The battle in Black Cliff City was riddled with doubts.
Aunt Lan, being a direct witness, certainly knows the inside story.
And to pry open Aunt Lan’s lips, or to discreetly inquire about the information, can only be done through this little girl who is putting on airs and acting powerful in front of me.
...
A two-hour period passed.
The sound of bells and chimes echoed, marking the end of the morning lesson for today.
"Alright, that’s all for today."
Chen Ye put down the scroll, his gaze sweeping across the group of disciples below, who all looked relieved, finally fixing on Zhang Chuxi, who was preparing to sneak away. He said plainly,
"Zhang Chuxi, stay behind. The rest, you may leave."
Zhang Chuxi’s eyelashes trembled slightly, and the small foot that had just stepped out withdrew silently.
She turned around, composed and elegant, not a single fault to be found: "Yes, Instructor."
After the disciples dispersed, Jin’er also went obediently to the side hall with his book to wait.
In the vast Baopu Hall, only the two of them, one big and one small, remained.
Chen Ye sat tall behind the lectern, his gaze landing on the approaching young woman.
It must be said, this girl was indeed a beauty, eyes like stars, skin like creamy jade, with an elegant demeanor, truly a well-bred lady knowledgeable in books.
"Instructor, what knowledge does Chen Ye wish to impart to Chuxi? Is it Alchemy Dao again?"
Zhang Chuxi blinked her large eyes, her expression innocent.
Chen Ye didn’t bother to beat around the bush, tapping his fingers lightly on the desk, seemingly asking casually:
"Before teaching, let’s have some idle chatter. Back then, I fought side by side with Taoist Friend Lan in Black Cliff City. Today she has returned safely, and I am also extremely pleased. I am just a little curious about how the situation was over in Black Cliff City."
Here it comes!
Zhang Chuxi sneered in her heart.
She wore a troubled expression: "I hope the Instructor understands, Aunt Lan did mention a few words to me, but this is a sect secret. The sect has ordered that matters pertaining to Black Cliff City are to be strictly kept confidential."
Chen Ye’s eyebrows raised slightly.
Is this girl playing Tai Chi with me?
She says it’s a sect secret, not to be disclosed.
Yet she naturally reveals that Aunt Lan has mentioned a few words to her, thus piquing his curiosity.
Chen Ye’s face turned solemn: "I am also considered a Guardian of the sect; I should have the right to know."
"Naturally, Instructor’s virtues are high, and your contributions are illustrious; you certainly have the right to know."
Zhang Chuxi smiled without warmth,
"But Aunt Lan said that this matter is of great importance. If Instructor wants to know, why not ask the Sect Master?"
Chen Ye: "..."
Well then, what is this girl playing at?
If you don’t want to speak, then I have no interest in serving you.
"In that case, let it be."
Chen Ye’s expression mellowed as he picked up the scroll once more,
"Since your lips are so tight, I won’t impose. I can simply go to the Xu Family to ask Senior Xu, or go to Danxia Peak to find Guardian Zhao. I suppose with my reputation, they won’t hide it from me."
With that, he made a move to stand.
"Oh? Wait a moment!"
Seeing that Chen Ye was really about to leave, Zhang Chuxi became anxious.
If he indeed asked someone else, how could she take her revenge?
"Instructor, please wait!"
Zhang Chuxi adjusted her hair, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, as if in thought,
"I have always admired the Instructor. If the Instructor sincerely wishes to know, it’s not that there is no way..."
"Oh?"
Chen Ye paused, looking at her with a faint smile,
"Didn’t you just say it was a sect secret?"
"Once a teacher, always a... well, in essence, the Instructor has the grace of imparting knowledge to Chuxi."
Zhang Chuxi smiled, her long black hair reaching her waist, her demeanor serene, graceful, and well-behaved, truly like a grateful good disciple,
"Moreover, it’s not that Chuxi is deceiving the Instructor, but this matter... I fear even Senior Xu and Guardian Zhao are unaware, so don’t count on others. If it weren’t for my close relationship with Aunt Lan, and pestering her endlessly, I wouldn’t know the inside story either."
Hmm? Even Xu Henshan doesn’t know?
Chen Ye was startled, his expression grew serious.
What is it that the level of secrecy is this high?
Seeing that Chen Ye was finally intrigued,
Zhang Chuxi felt secretly pleased, but also slightly nervous.
Because the matter indeed had significant implications, she had pestered Aunt Lan for a long time before Aunt Lan reluctantly disclosed a bit to her.
But in order to take revenge against Chen Ye, she was willing to risk it!
