Chapter 297: Relaxation
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She knew exactly where to draw the line. Since Master recognized her, she feared nothing.
The instant their gazes met, she knew he hadn't mistaken her identity.
This slap wasn't born of arrogance from being favored. Rather, she knew Master was lost in his own wild imaginings again.
If she didn't make her stance crystal clear, Master might make some strange decisions based on his wild imaginings.
She needed to make it clear to her master: unless she was dead,
he could never drive her away!
Only this was the right path!
She had come to save her master, not to play the role of a dutiful disciple!
A dutiful disciple?
She'd been one for over seventeen hundred years—she'd had more than enough!
This time, she only wants her master to be safe. She won't let him leave her sight, won't let him stray beyond her protection!
Having been given a second chance at life, she absolutely cannot lose her master again!
"Youwei…"
Her delicate frame nestled into her master's embrace. She turned her head to rest it on his shoulder, lightly brushing her small nose against his neck. The tip of her nose gently tapped his Adam's apple, as if teasing him.
As a 1,700-year-old First Disciple, she knew her stuff. Against someone like Su Cheng with low magic resistance, she didn't even need skills.
Chu Youwei's basic attacks carried inherent, fleeting control effects.
The fragrance that had accompanied the maiden for a millennium instantly filled his nostrils.
Her jade-like hand pressed against her chest, as if preparing to livestream the scene for the two disciples crouched in the grass.
However, as mentioned, Chu Youwei was a 1,700-year-old maiden who knew exactly how to manipulate her master.
He knew now was not the time to launch a fierce assault. Only by completely shattering everything his master relied on
Only then, when the defenses before her were torn apart, would the optimal moment arise to seize control of her master!
If she misjudged the timing, she risked backfiring.
Her jade-like fingers slid down his chest to his waist, lightly tracing the jade belt there—a gesture that felt like both teasing and punishment.
But what Dongfang Jue hoped to see did not come, nor did what Su Cheng feared~
Her jade-like hand abruptly changed direction. With a flick of her fingers and a deft flip of her wrist, she plucked the jade pendant hanging at her waist.
"Since Master hasn't prepared one for Youwei, I'll borrow Master's jade pendant for now~"
"Youwei, you really…"
"When Master is ready~ then we can exchange it back with Youwei, how about that?"
"…Alright."
Dongfang Jue, munching on Li Shiyao's adult meal, casually remarked.
"Senior Sister, shouldn't we help? She! How dare she strike Master?"
Li Shiyao looked adorably bewildered: "Master is fine. Jue'er, don't meddle."
"Aren't you angry? That brat actually dared to lay a hand on Master!"
Li Shiyao could only think her junior sister was a fool!
"Master isn't angry, so why should Shiyu be? She doesn't seem to be Master's match, does she?"
"…Senior Sister makes a point. It seems a lot happened between Master and her!"
Dongfang Jue wiped the grease from her mouth, tilting her face in a thoughtful pose before continuing.
"Didn't you hear her? She seems to be Master's disciple too—and she came to avenge Master!"
Li Shiyu nodded. Of course she'd heard!
"She also said she'd tear Cheng Liang and those scum to shreds! If they're Master's enemies, Shiyuo wouldn't mind lending a hand!"
Dongfang Jue couldn't help but think she was getting ahead of herself. Her second senior sister's intelligence was decidedly erratic…
"Senior Sister, the 'scum' she mentioned… sounds like us…"
Li Shiyu was taken aback!
"No way! Shiyu isn't a lowlife! Shiyu doesn't even know her! And how could Shiyu ever harm Master?"
Dongfang Jue was utterly speechless. Just as expected…
"Senior Sister, she thinks we're spies sent by the Cheng Liang faction! She believes we're here to harm our Master!"
"What should we do? Shiyu doesn't want to be torn to pieces!"
"Senior Sister, could she even beat you?"
"Shiyao just saw her fighting skills. She definitely can't beat Shiyao. But what if she ambushes Shiyao?"
