Chapter 623: Mourning
Chapter 623: Mourning
The crowd turned silent and they glanced around at each other, wondering what to do next.
They cursed themselves for not having the foresight like the Qing Feng Sect to be in mourning attire when they came over to the residence.
But it was too late for them now.
Lee He Song turned and looked at Lin Xuan Qi.
Lin Xuan Qi lowered his head and pondered for a moment.
If they separated and left the crowd now, that might raise a little bit of suspicion.
He glanced at the construction of the shopping mall that was going on not too far away and he figured that it might not be that huge of a risk to go in.
There were those from the other clans and families with him.
And if anything happened, as long as he could get to where the construction was, he would most likely be safe.
Although he hadn’t planned for it to be utilized so soon, he wouldn’t mind such an unintended convenience of having the property close to the tiger’s den.
Lin Xuan Qi made his decision and gave a nod at Lee He Song.
Then, they followed the crowd into the residence, who had also made up their minds.
Once they got inside, Lin Xuan Qi glanced around at the surroundings.
There were white banners with black wordings on them hung all over the corridors.
It was something that was typical when families went into mourning in the Da Qian Dynasty.
All of the members from the clans and families lowered their heads and kept quiet when they saw the customary decorations in the residence.
When they got to the main hall of the residence, Lin Xuan Qi frowned at what he witnessed.
It was a somber mood in the main hall.
The Qing Feng Sect disciples had their heads lowered, with some of them wiping their eyes on and off.
There was an altar with wooden tablets placed on it.
Names of the Qing Feng Sect disciples who had perished were carved on the wooden tablets.
And out of the wooden tablets, the one in the middle stood out the most.
It had the words, ’Qing Feng Sect, Sword Peak Direct Disciple, Xiao Feng’ carved on it and the words lined in gold compared to the others which were lined with black ink.
Incense was burning in an incense urn that was in front of the wooden tablets.
The crowd glanced at each other again, pondering on whether they should pay respect at the altar.
Zhao Geng Nian, who was standing by the side of the altar, swiped his eyes across all of them.
His gaze stayed for a brief moment on Lin Xuan Qi when he saw him, before moving off again.
"It’s fine, I understand that you are in moments of grief too." Zhao Geng Nian raised his hand, which was bandaged, and said.
Lin Xuan Qi wanted to give him a look of disdain but he controlled himself.
This sly old fox tried to be magnanimous by telling those from the clans and families it was fine to not pay respect to the fallen Qing Feng Sect disciples, and reminding them that their behavior of not mourning was hypocritical.
And he even feigned an injury to show those from the clans and families that the Qing Feng Sect, including him, had also paid a price trying to clear the cultivators from the north.
It worked.
Those from the clans and families turned quiet.
None of them dared to make anything more than a whimper.
Seeing that no one had spoken, Zhao Geng Nian went on and said, "I understand your anxiety and grief.
"But we are also in the process of doing so as you can see.
"Sad to say, even after taking so many casualties, we have not successfully forced the cultivators from the north to retreat.
"I suggest that everyone go back and do what you need to do first while we reorganize ourselves and get prepared for what’s about to come next."
One of those from the clans frowned and asked, "What do you mean by that?"
The Qing Feng Sect disciples stared at the man but Zhao Geng Nian waved his hand at the disciples.
Their gazes softened and moved away.
"The Crimson Wolf Lord might be coming next to take revenge for his men soon..." Zhao Geng Nian said and the crowd gasped.
It was not over yet.
"But we only have half of our cultivators and guards left..."
"Yeah. We can’t afford to put in more manpower."
"What should we do now?"
There were many faces that were anxious with their eyebrows pulled close together.
All of them didn’t want to let their men be involved with whatever the Qing Feng Sect might be trying to do again.
They would rather let these cultivators, whom they had put in so much resources, to protect their properties and valuables instead.
Lin Xuan Qi figured that Zhao Geng Nian wouldn’t try the same trick in a row and he was right.
Zhao Geng Nian stroked his beard and said, "I understand. The Qing Feng Sect will not be asking for manpower from all of you this time."
His words lifted a huge stone off their chests.
All of them gave out a sigh of relief.
But it was not over yet.
Zhao Geng Nian went on and said, "And since the Qing Feng Sect would be doing most of the work, sacrificing our men against the cultivators from the north, I would need you to help in other ways."
"Help in other ways? How?" The men from the clans and families asked with anxiety.
Zhao Geng Nian glanced at the wooden tablets on the altar and said, "I think this is not the time and place to discuss about it."
That got them silenced.
It was indeed inappropriate to talk about such things in front of the altar.
They had no other better options but to leave the residence first.
"We shall take our leave."
Zhao Geng Nian didn’t stop them and they left the main hall.
Lin Xuan Qi together with Lee He Song followed and left with the crowd.
What does he want this time?
Lin Xuan Qi thought while he headed towards the construction site of the shopping mall after leaving the residence.