Chapter 736: Do You Wish to Sever This Inner Demon? |
Not only them, but even the disciples of the Black Gold Cave themselves had never seen this disciple.
"Sect Head, Weng Mo Er has arrived." Yue Yuan reminded him and stepped aside for the girl.
Gong Ling Ze, seated at the table, lifted his head from the documents and started. He sighed to himself, wondering why he had not seen such a beautiful disciple before.
In such a large sect, there were so many female disciples. It was only natural that he wouldn't know all of them. Besides, not every disciple had the chance to see him.
He quickly began to suppress his inner desires. After all, in his position as Sect Head, he had to rein in selfish thoughts and desires.
He had already learned about this disciple's situation. In every aspect, she was exceptional. And precisely because of this, she had caused him much trouble.
She was beautiful and talented, which drew a great deal of attention. Many outstanding disciples wished to take her as their wife. And those who held power within the sect began to abuse it in their attempts to win her over.
However, as Yue Yuan had said, Weng Mo Er herself did not yield to those in power. She had no interest in matters between men and women. And she didn't like anyone from the sect. One could say she was solely interested in higher pursuits. She was completely devoted to cultivation.
This was all Weng Mo Er pursued.
For all her suitors feared the sect's rules, or rather, the punishment for violating them. Thus, those in power began to resort to other tricks. Since she was only interested in cultivation, they used all means to deprive her of or reduce her cultivation resources. However, the girl was truly gifted, so with a small amount of resources, she managed to break through to the Zhuji level.
Though she had been vexed for a long time, she still did not yield.
Because this girl had offended many powerful disciples, Yue Yuan did not dare to report her to Gong Ling Ze immediately.
However, Gong Ling Ze, after reviewing the list of recommended disciples, dismissively enumerated them and cast them aside. He asked Yue Yuan, "Are there no suitable female disciples? These aren't suitable, then?"
Even the second list of female disciples did not please Gong Ling Ze. Gong Ling Ze even asked him if there were no suitable female disciples in the Black Gold Cave, or if Yue Yuan was not putting forth his full effort.
Yue Yuan had no choice but to recount Weng Mo Er's story.
Ultimately, Gong Ling Ze became interested in her. He asked why he hadn't reported her earlier. Yue Yuan explained how the disciples treated her, and that many spoke ill of her, which could harm Gong Ling Ze's affairs.
No matter who or how, Gong Ling Ze first wanted to see her for himself!
First, one must assess for oneself, and only then inquire further.
"Disciple Weng Mo Er greets the Sect Head!" Weng Mo Er saluted him respectfully, yet maintained her dignity.
Gong Ling Ze appraised her, scanning her with his gaze, and nodded to himself. However, nothing was visible on his face. He said calmly: "Make yourself at home."
Weng Mo Er merely clasped her hands and awaited instructions, not daring to meet his gaze directly.
At this moment, the whinnying and stomping of horses sounded from outside. Gong Ling Ze looked out of the tent.
Yue Yuan immediately exited the tent and, upon returning, reported: "Sect Head, the Prince is about to depart."
Gong Ling Ze stood up, walked out from behind the table, and suddenly paused as he passed Weng Mo Er. He asked: "Do you know Niu You Dao from the Southern Domain? Have you heard of him?"
Weng Mo Er raised her head, then lowered her gaze, and respectfully replied: "I have only heard whispers. This disciple is not well-informed."
Gong Ling Ze pointed to the stack of documents on the table and said: "Look through these documents, familiarize yourself with the situation. Elder Yue and I will go see the Prince off!"
"Understood!" Weng Mo Er bowed.
Gong Ling Ze swept his sleeve and exited quickly.
Niu You Dao? Yue Yuan's heart trembled. He looked at Weng Mo Er again, and now began to understand something. Nevertheless, he followed Gong Ling Ze.
When silence fell inside, with only the sounds from outside reaching her, Weng Mo Er quietly approached the table. She saw a stack of documents bearing the name *Niu You Dao*. She understood that all these documents were related to this Niu You Dao.
She didn't know why the Sect Head had ordered her to look through information about him. But she knew that since the Sect Head had called for her, her assistance was needed here, and it was connected to this Niu You Dao. Therefore, she began to meticulously examine the documents...
The Southern Domain cavalry had gathered. Shang Chao Zong, leading his warriors, set off towards the Southern Domain.
The three sects were not against this. After all, the current battles were not only between the Southern Domain and the Zhao Kingdom, but between the Zhao Kingdom and the Yan Kingdom. This posed a threat to the three sects' interests. And Shang Chao Zong was departing to eliminate this threat. How could the three sects object to that?
Everyone gathered, and the ceremony was not omitted. Then Shang Chao Zong, along with Feng Ru Nan, mounted their horses and, leading the cavalry, rode out, leaving a trail of dust in their wake.
