"Master, what are you thinking about? I didn’t hear Zhang Chuxi’s cries just now, they were so loud."
"Silencing Array," Chen Ye said succinctly.
"I am already at the Ninth Layer of Qi Cultivation and have also practiced the Seven Luminaries Soul Nourishing Technique. This kind of Silencing Array is too basic; for me, Zhiwei, it is nothing."
Zhiwei’s voice was calm, as if it was only natural, though she felt somewhat disappointed,
"How long has it been since Master last paid attention to me? He doesn’t even know my cultivation level now..."
At this.
The master was caught off guard by the disciple’s clever remark, and felt a bit guilty:
"Ah... is that so? But I did nothing, only gave her a light hit."
"Yes, I know,"
Zhiwei remained calm, though she hadn’t dared to use her Divine Sense to eavesdrop.
Therefore, she only heard Zhang Chuxi’s angry scolding.
Most likely, Master just taught her a lesson, and in such a short time, Master wouldn’t have had time to do anything.
Of course.
Most importantly, Master isn’t that kind of person who would force others to do disgraceful things.
After a pause, Zhiwei continued,
"But Zhang Chuxi is spoiled and arrogant, overlooking everyone. Master is already held in her heart with hatred, bringing endless troubles. If it pains Master, I can take care of it for you."
"This matter need not be mentioned again."
Chen Ye waved his hand, his expression returning to seriousness,
"Master has it all in mind, no need for Zhiwei to worry about it."
He wasn’t concerned about Zhang Chuxi’s potential revenge.
After all, she’s young; with proper education, she will eventually understand her mistakes.
...
A stick of incense later.
The door to the backyard was pushed open.
Zhang Chuxi came out.
She changed into a light green vestment robe; its simple design couldn’t hide her exquisite looks.
Her hair was wet, simply tied into a bun, revealing her freshly washed, fair face, though still somewhat red and swollen.
She walked out step by step with her head down and hands twisting the corners of her clothes.
The arrogance from before was gone, she looked like a beaten rooster, dejected and crestfallen.
"Chen... Guardian Chen," she bit her lip, her voice as soft as a mosquito.
"Hmm." Chen Ye responded indifferently, not even glancing at her, "Since you’ve tidied up, go wait in the front hall. The True Inheritor Bai should be arriving soon."
"Sister Bai!"
Zhang Chuxi clenched her fists.
Just wait!
When Sister Bai arrives, I will make you pay back everything you did to me today a hundredfold, a thousandfold!
I’ll make you kneel before me and beg for mercy! I’ll make you taste the shame of being stripped bare!
She roared madly in her heart, outwardly restraining her fury, quickening her pace, bypassing Chen Ye, and heading toward the front hall.
Chen Ye watched her eager retreating figure, a smile curling at his lips.
"This girl still hasn’t learned her lesson, huh."
"Master?" Zhiwei was a bit worried. She noticed the redness and swelling on Zhang Chuxi’s face and understood that Master had indeed slapped her earlier.
"Never mind. Let’s go meet the True Inheritor Bai together. Qing Jun should be with her on the way back."
Chen Ye patted his disciple’s shoulder.
...
The Herb Pavilion has been closed to guests in recent days.
This is because the various pills and spirit grass inside the pavilion are no longer sold externally, providing exclusively for the cultivators of the Lingyin Sect.
At this moment.
Xu Changhe has already arrived at the Herb Pavilion, smiling as he greeted Chen Ye:
"Guardian Chen, your rescue of Zhang Chuxi this time is truly a great deed. Zhang Chuxi is a ’Bixiu Spirit Body’ and the daughter of the Fourth Elder. Surely, once you return to the sect, the sect will reward you well."
Chen Ye glanced at the girl not far off.
Zhang Chuxi appeared once again as the dignified and elegant young lady, politely exchanging pleasantries with some cultivators.
This mischievous girl was different from Bai Susu. Bai Susu never concealed herself, but Zhang Chuxi often appeared polite on the surface, though her heart was malicious beneath.
Of course, it could simply be that Bai Susu had the strength not to hide, while Zhang Chuxi did not.
Chen Ye asked without revealing his thoughts,
"Brother Xu, I heard that Zhang Chuxi is only the adopted daughter of the Fourth Elder. Is it because of her talents that she was taken as an adopted daughter?"
Xu Changhe laughed,
"It’s not that simple. Having talent would make her a disciple, so why adopt her? Actually, Zhang Chuxi’s background is somewhat special."
As he spoke, his expression turned mysteriously.
Chen Ye’s curiosity was piqued, "What do you mean? Is there a story behind this?"
Xu Changhe looked around, then transmitted his voice,
"It is rumored that Zhang Chuxi is indeed the biological daughter of the Fourth Elder!"
Chen Ye was taken aback.
