But compared to Mao Qingzhu, Chen Ye was even more shocked.
"Sister Qingzhu, you... how are you here?!"
Chen Ye looked at the woman who had suddenly appeared, only to feel his brain was completely frozen.
This place had a Mountain Protection Array; how had Mao Qingzhu arrived at the rear mountain without him noticing?
Moreover,
Why did Mao Qingzhu come at this very moment?
The Qing Jun in his arms also forgot to cry, her small mouth was almost shaped into an "o":
"Aunt Mao, why have you come? Didn’t we agree that Qing Jun and my sister would call Master over?"
The visitor was indeed Mao Qingzhu.
She was dressed in simple and elegant green clothes, unable to conceal her graceful figure.
Three thousand strands of black hair were tied up with a simple jade hairpin, with a few playful strands hanging over her smooth forehead, gentle and beautiful, with an elegant demeanor.
Her clear and beautiful eyes reflected the stunned and embarrassed expression of the man in front of her.
Mao Qingzhu blinked nervously, as if the echo of Chen Ye’s earlier words was still in her mind.
Brother Ye, liked her?
She suddenly recalled that day in the bathhouse when the man’s blood and energy were so robust...
By mortal standards, she was no longer a young girl prone to wild thoughts.
But after all, she was a cultivator with accomplished cultivation, physiologically akin to a maiden.
Moreover, most of her life had been immersed in the monotony of cultivation, especially being a hidden member of the Mao Family, growing up in Divine Mist Valley without concerning herself with worldly matters.
In this way, though she had aged, when it came to matters of love between men and women, she was still lacking experience, naturally not as able to handle such affairs as women who had seen much of the world.
As for Xu Buhui? They merely had the name of husband and wife.
Most importantly,
she regarded Chen Ye as a sworn brother!
But... but Chen Ye had whispered such beastly things to her daughter!
"I... I came to see Qing Jun."
Mao Qingzhu quickly explained, inevitably embarrassed.
"To see Qing Jun?" Chen Ye looked at her, then at the little disciple in his arms with furrowed brows, feeling his head was two sizes too large. "Sister Qingzhu, let me explain first..."
Fortunately,
Mao Qingzhu was ultimately a clever and perceptive woman, initially prone to wild thoughts but she soon understood.
The man before her was most likely just teasing the children.
Realizing this, Mao Qingzhu steadied herself, offered Chen Ye a gentle bow with a soft smile:
"Brother Ye need not explain, I understand, you just wanted to tease Qing Jun... It’s been a while, how have you been?"
Seeing Mao Qingzhu lightly gloss over the previous incident,
Chen Ye heaved a hearty sigh of relief, set down the little disciple who was still frowning, and then asked curiously:
"It’s good to see you again, but how did Sister Qingzhu get in? My Lisong Valley’s Mountain Protection Array..."
He clearly had complete control over the array, in theory without his permission, outsiders should not be able to enter silently.
"Fourth Elder brought me in."
Mao Qingzhu explained, glancing at Chen Ye before quickly lowering her gaze,
"Actually... we arrived some time ago, and have been staying within the Three Thousand Great Mountains. We saw you were busy with affairs in Lisong Valley, and didn’t want to disturb you at this critical juncture. Until today, Fourth Elder heard the glazed flowers were ripe and wanted to pick some, so I accompanied him to Lisong Valley."
A little girl with black hair also explained alongside:
"Yes, Aunt Mao came with a sect elder to Lisong Valley, and she saw Master wasn’t here, so she let Qing Jun and me look for you... Perhaps Aunt Mao was worried about the two of us encountering danger on the road and thus followed us."
So that’s how it was.
Chen Ye realized, how could a mere First Tier array block a Golden Core True Man?
Besides, Lisong Valley was a sect property, with Fourth Elder visiting Lisong Valley, no one dared nor had a reason to stop him.
Moreover, his trusted aides like Li Dageng and Lin Jinghua didn’t know he was at the rear mountain, making it difficult for them to secretly notify him.
"Yes, just as Zhiwei said, I heard them say you were practicing swordplay at the rear mountain and couldn’t rest assured, so I followed." Mao Qingzhu explained softly.
"..."
Chen Ye remained silent for a while, follow? More like he was being stalked.
Judging by the reaction of the two young girls, it was clear they didn’t know Mao Qingzhu was secretly following behind.
Sister Qingzhu was gentle and dignified, how could she possibly suit the idea of covert stalking?
Qing Jun quickly agreed, running to Mao Qingzhu’s side, holding her hand, and looked up with a well-behaved face: "Aunt Mao, don’t worry, my master is very nice!"
Seeing the little girl speak kindly on behalf of her master, Mao Qingzhu was moved. Her daughter had truly been raised kind and filial by Brother Ye...
Her eyes showed a hint of genuine warmth: "I know."
But suddenly,
The little girl puffed up her chest fiercely and said angrily: "If Master harbors any inappropriate thoughts towards Aunt Mao, Qing Jun will lock Master up, preventing him from harming Aunt Mao."
A moment ago Mao Qingzhu had been moved by Qing Jun’s kindness and filial piety, her smile froze instantly.
"You little girl, what nonsense are you spouting!"
Chen Ye reached out a hand and pinched Qing Jun’s chubby little face, still retaining some baby fat, scolding:
"Is your master that kind of person? Keep talking, and your master will spank your butt!"
"Wu... Master bullies people again..." Qing Jun’s cheek squished under his pinch, making her speech blurry, yet she was still quite unwilling.
Like an abused kitten.
Clearly unable to beat him, yet still had to puff itself up.
Chen Ye was helpless, especially with Mao Qingzhu here, he couldn’t really discipline her, just smiled at Mao Qingzhu: