Chapter 199: New Arrival
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Early the next morning, Dongfang Jue was roused by noise. Blinking sleepily, he opened his eyes to see Ye Qinghan washing up.
Ye Qinghan tied her hair back and washed her face with plain water—to be honest, she'd picked up the habit from watching her master.
Dongfang Jue rose as well: "Master… Qinghan, what are you doing?"
Ye Qinghan couldn't be bothered to argue with Dongfang Jue and casually replied, "Cooking."
Dongfang Jue looked helpless, but there wasn't much she could do about it. Ye Qinghan, however, didn't give her a hard time. After washing up, she even initiated conversation.
"Wash your face! Then come with me to pay respects to our master!"
Though her tone remained unchanged, Ye Qinghan intended to bring Dongfang Jue along for the greeting.
Dongfang Jue was slightly surprised but said nothing. She quickly washed her face and watched as her senior sister dressed and used divine arts to arrange her appearance.
"Just because the Master didn't ask doesn't mean we don't have to do it. Use your head and act the part."
Dongfang Jue nodded in agreement. She figured Master was so easygoing that he probably wouldn't mind such details.
Yet Ye Qinghan's words held truth—no wonder she was the senior disciple…
Their simple ablutions were merely a formality—meaningless to cultivators like them.
Standing before the Master's door, Dongfang Jue mimicked her senior sister's posture, adjusting her attire as she waited for Ye Qinghan to open the door so they could enter and offer their greetings.
Ye Qinghan, unusually, wore a smile. When the sound of water inside the master's quarters abruptly ceased—indicating the master had likely finished washing—she slowly pushed open the door to offer her greetings.
Su Cheng was rather surprised. "Please sit. Yu Lan just brewed some tea."
"Master, the Elder really rises early," Ye Qinghan remarked, her slightly puzzled gaze fixed on Su Cheng.
【Damn it, she didn't get up early—she didn't sleep at all last night!】
Without answering, Su Cheng looked at them with indulgent affection, about to pour tea for his two direct disciples. But Ye Qinghan, ever the sensible one, took the teapot proactively.
"Where's Shiyu?"
"Shiyao went to Ling Mountain for the martial arts competition. She said she'd be back soon."
Su Cheng nodded and spoke up.
"Since you two are both here, Qinghan, why not share your thoughts with Jue'er? Perhaps Jue'er can offer some advice."
"Master, are you serious?"
Su Cheng nodded. Ye Qinghan was decisive and ruthless, Li Shiyu cautious in her actions, and Dongfang Jue diligent in her work. If they could learn from each other, it would be quite beneficial.
Ye Qinghan thought to herself: Master’s plan is already clear to me. Why would I need Dongfang Jue’s counsel?
Dongfang Jue, however, was eager to help: "What might this concern?"
Su Cheng had finished his morning ablutions and was about to head out for his daily practice. It had been a while since he'd wielded his spear.
He decided to discuss matters while descending the stairs.
"Qinghan possesses the bloodline of the Northern Fox Demon King. She seeks to reclaim her mother's Northern Domain. What wise counsel might you offer, Jue'er?"
Dongfang Jue pondered briefly before speaking frankly.
"Since Senior Sister possesses royal blood, even thunderous measures would not be out of place."
Now that the Demon Emperor's blood has returned to its homeland, the subjects of the Northern Realm will surely rejoice at this news, as if they had seen the blue sky.
"Senior Sister's actions align with the will of heaven above and the harmony of the people below. Should she proceed, victory is assured."
"Simply raise the royal bloodline as your banner to establish a foothold. Wherever you go thereafter, all shall submit without resistance."
"Jue'er volunteers to personally lead an army of tigers and wolves, marching north from Mo Pass along the Twin Rivers to aid Senior Sister in conquering the Northern Realm!"
Su Cheng nodded. He had no particular opinion and didn't intend to voice one. He merely wanted Jue'er to share her thoughts with Qinghan, for Qinghan's perspective was what truly mattered.
Truthfully, Ye Qinghan was somewhat surprised. Dongfang Jue's perspective wasn't vastly different from their master's.
