Yangquan, one of the great treasures of Divine Mist Valley.
Now, after being drained by this little girl, it will take at least five years to recover completely!
Mao Cheng’s face darkened. He was about to scold, but seeing the innocent look on this little girl’s face, he couldn’t bring himself to be angry.
At first.
He thought the little girl was mischievous.
Yet, after spending some time, a different feeling arose in his heart.
This child.
Isn’t that mischievous after all.
She just has a pure heart.
"You little rascal! That’s Yangquan! The foundation that nourishes the Spirit Vein of Divine Mist Valley! And you treat it as bathwater? To bathe your master? Does your master need Yangquan to supplement... ahem, heal his body?"
He puffed his beard and glared, his tone severe, pacing back and forth in Calm Hall.
With his somber expression, ordinary members of the Mao Family might be too scared to move if they saw him—after all, he was a Foundation Establishment Middle Period Cultivator of great repute.
Qing Jun’s big eyes rolled around with no sign of fear: "Hmph! The water is warm; Master will surely like it! Qing Jun cares for Master, wanting him to have a comfortable bath! Besides, won’t the water gradually refill?"
She spoke righteously, even thinking of herself as quite filial.
When she drew the water, she didn’t think much, only feeling it was full of Water Spiritual Qi, which would surely please Master.
Perhaps, he would join her for the bath too!
"Gradually refill? It takes the Spirit Vein in the valley five years to accumulate it!"
Mao Cheng was choked by her flawed logic, glaring and saying,
"You, girl, are lawless! I think your master spoils you too much!"
With that,
He glanced at Chen Ye, who arrived late.
Chen Ye first glared at Qing Jun. The little girl, who feared nothing a moment ago, shivered slightly, smiling awkwardly:
"Mas... Master, you’re here..."
"Sigh."
Chen Ye sighed, cupping his fists towards Mao Cheng,
"Senior Mao, please calm your anger. It’s Chen’s poor guidance that let Qing Jun cause trouble. I will make sure to compensate for the loss of Yangquan. Qing Jun acted rashly out of affection for her master; I beg you, senior, to forgive her this once, considering her young age."
He humbled himself, speaking sincerely, giving Mao Cheng enough face.
Yet, he was calculating in his heart, he still had four thousand Spirit Stones left; compensating for the Yangquan should be more than enough, as Spirit Stones are meant to be used anyway.
"Compensation?"
Mao Cheng snorted, flicking his robe sleeves, but his gaze fell again on Qing Jun, who was sticking out her head from behind Chen Ye, making faces at him.
That silver-haired little face dissipated most of the anger in his heart, like a balloon being pricked.
Forget it.
She was his only descendant after all.
Why not give all the Yangquan to her?
"Hmph! Forget about compensation! Do you think the Mao Family lacks your Spirit Stones? However..."
He paused, looking at Qing Jun with a complex expression,
"You, girl, are too wild. Divine Mist Valley is a place for quiet cultivation, not suitable for your constant mischief! When you return to Lisong Valley with your master, I... I will come over personally when I have time to see how your master teaches you! If you’re still lawless, I will certainly have a word!"
At these words,
Chen Ye knew everything was settled.
This wasn’t an accusation.
It was clearly an excuse to visit his granddaughter under a justifiable reason!
Since Mao Cheng wants to visit Lisong Valley to see Qing Jun, he will most likely allow Sister Qingzhu to go to Lisong Valley.
At this moment, Chen Ye wasn’t planning to plead for Sister Qingzhu; their relationship was special, and there were rumors outside.
He was worried that pleading could make things worse.
It was better to make use of Qing Jun as an indirect approach...
"I can’t say that I’m deceiving. If you look at it carefully, Qing Jun is indeed Mao Cheng’s granddaughter."
Chen Ye thought silently, glancing at Qing Jun.
She does resemble Mao Qingzhu quite a bit, especially those slightly narrow eyes.
How clever Qing Jun was, understanding the implications.
Her eyes lit up, and she jumped out from behind her master, running to Mao Cheng with a bright smile:
"Really? Grandpa, are you coming to play at our house? Our backyard is huge! There are vine monsters! And there’s Little White! That stinky fox! It’s more fun than here! Little White always sleeps here but is very lively at Lisong Valley!"
This little girl...
Tsk tsk tsk, seemingly bold, yet very strategic, knowing when to adapt and read the situation.