Huang Li and the other cultivators from Dachang Mountain also followed to escort them.
After everyone dispersed, Huang Tong rode up to Huang Li and whispered: "Sect Head, no one has heard of this girl. And the disciples of the Black Gold Cave remain silent, saying nothing. Even the disciples of Spiritual Sword Mountain and Palace of Bliss know nothing about her."
Huang Li furrowed his brows: "Strange. Someone who can enter Gong Ling Ze's tent, and moreover, was brought by bird, must be no ordinary person."
Huang Tong glanced around and whispered: "Perhaps she is Gong Ling Ze's personal concubine? Is that why they are keeping it a secret?"
Huang Li cast a sidelong glance at him: "Here? Do you think Gong Ling Ze is someone who wouldn't care about his reputation?"
Huang Tong spread his hands as if to show that it was difficult for him to know everything at once...
"Sect Head, Elder." Upon seeing Gong Ling Ze and Yue Yuan return, Weng Mo Er immediately rose.
Gong Ling Ze looked at the newly organized documents and asked: "Have you looked through them?"
"Yes!" Weng Mo Er bowed.
Gong Ling Ze turned his head and hinted for him to leave.
"..." Yue Yuan was speechless. He himself wanted to know what was happening. But it seemed he was being driven away?
However, there was nothing to be done, and he had to leave.
Gong Ling Ze sat down at the table and, tapping the documents with his finger, asked: "This person. What do you think of him?"
Weng Mo Er immediately replied: "This disciple dares not offer an assessment."
In truth, she was flattered that a bird had been sent for her and that she had been personally escorted to the Sect Head. Yet she still did not understand why?
And she still held herself staunchly. Gong Ling Ze nodded slightly, and silently assessed her: "Very well, speak your mind. There will be no punishment for it."
"Understood!" Weng Mo Er bowed again and said: "This disciple knows little, and holds a humble position within the sect. I have heard little about this Niu You Dao. And what I have heard, one could hardly call thorough. Today, having reviewed the documents, I understand that the rise of Shang Chao Zong in the Southern Domain is this man's achievement. He halted the Thousand Beast Sect during the battle between the Yan Kingdom and the Song Kingdom – this man did it. And to do so, one must possess the power to overturn clouds and stir rains. This man has repeatedly stood with the Southern Domain, yet constantly avoided fame for his deeds. This man does not seek renown... This is what this disciple believes. I would be honored to hear the Sect Head's guidance."
"You are indeed not talkative. However, what you said is correct." Gong Ling Ze picked up the papers from the table: "These are only our understandings. Few know of all his deeds. This Niu You Dao is not simple. And he is difficult to track down. Without a sphere of influence, he managed to contend for the Southern Domain with the Heavenly Jade Sect and Dachang Mountain. And this was not a matter of a single day. How many more of his important actions do we not know?"
Tossing the papers onto the table, he continued: "Even now, he is in hiding. And it is unclear where he is. But when he acts, he does so with lightning speed and precision! We cultivators devote all our strength to cultivation. And if we dislike someone, we immediately kill them or seek revenge. We resolve everything simply and directly. We do not take roundabout paths. He is also a cultivator, yet he excels in cultivation, and also possesses the talent of a strategist who devises plans within a tent. This is a rarity."
"Weng Mo Er, among the military, it is said that it is difficult to find one general among a thousand warriors. Do you understand what that means?"
Weng Mo Er understood something and softly said: "Does the Sect Head wish to lure him in?"
Gong Ling Ze did not reply, but merely leaned back in his chair and, with a slight smile, said: "I have heard that quite a few disciples admire you. Why do you not marry? Is there truly no disciple worthy of you in the Black Gold Cave?"
Weng Mo Er clasped her hands across her chest and said: "It is merely that some disciples hold me in high regard. This disciple simply does not wish to ruin their lives; this disciple is not worthy of them. And I dare not deceive them with outward beauty. This disciple is unworthy of them, untalented, and morally ugly."
Gong Ling Ze: "I have heard that you endure much. You must understand that as a disciple of the Black Gold Cave, you cannot marry an outsider."
Weng Mo Er: "This disciple wishes to dedicate herself solely to cultivation. I have not considered marriage, nor do I now."
Gong Ling Ze: "It is good that you wholeheartedly wish to cultivate. There are many selfish disciples in the sect, but very few like you. I am pleased for you. However, cultivation is merely one path. One cannot constantly remain on this path alone. Sooner or later, you will come to know the paths of the heart. To say one wishes to abandon this path is easy. Only one who has experienced feelings of love can truly relinquish this path. Women, after all, do marry. The likelihood is great. Those who have not experienced feelings between a man and a woman often suffer. Will you be able to sever this inner demon?"