Ji Yueze’s gaze casually swept over the first-floor hall of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion.
When he clearly saw that the one confronting Steward Zhang was actually Chen Ye, he laughed out loud:
"Isn’t this Steward Chen? Recently, you’ve been making waves in Yunxi District. I’ve long admired your great name!"
As soon as he said this,
Steward Zhang was filled with uncertainty and suspicion.
Steward Chen?
Since when did Yunxi District have a Steward Chen?
Could it be... the Steward Chen who just passed the Spirit Plant assessment some time ago?
This flattering remark from Ji Yueze instantly made Steward Zhang’s heart skip a beat. He hurriedly whispered to the attendant to bring that Iron Sword over.
At the same time, he also smiled broadly: "Oh, so it’s Steward Chen! Oh my! Isn’t this like the river flooding the Dragon King’s temple, with Lingyin Sect and Spirit Treasure Sect being brother sects? How could we take advantage of a fellow Taoist? These Spirit Stones are all waived!"
Indeed, Steward Zhang was also a steward and was not afraid of Chen Ye.
But loose cultivators could be easily bullied,
while other sect stewards were best not offended.
He handed the Iron Sword to Chen Ye, internally bleeding with regret.
Since he had previously spoken disrespectfully, he could only bleed a little to seek forgiveness.
Chen Ye felt a slight stir in his heart, sensing that Ji Yueze’s intentions were unfriendly, but his face remained calm as he cupped his hands and said:
"Taoist Friend Ji, I’ve long admired your name!"
"No, no, no..."
Ji Yueze sneered playfully,
"Steward Chen is the one I’ve long admired. Tsk tsk tsk, teasing a female cultivator, you truly are daringly audacious!"
At these words, a few members of the Stone Mirror Association behind him immediately suppressed their laughter, their faces filled with amusement.
Upon hearing this, Steward Zhang’s heart skipped another beat.
His hand hesitated over the Iron Sword, wavering whether to take it or not.
This Ji Yueze had quite a network within the Lingyin Sect.
Chen Ye was just a newly appointed Spirit Plant steward, offending him...
Chen Ye’s eyes grew cold, just about to retort when he was interrupted by a cool, youthful voice.
"This Taoist friend is mistaken with your words."
Everyone turned toward the voice, only to see a black-haired girl in a light blue cloth skirt, her ink-black hair simply pinned up with a wooden hairpin, stepping out from behind Chen Ye.
Though her figure was still slender, her back was straight as a rod, and her clear, black-and-white eyes looked calmly at Ji Yueze, with not a hint of fear.
It was Lu Zhiwei.
She stepped forward, shielding Chen Ye: "Everyone knows what kind of person my master is; there’s no need for outsiders to make wild assumptions and sow discord here. As for the so-called teasing of a female cultivator, it has long been revealed to be a misunderstanding, maliciously planted by petty people. If you don’t believe it, Taoist friend, you’re welcome to investigate."
Zhiwei’s words were clear and orderly, neither humble nor arrogant, and for a moment, the scene fell silent.
Qing Jun also poked out a small head from behind Chen Ye, puffing out his cheeks, whispering in agreement: "Exactly, exactly! You’re the ones who are bad!"
Ji Yueze saw these two little girls daring to publicly contradict him, a trace of malice flashing in his eyes. He snorted coldly: "Who allowed a brat to speak here? Chen Ye, you’ve got some nerve, letting your disciple stand up for you?"
The spiritual power radiating from him subtly surged again, with a hint of pressure, intending for this little girl, unaware of the heights of the world, to back down.
Chen Ye sighed, shielding his two disciples behind him:
"Ji Yueze, listening to rumors, sowing discord, bullying little girls... you are truly vile and shameless."
Hearing this, Steward Zhang started to sweat coldly on his forehead.
Where did Chen Ye get the courage?
Ji Yueze was even angrier: "Sharp-tongued! You think I don’t dare deal with you in the market?"
