Reluctantly parting ways with Lin Zhitong, Yan Shouyi adjusted his attire as he stepped out.
He was now the president of the Folk Research Association, which was no longer a small organization but the largest power in the southeastern region. He couldn't afford to be as casual as he used to be.
However, having presence didn't mean he had to put on airs; Yan Shouyi remained friendly towards the members of the Folk Research Association.
With over seven hundred members, the Folk Research Association was exceptionally lively. Members could be seen gathering everywhere, most of the time discussing ways to improve. The learning atmosphere was incredibly fervent.
Passing through the bustling streets, Yan Shouyi arrived at his father Yan Chou's residence.
To protect their granddaughter, Yan Chou and the others had moved directly to a courtyard by the lotus pond.
Three months ago, Yan Shouyi had gone on a killing spree, drawing unified condemnation from unsuspecting major sects. Yan Shouyi had expected first-rate sects to send people to purge him, but after his father Yan Chou made his stance known to the outside world, no sect dared to openly confront him.
At the time, Yan Chou had only said one thing: "I will kill gods and slay Buddhas; those who are not afraid of death may come!"
This declaration spread throughout the major sects, possessing immense deterrence. For three months, no sect dared to provoke them.
However, they continued to scheme in secret, occasionally sending people to cause trouble at the Folk Research Association.
Later, a tacit agreement developed between the two sides.
As long as members of the Folk Research Association did not leave Rongcheng, disciples from the major sects would not casually seek trouble. Conversely, as long as disciples from the major sects did not directly attack, members of the Folk Research Association would not go out to kill.
Therefore, among the five major forces in the civilian sector, the Folk Research Association was the most conservative. The other four forces had long since engaged in bloody conflict with the major sects.
But this did not mean Yan Shouyi was at ease.
Although the Celestial Masters' Mansion had not directly intervened, the major sects had issued a wanted notice for Yan Shouyi.
The moment Yan Shouyi dared to leave Rongcheng and his whereabouts were discovered, he would face disciples from major sects attacking him from all directions!
Fortunately, Yan Shouyi had no intention of leaving Rongcheng for now; all he wanted was to await the safe arrival of his child.
Upon entering Yan Chou's courtyard, he saw his father Yan Chou, the Dog Taoist, the Wonderful Monk Miaoji, and Wei Changqing sitting in the courtyard, drinking tea.
They seemed quite relaxed.
Although Yan Shouyi was a junior, he was now the president, so he spoke with a bit more assertiveness.
After greeting the elders, he directly took the only empty seat. Notably, Yan Chou had specifically reserved the main seat for Yan Shouyi.
As Yan Shouyi sat in the main seat, Lin Yu poured him a cup of hot tea. Yan Chou waved his hand, and Lin Yu left the courtyard, carefully locking the door.
"I have something to mention first," the Dog Taoist said preemptively. "I've found out who poisoned us three months ago. It was a 'she dao ren' named Wang Li. Before poisoning us, he had been helping out in the kitchen of the mess hall. He seized the opportunity at the right moment to act; it was premeditated. I also discovered that people from the New Xuan Mountain Sect held his mother hostage, forcing him to do it."
Yan Shouyi nodded and asked, "What happened next? Did Uncle Gou deal with him?"
"I sent him away for the time being. While he can't be entirely blamed, people like him have too many weaknesses and might stab you in the back at any time. He's not to be trusted," the Dog Taoist said, taking a sip of tea.
Wang Li had poisoned so many people, nearly causing everyone to be wiped out. Imprisoning him wouldn't be an excessive punishment.
However, considering Wang Li was also threatened, they dealt with him leniently, which resulted in his expulsion from the Folk Research Association.
"Dad, what did you want to see me about?" Yan Shouyi then looked at Yan Chou.
Yan Chou's role in the Folk Research Association was straightforward: to provide strength and deterrence. He never interfered with management matters.
Most of the time, Yan Chou and the others would sit in the courtyard, sipping tea, like the pampered dependents in wealthy ancient households. They only took action during special circumstances.
In the past three months, Yan Chou and his companions had apprehended over twenty enemies who had infiltrated the Folk Research Association. Furthermore, Yan Chou had dispatched people to clear out the remnants of the Twelve Earthly Branches.
Unfortunately, although the Twelve Earthly Branches had been completely eliminated, the conflict between the two factions would not cease.
Yan Chou tapped his fingers lightly on the table, appearing to hesitate, but he quickly stopped, as if he had made up his mind.
"Regarding your mother, how much do you know?"
Yan Shouyi was taken aback.
He had considered many possibilities, but never did he expect his father to suddenly bring up his mother.
After a moment of silence, Yan Shouyi shook his head. "I know almost nothing about my mother. I only know that she was definitely not an ordinary person, as you used to say… This shoulder bag I'm wearing, it belonged to my mother, right? It was made for her by people from Fengyi Xuan back then."
Yan Shouyi knew the origin of the shoulder bag. Yan Chou didn't seem surprised by this, as he knew Yan Shouyi had befriended Zhu Ling and Zhu Huansi of Fengyi Xuan.
"Last time at Mount Emei, Grandma told me to find my adoptive grandfather, saying he could tell me everything. But now, with the worsening relations between the two factions, it's impossible for me to go to Longhu Mountain. So…"
He didn't finish his sentence, waiting for Yan Chou to resolve his confusion.
Yan Chou sighed softly and said, "Your mother had a special identity. Telling you the truth too early would have placed unnecessary pressure on you, affecting your state of mind. However, now is the time for you to know everything."
Yan Shouyi couldn't help but straighten his posture, a barely perceptible tension in his eyes.
My mother, what exactly was her identity?
What kind of person was she? Where had she been, and what had she done?
How… how exactly did she die?
"Your mother was also a successor of a folk sect, and she was a Lu Ban successor from another lineage!" Yan Chou finally revealed the truth.
His mother was also a Lu Ban successor?!
Yan Shouyi was greatly astonished.
After a brief moment of bewilderment, he immediately raised a question. "Is that all? If Mother was a Lu Ban successor, there would be no need for you to hide it from me for so long, would there?"
"The matter is very complicated. Listen to me as I explain slowly," Yan Chou said. "Before that, you should take a look at this."
Yan Chou produced a tattered ancient book, placed it on the table, and pushed it towards Yan Shouyi.
The ancient book was so worn out that its cover had been gnawed by rats, but the inner pages showed no signs of damage, only yellowed from age.
Upon seeing the ancient book, Yan Shouyi's face showed surprise.
He had seen this ancient book before. It was the Lu Ban Book, Lower Volume, that he and his father retrieved from the village chief's house in Chenjia Village when his father was released from prison last year—the Lu Ban Book, Lower Volume!
The legendary mysterious ancient book that recorded the method for achieving immortality!