Liu Wei's soul sense informed him that a group of cultivators was approaching them. Since one of them was in the Dao Attunement Realm, this could only be a delegation from the sect. They'd reach it in a couple of hours, so he wondered what was so urgent they couldn't wait till then. He broke off his meditation and opened his eyes.

His cultivation had been coming along very well, impressively so. It had taken some time to adjust to the new parameters he was working under but now that he had done so, he was progressing smoothly. In fact, he had mostly regained the astonishing speed of progress he'd had back when he'd first started shooting through the realms of Dao Contemplation, the speed that had seen him be hailed as the greatest genius of his time.

Just like back then, his mind seemed to naturally grasp the concepts that others would need to painstakingly analyze, making his progress almost effortless. He had already experienced several new epiphanies as well, now that he was looking out for the connections between his Dao and the humans around him. One when he had rescued Qingge from the cold, dark tunnels and several while in conversation with Geming Lei or during lectures at the academy. It seemed like philosophy was a lot more relevant to cultivation in the Dao Contemplation Realm than anybody had previously realized.

It was a good thing he had put guardrails for his cultivation into place prior to this, because he could already feel just how addicting it was. They were working though: he hadn't once considered phasing out his other actions in favor of cultivating more.

The group of cultivators had reached them and were slowing down.

"We've got company.", Liu Wei informed the others before getting up and stepping out of the carriage. Qingge was quick to follow him, Geming Lei hesitating before doing so as well.

He made his way to the front where Yang and a few others were greeting the new arrivals. At the front and center of them was Guowei Li, his face serious and sorrowful.

"Greetings everyone. Manager Li, I'm happy to see you. We met up with your brother in the city, he was of great help to us. He asked us to send you his regards. What has led you to meet us here?"

"I humbly greet Elder Wei. I'm happy to hear that my brother is alright and that my family could be of help to you. I apologize for interrupting your travels, but there have been developments in the sect that Elder Shi thought you needed to be informed of before your arrival there."

"That doesn't sound like good news."

It sounded quite alarming in fact. What could have happened that involved both Lan Shi and him to such a degree that he'd need to prepare himself before returning?

"It really isn't. You see, several elders under the leadership of Elder Bai have exploited your absence to take all employees of the Training Hall prisoner, citing possible connections to the smuggling ring."

"They WHAT!?!"

Liu Wei wasn't the only one shocked. All of the present members of their group showed signs of dismay, Qingge in particular gasping in disbelief.

"I… I'm sorry… Elder Shi attempted to intervene, but she only managed to negotiate a joint supervision of the prisoners by the Enforcement Hall."

Ning Bai, that reckless bastard. This was a step… scratch that, this was an entire marathon too far. Though it was a dishonorable thing to do, exploiting another elder's absence wasn't unheard of, but outright arresting an entire hall? Had he lost his mind?

Liu Wei forced himself to breathe slowly. He needed to remain calm and think about solving this situation. Anger wouldn't help anybody.

"Thank you for informing me. This would have been quite a thing to come back to unwittingly. I'm grateful for Lan Shi's assistance, she surely did the utmost of what was possible. For now, please join me in the carriage, I want a detailed account of what happened, and Qingge can bring you up to speed on the current state of the investigations."

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"As you wish, Elder Wei."

"Yang, please don't delay. The sooner we arrive at the sect, the better."

The next hours were spent exchanging information and putting together plans. As the group passed into sect grounds proper, Liu Wei had decided that he would go to meet Ning Bai immediately, not seeing any reason to delay.

He would demand the immediate release of all of his subordinates and confront him with the evidence of his family's involvement in the smuggling directly if necessary. Freeing the innocent from their captivity was the immediate priority, any possible plans for retribution had to wait.

"Manager Li, may I ask that you take Professor Lei to the Enforcement Hall and make sure he remains safe until this ordeal is over?"

"Of course, Elder Wei. Leave it to me."

"Thank you, that's good to hear."

"Elder Wei, may I make a request?"

Qingge spoke, sounding unsure of herself.

"Well, it can't hurt to ask, can it?"

"I'd like to follow along if possible. I can't bear doing nothing while my fellow sect members are imprisoned like that… And- And surely it could be helpful if someone from the Enforcement Hall is present!"

"Very well, you can join me. Keep yourself in the background though in case things get serious."

"Of course! I'll do my best not to be a burden."

"Good. And don't worry too much, it's not like we're heading to war."

"Should we bring Zian Bai as well?"

"No, that would give Elder Bai the opportunity to start the conversation with outrage and steer it away from the actual issue. He's skilled at those sorts of games. Zian Bai and all available evidence will be brought to the Enforcement Hall. Manager Li, please make sure that they are kept safe from meddling."

When they arrived at the intersection between the Enforcement Hall and the Outer Relations Hall, Liu Wei had the carriage halted, he and Qingge stepping outside. Yang was quick to meet them.

"Elder Wei, will Qingge follow you?"

"Yes, she has asked to do so."

"Then I must come as well."

"I know of your commitment and won't hinder you. Be aware that this might put you in a bad light before Elder Bai though."

"I don't care."

"Very well."

Liu Wei looked around, meeting eyes with each of the members he had now spent the last six weeks with, and giving each of them a nod of respect.

"This is where we part. We have arrived back at the sect and our duties will lead us away from each other. Every single one of you has done great work in the past one and a half months and it has been a great pleasure traveling and working alongside you. I hope and expect the best for each of your journeys going forward, be it as a cultivator, a member of your hall or something else entirely. Good luck."

With that, the trio got moving, splitting away from the rest of the group which Guowei Li now assumed the command of. Along the forested path, towards the Outer Relations Hall.

There was of course no guarantee that they would find Ning Bai there, but the Bai Family's estate was located rather close to it.

They had retained uninterrupted control of the hall for many generations after all. It had long become a core part of their image and their influence to be the external face of the sect, just like it was for the Zhong Family with the Information Gathering Hall or like it had been for the Rong Family before Ma Rong had split from them, taking the Alchemy Hall with him.

After roughly half an hour of walking, the forest cleared, and the Outer Relations Hall came into view. Standing in front of its gates was Ning Bai, a confident expression on his face, flanked by Sun Liang and Jiang Peng. Except for Zheng Rong, that made all of the elders who he had been told were involved in the capture of his hall's members. At least directly.

"Ah, Elder Wei. I figure you're here for an audience with me?"

Ning Bai's tone was confident, condescending even. Liu Wei had to wonder what had happened to the thoughtful diplomat he had thought the man to be. He'd always been prideful, but what might have driven him to such extremes?

No matter. He'd done what he'd done and if he wanted to play like this, Liu Wei was more than happy to respond in kind.

"Absolutely correct, Elder Bai. I see your mind has not dulled since the last time we spoke. Let me respond in kind with a little guess myself. You brought backup, because you fear retribution for your knowingly unjust actions."

Liu Wei could see his words hit the mark. While Sun Liang remained unimpressed, Ning Bai's face visibly flinched with anger. Jiang Peng didn't even bother trying to hide it.

"Elder Wei, I don't know what you are talking about, but I'm shocked you'd make such unfounded accusations targeting this one's honor. I demand an immediate apology."

That wasn't especially impressive of a refute, just about what you could hear from any entitled brat if you listened in on their arguments.

"Believe it or not, I did not come here to hear demands but to make them. You are to order the release of all members of the Training Hall at once."

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