Li Shiyu recalled that even the Master would be flustered if ambushed!
How much more so for her?
That huge scythe—getting hit by it would hurt like hell!
"With Master here, she wouldn't dare do anything foolish!"
After hearing Jue'er's words, Li Shiyu remained silent, her gaze fixed on Chu Youwei in the distance. Dare not do anything foolish… huh?
Ye Qinghan moved swiftly, completing all tasks before dawn and returning to the inn.
Everyone had stayed up all night, except for Li Shiyu, who was still asleep.
"Shiyao, wake up. It's time to go to Ling Mountain."
"Mmm, Shiyu doesn't want to go…"
"No more sleeping in!"
"Please, Senior Sister, I beg you. Let Shiyu sleep just a little longer… Mmm…"
"Get up now!" The scabbard of the Frostblade pressed against Li Shiyu's buttocks, its icy chill seeping through her skin and into her flesh!
Li Shiyu snapped wide awake!
She wanted to leap out of bed like a carp, all traces of sleepiness gone!
"Hey hey hey! Senior Sister, Shiyu's up!"
"Senior Sister, let's hurry and pay our respects to the Master!" She rubbed her buttocks and hurried toward the door…
As the three approached the door where their Master resided, they encountered Chu Youwei.
Chu Youwei had already removed her hooded cloak. Her deep purple hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her dark violet eyes shone with a jade-like beauty.
She knelt alone before the door. Even upon seeing the three, she neither spoke nor raised her gaze.
The creaking sound of a window opening echoed from within, yet Chu Youwei remained utterly unmoved.
Adhering to the principle of "if the enemy doesn't move, neither do we," Ye Qinghan and the others remained still, leaning against the second-floor railing and watching.
After half an incense stick's worth of time, Yulan emerged, slowly walking out while tucking stray strands of hair back from her collar. Chu Youwei remained seated, merely speaking.
"Good morning, Miss Yu Lan."
"Good morning, Miss Youwei."
"You must have worked hard serving the Master last night, Miss Yu Lan."
"It was nothing. It was my duty."
"Please allow Miss Yu Lan to carry this tea inside. I shall take my leave now."
"Take care, Miss."
Rising slowly, she glanced at the three direct disciples beside her. Just as she was about to leave, something suddenly occurred to her.
"Oh, Miss Yulan, next time there's no need to climb through the window. This is nothing to be ashamed of."
Yu Lan smiled as she watched Chu Youwei walk past her.
"Senior Sister, what kind of attitude is that? She doesn't hold us sisters in any regard at all!"
Ye Qinghan remained silent, her gaze fixed on the jade pendant hanging from Chu Youwei's waist.
"Hush…" Li Shiyao made a shushing gesture to Dongfang Jue before leaning close to Yu Lan.
"Second Young Miss, what is it?"
"Shiyao has business to attend to. After today's martial arts competition concludes, she must return to the Sacred Mountain for several days. I'd be grateful if Elder Yulan could look after Senior Sister for me."
Such words, paired with that adorably dazed little face, felt somewhat incongruous. Yet Yu Lan paid it no mind.
The Second Young Miss would always be the Second Young Miss.
Whether she was seven or sixteen, she was always the Second Young Miss.
"Second Young Miss, you flatter me. This is simply my duty."
"Shiyao thanks the Elder."
Ye Qinghan showed no unusual signs, offering her greetings as usual, enjoying her breakfast as usual.
Except that Chu Youwei was present.
Chu Youwei didn't have the habit of eating breakfast; she simply sat in the courtyard playing the zither.
Contrary to Ye Qinghan's expectations, she wasn't clingy. Instead, she radiated an unusual sense of ease, as serene as drifting clouds and gentle breezes.
Like a bodyguard, she remained at a distance—neither too close nor too far. She was present, yet never imposed on her master.
When she went out, she would don a hood, concealing her exquisite features, as if she were a timid lamb wary of harassment.
Yet beneath that cloak lay blades sharp enough to take lives—for she herself was a…
…a blade.
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