Chen Ye squinted his eyes.
Are these two disciples playing tricks on their master?
Do they think that by pretending to be sick, they can get their master’s attention?
Damn it... He was so worried about them!
Chen Ye was angry, and extended a few more vines, binding Zhiwei tightly and hanging her next to Qing Jun: "If you’re hot, then simmer it well for me!"
Qing Jun, who was wrapped up like a silkworm baby, wriggled gleefully when she saw this.
As a result, she was immediately spun like a top by her master with a flick of a vine.
Chen Ye shook the vine, looking coldly at his two disciples: "I haven’t played with the whip for a long time, I feel itching to try it..."
With the vines protecting them, even if he whipped them, it wouldn’t hurt them...
...
By the time Chen Ye finished enthusiastically whipping the spinning tops, the group had already arrived at the Moon Rhinoceros Lake District.
Indeed.
The top-spinning all the way actually cured the two disciples’ illnesses.
The spirit carriage landed at the outskirts of the Moon Rhinoceros Lake District at the parking area, Chen Ye swept his divine sense and saw the Market’s array functioning normally, with people bustling in the streets, finally letting out a sigh of relief.
"It seems the situation is not as serious as I thought."
Chen Ye turned his head towards the inside of the carriage and said,
"You two can come down now."
"Ugh... Master, at least untie the vines first!"
Qing Jun, being hung upside down and swaying back and forth, puffed her cheeks in annoyance.
Damn it!
Just one step away!
Chen Ye flicked his sleeve and withdrew the vines: "Next time you’re sick, just come to Master, who can cure any disease!"
"Hmph! When Master falls ill, Qing Jun will treat Master the same way!"
The little girl immediately retaliated.
When the time comes, she will also tie up Master and see how he resists!
Alas, her cultivation is too weak...
As for Zhiwei, she seemed to have retreated into her shell.
Her little face was flushed red, not daring to look at Master at all.
Chen Ye didn’t bother to deal with the stubborn little girl, glanced at Zhiwei, and thought to himself: "It’s probably because this girl feels embarrassed..."
At first, it was fine, but after Zhiwei was whipped with a few vines, it seemed to awaken her sense of shame, making her bashful all the way.
Chen Ye couldn’t bear to tease Zhiwei further at that time, but Zhiwei, as a senior sister, insisted on accepting the punishment even if she felt embarrassed.
However.
Appropriate punishment isn’t bad; it can alleviate the disciples’ guilt.
After those few whips, Zhiwei seemed relieved, her whole body noticeably lighter.
The two disciples lightly landed on the ground, and immediately, Qing Jun bounced over to the car window: "Wow! It’s still so bustling! Senior Sister, look, that old lady selling spirit fruit is still there!"
Zhiwei looked in the direction she pointed, her lips subconsciously curling up.
A year ago, they stayed with Master at the Herb Pavilion.
Back then, they worked as helpers at the Herb Pavilion and often wandered around the surroundings, becoming quite familiar with that old lady.
"Let’s head to the Herb Pavilion first." Chen Ye rubbed the heads of his two disciples, "Once we’re there, Master will take you for a good stroll."
Passing through the bustling streets, the herb fragrance gradually thickened.
Just as they reached the entrance of the Herb Pavilion, a round-faced girl with a green apron happened to come out holding a herb sieve, her eyes widening in surprise before she gleefully abandoned the sieve: "Little Zhiwei! Little Qing Jun!"
"Sister Fuling!" Qing Jun darted over like a cheerful sparrow.
This girl was the apprentice who taught them how to sort medicinal herbs back then, and now she’s a formal pharmacist.
The pavilion instantly became lively.
Steward Sun came out from behind the counter with a trembling gait, his beard shaking with laughter:
"Good, good, good, Guardian Chen, long time no see. These two little girls have grown taller! Especially Zhiwei, she looks like a big girl now..."
Back then, Zhiwei and Qing Jun were quite beloved by others in the pavilion.
When they left, Steward Sun even gave them a lot of medicinal herbs.
"Grandpa Sun!"
Zhiwei greeted obediently.
The crowd in the pavilion buzzed with conversations, pushing Chen Ye to the outskirts.
Chen Ye shook his head with a smile, suddenly noticing a familiar figure standing beside the herb cabinet.
"Xu... Taoist Friend Xu?" Chen Ye hesitantly cupped his hands.
This man was a collateral of the Xu Family, Xu Changhe.
Cultivation Foundation Establishment Third Layer.
In the past, he served Xu Henshan and went to Songyang Cave Heaven.
Xu Changhe laughed heartily, "I’ve finally waited for Brother Chen and Qing Jun!"
Without a word, he pulled Chen Ye to a private room on the third floor.
The place was elegantly furnished, with a secretive environment, and protected by an array.
Chen Ye understood, Xu Changhe must have something secret to say.
The two exchanged pleasantries for a moment.