"Do you really dare?" Chen Ye wondered.
Ji Yueze’s words stuck.
Indeed, he really didn’t dare.
Loose cultivators were one thing, but to openly kill a sect steward in the market was no small matter.
If he acted, he would be the next "Demon Cultivator of Emotion Crossing Sect" hunted by countless Foundation Establishment cultivators!
But what Ji Yueze didn’t expect was that this Chen Ye was incredibly daring!
He quietly judged:
This person was extraordinarily bold, not one to fear death.
He seemed nothing like the person described in the Stone Mirror Association’s intelligence...
Just when the situation was about to erupt, a gentle female voice came from the private room upstairs:
"Chairman Ji, it’s been years, and your temper has grown much. Can’t even tolerate little girls now?"
Ji Yueze’s face changed drastically upon hearing this voice, his previous arrogance vanishing without a trace.
He didn’t even spare another glance at Chen Ye and Zhiwei, hurriedly cupping his hands towards upstairs: "Senior Sister, please calm down. I misspoke, and I hope you will forgive my mistake! I’m coming up to apologize to you right away!"
With that, he immediately turned, almost running towards the stairs.
That eager manner was completely different from before.
The cultivators behind him looked at each other, not daring to speak further, hurriedly lowering their heads to follow.
Steward Zhang, seeing this, secretly breathed a sigh of relief, hurriedly and respectfully returning the Iron Sword to Chen Ye, smiling apologetically: "Steward Chen, it’s all a misunderstanding. This sword is yours, please hold it well. I deeply offended you, and I hope you will not bear a grudge against a petty person."
He now only wanted to quickly send this divine figure away.
Chen Ye took the Iron Sword without saying much.
He looked towards the direction of the private room on the second floor; the window remained tightly closed, but Chen Ye could feel a gaze watching him quietly from behind that window.
This voice... seemed somewhat familiar, leaving a deep impression in his former self’s heart.
But Chen Ye couldn’t recall who it was for the moment.
However...
Ji Yueze, that person, was truly unrestrained and flamboyant, not hiding his likes and dislikes at all.
He was the complete opposite of Luo Heng, the President of the Jade Lizard Association.
Qing Jun murmured softly: "Master, was that big brother earlier not fond of you? The way he looked at you seemed so fierce."
"As long as Qing Jun likes Master." Chen Ye patted Qing Jun’s little head.
"!!" The little girl’s eyes slowly widened, and she abruptly turned her face away, "Qing Jun does not like him either!"
"Then it’s good that Master likes you, after all, Qing Jun is so cute."
"Ugh! Qing Jun is not cute... no, no, Qing Jun is cute, but Master can’t like me!" the little girl was so anxious she was nearly steaming.
Just as Chen Ye was about to leave with the two girls,
a woman dressed as a maid quickly came down, walked straight in front of him, and respectfully bowed, "Taoist Friend Chen, Madam invites you, and asked me to remind you, do you still remember seven years ago?"
This maid had a respectful expression, yet her cultivation was at the late stage of Qi Cultivation!
But what shocked Chen Ye was not the maid of late-stage Qi Cultivation, but her words.
Seven years ago?
Wait, he remembered it now.
Wasn’t the voice from upstairs just now Qing Jun’s mother’s voice?
"Xu Family..."
Chen Ye immediately recalled the Xu Family convoy purchasing magical artifacts in the trading area.
But he didn’t expect Qing Jun’s mother would personally come!
But with so many years gone by, why did she choose today to come to Yunxi District?
...
In the elegant room upstairs, a stunning figure stood leaning by the window, her phoenix eyes shifted, seemingly silently observing everything below.
She wore a simple elegant dress, with snowy skin and black hair, a delicate upturned nose, lips that were soft and finely textured, exuding a gentle and charming aura.
Ji Yueze stood behind the female cultivator for a long time, trying to speak several times, but he didn’t know what to say.
