CHAPTER 74
The Prince of the North
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Su Cheng, who had already cultivated some cultivation, gradually sensed that something seemed amiss…
Someone in the Spirit Pool Hall?
"Qinghan? Is that you?" Speaking, Su Cheng turned to look toward the doorway.
In the blink of an eye, Ye Qinghan moved with lightning speed, grabbing one little dumpling in each hand and yanking them both back into the chamber.
Then, feigning nonchalance, she replied, "Master, Qinghan has come to prepare your change of clothes."
"Thank you for your trouble, Qinghan."
【Su Cheng, oh Su Cheng! Did you really think Qinghan came to spy on you bathing?】
【My First Disciple is the purest flower blooming atop the mountain peak. How could she possibly do such a thing?】
【Qinghan is so considerate. I misunderstood you, Master. It's all my fault!】
"This is simply my duty as a disciple."
Ye Qinghan thought to herself, Thank goodness. Even if she’d been caught, she didn’t think much would come of it. Her master probably wouldn’t punish her for something like this. And even if he did…
…it wouldn't really matter…it might even be…exciting…
But all this talk of noble flowers? Ye Qinghan couldn't care less. Being with her master was what mattered—whether she was a flower or not was irrelevant!
"Qinghan, I must remind you one more thing. If you encounter anyone from the Heavenly Dao Pavilion in the martial arena, remember to use the Vajra Ring to seize their weapons and magical treasures. I have a premonition that someone has already set their sights on you."
【That Cheng Liang fellow looks human but acts like a beast! For the sake of that so-called Heavenly Dao, he'll stop at nothing against his enemies. He must be guarded against.】
Through the door, Ye Qinghan still observed proper etiquette, bowing deeply in respect.
"Qinghan will heed your teachings, Master."
With that, he pulled the still-dazed Li Shiyu and Dongfang Jue away.
"Senior Sister, Shiyu can just wash Master's clothes." Li Shiyu reached out to take Su Cheng's garments. Her senior sister had already endured so much—she couldn't believe she'd have to wash Su Cheng's clothes too!
"No way! I've been losing sleep for days. Dumb Yao! Don't even think about it!"
Ye Qinghan clutched the clothes and retreated to her room. She stuffed the pillow into the robe and tried hugging it…
That familiar scent, that familiar feel… Ah~ It's so good~ Everything's back again!
Perfect! Ye Qinghan grinned, turning her head to stare at the dumbfounded duo beside her. "What are you looking at? This is a privilege reserved for the First Disciple!"
"So, Senior Sister isn't going to wash the clothes?"
"Are you stupid? If I wash them, they won't have Master's scent anymore! I'll just borrow them for a couple days. I've prepared plenty of clothes for Master, so he won't notice."
Li Shiyao still didn't understand why they'd draped Su Cheng's clothes over the pillow.
"So Senior Sister hates Master so much she's taking it out on this pillow?" Recalling how Ye Qinghan had clutched the pillow wrapped in the robe as if trying to strangle it, Li Shiyao felt Senior Sister Qinghan was truly pitiful!
Dongfang Jue was only slightly surprised at first—he hadn't expected Ye Qinghan to have such girlish moments, so it wasn't too shocking…
But Daiyao's single remark truly silenced her…
Ye Qinghan was also taken aback. Daiyao was now convinced her master was a villain, especially after witnessing him spank her bottom!
With most people, Ye Qinghan could have used force to subdue them, but this Li Shiyu was someone who responded to kindness, not harshness!
Ye Qinghan suspected that even if she beat her now, Li Shiyu would still believe Sister Qinghan was doing it for her own good—to keep her out of danger!
After much deliberation, Ye Qinghan realized this was her only option! Li Shiyu wouldn't yield to her intimidation. Even if she beat her to death, she'd probably still speak ill of her in the afterlife…
"Li Shiyu, if you dare harm our Master, I'll sever ties with you!"
Li Shiyao clearly panicked, quickly pleading, "Sis, don't be angry!"
The usually stoic Shiyu, who hadn't even cried when chased by dummies, was nearly brought to tears by Ye Qinghan's words. She rushed over and grabbed Ye Qinghan's hand. ٩(ŏ﹏ŏ、)۶
"Shiyao didn't mean to hurt Master. I just didn't want Sister to feel wronged. I'll listen to you, okay? Please don't cut ties with me…"
Seeing the little one about to wipe away tears, Ye Qinghan's heart softened. She ruffled Li Shiyu's hair.
