CHAPTER 17
The Holy Maiden Knows How to Make Friends!
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"Oh, Brother Cheng, you mentioned you had something to discuss with Qinghan through the Second Elder last time. Well, Qinghan happens to be here now…"
Su Cheng wore a beaming smile, as if discussing everyday chatter, yet his words clearly conveyed his stance.
[If you can let go of your desires, that's best. If not, it doesn't matter—Qinghan is mine!]
Ye Qinghan listened to his inner thoughts, her heart surging with emotion! Her master was confronting destiny itself for her sake!
Of course, Cheng Liang wouldn't openly poach someone in front of so many people. That would be laughable if word got out.
Being rejected by Ye Qinghan once was embarrassing enough! He had no intention of humiliating himself again!
"It's nothing major, really. Since Brother Su is taking on a disciple for the first time and lacks experience, if Qinghan happens to lack something, given our relationship, it's only natural for me to lend a hand."
Just as Su Cheng opened his mouth to speak, Ye Qinghan nudged him aside…
She wasn't mute; it was simply that when her master was present, her voice wasn't needed.
But now, the moment had come for her to speak. The moment had come for her to state her position.
"My master treats me as his own child. In food, clothing, daily necessities, and rare treasures, I've never lacked for anything."
"Moreover, having received my master's kindness, it is only right that I share in his simplicity and honor. Food and clothing are merely to satisfy the appetite; fine silk is but a covering for plain cloth. Qinghan has never cared for such things."
"I am deeply grateful for your kindness, Master Cheng. I only ask that you continue to care for your disciples."
"Just the other day, I met Sister Shangguan. She mentioned you show her no concern, treating her with utter indifference~"
It must be said, Ye Qinghan was quite skilled at this—her lovely face wore an alluring smile, yet her pink lips spoke with a sharp, sarcastic edge.
The table was filled with seasoned veterans. Though Ye Qinghan hadn't openly slapped Cheng Liang, her words had already sparked whispers among the surrounding clan heads.
Who couldn't understand? Translated plainly: She doesn't give a damn about your Heavenly Dao Pavilion? Even if her master is poor, she's willing!
Cheng Liang, stop meddling in others' affairs and mind your own business!
Several old foxes chuckled inwardly at the young fox's words, while Cheng Liang seethed in frustration.
Cheng Liang felt like grinding his molars to dust! But what could he do? Kill Ye Qinghan right here? Or kill Su Cheng?
If word got out, it'd be the Tian Dao Pavilion master coveting his senior brother's disciple, willing to kill to claim the beauty as his own!
Did he think his own embarrassments weren't enough?
"Qinghan, the secret realm won't open for a while yet. I'll chat here for a bit. You go play."
Ye Qinghan nodded. With nothing else to discuss, she obediently went off to play.
Over at Su Cheng's side, Elder Shi seemed to relish the spectacle: "If my wife were half as sensible as your disciple, this old man would be perfectly content!"
"Heh, Elder Shi, you're quite the joker. This disciple is a sly fox, skilled in sweet talk! I've long heard of the Holy Mountain's Holy Maiden—truly gifted beyond measure, young enough to hold the position of Holy Maiden!"
Though Su Cheng's words sounded flattering, they were actually sarcastic. Who among those present didn't know that the Holy Maiden, though gifted with intelligence, was essentially a simpleton, possessing the mental capacity of a child?
Comparing my precious disciple to your wife?
Heh, attacking me? Then let's just hurt each other, shall we?
But Su Cheng didn't know that the very Saintess he was speaking of was chatting with Ye Qinghan at that very moment.
"What's your name?" The girl with golden hair, angelic in appearance, knelt beside Ye Qinghan. Though she resembled a seductive woman, her expression was utterly innocent.
The conversation wasn't going smoothly, though. Ye Qinghan didn't particularly enjoy chatting with anyone besides her master…
"None of your damn business. Get lost."
"Can we be friends?"
"No."
"I like your master. I want to be your friend."
Ye Qinghan froze in shock, nearly losing his mind at those words!
"Say another word like that, and I'll kill you right now!"
As the words fell, a massive sword case crashed down at the Holy Maiden's feet with a thunderous clang, drawing the attention of Su Cheng and the gathered clan heads and patriarchs nearby.
"What's wrong, Qinghan?"
"Nothing." Ye Qinghan didn't turn to look at his master, instead glaring at the Holy Maiden before him, her face innocent and pure…
Su Cheng curled his lips. He had no intention of concealing matters concerning Pingyun Sect, so he spoke aloud at a volume audible to all.
"Qinghan, how did I teach you? There are too many people here, too many eyes watching. Don't kill indiscriminately, and certainly don't slaughter an entire family. Whatever you need to do, return to Lingxian Hall. I'll help you plan it properly."
"Understood!" Ye Qinghan practically gritted out the words!
That brain-dead saintess deserved to die! How dare she fancy my master? Even if Cheng Liang were alive, she’d still have to die for me!
Beheading! Slow slicing! Quartering! She'll die a gruesome death!
What kind of Holy Mountain's Holy Maiden is this? Can't Holy Mountain even train its own Holy Maiden properly?
You're already in heat the moment you step out?
"Heh. How many lives do you have, Holy Maiden, to dare steal a man from Ye Qinghan?"
"If nothing unexpected happens, just one. But I truly do adore your master!"
The Holy Maiden wore an expression of sincere devotion, as if Ye Qinghan would willingly cede her master to her simply by professing her feelings…
"Then barring any surprises, you're about to die!"
But Ye Qinghan's words seemed to bounce off the Holy Maiden like they couldn't be selected. She simply refused to listen!
Miss Holy Maiden blinked her big eyes, her adorable little face fixed in earnestness as she opened her mouth:
"No way! I'm perfectly healthy. I can bear your master healthy children!"
You have to admit, the Holy Maiden knew how to make friends!
Ye Qinghan was meditating with his eyes closed when he heard this. He nearly jumped out of his skin!
"I'll fucking kill you right now!"
The sword case he'd just tucked into his embrace slammed back onto the ground with a thud!
Unlike last time, the sword case instantly unfolded, revealing several divine swords in plain sight!
Su Cheng hurriedly asked, "Qinghan! Calm down! What did she do to make you so angry?"
Ye Qinghan's molars ground so hard they nearly shattered. His sword finger, raised to summon blades, lifted once more… only to slowly lower again upon seeing his master.
But the Holy Maiden showed no sense of danger whatsoever. Spotting Su Cheng approaching, she began introducing herself~
"Master Su, it's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Li Shiyu. I only wanted to befriend Sister Qinghan, but it seems I've messed things up."
[So this is Li Shiyao?]
【Though Li Shiyao possesses extraordinary talent, she has the intellect of a child. After joining the Celestial Path Pavilion, she was bullied by the other female disciples. She even willingly became Cheng Liang's plaything, believing he could make her smarter!】
【Another poor soul. Hmph, women connected to Cheng Liang all end up like this! Should we warn Qinghan not to get too close to her?】
【Given Li Shiyao's intellect, she's unlikely to harm anyone. As long as Ye Qinghan avoids provoking her, there's no issue.】
Ye Qinghan froze. Hey! That's a brilliant idea!
She glanced at her master, who nodded reassuringly. Satisfied, she turned her attention back to Li Shiyao.
Holy Maiden, huh? You'd be better off crawling back to be Cheng Liang's plaything!
Don't think I don't know what you're scheming! My master defied heaven itself to alter Qinghan's fate. You think you can piggyback on that? Dream on!
Heh, you want to harm my master?
"I can be your friend," Ye Qinghan smiled, her mind already forming a plan!
"Wonderful! May I call you Sister Qinghan?"
Li Shiyao beamed at the suggestion. As the Holy Maiden, she possessed beauty that rivaled Ye Qinghan's, and her innate talents far surpassed everyone else's. She should have been the center of everyone's attention.
Yet she possessed only a child's intellect. This caused her peers to envy her intensely. While boys were somewhat kinder, the Sacred Mountain forbade males of her age from approaching the Sacred Maiden—after all, she was at the age when romance blossomed…
What if she actually had a child?
This left Li Shiyao utterly friendless, always accompanied by elders or attendants whenever she ventured out.
But Ye Qinghan simply despised her—she hated anyone who threatened her master!
Had she not joined the Lingxian Hall, her master would never have come to the Eastern Realm, and Li Shiyao would never have met her master.
Ye Qinghan wasn't stupid. She understood this was the consequence of her master defying fate for her sake. If possible, she didn't want her master to bear this karmic burden.
But if left unchecked, this Li Shiyu would likely become entangled in that same karmic debt!
Ye Qinghan knew her master well—she yielded to kindness but resisted force. This shameless little fool was practically her master's natural enemy!
In short, she was dangerous. This brain-dead saintess was even more perilous than Cheng Liang!
"Of course—but you absolutely cannot fall for my master!" Ye Qinghan's eyes crinkled with affection, her expression brimming with indulgence and genuine fondness for this dear younger sister.
"Why?"
"Because Master is actually a big villain. I can't escape now, and I don't want you to follow in my footsteps."
Li Shiyao tilted her small face, deep in thought…
Though she appeared remarkably mature—even slightly more curvaceous than Qinghan—her face always bore a trace of clear-eyed foolishness… or perhaps innocence…
"Huh? Your master is so handsome and seems like such a nice person? I thought you said otherwise just now."
Ye Qinghan wrapped her arms around Li Shiyao, nestling close like sisters sharing a secret.
"If I don't say that, Master will beat me terribly, whipping me hard with his whip! Until I pass out…"
Ye Qinghan covered her face with her sleeves, as if real tears were falling. Her voice grew timid and submissive, like a helpless, pitiful young woman.
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