At past ten in the evening, in the Taoist temple's refectory, disciples from various major sects were still drinking and making noise. The disciples of the Emei sect, along with Zhou Ruoxi and Jiang Tingxia, had already finished their meal and returned to their guest rooms to rest.
Sima Boyong accompanied the sect leaders and masters of the major sects until late. Finally, he let everyone return to rest, as there were disciples' sparring matches to watch the next morning.
"Dad, all the major sects support you. It seems capturing the position of Sect Master will be as easy as lifting a hand."
Returning to his residence, Sima Wentang took off Sima Boyong's jacket and said with a smile.
"Heh heh."
Sima Boyong chuckled and said, "Although those people outwardly appear detached and uninvolved in worldly affairs, people always have desires. Whether it's outside or in the martial competition between major sects, isn't it all for fame and profit?"
"You're right. All those sect leaders and masters are fawning over you, isn't it all because of your status in the capital, Dad?" Sima Wentang put his jacket in the closet, organizing it, and said with a smile.
Sima Boyong sat down, and Sima Wentang immediately went to pour him tea. He smiled and said, "Those people are neither big nor small, just minor figures. As long as I ascend to the position of Sect Master, I am confident that I can build the Wuliang Taoist Temple into the foremost sect in Huaxia, and then slowly annex other sects!"
Sima Wentang's expression stiffened. He turned to look at his father, realizing that this was the true reason why he was trying every means to seize the position of Sect Master!
"Dad, with your strength, you can certainly contend with major sects like Shaolin and Wudang," Sima Wentang said, placing the tea in front of him with a smile.
Sima Boyong chuckled and said, "The reason I was able to secure the top position in the entire Huaxia traditional Chinese medicine community back then was through strength and cunning. Otherwise, you wouldn't have your current position."
"Yes, you are right."
Sima Wentang nodded and smiled, but he raised an eyebrow and said, "However, the Lingnan Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, founded by Gu Yuanbai and Wan Yunting, has had a significant impact on our Traditional Chinese Medicine Association. Especially the Hongyun incident and the medical support event in the rural towns, which have greatly damaged the reputation of our Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Association."
"Although society's attention was diverted due to the disaster area situation some time ago, and we also actively organized medical rescue teams and donated supplies to the disaster relief, thus regaining some of our credibility, those two incidents still have a direct impact on us."
"Especially the policies of the Lingnan Traditional Chinese Medicine Association. They are completely going against us. At the same time, they have also received support from the Dai family in Shanghai, as well as support from multiple provinces such as Min Province, Gui Province, and Jiang Province. They are directly impacting our traditional Chinese medicine associations in those areas."
"Therefore, we still need to find a way to eliminate Wan Yunting and Gu Yuanbai!"
"I know."
Sima Boyong took a sip of his tea, slowly placed the teacup on the table, and said, "Don't worry, I've already sent Lei Laohu and his men. We just need to wait until after the Ancestor Worship ceremony. Once Chang Wude and Wan Yunting leave their sects and descend the mountain, we will strike them directly on their way back!"
Upon hearing Lei Laohu's name, Sima Wentang's eyes lit up, and he excitedly said, "With Lei Laohu in action, they will surely be able to eliminate Wan Yunting and the others!"
"Alright."
Sima Boyong stood up and said, "The most important thing now is to resolve the issue of my senior brother. If he doesn't die! Then I cannot take his place!"
Sima Wentang nodded and said, "Don't worry, Dad, Uncle Duan won't live for many more days!"
Sima Boyong, sitting on the bed, nodded and said, "However, we still need to guard against that old man Chang Wude. I didn't expect him to know about those matters from back then!"
"Therefore, to prevent any accidents, you need to send more people to guard my senior brother's residence. Absolutely no one from Chang Wude's side should be allowed to get close, nor should Wan Yunting be allowed to contact Duan Wuyu to check his condition!"
"Understood. I'll go out and instruct them now." Sima Wentang nodded.
"Go ahead."
Sima Boyong waved his hand, took off his shoes, and got into bed to sleep.
"Dad, then you rest first."
Sima Wentang said, then went out and closed the door. He then went to the room opposite. He saw Zhu Yangyu lying on the bed, looking dejected. Upon seeing Sima Wentang enter, he immediately struggled to get off the bed. However, the pain on the left side of his abdomen made him frown, but he gritted his teeth and endured it.
"Yangyu, is your injury serious?" Sima Wentang asked as he approached.
Zhu Yangyu shook his head slightly and said, "Thank you for your concern, senior brother. I'm fine."
"Good. Later, you take more people to patrol around the Sect Master's residence. Make sure Chang Wude and Wan Yunting don't get close to the Sect Master's residence, do you understand?" Sima Wentang instructed seriously.
"Yes, I'll go do it now."
Zhu Yangyu nodded and went out, enduring the pain of his injury.