But that was just how Li Shiyu was—one moment crying, the next laughing. Seeing Ye Qinghan had calmed down, she started grinning like an idiot, trying to be cute.
With Shiyao and Ye Qinghan turned away, Dongfang Jue quietly crept back to Su Cheng's side. Su Cheng had already finished bathing, changed into fresh clothes, and was practicing calligraphy.
Dongfang Jue had grown accustomed to this routine, as if Su Cheng had nothing more substantial to occupy his time.
Su Cheng, determined to delay Li Shiyu's apprenticeship for as long as possible, felt no urgency. After all, unexpected changes might still arise.
"Master Su, may Jue'er enter?" Dongfang Jue stood at the entrance of the Main Hall, her tone cautious.
Compared to the First Disciple Ye Qinghan and the future second disciple Daiyao, she, as the only outsider, naturally understood the rules.
"Jue'er? Come in. What brings you here?"
One doesn't strike a smiling face. Su Cheng couldn't bring himself to bully a young girl, especially since she hadn't done anything to offend him.
With Su Cheng's nod, Dongfang Jue didn't hesitate. Since she'd come seeking guidance, it was best to be forthright.
"Jue'er has some matters she hopes Master Su might offer guidance on."
"Speak freely."
Truthfully, Su Cheng wasn't eager to listen. He feared this girl harbored ulterior motives, hoping to become his disciple! While Lingxian Hall had plenty of empty rooms, he simply couldn't handle so many women!
"Having succeeded my father as the Northern Garrison General, I've recently encountered a peculiar matter."
Su Cheng furrowed his brow slightly, his expression turning serious. "Are you inquiring about the troop rotations at Zhoushan Pass, Mo Pass, and Lihe Pass?"
Dongfang Jue froze. What? Mo Pass and Lihe Pass had rotated their garrisons too?
These were military secrets. Su Cheng had been by his and Ye Qinghan's side these past days—how could he know more than he did?
"Master Su has noticed this as well?"
"I've heard a little about it." Su Cheng turned his back, adopting an air of profound mystery.
Truthfully, Su Cheng was struggling to respond, captivated by Dongfang Jue's stunningly beautiful face.
Dongfang Jue had also rushed to Su Cheng's side, pleading for an explanation.
"As commander-in-chief overseeing all military affairs, Jue'er handles every major and minor matter. Such a crucial change of guard at a strategic pass—all claiming to be under military orders—yet none passed through Jue'er's hands. What are your thoughts, Master Su?"
Su Cheng was speechless. You're laying it out so clearly, yet you ask my opinion?
Damn it, you're the commander and don't even know about military transfers? And you ask me what I think?
Whoever ordered this transfer should be executed! Every single person involved must be eliminated!
What else is there to see? I'm not the Northern Frontier General!
"Since Juer has uncovered this issue, her visit likely serves another purpose. She may speak freely."
"Master Su possesses supreme divine abilities. Might you help Jue'er uncover the mastermind behind this? If Jue'er takes action, it will inevitably lead to another bloody conflict, and the common folk will suffer needlessly from the ravages of war."
Su Cheng understood well that Dongfang Jue was no villain.
Compared to Ye Qinghan and Su Muchan, who were consumed by romantic notions, Dongfang Jue was a rare breath of fresh air in the imperial harem of Emperor Cheng Liang. Kind, upright, optimistic, and ambitious, she was a true Empress who genuinely cherished all living beings.
Her concern for the people wasn't an excuse to sway Su Cheng either. With her capabilities, dealing with a few rebels would be a piece of cake.
Her hesitation to act stemmed from her desire to avoid war whenever possible.
It must be said that among the generals, Dongfang Jue stood out as a refreshing presence. Uninterested in military glory or worldly fame, her sole focus was the welfare of the common people.
As Ye Qinghan put it, he was a bit naive, yet he truly possessed the caliber to be a saint…
"I'm not as formidable as you imagine, nor can I perform divination or prophecy. Setting aside that the common people are none of my concern, even if I wished to help, I'd be powerless to do so."
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