Karma’s cycle, retribution unavoidable.
In the past, Kong Hongxuan relied on power to bully and humiliate the weak.
Today, a stronger person has returned the favor in kind.
The Cultivation Realm is inherently like this, a brutal law of the jungle where the strong prey on the weak, survival of the fittest... nearly cruel in its harshness.
Chen Ye just didn’t expect Luo Heng to be so decisive.
Kong Hongxuan was a Seventh-Layer Qi Cultivation cultivator, considered the backbone of the Jade Lizard Association, yet Luo Heng actually let him be crippled!
Afterwards, Luo Heng did not renege on his word.
His confidant immediately presented a smooth jade pendant before Chen Ye, seemingly the treasure Luo Heng had spoken of.
"Taoist Friend Chen, this is a Tier One Upper Grade Heart-Protecting Jade, as a reward for diagnosing the Mysterious Ginseng."
Luo Heng’s voice carried a measure of solemnity,
"This jade can block three ordinary late-stage Qi Cultivation spells. As long as it is not directly shattered, it can be slowly recharged with Spirit Stones."
Chen Ye accepted the Heart-Protecting Jade, feeling its cool warmth and abundant Spiritual Qi in his hand.
What a generous gesture!
The market value of this Heart-Protecting Jade is no less than a hundred Spirit Stones. An ordinary Tier One Upper Grade Spirit Plant costs little more than a hundred.
Luo Heng was willing to offer such a treasure; partly because the Six-leaf Mysterious Ginseng is indeed precious, partly out of concern that the Spirit Plant Master capable of treating the Six-leaf Mysterious Ginseng might meet an unexpected end, spoiling his major plans.
"Thank you for your generous gift, Chairman Luo."
Chen Ye accepted it calmly, as these kinds of life-saving assets are certainly better in abundance.
Luo Heng smiled and said, "But, my friend, do not become overly reliant... The previous owner of this jade, well, died at my hands."
The tone was calm, yet carried an unmistakable ruthlessness that sent a chill down Chen Ye’s spine.
At this moment, Zhou Mingyuan, Steward of the Lingyin Sect, couldn’t sit still any longer, and came forward cupping his hands:
"Taoist Friend Chen, with skills like yours, joining our Lingyin Sect is only a matter of time! Perhaps in the future, we will even be fellow sect members!"
Zhou Mingyuan had a lean face and sharp eyes, appearing to be around fifty, with a cultivation level at the Eighth Layer of Qi Cultivation.
Normally, he wouldn’t proactively seek to connect with a Qi Cultivation Middle Stage cultivator.
But this person had an extraordinary mastery in Spirit Plant Technique, very likely will join the Lingyin Sect in time, making it difficult for Zhou Mingyuan to ignore.
Chen Ye also wanted to make connections with this Sect Steward, so he exchanged a few polite words, engaging in a simple conversation.
Recollecting the two little ones anxiously waiting for him at home.
Chen Ye didn’t linger any longer, glancing at Lin Qiongyu beside him with her pale face and slightly trembling body.
Remembering how she secretly reminded him earlier and helped care for his disciple in the past, he said to Luo Heng:
"Now that this matter is settled, I shall take my leave. By the way, Miss Lin seems rather shocked; perhaps I should escort her home?"
Luo Heng had no objection, waving his hand, "Taoist Friend Chen, do as you please."
Chen Ye took Lin Qiongyu and left the Cloud Clothing Pavilion.
The night wind was biting and piercingly cold.
Lin Qiongyu was only wearing a thin dance costume, shivering and her teeth chattering.
On the way back, she suddenly mustered the courage and said tremblingly, "Senior Chen, Qiongyu may be a dancer, but I am merely a courtesan... This time, I was forced by Luo Heng, he... threatened my family..."
Chen Ye did not stop walking, his voice cold, "What does that have to do with me?"
He turned his head, his eyes falling on her tear-streaked face, "Back in the slums, you and Xue Chengjun conspired against me, deceiving me to treat the Spiritual Medicine, not only refusing to pay compensation but repaying kindness with malice."
The young female cultivator lowered her head further upon hearing this, mumbling excuses, "That was... was..."
