merely a clever trick.”

“Young heroes indeed rise early! Master Shen’s future achievements will undoubtedly be extraordinary.”

“Exactly! At such a young age, Master Shen already has such cultivation and composure—a true blessing to the Taoist community!”

Minister Zhou laughed. “Master Shen, I previously invited you to join our department, and you said you needed time to consider. Was it to observe our department’s conduct? Have you decided now?”

Shen Yunxuan smiled. “Minister Zhou, with you at the helm, I have no doubts about the department’s principles. However, I have an immodest request: Can I serve as an external consultant instead? After all, I have a temple to grow and may not be able to accept too many constraints.”

“Of course! From now on, you’ll be a special advisor to the Supernatural Affairs Department!”

Shen Yunxuan straightened her back. With money, power, and strong allies—she was set!

🌸˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚⋆