CHAPTER 190
The Difference
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"Shiyao, could you elaborate further?"
At that moment, Dongfang Jue halted the group and sat down beside them, seeking guidance from Li Shiyu!
Li Shiyu felt a bit flattered. Heh heh, she was about to become a senior sister!
But explaining it more thoroughly? She didn't know how to articulate it. To Shiyao, it was simply a feeling—one she couldn't quite put into words.
Biting her finger, she pondered for a long while before finally speaking.
"Shiyao feels that Sister Jue'er resembles the Third Elder somewhat."
"Third Elder? You mean Shi Mingyi, Elder Shi?"
Dongfang Jue was a bit confused. She'd been lost in a fog of uncertainty all along—how could she suddenly resemble Shi Mingyi now?
"Yes. They both seem very concerned about what Shiyu obtained in Lingxian Hall—whether it's magical artifacts or cultivation techniques. But for Shiyu and Senior Sister, none of that truly matters."
"Shiyao knows the Elders mean well, but she doesn't care about those things. She just wants to be with her senior sister and Master. Master and senior sister care about what Shiyao thinks."
"Hehe, honestly, at first it was just about being with Senior Sister. But later, Shiyu realized the Master is also very kind to her!"
"So Shiyu is willing to respect the Master too!"
"Hmm… Shiyu doesn't know how to explain it. I wonder if Sister Juer will understand what I mean?"
Dongfang Jue was dumbfounded. She was utterly shocked!
She now looked at Li Shiyu with newfound respect!
"Thank you, Shiyao. I understand."
If there was any difference, wasn't it obvious?
Dongfang Jue felt utterly foolish! She truly was Dongfang Dumb.
Now, recalling what Ye Qinghan had told her back then, it was like clouds parting to reveal the sun. No wonder Ye Qinghan had disliked her so intensely.
If she were in Ye Qinghan's shoes, how could she possibly tolerate a woman with ulterior motives becoming her disciple?
Indeed, had Li Shiyu not revealed this matter, even if fate itself had changed, it would still have been a case of destined to be apart.
[The thought itself isn't wrong. Qinghan might take on a junior sister or even a junior brother. But Qinghan feels you're most likely unworthy.]
In Ye Qinghan's eyes, she was likely nothing more than a petty thief coveting her master's treasure. Hmph.
Always pondering where she falls short compared to others—had she been outmatched from the very beginning?
Perhaps Ye Qinghan had thought this way from the start, and perhaps she still did—all for the sake of climbing higher.
But even if it were false, she had never crossed any boundaries. She always put her master first and her disciples second, her conduct beyond reproach.
"Jue'er?"
"Hmm?"
"Did Shiyu say something wrong? Shiyu is so clumsy… Sister Jue, please don't be angry with me…"
Dongfang Jue seemed to have come to terms with it, letting out a long sigh. She glanced at Shiyu beside her and smiled affectionately.
"How could I be angry with Shiyu? Aren't we sisters? If not for Shiyu, who knows how long it would have taken me to realize my mistake."
Li Shiyu tilted her little head. She didn't know what mistake Dongfang Jue had made, but as long as her sister wasn't angry with her, that was all that mattered!
Shiyao didn't have many friends, and she treasured the precious ones she had!
"Shiyao, what do you do after you've done something wrong?"
Li Shiyu pondered thoughtfully…
"Did Senior Sister and Master know?"
"Um… What if they don't know?"
"Then Shiyu hasn't done anything wrong!" Li Shiyu grinned. If her senior sister and master hadn't discovered it, what fault could she possibly have?
"But what if Master Su and Qinghan find out?"
"Then there's even less to worry about! With Senior Sister and Master here, what could possibly trouble Shiyu?"
Well… admitting fault was out of the question. At worst, she'd get a beating, right?
With the Chaos Bell, Senior Sister couldn't hurt her anyway. As long as they remained friends afterward, she didn't care.
That's just how Second Grandma is!
The two set off again and soon returned to the main camp. Li Shiyu dashed straight to report to Su Cheng!
She grabbed Su Cheng's sleeve and launched into a tirade!
"Hehe, Shiyu didn't hit him! Shiyu went and pulled down her pants!"
"Haha, Shiyu, you!"
"Oh no! Shiyu forgot something very important!"
Su Cheng was a bit bewildered: "What is it?"
"Sister Jue'er said there's this amazing knife-cut noodle place in town, Master~"
Su Cheng couldn't stop laughing. He was completely helpless when it came to Li Shiyu.
"Hmm, it's getting late today. I've already agreed. Later on, I'll go try it with Shiyu."
Li Shiyu nodded and got straight to the point.
"Master, do you like Sister Jue'er?" Shiyu was known for her directness, never beating around the bush.
"Hm? What do you mean, Shiyu?" Su Cheng grinned mischievously, inwardly pondering why she’d ask such a question.
His gaze immediately shifted to Dongfang Jue beside him. At that moment, Dongfang Jue was inside the military tent, her face flushed bright red!
Dongfang Jue hadn't expected Shiyao's directness to be quite this blunt.
"Just say whether you like it or not, Master!"
"Jue'er has a pure heart and brilliant talent. Naturally, your master is pleased."
Su Cheng surmised that Dongfang Jue and Li Shiyu must have discussed something beforehand. But seeing Dongfang Jue now, he realized she probably hadn't expected Li Shiyu to ask him so abruptly.
"Shiyao likes Sister Jue too. Why not accept Sister Jue as Shiyao's junior sister?"
Su Cheng smiled and spoke plainly.
"Is this Shiyu's wish, or Jue'er's?"
As the words fell, his gaze followed the turn of his speech, shifting to Dongfang Jue.
Logically speaking, at this stage, one more disciple wouldn't make much difference, but one less would be problematic.
But this matter still depended on Dongfang Jue's wishes.
"Shiyao, why don't you go play outside? Your master and your sister Jue'er need to talk. How about that?"
Li Shiyu understood perfectly well, so she went outside without protest. She didn't wander far, though, choosing instead to stand by the doorway, listening in.
"Jue'er, no need to be nervous. Sit down."
Even as he spoke these words, Su Cheng felt slightly uneasy. This was clearly Dongfang Jue's general's tent, yet his tone made it sound as if Dongfang Jue were the guest.
"Master Su, this is Jue'er's wish. She has long desired to become your disciple."
Su Cheng nodded, gazing at Dongfang Jue as if he could already see the future Empress of Humanity.
"One thing at a time. Remember what you promised me the other day? I didn't come to help for nothing. I need to borrow your father's magical artifact. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I'll return it within ten days."
Dongfang Jue nodded thoughtfully. Master Su’s polite request was, in essence, a generous offer of face.
If they were to seize it by force, even binding her and her father together wouldn't be enough to confront the Lingxian Hall.
"Jue'er understands. What Jue'er has promised, Jue'er will fulfill."
Su Cheng nodded. Truthfully, he wasn't entirely certain who currently possessed that artifact.
"Regarding the matter of apprenticeship, I have some questions for you, Jue'er."
Dongfang Jue was genuinely surprised!
Master Su hadn't outright refused!
There was hope!
"Master Su, feel free to speak. Juer will answer truthfully."
Su Cheng nodded. Truth be told, he was gradually coming to understand what becoming a disciple truly entailed. If it were merely an outer-door disciple, that would be one thing.
But it was obvious that an outer disciple wouldn't fool this princess.
"Jue'er's request differs from Qinghan and Shiyao's. Do you know why I refused before?"
"Because Jue'er harbors distractions and lacks sincere devotion?"
Su Cheng smiled. When had he ever cared about such things?
"Not at all. Mortals are not saints. Living in this world, one must navigate its ways. This is not Jue'er's fault."
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