Li Qiuyun listened to the conversation among the three members of the master-disciple trio and became even more anxious: "But Uncle Chen, even if they left on their own, what about the whole garden of spirit plants? Now the valley only has you and your two disciples, how can you manage to take care of it all? The sect’s monthly inspection is no trifling matter! No way... I... never mind, I’ll spare him and Qiuyun will plead him to come back, thus not losing Uncle Chen’s face!"
After her initial anger faded, Li Qiuyun belatedly realized the severity of the situation.
She immediately wanted to step onto her flying sword to pursue Wei Cheng and the eight outer disciples.
Chen Ye reached out and held Li Qiuyun’s delicate wrist.
Seeing her so considerate for his sake, even willing to go against her own heart to plead to Wei Cheng, Chen Ye’s heart softened, and he said gently:
"Qiuyun, I am deeply grateful for your intentions... but I have my own plans."
But...
No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t figure out how Uncle Chen would resolve it!
Without these nine people, wouldn’t Lisong Valley become an empty shell?
Li Qiuyun bit her silver teeth silently, but her steps halted.
Even though her intuition told her there was no turning back in this matter, she was willing to believe him.
After all... Uncle Chen has never let her down, has he?
Seeing that he had calmed her down, Chen Ye then turned around, his gaze sweeping over the medicinal garden that was waiting to be revitalized. He
did not immediately throw himself into the cumbersome work of governance as Wei Cheng had expected, but instead stretched lazily, feeling relaxed and comfortable.
"Alright, there’s no rush for this matter just yet."
He walked to the entrance of the valley, took out the array hub jade token he had "requested" from that disciple earlier, infused it with spiritual power, and casually cast a few spells at the buzzing Valley Protection Array.
The light curtain swirled for a moment before slowly vanishing, and the entrance of the valley restored its calm.
However, this did not deactivate the array; it completely sealed it, locking it from the inside. Without the master jade token in his hand or a higher-tier sect token, no one could easily enter.
"Master?" Qing Jun looked at him in confusion.
"Uncle Chen?" Li Qiuyun was even more puzzled.
What... what is he doing?
Just took office, and already locked himself outside?
Chen Ye put the jade token into his storage bag, then turned back, looking at the three confused girls, and chuckled freely:
"Given the situation, being anxious is useless. Since we’ve arrived at Lisong Valley and this place is only a mere half-day’s journey from Yunxi District, why not return to the old site first? In addition... allow these two young girls, away from home for so long, to go back and visit their old acquaintances."
"Go back to Yunxi District?!"
Qing Jun’s eyes lit up instantly, the little bit of displeasure caused by her senior sister instantly replaced by immense surprise,
"That’s great! We can see Granny Li and Yuanyuan again! Master, let’s hurry!"
The young girl cheered and, grabbing Zhiwei’s hand, was already eager to run down the mountain.
A hint of anticipation flashed in Zhiwei’s cold eyes; though she said nothing, the slight upward curl of her lips revealed her joy.
Only Li Qiuyun found Chen Ye’s calm demeanor baffling.
She really couldn’t understand what sort of plan Uncle Chen had in mind.
Leaving this mess behind, he still had the leisure to visit Yunxi District for a "family visit"?
Wasn’t he worried that when the sect’s guardian came for inspection, he wouldn’t be able to explain?
But seeing Chen Ye’s composed expression and the genuine joy on the two girls’ faces, Li Qiuyun found herself unable to voice her advice.
Perhaps... Uncle Chen really does have a plan.
She could only console herself this way, then shook her head helplessly and followed the master’s and disciples’ footsteps.
Meanwhile, in the peach grove, Wei Cheng, who was waiting for a good show, was unaware that Chen Ye was not only untroubled but was leisurely taking his disciples back for a "home visit"...