CHAPTER 33: CHAPTER 33: THE ELDER’S WIDOW

Lu Chengfeng also didn’t put down the teacup, and only after a long while did he say, "Junior Brother, you are in the Ministry of Affairs and have the broadest sources of information. Do you know which Elders in our sect have recently passed away, leaving behind wives or concubines still on the mountain?"

Cai Zhang was startled at the words, "Are you referring to the widows of those Elders, Senior Brother?"

Without waiting for Lu Chengfeng to respond, he instinctively thought of Luo Suyi. This older Senior Brother’s master had just passed not long ago, and he eagerly married the master’s wife.

It hasn’t been many days since then; could he be contemplating such things again?

He just felt something strange in his heart but only attributed it to Lu Chengfeng’s peculiar interests, making his expression somewhat odd.

Lu Chengfeng naturally knew what he was thinking but couldn’t explain, so he intentionally misled, coughing twice as he said, "Yes, preferably a beauty with a captivating figure."

Cai Zhang originally thought it was something serious. Listening to this, he burst out laughing, "Haha, Senior Brother, you do have a unique taste... I truly admire you, admire you indeed..."

"With your talent, status, and rank, can’t you select and choose any refined lady or female disciple within the sect?"

"Why does Senior Brother particularly like widows?"

He was about to say more but shrank his neck at Lu Chengfeng’s threatening glare and shut his mouth abruptly.

"Enough idle talk; just tell me if you know or not," Lu Chengfeng said with slight embarrassment, quickly taking a sip of tea to cover his awkwardness.

Cai Zhang wanted to laugh but dared not, feeling that the lofty image of his Senior Brother had become inexplicably vivid.

Not wanting to anger his Senior Brother further, he thought for a moment and said, "Most wives and concubines of sect Elders are not seen by outsiders, so it’s difficult for me to know if they are beautiful or not."

"But speaking of it, indeed there are several deceased Elders whose daily needs are managed by the Ministry of Affairs; I do know a bit about them."

"Among them is Elder Li Yunfeng from Black Eagle Ravine of Outer Peak, who died in combat three years ago, leaving behind two children and an old wife."

"And Elder Yunyan of Celestial Orchid Peak, who, together with Elder Li Muge, was famed as the Twin Walls of the Outer Peak, excelling in Combined Swordsmanship, and known in the Martial World as an enviable Immortal couple."

"Unfortunately, Elder Li Muge went astray in his martial arts practice, and it’s already been ten years; Elder Yunyan now lives alone on Celestial Orchid Peak, never seen by outsiders."

Lu Chengfeng listened quietly as Cai Zhang mentioned several examples, but they were all Outer Peak Elders, not his first choice.

Seeing Cai Zhang getting parched, Lu Chengfeng refilled his tea on his own and casually asked, "Are there any widows of Inner Peak Elders?"

"Inner Peak?" Cai Zhang was startled, then realized his Senior Brother might have other motives.

As thoughts swirled in his mind, he wondered if his Senior Brother fancied a widow’s fortune, as the legacy of an Inner Peak Elder would arouse much greed.

But thinking again, it didn’t seem like his Senior Brother’s nature.

Cai Zhang hesitated slightly and said, "The situation of Inner Peak Elders’ families is supposed to be confidential. The Ministry of Affairs has repeatedly instructed not to disclose it casually to outsiders."

Before Lu Chengfeng could speak, he continued, "But since it’s you asking, Senior Brother, I naturally won’t hide it. You mustn’t speak of it, though, or it might cause considerable trouble."

Seeing Cai Zhang look distressed, Lu Chengfeng said calmly, "Rest assured, Junior Brother, our conversation today stays between us and won’t be known by a third party."

Cai Zhang took the tea offered by Lu Chengfeng, sipped it to moisten his throat, and then said, "As far as I know, the Ministry of Affairs is responsible for caring for the families of seven Inner Peak Elders."

"Whenever an Elder falls, the sect takes care of their descendants for thirty years. If talented, they are prioritized for selection and training; if not, they will be moved out of Yun Cang after thirty years."

Hearing this, Lu Chengfeng was somewhat shocked. Seven Elders had died in thirty years; these were Inner Peak Elders, each a notable figure in the Martial World, influential across the land.

"It seems the sect is not so peaceful either!"

Thinking of the startling beast roar, the soaring Sword Qi, and the vague shadow within the sect, he became increasingly silent.

"Of these seven Elders, I only know three; the other four are handled by other officials in the Ministry of Affairs, not assigned to us."

"These three Elders are Elder Chu Yin of Yellow Dragon Peak, Elder Li Guan of Profound Crane Peak, and Elder Qin Feng of Profound Crane Peak."

Lu Chengfeng’s pupils suddenly shrank, "Two of them are from Profound Crane Peak?"

Cai Zhang nodded and lowered his voice cautiously, "I heard from others in the Ministry that these two Elders died on the same day, causing a major incident in the sect, angering the higher-ups. Even their families were nearly implicated."

Lu Chengfeng’s heart raced as he instinctively thought of the Young Sect Leader Xun Shuijing, who was his cheap master’s husband, the prodigy who created the Five Elements Returning to Origin Sword Scripture.

He involuntarily asked, "Do you know how long it has been since those two Elders passed away, Junior Brother?"

Cai Zhang thought for a moment before saying, "I only heard about it from fellow disciples and know little of specifics, but it should be about twenty years."

Lu Chengfeng felt as if thunder exploded in his mind; Xun Shuijing had died twenty years ago. To say there’s no connection would be a joke.

He vaguely sensed that he had touched on some deeply hidden secrets within the sect, and Zhu Yuxian must play a crucial role in it.

"I am only a small pawn now and cannot recklessly get involved, or it would be seeking death."

Suppressing his curiosity, Lu Chengfeng asked instead, "Among these three Elders’ widows, are there any who are beautiful? Regardless of age, as long as they have a captivating figure and outstanding appearance, other factors are irrelevant."

Cai Zhang immediately winked and smiled, "I’m not clear about the other two Elders’ families, but Elder Li Guan had taken a concubine a month before his death, who was only sixteen at the time."

"Now, after twenty years, she is around thirty-six or thirty-seven. I once helped deliver supplies and caught a glimpse of her; indeed, she is captivating and enchanting, leaving one sympathetic.

"Though older, she remains charming and unforgettable."

Hearing this, Lu Chengfeng was overjoyed; marrying her would surely lead to a swift advancement in his martial arts.

Especially since he had just obtained the "Profound Crane Thousand Shadows Ghostly Sword Technique" secret manual from Zhu Yuxian, even if his martial arts advanced rapidly, it would be attributed to his remarkable swordsmanship talent.

Who would ever think of the connection within?

"Good brother, quickly tell me about this Elder’s widow," Lu Chengfeng eagerly held Cai Zhang.