Her eyes, always reflecting a gentle smile, were now wide open, filled with moisture and panic, looking at him in disbelief.
What made her even more angry was.
One of Aunt Mao’s hands was being held by the master and placed on the master’s lower abdomen? And the master’s other hand was similarly placed...
"Master, healing?"
After a long while, the eldest disciple finally uttered two words.
"Zhi... Zhiwei..."
Mao Qingzhu was scared out of her wits, trying to get up in panic, but her legs weakened, causing her to clumsily fall back onto the ground.
This incident was unexpected for Chen Ye as well.
He frowned slightly.
No...
With the eldest disciple’s understanding, why would she suddenly barge in?
Moreover,
he had set up a simple Sound Concealing Array—Chen Ye was definitely not a reckless person.
To be honest.
As a master, he was slightly angry.
Normally, the disciples could be mischievous, but the master was in a crucial moment!
The moment Chen Ye’s face turned stern, he saw Zhiwei’s expressionless little face, his tone softened immediately:
"I said it’s healing. It is indeed this healing... not suitable for outsiders to see, so I didn’t let you in. Look, Aunt Mao’s hand is on the master’s Dantian. Aunt Mao is also a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. We are harmonizing yin and yang, consolidating cultivation."
Covered by clothes, Zhiwei probably couldn’t discern.
The six gods-minded Mao Qingzhu hastily agreed with Chen Ye, softly saying:
"Zhiwei, that’s how it is..."
"Oh."
Zhiwei squeezed her little fists, pursed her lips, then turned around and closed the door,
"Continue on."
Inside the room, there was a dead silence.
Zhiwei’s sudden entry was like a basin of icy water, extinguishing all the ambiguous flames between the two.
"Ah—!"
Mao Qingzhu awoke as if from a dream, scrambling off Chen Ye’s back and falling awkwardly to sit beside the futon, hands desperately clutching her disheveled neckline, her charming face losing all color, then instantly blushing red.
She... Zhiwei saw it all!
The always obedient and understanding Zhiwei... saw her in such an unseemly state!
"Zhiwei, she... she..."
Mao Qingzhu trembled all over, speaking incoherently, unable to muster even a bit of spiritual power.
Chen Ye withdrew his hands, sighed silently.
Damned, all messed up by this girl.
He glanced back at the lost Mao Qingzhu, the slight amorous thoughts in his heart fading away. He comforted:
"How could Zhiwei see it? No clothes were taken off."
"Yes... yes. How could she see it..."
Mao Qingzhu muttered repeatedly, after a while, she awoke as if from a dream, clutching her neckline, her eyes trembling lightly,
"What do you mean by that?!"
Trouble.
Accidentally spoke wrongly, the mention of clothes off might make Sister Qingzhu aware that he was not being honest.
Chen Ye quickly thought on his feet: "I saw in ancient texts that harmonizing yin and yang requires honesty, right? I was just wondering why Sister Qingzhu didn’t need..."
His words immediately aimed at Mao Qingzhu.
Indeed.
They were supposed to be honest with each other, but Sister Qingzhu healing didn’t need it? Could it be... harmonizing yin and yang is just an excuse?
"I... I..." The graceful beauty was close to tears from anxiety.
If Brother Ye finds out.
Then I might as well die...
Having just been seen by Zhiwei.
At that instant, Mao Qingzhu was filled with despair, wishing she could jump.
Chen Ye saw the situation wasn’t good.
This big dumpling and Qing Jun are of the same temperament, outwardly bold, but really just a useless dumpling...
He coughed: "I reckon it’s the Mao Family’s Secret Technique."
Today Mao Qingzhu didn’t know how many times she repeated this, upon hearing it, her eyes brightened, and she nodded repeatedly:
"Right... Brother Ye, Sister Qingzhu said before, this is Mao Family’s Secret Technique, don’t tell outsiders."
Chen Ye smiled: "Mao Family’s Secret Technique, truly marvelous."
"Ha... haha..."
Mao Qingzhu’s dry laughter abruptly ceased, frantically getting up from the futon, nervously tidying her disheveled green clothes.
Her hair bun had long scattered, a few strands of wet black hair clung embarrassingly to her flushed cheeks, she didn’t even dare to look at Chen Ye.
"Sister Qingzhu, wait."
