Chapter 98: Clear Wind Sect
This novel is translated and hosted only on bcatranslation.
“Sacred ground of the sect, outsiders must halt!”
Beneath the towering mountain gate, two young female cultivators stood firmly, blocking Yu Zhao’s path with vigilant expressions.
Yu Zhao gazed at the gate, identical to the one in the scrolls, her eyes filled with complexity.
After the destruction of Water Cloud Palace, a new sect had arisen here, with even the mountain gate reconstructed exactly as before.
Believing there was no connection between the two was impossible for Yu Zhao.
“May I ask, what is the name of your sect?” she inquired.
The female cultivators exchanged wary glances. “Senior, our sect is called Clear Wind Sect.”
“Clear Wind Sect?” Yu Zhao nodded. “Then, could you please pass on a message for me? I wish to meet with your sect master.”
“Please wait here, Senior. I’ll be back shortly.”
After whispering between themselves, one of the cultivators bowed to Yu Zhao and hurried toward the gate, leaving the other behind to keep watch.
With a subtle technique, Yu Zhao quickly extracted information from the remaining cultivator.
She learned that Clear Wind Sect was established ten years ago, with its sect master being Master Zi Wei, a Golden Core cultivator nearing the late stage.
Many of the sect members, including the sect master, were former disciples of Water Cloud Palace. After its fall, they scattered and eventually regrouped due to various circumstances, founding this new sect.
The gatekeeping cultivators, however, were latecomers to the sect. They were ostracized and relegated to guarding the entrance.
Upon hearing this, Yu Zhao was thrilled. If the sect master was indeed a disciple of Water Cloud Palace, she might uncover more information about Shui Qing Yue.
After some time, the returning cultivator reappeared—accompanied by a group of over a dozen women moving as one toward the gate.
Their expressions were stern, their presence exuding an imposing aura.
The remaining gatekeeper instinctively stepped back, creating distance from Yu Zhao, fearing an imminent clash between the two sides.
The Clear Wind Sect had been informed of an unidentified female cultivator outside their gate, demanding an audience with the sect master—an unsettling visitor.
Alarmed, the elders decided to have the sect master remain in the main hall while they confronted this uninvited guest.
However, as they approached and laid eyes on the elegant and graceful woman standing before the gate, they froze.
“Pa… Palace Master?” one of them stammered.
“Am I hallucinating? Why do I see the Palace Master?” another murmured.
“It’s the Palace Master! The Palace Master has returned!”
Their menacing demeanor dissolved in an instant, and tears welled in their eyes. A few of the more emotional ones even began crying outright.
They had believed they would never see their Palace Master again in this lifetime.
“Palace Master! I missed you so much! You’ve finally returned…”
One elder, sobbing uncontrollably, broke away from the group and ran straight toward Yu Zhao, seeking to embrace her.
Seeing this, the other elders hesitated only for a moment before rushing forward as well, unwilling to be left behind.
“Wait! You’ve got it all wrong! I’m not Shui Qing Yue…”
Yu Zhao dodged deftly while attempting to explain.
But her words fell on deaf ears. Determined to embrace her, the elders employed every skill they had.
Helpless, Yu Zhao finally had to suppress everyone with spiritual energy, forcing them to calm down.
The two younger disciples tasked with guarding the gate were stunned.
Wasn’t this supposed to be a confrontation? Why did it seem more like a reunion of old friends—albeit not an ordinary one?
“You claim you’re not the Palace Master?” one elder, as refined as a secluded orchid, scrutinized Yu Zhao suspiciously before covering her mouth with a laugh. “Palace Master, you still love to tease us.”
“Exactly! You are the Palace Master. Even if you turned to ashes, we would still recognize you.”
“Palace Master, are you in danger? Is that why you’re reluctant to reveal your identity?”
“…”
Yu Zhao felt overwhelmed by the incessant chatter of a dozen women around her, their voices blending into a chaotic hum that made her head throb.
Helplessly, she pointed to the corner of her eye. “Take a closer look. Shui Qing Yue has a tear-shaped mole at the edge of her eye. I don’t.”
Surely, that should settle the matter of her identity.
The women’s intense gazes landed on Yu Zhao’s eye corner, their expressions inscrutable. Suddenly, one elder’s face lit up with realization. “Palace Master! To hide your identity, you even went to the extent of removing your tear mole! Such dedication!”
The other elders, upon hearing this, looked visibly distressed, their faces filled with pity.
Yu Zhao was speechless.
She turned to the elder who had suggested the mole-removal theory. “What is your name?”
The elder blushed, speaking in a high-pitched tone, “Palace Master, have you forgotten my name? I’m Qiu Shuang, but you used to call me Little Shuang Shuang~.”
“Alright, Aunt Qiu,” Yu Zhao replied calmly.
“W-What? What did you just call me?” Qiu Shuang stammered, shocked.
“Aunt Qiu, and all of you esteemed elders,” Yu Zhao continued, her tone serious. “I truly am not Shui Qing Yue. However, Shui Qing Yue must have a significant connection to me. I’ve come here to learn about her from all of you. I would be deeply grateful for your guidance.”
She bowed respectfully, her demeanor solemn.
The elders of the Clear Wind Sect, who had been excited moments ago, fell silent. After a long pause, one of them sighed, her voice tinged with sorrow. “Little Yu Zhao, how heartless of you. You won’t even leave us a shred of hope.”
Indeed, how could they not see that Yu Zhao wasn’t Shui Qing Yue, the woman who had spent countless days with them? While the two shared identical appearances, their gazes and auras were unmistakably different.
The elders had clung to Yu Zhao’s resemblance to deceive themselves into believing Shui Qing Yue was still alive and cared for them. But Yu Zhao’s words mercilessly shattered that illusion, forcing them to confront reality.
Yu Zhao remained silent, unmoved. Whatever ties these people had with Shui Qing Yue, to her, they were strangers.
She was here for one purpose: to uncover the truth. A constant sense of danger loomed over her, urging her to hurry.
“Enough,” Elder Qiu Shuang finally said. “Follow us to the main hall. The sect leader is waiting for news.”
Yu Zhao nodded and followed the group up the mountain toward the main hall. The atmosphere during the trek was heavy with suppressed grief, and not a single word was exchanged.
Yu Zhao could feel the profound sorrow and loneliness emanating from the elders. She wondered what kind of woman Shui Qing Yue had been to leave such an indelible mark on them.
…
The Main Hall
Inside, Master Zi Wei, leader of the Clear Wind Sect, paced anxiously. Her eyes betrayed a fear she struggled to conceal.
The Clear Wind Sect had always operated discreetly, avoiding unnecessary conflicts and offending no one. So why had someone suddenly come to attack them? Could it be the same group from twenty years ago, returning to exact vengeance and massacre the sect?
If so, was there still time for her to escape?
She refused to end up like Shui Qing Yue, who had foolishly sacrificed her life to shield the sect’s disciples, facing impossible odds to trade her life for theirs. Her own life, after all, was far more precious.
But would it be too late to flee now? Like last time, the mountain paths leading to and from the sect were likely already blocked.
Ah, if she had known this would happen, she never should have coveted the position of sect leader or returned to this cursed place!
But regret now was useless.