"No need to explain." Chen Ye interrupted her, his tone devoid of any emotion, "You and your partner will repay it a hundredfold, and that will be the end of it."
A hundredfold repayment!
A full hundred Spirit Stones!
"Qiongyu understands."
Lin Qiongyu was completely frozen, as if plunged into an icy cave, unable to utter another word, silently following Chen Ye and letting the wind freeze her into numbness.
Senior Chen, is he truly... as cold as stone?
...
The night sky was darkening, the wind and snow persisting.
But Chen Ye’s heart had undergone a transformation; he couldn’t help but take a deep breath of the cold, biting air, and his steps became lighter.
The ever-hovering threat posed by Kong Hongxuan had always been a boulder crushing his heart.
Now that the man was incapacitated, that boulder shattered into dust, vanishing like smoke.
Chen Ye suddenly felt the world open before him.
In the distance, he could already see the outline of his courtyard on Shunshui Street, with a faint light emanating through the door cracks, flickering in the wind and snow.
The small courtyard lacked the bustling luxury of the Cloud Clothing Pavilion, with its fine wines and beautiful women.
All it held were two small, skinny figures and a cultivation room that Chen Ye found tediously plain, everything exuding a sense of quiet simplicity.
But Chen Ye’s pace quickened, eager to return home.
As he neared the door, he paused.
By the dimly lit gate, leaning against it were two small figures.
One in black and one in white, wrapped in rabbit fur cloaks gifted by Granny Li, curled up tightly together for warmth.
It was Zhiwei and Qing Jun.
The two little ones had grown a bit taller, with a bit more flesh on their faces, no longer the pitiful, skinny figures they had been when initially found.
Qing Jun was snug in her silver hair, her little head nodding up and down, clearly very sleepy.
Zhiwei remained quietly with her head down, her dark hair nearly covering her little face, leaving only a small, tightly pressed mouth and frostbitten, reddened earlobes visible.
Seeing Chen Ye’s figure, Qing Jun shivered violently, sleep completely vanishing.
Instinctively wanting to run over, but abruptly stopping, timidly hiding behind Zhiwei.
Zhiwei also looked up, her black eyes quickly glancing at Chen Ye before lowering her head again, her small hands nervously twisting the hem of her clothes.
Their little faces were filled with conflict and indecision.
Are they afraid?
Afraid of this master who used to beat and scold them at every turn.
But also worried?
Worried that their master was taken by the Jade Lizard Association and might have faced peril.
Chen Ye looked at their cautious, wanting yet hesitant demeanor.
His heart softened, and he slowed his pace, a gentle smile forming on his face.
Yes... this gentle smile was something Chen Ye had mastered.
At this moment, Zhiwei, who had always been silent, suddenly made a move.
The little black-haired bundle seemed to muster all her courage and suddenly dashed out, hugging Chen Ye’s leg.
She buried her little face tightly against Chen Ye’s trouser leg, not saying a word, only her frail shoulders subtly trembling.
Chen Ye froze, looking down at his little disciple clinging tightly to his leg.
Was this... the first time Zhiwei had initiated contact with him?
He could feel the cold and trembling of the little one’s body, and the discomfort caused by Kong Hongxuan’s plotting instantly vanished.
Chen Ye squatted down, gently placing a large hand on Zhiwei’s furry head: "I worried you... From now on, everything will be better."
Taking advantage of the rare closeness of the little black-haired bundle, Chen Ye picked her up, holding her in his embrace.
The small body was light yet carried a trace of warmth.
"Master..."
Zhiwei’s eyelashes quivered, not yet reacting.
Dizzy and confused, she sat on Chen Ye’s arm, her small hands instinctively gripping Chen Ye’s clothes,
"Don’t hold Zhiwei..."
She softly protested, her voice very gentle.
Chen Ye patted her back, arching a mischievous grin:
"Hm hm, good disciple, you came over just to be hugged by Master, didn’t you?"
"Absolutely not!!!"
Chen Ye really is mean!
The little black-haired bundle was angry; she certainly hadn’t come just for a hug!
She’s not a baby!
"Zhiwei dislikes Master!"