CHAPTER 191
The Only Requirement
============================================================
Dongfang Jue paused, unsure if Su Cheng truly understood her meaning. Still, she obediently nodded.
That wasn't important. What was important then?
"I've long withdrawn from the world, never intending to take disciples. Yet Qinghan cut off his own path, kneeling before Ling Mountain for an entire day, placing everything upon my shoulders. Observing his destiny, I could not bear to refuse and took him in."
"As for Shiyao, her heart is pure though her origins are pitiable. Observing her actions, I saw she was not heartless. I took her in as well, to shield her from calamity."
Dongfang Jue nodded thoughtfully. Had it been anyone else, she might not have believed it.
But observing his words and actions, Su Cheng's deeds had already proven his truth.
"Why did I decline your request to become my disciple back then? It wasn't because your heart wasn't sincere, nor because I feared you sought something else by becoming my disciple. To me, those are all external matters."
"Then why did Master Su refuse Jue'er?"
Su Cheng watched as Dongfang Jue, this time of her own accord, rubbed the head with the high ponytail, accompanied by that gaze brimming with tenderness…
At that moment, Dongfang Jue seemed to grasp why Ye Qinghan cherished being patted on the head by her master so deeply.
It wasn't merely a touch; it was her master's reward and indulgence, a sign of importance and care.
That gaze felt piercing, impossible to resist.
"For Jue'er, joining the Lingxian Hall might not necessarily be a good thing."
"Jue'er's heart is devoted to the masses; that is a blessing for the masses. Even without joining the Lingxian Hall, she will have a favorable outcome."
Dongfang Jue never imagined it would be like this!
What kind of nonsense logic was this?
Honestly, even if Su Cheng told her she wasn't accepted because of her figure!
she could accept that outcome!
But Su Cheng told her she was rejected because she wasn't pitiful enough?
Ye Qinghan was pitied because she was alone and helpless, so she was accepted!
Pity Li Shiyao had a fate fraught with misfortune, so she was accepted!
But when it came to her, it was because she was too happy?
"Just by looking at Jue'er's expression, I know she's overthinking again!"
"Uh… Jue'er…" Dongfang Jue's heart fluttered. Sitting across from this man, she always felt like a child—her childish thoughts couldn't escape Su Cheng's keen eyes.
"Take Qinghan as an example. Knowing her fate, attempting to forcibly alter it would be defying heaven—in essence, a gamble."
"But Qinghan was alone to begin with. I was her only support. Even if the outcome wasn't what we'd hoped for, I couldn't betray her unwavering trust."
"As for Shiyao, there's no need to elaborate. Besides Qinghan and me, who would care about a little fool? Though called a Holy Maiden, she's nothing more than a puppet whose fate was bound long ago."
"Rather than accept their predetermined fates, I want to see if I can rewrite their endings. Even if I can't, as their teacher for a single day, I will stand by them and face whatever comes."
Su Cheng spoke with the calmness of a passing cloud, as if discussing something utterly insignificant.
He then turned his gaze back to Dongfang Jue: "But Jue'er is different. She could have had a better ending. Why take such risks?"
His words struck her like a thunderclap. She had once wondered why Ye Qinghan remained so utterly devoted to Su Cheng—whether it was for his magical artifacts or the divine arts he taught.
But now, she understood. For Ye Qinghan, the word "master" represented something far deeper than mere teacher-student bonds.
"The risks and benefits have all been laid out clearly. It's not that Jue'er isn't good enough, but rather that she could have a better choice, couldn't she?"
But now, she finally understood!
She wanted this man!
She wanted to become his disciple!
"Master Su, Jue'er apologizes for her immaturity back then. But now, Jue'er truly wishes to become your disciple."
"A better future may not be the future Jue'er desires."
"Once Jue'er becomes your disciple, she will have no regrets. I implore you, Master Su, to accept me."
If Dongfang Jue had opened her system panel now, she would have seen Master Su Cheng's favorability rating had reached 79.4%. But she no longer wished to do so.
A position earned through manipulation would still make her feel inferior to her two senior sisters.
The subtle shift in Su Cheng's expression and the soaring affinity rating both stemmed from that single sentence—a truth Su Cheng had only grasped after living through countless lifetimes.
【A better future isn't necessarily the one she—or they—desired.】
Su Cheng smiled at Dongfang Jue like this, her gaze unwaveringly resolute. She knew further words were pointless.
"Well then, since that's the case, I can accept Jue'er."
Dongfang Jue felt a bit overwhelmed by the sudden favor. She had expected to have to make further assurances—promises like respecting her master, honoring the Way, and diligently cultivating her skills…
But this also matched what Ye Qinghan had said—Master Su didn't place much importance on such matters.
"Thank you, Master!"
Su Cheng smiled inwardly, thinking this kid sure changed his tune fast!
"I walk this world alone, with no children of my own. I have no other demands upon taking disciples—only that my students live in peace and happiness."
Dongfang Jue understood Su Cheng's meaning—it was simply a reminder for sisters to cherish each other.
He knew her relationship with Ye Qinghan had always been like that—it was no secret.
"Master, rest assured. It was Jue'er who acted wrongly back then. It wasn't Sister Qinghan's fault."
It wasn't a lie; Dongfang Jue genuinely felt this way now.
Ye Qinghan had only Lingxian Hall and her master left. How could she possibly agree to let someone with ulterior motives approach her master?
Who could possibly consent?
"Heh, Qinghan isn't a bad kid, and Jue'er bears no fault either. I trust Jue'er knows what to do."
Dongfang Jue nodded.
It was settled!
Master Su had effectively accepted her request to become his disciple!
"Of course, you still have time to think it over. You can change your mind before the initiation ceremony."
Master Su still had matters to attend to, so the initiation ceremony would likely have to wait until after he'd handled affairs in the Northern Realm.
"Master, Jue'er won't regret it!"
"Heh heh. I expect matters here will conclude soon enough. The remainder won't require my assistance—I imagine General Luo'an is more anxious than Jue'er."
"Where are you headed, Master?"
"There are still matters to attend to in the Northern Domain. Though Yu Lan is there, I still feel uneasy."
Upon hearing this, Dongfang Jue recalled how her status had once prevented her from tagging along. But now, she was his direct disciple!
Even the eldest senior sister couldn't call her shameless!
Even without formal initiation, since Master had agreed, and as long as she showed no signs of regret, this position as the third disciple was hers!
"May I accompany you, Jue'er?"
"This journey holds danger. The Northern Realm is not like the Southern Realm—it's fraught with peril and turbulent."
"Won't Master protect me?"
Dongfang Jue’s courage grew. With such a powerful ally behind her, she felt bold enough to try a little flirting~
But this was her first time, and she still felt a bit shy.
"Heh heh. Jue'er, first handle matters in the Southern Realm properly. Don't forget the magical artifact you promised me."
Dongfang Jue felt a pang of resentment. Hmph~
It's just a matter of the initiation gift! What's the big deal?
Stepping outside the tent, she collided head-on with Li Shiyao!
"Hey? Second Senior Sister?"
Li Shiyu's face lit up with surprise!
"Junior Sister Jue!"
Their eyes locked!
"Second Senior Sister!"
"Junior Sister!"
The fun begins!
"Second Senior Sister~"
"Junior Sister!"
Hand in hand, they began spinning in circles, as if Daiyao had copied and pasted herself…
============================================================