Chapter 131: First Time for Everything
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"Qinghan, listen to me."
Su Cheng smiled as he ruffled Ye Qinghan's hair. In the past, this tactic had worked wonders. No matter what Ye Qinghan was doing or thinking, a simple pat on the head would instantly cheer her up.
But Ye Qinghan couldn't care less about that now. She didn't want her master to speak!
She had to speak first!
"No, it's not like that. It's because this disciple grew arrogant from your favor. Knowing you couldn't bear to punish me, I…"
Su Cheng's face remained as benevolent as ever, his usual expression unchanged—save for that resigned, almost fatalistic look in his eyes.
Truthfully, Ye Qinghan couldn't even imagine how to pair those two phrases together—it was the sort of thing only Li Shiyao would say.
Yet at this moment, that was the essence of Su Cheng's gaze. Though he had long since pledged his life to his two direct disciples, he remained utterly helpless before these two little tyrants.
"Of course I know, but that's not what I'm talking about."
Ye Qinghan knew full well that acting spoiled would likely be futile now, yet she clung tightly to her master.
Ye Qinghan knew full well that shedding tears now would likely only make her master think she was acting childish, yet she still couldn't help but let little pearls fall.
"You two are my entire world in this life. I wish I could clear every obstacle from your path."
"I'm sorry… Master…"
When did it begin?
Ye Qinghan couldn't recall.
When that sense of security freed her from sleeping with her sword by her side, when she stopped coveting her master's treasures, perhaps that was when her master became an invincible presence in her eyes.
No matter what foe they faced, Master seemed to handle it effortlessly.
When she first joined Lingxian Hall, Master rarely left the premises except to buy groceries.
Even Pingyun Sect had been destroyed by her, the First Disciple, with her own hands.
But now, for Shi Yao's sake, her master had ventured alone to Panlong Mountain. With cultivation below Foundation Establishment, she had risked her life battling the Old Dragon King, all to borrow the Spirit Pearl.
A master who always hedged her bets, who would devise a dozen contingency plans for every situation, had now made the irrational choice to risk her life.
She wasn't invincible; that jade slip's sword had merely intimidated those fools.
Yet now, that very sword seemed to have intimidated her too.
Realizing it all stemmed from her own pride, an inexplicable rage welled up within her—yet she had no one to direct it at.
She wanted her master to love her, to possess the dignity befitting the head of Lingxian Hall, to make Lingxian Hall feared by all!
She refused to be looked down upon any longer. She refused to let Lingxian Hall remain a nameless minor sect. She craved the power to avenge the humiliation suffered at the hands of the Northern Demon Capital!
Yet all her master desired was for her and Shiyao to live in peace and happiness.
Her master had many flaws—timid enough to be bullied by a vegetable vendor—yet he dared to defy heaven and alter fate for his disciples.
She was timid, swallowing insults when mistreated, yet she would not tolerate her disciples suffering the slightest injustice.
He was meticulous, devising perfect strategies even against weak opponents, yet he often acted impulsively for his disciples' sake.
He was also quite lecherous, always ogling beautiful women on the street, yet never harbored a single impure thought toward her.
The master is a picky eater, always urging his two disciples to eat more of the meals he prepares.
And so much more…
"Today, Qinghan shows mercy and lets the tiger return to the mountain. But what of tomorrow? When that blade swings toward your junior sister, toward your master—will Qinghan regret not cutting the weeds at the root that day?"
"Qinghan knows she was wrong…"
Su Cheng smiled, lifting Qinghan's chin to meet her gaze, as if admiring a beauty. Yet at this moment, Ye Qinghan's face was nothing but tear-stained.
"Don't rush to admit your mistake just yet. Your master needs you to understand the stakes. Don't always be so eager to apologize and placate me."
"Qinghan will go kill her now!"
Ye Qinghan was desperate, her tears barely dried as she lunged for her sword. But Su Cheng grabbed her arm.
Su Cheng shook his head with a smile. "Qinghan, don't you know that fate is predetermined? Heaven does not always grant our wishes. Forcing things may only lead to trouble."
"Then what should Qinghan do?"
This was one of the rare moments Su Cheng embraced Ye Qinghan. More important than killing Shangguan Rou or seizing power was helping his disciple understand.
"Qinghan, you're getting impatient again, aren't you? All you need to do is swing each sword with all your might. The rest is up to your master."
Ye Qinghan thought to herself, feeling slightly unsettled by the momentary absence of her master's inner voice. She couldn't predict his thoughts at all.
…Which meant… Master was thinking of something she shouldn't know?
As if suddenly awakening, Ye Qinghan realized that according to her master's words, Shangguan Rou's blade wasn't a power of this world…
Ye Qinghan considered two possibilities.
One: The power involved another realm, information beyond her reach, hence her inability to hear it.
Second, it involved her master, since occasionally she couldn't hear him even under normal circumstances.
Regardless of which, it signified that the power behind it was beyond his current capabilities to comprehend.
"This disciple is slow to understand. Does the Master mean for Qinghan to focus on the task at hand?"
Ye Qinghan spoke honestly; she truly did not grasp her master's meaning.
"What I mean is, when the time comes to wield the sword, do not hesitate. The Ling Shuang Sword was never meant to be a mere ornament hanging at your side."
"I understand now, Master. Thank you for your guidance."
"Truly?" Su Cheng raised her delicate little face again with a hint of doubt, gently rubbing her small nose with a smile.
"Mhm."
"When I spanked your bottom, you didn't cry. Why are tears falling after just a few words?"
"Qinghan isn't afraid of pain, but I'm afraid Master will abandon me."
"Silly child! Even if I were to give up my very life, I would never abandon you!"
With that, the discipline session for the First Disciple was concluded.
Afterward, Su Cheng took Ye Qinghan to see the alchemy room he had promised her, and took the opportunity to show both disciples the new facilities of Lingxian Hall.
Li Shiyao and Ye Qinghan stood at the entrance, craning their necks to peer inside the main hall. Yet the interior was pitch-black, revealing nothing…
"Aren't you two going in to take a look?"
Su Cheng found it a bit odd. Li Shiyao, who was usually so curious, was now standing motionless at the doorway.
"Master seems so happy, but something feels off to Shiyu. Shiyu won't go."
Li Shiyao stood at the entrance, her hands tucked into her sleeves, waiting. After all, it didn't look like a kitchen hall at all, and she wasn't particularly interested.
"I feel something's off too. Let's hear what Master has to say." Ye Qinghan nodded in agreement. This suddenly appearing grand hall definitely seemed suspicious.
Su Cheng looked thoroughly disappointed. Ye Qinghan was one thing—foxes were naturally suspicious—but even Li Shiyu wasn't falling for it. She was unexpectedly sharp.
Come to think of it, though Li Shiyao appeared adorably clueless, she was definitely the type to take advantage without ever getting the short end of the stick!
Su Cheng chuckled. Telling them the truth wouldn't hurt, but right now, he was in a playful mood.
"With your talents…"
Ye Qinghan glanced at Su Cheng, then exchanged a look with Li Shiyao. Both young disciples instantly understood.
In unison, they declared, "We understand, Master."
Su Cheng nodded and tossed a parchment map to each of them. He instructed the sisters to find the items marked on the maps and bring them back to him.
"As you command, Qinghan."
"This subordinate obeys!"
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