Sima Wentang didn't think much of it. He went back to his own room and rested.
By eleven o'clock at night, around the perimeter of the Sect Master's courtyard, more patrolling disciples were clearly visible…
In her room, Yang Jingyi, dressed in a gray robe, watched her daughter Duan Yingying, wearing pajamas, sitting at the table and chairs with her hand supporting her cheek, dozing off. Yang Jingyi went up and touched her head, saying gently, "Yingying, you should go back and rest."
Duan Yingying woke up and looked up at her mother. "Mom, you haven't slept much these past two days. Why don't you go rest in my room? I'll stay here and guard Dad tonight."
"No need. You go rest,"
Yang Jingyi shook her head slightly and smiled, "Don't worry, your father will be fine."
Duan Yingying looked back at her father lying on the bed. Her delicate eyebrows furrowed, and she said worriedly, "Mom, will my dad really..."
"Silly girl, don't think too much."
Yang Jingyi went up and hugged her. Duan Yingying rested her head on her chest and said sadly, "But Uncle Boyong said that my dad might..."
"Alright, your father will be fine. As long as he gets through this ordeal, he'll be alright," Yang Jingyi said, gently holding her head and comforting her.
"Yes, yes, I believe Uncle Boyong will cure Dad's illness," Duan Yingying said, nodding in her mother's embrace.
But Yang Jingyi's brow furrowed. She didn't speak, her mind lost in thought.
At this moment, a young disciple walked in. It was Xue Xinghe, a direct disciple of Wuweizi. Standing at the door, he called out softly, "Teacher's wife, are you asleep?"
Hearing the call, Yang Jingyi released her daughter and asked her to open the door.
"Xinghe, what are you here for?" Duan Yingying softly opened the door and asked Xue Xinghe.
"Senior sister Yingying, you're here."
Xue Xinghe said, "It's like this, my master has something important to tell Teacher's wife, so he sent me to call you over."
"What is it?"
Yang Jingyi put on a thick robe and came out, asking softly.
Xue Xinghe shook his head and said, "I don't know. Master just asked me to call you."
"It's so late at night, can't whatever it is wait until tomorrow?" Duan Yingying said with dissatisfaction.
Yang Jingyi waved her hand at her and said to Xue Xinghe, "Then wait a moment, I'll change my clothes."
"Okay, Teacher's wife."
Xue Xinghe smiled awkwardly and nodded, standing at the door.
Duan Yingying glared at him fiercely before turning back with her mother. Yang Jingyi said, "Yingying, you stay here and watch your father. I'm going to see Uncle Wuwei."
"Okay."
Duan Yingying pouted and had no choice but to sit down and continue watching her father.
Yang Jingyi changed into a Taoist robe and then put on a thick cloak before coming out. Together with Xue Xinghe, she walked out of the house and immediately saw many disciples patrolling. This made Yang Jingyi raise an eyebrow. She called out to a patrolling disciple, "It's so late, you should all go back and rest."
"Teacher's wife, Uncle Boyong instructed that it's not safe with people from various sects in the Taoist temple, so he asked us to patrol," the disciple replied with a bow.
Hearing that it was people sent by Sima Boyong, Yang Jingyi's brows furrowed even tighter. She nodded and said nothing more, continuing with Xue Xinghe to find Wuweizi…
Meanwhile, in a corner of another building, Zhu Yangyu and Zeng Yongchang were hiding. Watching Yang Jingyi leave with Xue Xinghe, Zhu Yangyu asked, "Why is Teacher's wife going to see Uncle Wuwei so late at night?"
"I don't know."
Zeng Yongchang tucked his hands into the sleeves of his Taoist robe, hunched his body, and shook his head. "Perhaps Uncle Wuwei has something to discuss with Teacher's mother."
Zhu Yangyu nodded. The pain in his left waist made him cough lightly. Thinking of being defeated by Wan Yunting's palm today, he felt extremely unwilling and thought that he must find an opportunity to take revenge in the future…
Wuweizi's residence was in the west wing of the Taoist temple, while the Sect Master's residence was in the east wing. Therefore, they had to pass through the main hall of the Taoist temple. After walking for five or six minutes, they arrived at Wuweizi's courtyard. Xue Xinghe pushed open the wooden gate of the courtyard and said with a smile, "Teacher's wife, please come in."
Yang Jingyi nodded and followed him into the courtyard. Xue Xinghe headed towards the reception hall and called out, "Master, Teacher's wife is here."
Then the door opened, and Wuweizi lifted the curtain. Seeing Yang Jingyi, he immediately smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, you're here! Come in quickly, it's cold outside."
Yang Jingyi nodded and entered the living room, only to see Chang Wude and Wan Yunting also present. This made her expression freeze. She looked back at Wuweizi, as if asking him what this meant and why Chang Wude and the others were there.