Though Dongfang Jue's plan was somewhat vague, Ye Qinghan held no doubt. With Dongfang Jue's strength, defeating the Twelve Sacred Realms might prove difficult, but reclaiming the Northern Domain was certainly within reach.
"If Senior Sister is willing, Jue'er can personally handle this matter for you."
Ye Qinghan looked at Dongfang Jue with some surprise. "What's in it for you? What do you want in exchange?"
Stepping aside to let their master proceed first, Dongfang Jue spoke slowly.
"Though Senior Sister dislikes me, Jue knows you harbor no ill will. I genuinely wish to assist you."
"Do as you wish." With that, Ye Qinghan turned to catch up with her master.
Far from being upset, Dongfang Jue felt a flicker of happiness. She knew Li Shiyu had received the same treatment back then.
Though the clueless Shiyu had never grasped Ye Qinghan's true intentions, Dongfang Jue no longer felt wronged. She realized she simply needed time—just as Li Shiyu had earned Ye Qinghan's trust, so could she.
She hurried to catch up, standing beside the senior sister to watch Su Cheng's spear dance.
No sooner had she arrived than she was called out.
"Jue'er, care to practice with me?"
"Master's spear technique is peerless. How could Jue'er dare?"
Su Cheng smiled, his interest piqued. He wanted to see how Dongfang Jue wielded her spear.
After all, someone called the Northern Frontier General must possess some skill, right?
"It's just for fun. I'm not particularly skilled myself—merely imitating what I saw an old friend do."
Dongfang Jue glanced at his master, then at his senior sister, his gaze locking with Ye Qinghan's.
"Are you deaf? The master called you—why are you looking at me?"
This was typical Ye Qinghan—a two-faced little thing. When she looked at her master, the adoration practically overflowed the screen.
But when she looked at her, the contempt, disgust, and even murderous intent were utterly unrestrained.
"Then Jue'er shall make a fool of herself. I humbly seek the Master's guidance."
Su Cheng nodded, resting his spear behind him—a clear signal for Dongfang Jue to bring it on.
It must be said, Dongfang Jue was indeed formidable. His spearplay was masterful, his techniques ruthless and seasoned, revealing decades of cultivation. Within the realm of mortals, he truly lived up to the title of Northern Frontier General!
Yet among the immortal sects, cultivation level ultimately held sway. Still, Su Cheng discerned a certain pattern in this spear technique.
As the saying goes, fists fear the young and strong, while staffs fear the seasoned veteran. Having lived so many years, Su Cheng was certainly not about to lose face before a disciple who hadn't even entered the door yet.
"The spear reigns supreme among all weapons. Jue'er, do you know that even a spear possesses its own warmth?"
Dongfang Jue was also highly excited. Seeing Su Cheng calmly parry while still offering guidance, he grew even more enthusiastic!
"Please enlighten me, Master."
As he spoke, the spear shot forward along his forearm like a dart, darting out with his movement. When the first strike missed, he flipped his hand to grip the spear's tail, spinning around to thrust it straight at his opponent's face!
Su Cheng's spear-wielding hand was positioned far forward. With a casual flick, he deflected the lethal strike, redirecting its path.
"You must feel with your heart. If you only charge blindly at your foe, all you'll see are the traps they've laid."
With that, Su Cheng flicked his spear, redirecting its tip. He lightly tapped Dongfang Jue's abdomen with the spear's butt and smiled calmly.
Dongfang Jue scratched her head. With her heart? She thought she was putting her heart into it!
"Thank you, Master."
"You're welcome. Qinghan, if you have no other business, why not join your master for a little exercise?"
【In the days to come, evasion is futile. I'll inevitably have to take matters into my own hands.】
【Consider it rehabilitation training. I hope these old bones of mine can still swing a greatsword.】
If Lingxian Hall had only Su Cheng, he truly had no intention of returning to his old ways. He just wanted to live off the land.
Ye Qinghan also frowned slightly, ashamed of her own inadequacy. Despite receiving only the finest from her master, she remained so weak.
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