He remembered clearly that the Fourth Elder and Bai Li had an extraordinary relationship and had no Dao companion to this day.
Xu Changhe did not keep him in suspense and continued:
"Moreover, she is the daughter of Bai Li, True Man Bai! Of course, this is just a rumor, the truth is uncertain."
"?"
Chen Ye was dumbfounded,
"But doesn’t True Man Bai have another Dao companion..."
Xu Changhe twitched his lips, almost bursting into laughter:
"Taoist Friend Chen, are you still a cultivator of pure love? A genius like True Man Bai having several wives and concubines is nothing unusual. However, True Man Bai and the Fourth Elder have special positions within the sect, and coupled with True Man Bai’s Dao companion’s extraordinary background... Ahem, in any case, Zhang Chuxi’s background is not something to be publicly known, even she herself is unaware of it."
Got it.
It sounds like there’s quite a story here.
Chen Ye looked at Xu Changhe suspiciously, "If even Zhang Chuxi doesn’t know, how do you know?"
Xu Changhe smiled proudly, "Have you forgotten who my family’s old ancestor is? My family’s old ancestor was once a senior brother of the same sect as the Fourth Elder! I usually attend to the old ancestor and once unintentionally overheard him reminiscing about the past. It seems this is also just my ancestor’s speculation, you shouldn’t take it seriously."
Chen Ye silently sweated, "I dare not take it seriously."
Fortunately.
Bai Susu probably doesn’t know about this rumor.
No wonder these two guys are so arrogant... It seems that Bai Li was also an overbearing master back then, a typical genius antagonist character.
Just then, a streak of light suddenly swept across the sky.
An overwhelming and unparalleled pressure descended, causing the entire Herb Pavilion’s air to seemingly freeze for a moment.
"Here they come!" Xu Changhe was invigorated.
The person who arrived had golden hair as bright as sunlight, wore snow-like white clothing, possessed a face of exquisite beauty as cold as frost, and was surrounded by fierce Sword Intent.
Unfortunately, their appearance was somewhat immature, at first glance others might mistake them for a little girl.
"Sister Bai!"
A cry with a sobbing tone broke the silence.
Zhang Chuxi rushed out like a wronged child seeing their guardian, throwing herself towards Bai Susu without hesitation.
"Sister Bai! You have to stand up for me! Boohoo..."
Bai Susu furrowed her brows slightly but still reached out to catch the little bundle rushing toward her.
"What happened?"
Bai Susu’s expression was displeased, her gaze swept over Zhang Chuxi’s swollen cheeks.
She had watched Zhang Chuxi grow up and had a certain affection for her. Or one could say, part of Zhang Chuxi’s arrogance came from her.
"It’s him! It’s Chen Ye!"
Zhang Chuxi pointed at Chen Ye who walked out right after, accusing him tearfully,
"He... he stood by and watched! Causing Aunt Lan and my guards to die! He even... he even humiliated me! Hit me! And threw me into dirty water... boohoo... Sister Bai, you must kill him! Kill him to avenge me!"
As for Chen Ye helping her bathe, Zhang Chuxi naturally felt too embarrassed to mention that in this setting.
Xu Changhe was shocked, he said sternly, "Nephew Zhang! Guardian Chen saved your life. How could he harm you?"
Zhang Chuxi cried, her tears streaming like rain, "If he had come sooner, how would my guards have died? How would Aunt Lan’s whereabouts be unknown? With his ability, if he had come earlier, how would Yuan Ye have harmed me!"
"This..."
Xu Changhe wanted to defend Chen Ye.
But Bai Susu’s expression turned cold, she glanced at Xu Changhe with displeasure.
He felt a chill throughout his body and could only close his mouth, giving Chen Ye a helpless look.
As for Chen Ye.
He gritted his teeth.
Damn it!
He had still underestimated the evil and shamelessness of the roguish girl!
Before, he shouldn’t have shown mercy, he should have severely humiliated her.
Had he known, he wouldn’t have just simply scrubbed her back!
Everyone present had peculiar expressions.
They didn’t know the true character of this Miss Zhang, and even liked this polite child quite a bit.
After all,
Zhang Chuxi was always very polite before others.
Back when Chen Ye was just an ordinary guardian, she would courteously call him Guardian Chen, and even bow.
If what she said was true... then Chen Ye is likely to face great trouble this time.
Some cultivators secretly thought:
"Could it be that Guardian Chen saw Junior Sister Zhang’s outstanding appearance and gentle temperament, and thought her to be weak and easy to bully, wanting to take advantage... No, Guardian Chen isn’t such a person..."
Bai Susu’s amber eyes lingered on Chen Ye for a moment.
She looked at Zhang Chuxi who was crying her heart out in her arms, suddenly she smiled:
"In that case... it is time for a proper lesson."