No.
A crisp call of "Grandfather" made Mao Cheng’s body stiffen, his lean and stern face twitching unnaturally. Trying to maintain authority, yet wanting to flash a smile, it all ended with a somewhat awkward grunt:
"Who is your grandfather! Such insolence! I’m here to supervise! Do you understand supervision?"
Moreover.
He was clearly the maternal grandfather...
The middle-aged Taoist was somewhat displeased. But grandfather is grandfather, that ’maternal’ word creates a sense of estrangement.
Chen Ye chuckled in his heart; this family all had a bit of stubbornness.
He timely spoke up:
"It’s an honor for us juniors that Senior Mao deigns to visit Lisong Valley. Then we will certainly sweep the couch and welcome your arrival."
He paused, looking toward Mao Cheng,
"Senior, the Guardian at the Herb Pavilion seems to be healing well. I’ve been away from the valley for many days, and matters have been piling up in the pavilion. So it’s time to return with the disciples. I wonder if you have any other instructions?"
Upon hearing this, Mao Cheng shifted his gaze from Qing Jun and reverted to the composure befitting a Family Head.
He nodded: "Hmm. I originally kept you here for Qing Jun’s Heart Slaughter Cave trial. Now that the trial is over, you and your apprentice have your gains, it’s time to return. I’ve heard you’re doing well in Lisong Valley, the Wei Family is also affiliated with you, keep managing your foundation well, but don’t neglect your cultivation."
"Junior takes Senior’s teachings to heart," Chen Ye respectfully replied.
"Go on. Be careful on your way. Qing Jun... ran wild in the valley, mind your restraint when you return!"
Mao Cheng’s last words were still a reminder, albeit in a much gentler tone.
Upon departure.
Chen Ye turned back to look at the mist-shrouded valley, lightly touching his forehead with his index finger, feeling the Heart Slaughter Sword dormant within.
This journey to Divine Mist Valley has been far more fruitful than expected!
But,
No matter for what reason he wanted to acquire the Heart Slaughter Sword, this time, he owed a bit to the Mao Family.
"By the way, Master..."
The little girl spoke casually,
"Didn’t you praise Qing Jun earlier?"
"How do you know??" Chen Ye was surprised.
The little girl quietly sighed in relief; she shouldn’t have believed that old man’s nonsense, how could Master scold her!
She smiled at her master: "Knowing is knowing! Don’t ask too much, but Master... you must understand, Qing Jun actually knows a lot inside but doesn’t want to say it. So, Master, don’t fail me!"
Alright.
This little girl is playing mysterious with her Master too.
Chen Ye grunted, "Must you blame Master even if you sneeze?"
Qing Jun’s face stiffened.
How did Master guess?
She pouted: "Nonsense! By the way, Master, what exactly did you praise about me?"
Chen Ye was too lazy to expose her, explaining:
"Master thought you intentionally caused trouble all around actually to meet Senior Mao, so he’d be familiar with you, right?"
"Hmm?!"
Qing Jun scratched her head; she hadn’t realized she was so clever!
Indeed!
Previously, when she quietly stayed at Calm Hall without going out, that old man didn’t see her all day long.
As soon as she caused trouble, he had to find her every so often.
The little girl shamelessly boasted: "Qing Jun anticipated it all! Master guessed right, this was Qing Jun’s deliberate plan."
"Qing Jun is really clever." Chen Ye teased his disciple, making her laugh heartily.
Zhiwei said expressionlessly: "Master, stop coaxing her. Aunt Mao said, if you keep coaxing her, Qing Jun will sooner or later become a great demon."
Seeing his eldest disciple’s slightly unhappy look, Chen Ye stopped in time: "Zhiwei’s words make sense..."
Suddenly, as the group was about to return to Moon Rhinoceros Lake District.
"Buzz..."
The jade pendant at Chen Ye’s waist glowed faintly.
He habitually extended his divine sense to the jade pendant.
During this time, he frequently used the pendant to handle Herb Pavilion’s affairs, presumably another matter requiring his decision.
But after receiving the messages from the jade pendant via his divine thought.
Chen Ye’s face gradually turned serious:
"The He Family has been wiped out, demon cultivators are causing chaos, the Herb Pavilion, including Steward Sun, has over a dozen missing... What on earth is going on?"