Otherworldly Affairs Office-Chapter 679: Sword Stand Man’s Hesitation (Please Subscribe)
After Gu Shenghui asked his question, Pei Yan, who had already planned his strategy on the way back, burped and then chuckled mischievously: "Before we set off with dual ends, inform the Immortal Palace to go and capture the person."
Gu Shenghui nodded in appreciation upon hearing this, and said: "Hmm, this is the best way. Firstly, because this place is the territory of the Immortal Palace, what we do is justified and they can't find fault afterward. Secondly, it helps us see what kind of plans they have based on the Immortal Palace's handling and attitude towards this matter." After saying this, Gu Shenghui paused and continued, "It's best that we don't speak directly about this matter. Didn't you go shopping with that Sword Stand Man today? Use his words to relay the message back to the sect. If the old manor master of Celestial Sword Manor is wise, he will naturally understand our intentions."
"That's a good idea. After all, it's their Daoist Realm issue. Let them fight among themselves first. I'll go and tell him right now." Pei Yan stood up to leave the house, but Gu Shenghui grabbed his wrist to advise, "If this is indeed a trap, they might have another purpose."
"Oh, what purpose?"
With Pei Yan looking puzzled, Gu Shenghui leaned in and whispered a few words in his ear. Pei Yan contemplated for a moment after hearing this: "This possibility is not out of the question. In that case, let's leave them an opening. I'm curious to see what kind of show will unfold tonight."
Moments later, Sword Stand Man, who had just returned to his room for a brief rest, stood bewildered in the middle of the courtyard. He watched Pei Yan as he drew him out, noting Pei Yan's solemn expression, quite unlike his usual comedic demeanor. Pei Yan stared at him seriously and asked sternly: "Brother Jian, can I trust your loyalty to your sect?"
Upon hearing this question, Sword Stand Man found it both strange and amusing, scoffing aloud: "Young Master Pei, you truly are peculiar. My loyalty to my sect is not something that needs your belief. Moreover, what does my loyalty have to do with you?"
"It certainly matters. I need to determine your level of loyalty to decide whether or not to inform you of a matter that concerns the future, and even the life or death, of your sect."
From Pei Yan's serious demeanor and conversation, Sword Stand Man sensed the gravity of the situation. This dispelled his hostility, and after contemplating for a while, he sighed deeply: "This matter isn't relevant to you as an outsider, but since you asked today, I will tell you honestly. I grew up orphaned and alone; my parents perished in the war. Initially, I survived with the aid of villagers. However, as the wars intensified, the villagers either died or fled. From then on, I relied on begging along the streets, competing with dogs for food. During those years, staying alive was a struggle. The land was ravaged by war and famine, with corpses filling the landscape—no one had the time or ability to care for an abandoned child like me. With meals sporadic and suffering from a cold, I eventually collapsed on the roadside, knowing that once down, I might never get up again."
Sword Stand Man stopped his narration here, his detached tone moving Pei Yan as he listened. He quickly asked, "And then?"
Sword Stand Man laughed bitterly and said, "Then, haven't you seen? I'm still alive. My adoptive father took me in from the roadside, provided for me, taught me the Dao of longevity, and even introduced me to my junior sister, helping me build a family and career. Everything I have today was given by the sect. Indeed, I know my adoptive father saved me because he valued my potential, but there are thousands of children with potential. Whether I would grow into talent was uncertain at the time, yet he still saved me. That is a great kindness. So, do you think I'm loyal to the sect?"
"Is the adoptive father you speak of the one who confronted me the other day?"
Sword Stand Man shook his head and said: "No, my master doesn't easily walk the mortal world due to his noble status. The one who took me in was an outer disciple of Celestial Sword Manor. He taught me the basics of Sword Dao and martial arts. Later, I was chosen for the inner sect and became a direct disciple, entering my current master's tutelage. Although my status now surpasses that of my adoptive father at the time, without him, there wouldn't be the 'me' of today. To repay his kindness, I acknowledge him as father, providing for him within the sect to enjoy his twilight years."
"I see. Since you have such a past, and considering your recent efforts to defend the sect's honor, I will trust you this once." With this, Pei Yan relayed what he encountered at Fanlou Tavern, along with the entire story of the Li Songtao incident, and his own request to Sword Stand Man.
Upon hearing Pei Yan's narration, Sword Stand Man furrowed his brows in thought for a long time before asking, "You mean to report this matter to the Immortal Palace through my sect? Why do you need to do this? Why must it be reported through my sect? Given the Investigation Hall's importance within the Daoist Realm today, informing the Immortal Palace directly would not go unnoticed."
"There are hidden reasons. If your master wishes to inform you later, he will. What you need to do is to tell your master about this matter; they will decide the next steps." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮
Recalling the look on his master's face when hearing Pei Yan's story the other day, and the current situation of his fellow disciples being monitored, Sword Stand Man realized Pei Yan's words were likely genuine. After careful consideration, Sword Stand Man finally nodded in agreement: "I will contact my master."
"Wait, when you report to him, don't forget to say this." Pei Yan leaned in to whisper a few words into Sword Stand Man's ear.
Upon hearing Pei Yan's words, Sword Stand Man's eyebrows shot up in anger, and he roared: "You are sowing discord among my brothers, your intentions are malicious!"
"Brother Jian, appearances can be deceiving!" Pei Yan, fiercely rebuked by Sword Stand Man, retorted with a cold sneer: "I'm sowing discord? Is there a need to sow discord over such matters? You should fully understand: if your sect were united, your master wouldn't have jailed you here and restricted outside contact. Besides, if your brothers were truly innocent, how could my few words stir things up? Your sect can use this chance to inspect yourselves. If problems exist, then solve them; if not, it's a celebration for all. Why not do it?"
"Solve problems if they exist? Do you know that problems can mean death!" Sword Stand Man knew Pei Yan's words were correct but still found them hard to accept, lamenting.
Pei Yan smirked coldly: "My opponents often call me naive, but even someone as naive as me understands that unresolved internal issues only lead to greater loss of life! Having experienced this once, I don't want a second time!"
As he spoke, Pei Yan inadvertently recalled the time when he first joined the Investigation Hall, when internal infiltration by divine ambitions led to chaos. It affected not only himself and his kin but also caused widespread anxiety within the hall. This experience cultivated Pei Yan's focus on internal issues and the habit of gathering intelligence, for nobody wishes to be stabbed from the back during a life-and-death battle.