Chen Ye’s voice came, steady as ever, yet it sounded to Mao Qingzhu, making her feel increasingly self-conscious.
So.
It’s all her fault.
Brother Ye knows nothing.
Mao Qingzhu froze on the spot, holding the door, her back to him, voice trembling: "I... I have nothing to say, I’ll... go first..."
"No, there is."
Chen Ye laughed, as Sister Qingzhu clearly saw herself bullying him.
But why now Sister Qingzhu seems like a victim?
He continued: "We haven’t discussed the main issue. Qing Jun has been approved to enter, but Sister Qingzhu, you know her. Given her temperament, is she really suitable for the Heart Slaughter Cave?"
Mao Qingzhu leaned against the door frame, the chilly wood slightly calming her.
She forcefully closed her eyes, forcing herself to think:
"The Heart Slaughter Cave is a place for divine soul trials, sword qi striking the heart, testing the tenacity of the will. Qing Jun is lively and restless, likely hard to be tranquil."
"Exactly. If she enters the Heart Slaughter Cave, it might be more harm than good."
Chen Ye nodded, though he didn’t mention the inheritance matter.
Not because he didn’t trust Mao Qingzhu, but the matter of Heart Slaughter Inheritance is lengthy and difficult to explain clearly.
"Then you mean... to give up?" Mao Qingzhu asked confusedly, turning her head but immediately avoiding his gaze.
"No."
Chen Ye’s eyes gleamed,
"Qing Jun isn’t suitable, but for another person, it’s perfectly suited."
Mao Qingzhu immediately recalled that little girl with black hair and a cold face: "You mean... Zhiwei?"
Not just suitable!
Zhiwei is inherently indifferent, not afraid of pain, and in the Heart Slaughter Cave, she is like a fish in water.
Chen Ye said: "Zhiwei has a resilient will and high comprehension. Perhaps the Heart Slaughter Cave can provide her with a revelation."
Mao Qingzhu, hearing this, fell into deep thought.
She has to admit, Chen Ye made sense.
"But... it’s father’s promise to Qing Jun. If not for Qing Jun being a bloodline of the Mao family, father would undoubtedly not promise it to Qing Jun. Moreover, the Flying Sword in the Heart Slaughter Cave recognizes its master through fortuity, not external interference..."
"I don’t intend to forcibly seize."
Chen Ye spoke solemnly,
"I only want them to go together. Qing Jun is impulsive; without Zhiwei by her side to stabilize, I fear she might suffer losses in the cave. As for the Flying Sword, it depends on their own fortunes."
Mao Qingzhu looked at his determined eyes, thinking of Zhiwei’s cold face outside the door earlier, feeling mixed emotions.
Earlier, Zhiwei glanced at her.
That look made her shiver all over.
But if it could help Zhiwei, wouldn’t it make Zhiwei a bit happier?
It’s just... just...
As a girl of the Mao family, if she helps outsiders seek the Mao family’s legacy, she would be betraying her own.
She murmured in her heart: "It’s... it’s not betraying. Qing Jun is my daughter, and Zhiwei is Qing Jun’s sister, so Zhiwei is also one of ours! Moreover... moreover, me and Zhiwei..."
The remaining shameful thought she didn’t reveal inside.
Perhaps, she and Zhiwei are a family to begin with?
She glanced at Chen Ye’s handsome face, heart thumping, cheeks flushed.
"Then it’s all up to Brother Ye..."
All in all.
Initially, Chen Ye worried Mao Qingzhu would refuse, and to integrate Zhiwei into the Heart Slaughter Cave could only be done through Sister Qingzhu, the Mao family’s direct descendant.
Unexpectedly, Mao Qingzhu agreed quickly.
After discussing for a bit, confirming the subsequent plan, this adoptive sister covered her pretty face and hurriedly fled from the bamboo building.
"Zhiwei, oh Zhiwei, master sacrifices a lot for you."
Chen Ye glanced out the window, suddenly murmured,
"Sigh, the Heart Slaughter Cave Mao family legacy. Outsiders absolutely cannot intervene, fortunately, with Aunt Mao’s help, there’s room for maneuver."
This was indeed true.
His efforts so far were all for Zhiwei’s cultivation.
Upon hearing, Zhiwei should understand the master, right...
The master, indeed sacrificed his dignity!!