Chen Ye hadn’t gone far,
when Xu Qingsong hurried over, his face still holding that polite and gentle smile. He cupped his hands and said, "Steward Chen, I am Xu Qingsong. If I have been impolite earlier, I hope Steward Chen will be forgiving."
"Taoist Friend Xu." Chen Ye returned the gesture, his guard heightened.
The dogs that don’t bark are the ones that bite.
Like Qing Jun, who loudly shouts all day, there’s no chance he’d bite.
And Zhiwei... that girl is just simply aloof.
Xu Qingsong didn’t beat around the bush; he calmly looked at Chen Ye and slowly said, "Steward Chen, let’s be straightforward. Your disciple Xu Qingjun is my sister — my half-sister."
Although Chen Ye had already speculated in his heart, he knew Xu Qingsong’s purpose was Qing Jun.
Yet seeing him so candid still left him somewhat stunned.
Chen Ye remained expressionless and said in a deep voice, "What does Senior Brother Xu mean by this? Qing Jun was someone I coincidentally saved seven years ago in the Three Thousand Great Mountains. I know a little of her past. If she’s truly of the Xu Family bloodline, why was she left outside back then, nearly losing her life?"
"Misfortune in the family, difficult to explain."
Tinged with just the right hint of melancholy, Xu Qingsong’s face showed,
"The matters of the past were complicated, with mischief by villains. Now, the obstacles have been removed within the family, and I’ve come under orders from the family to bring Qing Jun—my sister—back to Moon Rhinoceros Lake, the Xu Family, to recognize her ancestors and return to the clan."
Chen Ye’s brow furrowed.
If Xu Qingsong truly intended to bring Qing Jun home, why wait until today?
Having experienced the earlier incident at the Peak Master Hall, he realized that perhaps Xu Qingsong was behind the scenes, deliberately sending him to Baiqi Garden to anger Bai Susu.
Even if Bai Susu didn’t kill him, failing her test would mean immediate failure on his part.
Under manipulation by a determined individual, it’s possible I might not even make it to Peach Mountain Medicine Garden and instead be sent to the outskirts.
This way, there would be a chance to deal with me quietly...
But what is the purpose of this?
"Bring Qing Jun back?"
Suddenly enlightened, Chen Ye smirked coldly,
"Unless you had no other choice, you perhaps wouldn’t want to openly bring Qing Jun home, would you?"
His words revealed the truth, making Xu Qingsong’s face slightly grim.
Indeed, if Qing Jun were brought home openly, she would be seen as the rightful third young lady of the Xu Family in the eyes of the outside world.
Moreover, it would attract the attention of Mao Qingzhu...
He had intended to resolve everything quietly, but for some reason, Chen Ye unexpectedly received Bai Susu’s protection.
But regardless, Xu Qingjun, after all, carries the Xu Family bloodline; she cannot fall into the hands of outsiders.
Chen Ye continued, "Taoist Friend Xu, Qing Jun now lives securely with me, and her cultivation has begun. She is still young, and likely has no memories of the Xu Family, perhaps even harbors fear. Taking her back hastily to an entirely unfamiliar environment might not be good for her."
Xu Qingsong anticipated Chen Ye’s reaction, and he smiled slightly:
"Steward Chen’s concerns, Qingsong understands. The Xu Family deeply appreciates and will reward the grace of raising Qing Jun. However, Qing Jun is ultimately a member of the Xu Family; recognizing her ancestors and returning to the clan is the rightful path. The cultivation resources and familial protection the family can provide are far beyond what ordinary cultivators offer. Bringing her back to the family is the best arrangement for her future."
"The best arrangement?"
Chen Ye let out a cold laugh, standing firm,
"Does Taoist Friend Xu realize that Qing Jun is doing very well here? She has the companionship of a senior sister and my care as a master. She doesn’t need so-called family prestige, nor does she need those potential disputes that may hurt her again."
Xu Qingsong remained calm, though his tone intensified slightly: "Qing Jun’s physique is unique, surely Steward Chen has noticed something."
How could Chen Ye not be aware of Qing Jun’s special physique?
In the game’s setting, it was directly pointed out that Qing Jun is a descendant of a True Dragon.
Although the current Xu Family seems ordinary, their ancestors probably possessed a trace of True Dragon Bloodline.
Otherwise, Mao Qingzhu wouldn’t have given birth to Qing Jun.
Seeing Chen Ye silent, Xu Qingsong smiled easily:
"Steward Chen... Have you sometimes noticed that my sister, on occasion, acts insane? Impulsive, aggressive, brutal, bloodthirsty?"
Xu Qingsong’s words struck like a boulder thrown into Chen Ye’s mental lake, stirring up waves.
This was exactly Qing Jun’s character in the original text, wasn’t it?
Yet Qing Jun hadn’t demonstrated these traits so far, so how did Xu Qingsong know?
Unconsciously, Chen Ye’s voice grew dry: "Could this... be some hidden affliction of the Xu Family?"
"Indeed!"
Suddenly clapping his hands, Xu Qingsong sighed,
"Since the Xu Family relocated to Moon Rhinoceros Lake three hundred years ago, newborn family members occasionally have white strands of hair. Although their talents were extraordinary, all had untamed temperaments."
"When Qing Jun was born with full silver hair, the elders rejoiced, believing her talent was unusual. Yet she turned out to be ordinary..."
"Also, there’s an interesting fact, that Xu Qingjun isn’t father’s biological child, but the offspring of another Xu Family member... Of course, this is a family scandal. The outside world doesn’t know the details."
"Moreover, because previous family members with slightly white hair had aggressive temperaments, Qing Jun was thus seen as an ominous sign by the elders."
On saying this, Xu Qingsong sighed and turned to Chen Ye,
"Since you are Qing Jun’s master, these matters that can hardly be considered secrets shouldn’t be concealed from you. However, it is ultimately a family scandal, so I hope you won’t spread it."
His words prompted a flash of insight in Chen Ye’s mind.
No wonder Mao Qingzhu was hesitant to bring Qing Jun back to the Xu Family.