It turned out that Xu Changhe knew Chen Ye and the others were coming to the Moon Rhinoceros Lake District, so he came to greet them and play the host.
Moreover.
From Xu Changhe’s hints, he had another purpose for this trip, which was to be Qing Jun’s guardian.
"This... Brother Xu is an expert at Foundation Establishment Third Layer, how can he lower himself to be a guardian?"
Chen Ye had an inclination to refuse; he didn’t want an outsider following him around.
But Xu Changhe’s combat ability was quite good, and with potential Demon Cultivator threats, his protection would enhance security.
Xu Changhe laughed heartily:
"If one has to explain thoroughly, Qing Jun is now the eldest lady of our Xu Family! No one is more important than her! If not for my brother having important matters in the Xu Family, he would personally look after Qing Jun and surely wouldn’t let her be frightened at the Moon Rhinoceros Lake District!"
Xu Changhe’s elder brother was Xu Changfeng.
Xu Changfeng was considered the leader figure of the present Xu Family, and it was his existence that made the collateral branches more prominent than the main.
His cultivation is said to be at the Foundation Establishment Middle Period, but the exact level remains unknown to outsiders.
Chen Ye’s heart moved; Xu Changhe’s words were not mere expressions.
Judging from his tone, Xu Changfeng indeed wanted to come personally.
Chen Ye probed, "I wonder, what kind of important matter prevents Taoist Friend Changfeng from coming?"
Xu Changhe fixed his gaze on Chen Ye, and suddenly said, "Brother Chen, on your way, have you seen anything?"
"Are you referring to... Emotion Crossing Sect?" Chen Ye’s face darkened slightly.
"Exactly!"
Xu Changhe clasped his hands and sighed,
"This time, Emotion Crossing Sect’s actions are unusual. Rest assured, Brother Chen, the sect was not aware beforehand; otherwise, they wouldn’t have let Brother Chen take the risk coming to the Moon Rhinoceros Lake District. It was only today, when the incident unfolded, that the sect realized Emotion Crossing Sect had other plans!"
Speaking of the Emotion Crossing Sect,
Xu Changhe seemed relaxed, without any sign of worry, shaking his head with a smile:
"Yet within the Moon Rhinoceros Lake District, there’s not only the forces of Lingyin Sect but also Ten Thousand Puppet Sect. Not to mention, our families are here, boasting dozens of Foundation Establishment Cultivators, among them countless experts. Brother Chen, do not worry, at the very least, the Moon Rhinoceros Lake District is fortified!"
Xu Changhe’s words were far from exaggeration.
In the Moon Rhinoceros Lake District, families include the five Xu, Li, Mao, He, Ji families, all deeply rooted with strength far beyond the Wei Family.
Among them, Xu, Li, Mao families had ancestors who were Golden Core True Men.
For instance, the Xu Family had a Golden Core True Man active three hundred years ago.
Rumors claim the Golden Core True Man is still in seclusion at Dragon Sleep Mountain.
Chen Ye knew of the safety at the Moon Rhinoceros Lake District, hence daring to bring two disciples here, but the situation was unexpectedly out of control.
He took a sip of Spirit Tea, "It’s probably not as simple as Brother Xu says?"
"Taoist Friend Chen is certainly astute! This time... someone from Ji Family turned into a traitor, sabotaging the Grand Array, fortunately discovered early."
Xu Changhe’s face showed disgust; he disdainfully said,
"That person has been beheaded personally by Ji Family, conducting a thorough cleansing. But Ji Family were devious, inevitably harboring dark intentions. Yet, Ji Family is protected by Ten Thousand Puppet Sect..."
Ji Family, unlike ordinary families, is split into two branches, Lingyin Ji Family and Myriad Puppet Ji Family.
Ten Thousand Puppet Sect and Lingyin Sect relations are often conflicting but ambiguous, shifting between enemies and allies. Ultimately leading to the preservation of Myriad Puppet Ji Family, serving as a link between the two sects.
After all, Lingyin Sect borders Qi Kingdom and Moon Rhinoceros Lake District faces Black Cliff City directly.
As the saying goes, ’the lips perish, the teeth freeze,’ Ten Thousand Puppet Sect understands this principle.
In past battles, Ten Thousand Puppet Sect had sent cultivators to Moon Rhinoceros Lake District, aiding Lingyin Sect in repelling enemies.
Only, Ten Thousand Puppet Sect prefers not seeing Lingyin Sect grow too dominant, often secretly executing minor schemes.
Chen Ye had personally witnessed Ten Thousand Puppet Sect dispatching a cultivator to assassinate Bai Susu...
"So, Taoist Friend Xu’s intent is regarding Ji Family?"
"Not so, primarily to inform Brother Chen that I will secretly protect Qing Jun. Secondly..."
Xu Changhe changed his tone, his expression subtle, awkwardly smiling,
"Secondly, it’s about Mao Family! Not Ji Family..."