As soon as he finished speaking, the eight disciples behind him stepped forward in unison and said in one voice, "We are willing to go with Steward Wei and help ease the worries of the Sect!"
This formation was more like a confrontation rather than a request.
Steward Wei saw Chen Ye’s slight confusion and felt smug.
Whether this succeeds or not, it will be beneficial to him.
If it succeeds, he can bring eight disciples to the Spiritual Peach Garden.
If it fails, after this confrontation, Chen Ye’s prestige in Lisong Valley will greatly diminish. He just wants to watch how Chen Ye can brazenly stay here... Sooner or later, he can force this person to leave.
The eight Outer Disciples behind Steward Wei were also full of pride and arrogance, their faces showing an expression of triumph.
Ordinarily, they were dispensable Outer Disciples.
But at this moment, should not this so-called Lisong Valley manager beg them tearfully to stay?
They were the old hands of Lisong Valley and native disciples of Herb Peak, and knew every blade of grass and tree in this Medicinal Garden like the palm of their hands.
And Chen Ye was just someone with a Loose Cultivator background!
A disciple named Wang Hao had been in Lisong Valley for two years and considered himself the foremost operative under Steward Wei. He looked at Chen Ye’s calm face and sneered inwardly.
"Hmph, putting on a show!"
Wang Hao thought disdainfully, "Without us eight, what can you, an outsider Spirit Plant Cultivator, and two young apprentices possibly do? Every Spirit Plant in this garden, haven’t we mastered its characteristics? Every inch of land, isn’t it watered with our sweat?"
He almost could imagine what would happen next.
This Chen would definitely fly into a rage at hearing they were all leaving, yet unable to proceed without them would have to plead for them to stay.
At that time, they could posture a bit further and completely isolate him, making him realize who the true master of Lisong Valley is!
Whether Chen Ye releases them or not, they wouldn’t lose!
If he lets them go, they would happily evade Chen Ye’s influence.
If he doesn’t, it will also show Chen Ye his place, and why a Loose Cultivator should not stand above them.
He felt increasingly smug, even nudging a slightly nervous junior disciple beside him, with a reassuring look.
All the disciples were calculating like this, standing upright and waiting to see Chen Ye’s reaction.
However, Chen Ye’s reaction was completely unexpected.
He just calmly listened, without even a ripple on his face, instead showing a gentle smile.
"Oh? I see."
Chen Ye nodded, his gaze slowly sweeping from Wei Cheng’s hypocritical face to the eight disciples behind him with various expressions, before chuckling lightly:
"Steward Wei’s dedication to the Sect is commendable. And the disciples who share his heart, excellent. In that case, what right do I have to obstruct this?"
Wei Cheng’s expression froze.
"Go then."
Chen Ye waved his hand, his tone indifferent as if discussing something trivial.
"Lisong Valley may still be underdeveloped, but even with just me, it’s sufficient. You... should not delay the Wei Family’s ’important matters.’
This breezy remark left Steward Wei’s prepared words stuck in his throat.
He originally wanted to see Chen Ye desperate and humbly pleading for them to stay, but unexpectedly, the other party simply allowed them to leave, like they were insignificant weeds.
"This..." For a moment, Wei Cheng didn’t know how to respond.
Leave? Just leave like that, as if being ridiculed and driven away.
Don’t leave? But the words had already been said, how could they be retracted?
He finally managed to squeeze out a few words through his teeth: "...Thank you, Steward Chen, for your understanding."
Wei Cheng felt so upset, he wanted to laugh.
This Chen Ye really maintains his face, choosing to act breezy instead of attempting to lower himself to plead.
He wanted to see how Chen Ye would maintain Lisong Valley without them!
Watching their awkward backs, the smile on Chen Ye’s lips deepened slightly.
"Hmm? This Steward Wei does understand me..."
As the saying goes, one rotten apple spoils the whole basket.
Chen Ye had been worried that Steward Wei might cause trouble for him together with the eight Outer Disciples, like when he first arrived at Lisong Valley, the disciples who manned the Array followed Steward Wei’s orders to lock him outside.
This small group led by Steward Wei had been a thorn in Chen Ye’s side at Lisong Valley.
Now that they are gone, it’s actually a relief.
...
"Uncle Chen!"
Li Qiuyun arrived late; she originally intended to congratulate Chen Ye on exiting his seclusion but unexpectedly witnessed the disciples’ confrontation.
She looked at the empty Medicinal Garden before her and then at Chen Ye, her beautiful face filled with concern:
"I just heard... heard that Wei Cheng and the others... they all left? What exactly happened? Was he deliberately making things difficult for you?"
After saying that, the young woman tightly gripped her sword hilt, angrily saying through clenched teeth:
"If this Wei Cheng dares insult Uncle Chen, I’ll simply slay this villain, to save Uncle Chen trouble!"
She momentarily overlooked the fact that she was only Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer, whereas Wei Cheng was already Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer.
Seeing her anxiousness, Chen Ye waved his hand, smiling: "Qiuyun, don’t rush. They weren’t driven away by me, but rather requested to leave by themselves. I merely went along with the flow."
"Sister Qiuyun! That bad old man was made to leave by Master!" Qing Jun added eagerly on the side, her small face full of triumph.
Zhiwei hurriedly pulled her sister’s sleeve, lightly reprimanding: "Qing Jun, don’t talk nonsense. Steward Wei requested to leave, and Master consented."