The young woman lightly brushed her fingers through her dark hair, suddenly saying: "This matter... involves Sister Bai. Do you truly not want to know what really happened in Black Cliff City?"
Bai Susu!
These words struck a chord in Chen Ye’s heart.
Since going to Qi Kingdom, Susu had almost not sent any news, which was characteristic of her straightforward nature.
Yet it caused Chen Ye occasional worry.
Originally, he only wanted to gather intelligence about the battle situation, but if it involved Susu’s safety...
"Forget it!"
Chen Ye took a deep breath, his gaze scorching as he stared at Zhang Chuxi,
"Speak, what do you want before you’re willing to talk?"
Since this girl had laid so much groundwork, she must be plotting something.
Does she want Pills? Or to be exempt from coursework?
But, in the next moment.
This girl’s small face suddenly flushed, a mix of anger and shame:
"Do you remember... what you did to me that day?"
That day?
Seeing her expression, how could Chen Ye not know which day Zhang Chuxi was referring to?
Come to think of it, that kind of humiliation, for this proud and arrogant young lady, must be deeply etched in her memory.
Chen Ye’s old face reddened, pretending to remain calm, he righteously said, "That time, it was you who took advantage of me while I was practicing the Heart-Burning Technique, you initiated it... cough, seduced. How could you blame me?"
"Shut up!!"
Zhang Chuxi’s eyes brimmed with tears, she was somewhat losing control. She suddenly lifted her head, glaring at Chen Ye,
"I was immature, but couldn’t you be more understanding? You could have used other ways to drive me away, but you chose... chose to use your hand! You did it on purpose! You just wanted to humiliate me!"
She became more agitated as she spoke, her chest heaving violently.
Especially now, feeling she had grasped Chen Ye’s weakness.
With newfound confidence, that bratty stubbornness surged completely, no longer even pretending:
"Chen Ye! Let me tell you! How you treated me back then, today... that’s exactly how I’m going to treat you!"
"I want you to feel the humiliation of being toyed with too!"
"What?!"
Chen Ye was taken aback, instinctively glancing towards the empty entrance of the hall, then at the stern-faced little girl in front of him, his expression serious,
"Zhang Chuxi! I’m the Instructor of Baopu Peak! This is a place of teaching and learning, this absolutely cannot happen!"
Is this girl crazy?
Besides, no matter what happens, he wouldn’t be the one at a disadvantage!
But his righteous demeanor, full of moral talk, not only didn’t scare Zhang Chuxi, it instead made her breathing suddenly heavier.
Her little face was already blushing so much it seemed it might drip blood.
She silently shifted her gaze, not daring to continue looking at Chen Ye. She just stared at the ruler on the table, continuing in a cold voice:
"If the Instructor is unwilling, then forget it. It’s just a pity for my poor Sister Bai... a peerless talent, who, for the sake of revenge, didn’t hesitate to... sigh!"
Saying this, she turned to leave.
"Wait!"
Chen Ye’s heart tightened.
Could something really have gone terribly wrong with Susu?
He looked at Zhang Chuxi’s departing figure, wrestling internally.
On one side was his dignity as an Instructor, on the other was the safety of his own Dao companion...
"Alright! Then you... go ahead."
Chen Ye gritted his teeth, slumping back into his chair in despair.
This time, he’d ultimately fallen into Zhang Chuxi’s hands.
Think of all his legendary deeds, intimidating the three most evil faction leaders of the Cultivation Realm.
Now,
he was captured by this little-known girl!
"Whew—Instructor Chen still knows how to read the situation."
Zhang Chuxi let out a long breath, calming down, pulling out a slight smile, seemingly contemptuous.
She walked over to the grand chair where Chen Ye sat.
There, sheltered by a large desk, from the outside, you couldn’t see what was happening inside at all.
You could only see Instructor Chen sitting upright, seemingly earnestly instructing a disciple.
"Sit still, don’t move."
Zhang Chuxi commanded.
Chen Ye, helpless, could only slightly spread his legs, leaning back on the chair, closing his eyes.
"Mm..."
The young girl disdainfully wrinkled her exquisite little nose.
She hesitated for a moment, pinching her nose with one hand, cautiously stretching out a slender finger with the other.
After a long while.
"Hmph, let you bully me..."
The girl thought to herself.
She looked at Chen Ye’s slightly furrowed brows and repressed expression, feeling an inexplicable thrill swelling in her heart.
Normally, didn’t he like to lecture me with a stern face?
Now isn’t he still at this lady’s mercy?
Completely at her disposal!
"Instructor, you seem... not much at all."
An evil young girl said thus.