"Mao... Senior Sister Mao, long time no see." In the end, he couldn’t help but softly call out.
"Junior Brother Ji." Mao Qingzhu came back to her senses and smiled slightly, that gentle smile enough to enchant a city, "You’re still as impulsive as before."
Ji Yueze’s breathing was heavy, his eyes did not dare to meet hers, he cupped his hands and said, "Senior Sister, you remain as beautiful as ever..."
Mao Qingzhu’s gaze fell again to the little girl downstairs, "Chairman Ji, thank you for your help this time."
She was referring to Ji Yueze helping the Xu Family handle some troubles before.
Ji Yueze was overjoyed in his heart, quickly saying, "Senior Sister is too kind. It’s my honor to be able to help you." He paused, and then asked with some confusion, "But I wonder, who was that Loose Cultivator downstairs earlier? Why would Senior Sister intervene personally?"
Mao Qingzhu shook her head, "I just saw him with two children and had a conflict with you, so I casually intervened."
She brushed the matter off lightly, unwilling to discuss it further.
Upon hearing this, Ji Yueze’s heart was heavy.
He knew Mao Qingzhu’s character well; she is someone who would never meddle in others’ business.
There must be a deeper meaning in what she did today.
"Senior Sister... I understand." Ji Yueze took a deep breath.
Since Senior Sister helped him, then he should not be his enemy in the future.
Even if it means watching Luo Heng, that old undead, reach Foundation Establishment.
"Junior Brother Ji, what do you understand? Forget it..."
Mao Qingzhu shook her head helplessly, but a trace of satisfaction flashed in her eyes undetectably.
Then the two exchanged a few pleasantries before beginning to discuss the details of the transaction.
The Xu Family intends to purchase a large number of magical artifacts this time, and the Stone Mirror Association, as a major loose cultivator association, is naturally a good partner to cooperate with.
After the transaction was concluded,
Mao Qingzhu slightly nodded, her voice gentle and pleasant, "Thank you, Junior Brother Ji... this headache of mine is flaring up again, Junior Brother..."
Her slender, fair fingers gently massaged her temples.
Ji Yueze, hearing this, looked even more pitying of her.
Since that disaster seven years ago, Senior Sister has often had headaches.
No matter how reluctant he was, he couldn’t bear to continue disturbing her and stood up to take his leave:
"Senior Sister, please take care, don’t let that bastard upset you!"
With that, he left suavely without looking back.
Before leaving, he happened to brush past Chen Ye, who was with the two girls.
Ji Yueze snorted coldly, glanced back at Chen Ye, and thought to himself, "Count yourself lucky, kid! Senior Sister remains as gentle as ever... sigh..."
Chen Ye paused as well, his eyes landing on Qing Jun’s face.
The little girl still didn’t know what was about to happen, her big eyes roamed around, curious and excited.
"Sigh..." Chen Ye couldn’t help but feel sorry for his little disciple, feeling distressed for Qing Jun.
So, he couldn’t help but lightly tap Qing Jun.
Seeing the little girl holding her head in pain, only then was he in a good mood.
"Ugh!! Master is mean!!"
The little girl was angry, completely furious.
Her little fists, like white steamed buns, were eager to move.
But seeing Master’s fist, also like a sandbag,
the little girl stood at attention: "Master is the best!"
This grudge, she would remember!
After all, one shouldn’t do things more than three times, and after remembering three grudges, she would definitely settle them fiercely!
Eh... but now it seems she’s already remembered two grudges?
Chen Ye raised his eyebrows in confusion, "Master just wanted to fist bump with Qing Jun? Isn’t this what Qing Jun meant by clenching her fists?"
"Yes... that’s right." Qing Jun replied with a flattering smile.
Cautiously, with her soft little white fists, she quickly bumped against Master’s much larger fist.
Hmm!
She hit Master, which meant she successfully got her revenge.
So, all grudges reset to zero!