Chapter 251: Hidden Agendas
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"My name is Cang Jue, the head of Ling Mountain's Xiao Yao Peak…"
Li Shiyu wasn't particularly interested in hearing more, cutting Cangjue off mid-sentence.
"Master, Shiyu is hungry!"
Cang Jue watched as Su Cheng’s expression shifted from contempt to indulgent affection, his voice brimming with warmth.
"Alright, alright~ Good girl, Shiyu~ Master will make you stir-fried pork slices and chunks~"
Then he watched as Li Shiyu clung to Su Cheng's arm, swaying back and forth as she pouted. He thought to himself, Is this the Holy Maiden of the Sacred Mountain?
How could her behavior be so unbecoming?
"Mmm! Master is the best! I love Master the most!"
Though Li Shiyu showed no interest in Teacher Cang, Cang Jue was a warm-hearted person. He swiftly pulled her arms away from her tight embrace and pulled her behind him, lecturing sternly.
"Do you even know who he is? Su Cheng is no good. You'd be wise to keep your distance!"
Li Shiyao felt a bit annoyed. Was this guy deaf? Couldn't he hear her calling him Master?
"What business is it of yours? He's Shiyu's master—the most honorable man in the land! You'd better watch your mouth, or I'll have Senior Sister beat you!"
She immediately withdrew her hand and scurried back behind Su Cheng, clinging to him like a timid child.
Cang Jue was a bit bewildered. Was this right?
He'd heard of the Holy Mountain's Holy Maiden!
Not the brightest bulb, big breasts but no brain—that's no secret!
Though blessed with extraordinary talent, she possessed only a childish mind—a complete fool!
She guessed that these disciples probably knew nothing about the things Su Cheng did behind their backs!
Judging by Li Shiyao's expression, she'd probably been sold out, forced to count the coins for her master!
"Do you know what your master has done? The world's greatest benefactor? He slaughtered over a hundred of the Heavenly Dao Pavilion! Even their leader, Cheng Liang, was gravely wounded by him!"
"Then why did you dare come? Aren't you afraid the master will severely wound you too?"
Hiding behind Su Cheng, Li Shiyao was riding his coattails, acting all high and mighty!
With her master here, she wasn't afraid at all!
"Master! Ignore her!"
As she spoke, Li Shiyao tapped her jade pendant, and the Lingxian Hall slowly materialized nearby!
Cang Jue stared at the suddenly appearing immortal hall, slightly taken aback!
After all, Lingxian Hall was a sect. Regardless of its size, it couldn't possibly be this dilapidated shack!
Even if the two disciples didn't mind, this shack couldn't possibly fit three people, could it?
She had suspected Lingxian Hall was likely elsewhere, but never imagined it would actually be a celestial palace.
If that was the case, blindly approaching Su City would likely be dangerous!
This Su Cheng might not be what he seemed. That Li Shiyao might be dim-witted, but she had a point!
Su Cheng had single-handedly slaughtered countless at the Heavenly Dao Pavilion, proving her cultivation far surpassed Cheng Liang's.
Though he had followers behind him, if Su Cheng was truly that formidable, these men would likely be mere cannon fodder.
"Elder, are we just letting them go?"
Watching Su Cheng and Li Shiyao return to Lingxian Hall, the hall gradually faded from view.
Cang Jue slowly drew forth a compass-like communication artifact. As celestial magic swirled around it, he established contact with Ling Mountain.
"I've met Su Cheng. I don't think she's the type to confess willingly."
"Moreover, I suspect this matter might actually be true."
A three-dimensional projection of a white figure materialized upon the compass, and soon, the voice of the other party could be heard.
"You mean the Heavenly Dao Pavilion's claims are true? He nearly wiped out the entire Heavenly Dao Pavilion single-handedly?"
Cang Jue nodded. She wasn't new to this kind of thing.
The so-called search for evidence is merely an excuse—it's her job.
This world divides into black and white, yet black isn't necessarily black, nor is white necessarily white.
She had assumed Su Cheng had provoked the wrong people, leading to this frame—after all, who could believe a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator nearly wiped out an entire major sect?
Su Cheng's cultivation level was no secret. Though both his disciples had distinguished themselves in this martial contest, it didn't change the fact that Su Cheng himself was only at the Foundation Establishment stage.
"Yes, but it's strange. I tested him just now, and he truly is at Foundation Establishment. However…"
The white projection seemed genuinely astonished. After all, such a thing was hard to believe.
"But what?"
"But he gives me an odd feeling. He's feigning weakness, yet more than that, he seems… almost afraid of trouble…"
"What do you mean?"
"I suspect there's more to this than meets the eye. We shouldn't approach him until we understand the full picture."
"That's impossible. You don't understand—the pressure from the Heavenly Dao Pavilion and the other immortal sects is immense. I thought Lingxian Hall had merely crossed their interests, but now it seems they intend to wipe it out completely."
Cang Jue felt his composure slipping. What did he mean, impossible?
"Why do I always get stuck with the messy jobs?"
"Once you handle Su City, you'll be free. I'll ask someone to arrange a cushy position for you."
Cang Jue curled his lip. "You better keep your word."
Watching the white projection fade away, Cang Jue exhaled a long breath.
Truth be told, she found it hard to believe such a thing. Honestly, she suspected either Su Cheng or that First Disciple had crossed someone they shouldn't have.
But Li Shiyao’s attitude, Su Cheng’s somewhat fake display of weakness…
Plus that Lingxian Hall, which looked like a heavenly palace just now—it made her waver a bit.
Shaking her head to clear her mind of wild thoughts, she spoke up, "Hopefully I'm overthinking this. Go ring the doorbell."
Before long, the Lingxian Hall materialized once more. This time, Dongfang Jue opened the door.
"The Master is occupied. Come in."
"Busy?"
Cang Jue followed Dongfang Jue into the divine hall. Like every first-time visitor to Lingxian Hall, he couldn't help but marvel inwardly—such a celestial palace must surely be unparalleled in the mortal world!
With such dense spiritual energy, no wonder both disciples had flourished so splendidly!
"Yes, Master is cooking. Senior Sister and the Elder went to assist him."
"With a hall this grand, you don't have servants? Master Su has to cook personally?"
Dongfang Jue couldn't help but think Cangjue was a bit dim-witted. Servants?
"For the safety of his direct disciples, how could Master allow just anyone inside?"
Though his words were relatively restrained, what Dongfang Jue truly wanted to say was: What the hell do you know? Do you think this is your own home? Servants?
Though hard to believe, Lingxian Hall largely operated on the principle of equality—among disciples and between masters and disciples alike.
The Master wasn't aloof but approachable, a quality Dongfang Jue cherished deeply. It made her feel at ease.
This wasn't about lacking rules or respect for hierarchy. The rules weren't about daily life, but about specific matters, like the daily greeting that had become customary.
Even when Ye Qinghan was absent, Li Shiyao would guide her through ablutions and lead the greeting to the master.
Dongfang Jue didn't know what her master thought, but he seemed to find nothing unusual about it, as if equality were a natural state. Even the third disciple, who hadn't formally joined the sect yet, received the same treatment.
"Are you Dongfang Jue?"
"Yes, I am the Master's direct third disciple."
As ethereal energy wafted through the hall, fragrant aromas also filled the air. Bai Tao followed the scent, arriving just in time for the meal.
"What is this?"
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