CHAPTER 269
Loving You in His Place
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If she is no longer here, how about Jue'er loving you in her stead?
A man capable of such bold words could never be without ambition.
Like pieces of a puzzle, she pieced together the scattered fragments of information and could already discern a clear outline.
For the three disciples, the Master's so-called teaching by word and deed had only one core principle: seize what you hold in your hands.
What bound the disciples to Lingxian Hall was not profit or duty, but a bond as deep as kinship.
The woman mentioned by the Flower-Seeking Immortal—that high-ranking figure, the former owner of the Wind-Chanting Blade—who exactly was she?
How could a master as powerful as hers have a woman he couldn't protect?
"It's a discipleship ceremony, not a wedding. Why are you dressed so beautifully? You're plotting something, trying to seduce the Master?"
Senior Sister's voice snapped Dongfang Jue out of her reverie. She smiled faintly. "It's my first time performing a discipleship ceremony. Shouldn't I look proper?"
"Enough dawdling. Everyone's waiting for you."
Dressed in the celestial robe bestowed by her master, Dongfang Jue stepped out of the bedchamber like a bride.
Unlike other sects whose disciples wore uniform white robes or ceremonial garments resembling uniforms, Lingxian Hall imposed no overly strict requirements on its disciples' attire. The sole stipulation was that clothing must not be revealing or indecent…
Senior Sister Process had already briefed her earlier. Under the gazes of the crowd, she stepped onto the stone staircase adorned with carved cranes and entered the grand hall.
Today, her Master wore a new robe custom-made for him by Senior Sister. Golden threads embroidered cranes and dragons across its surface, while a tea-colored jade belt hung a jade pendant inscribed with the characters 'Lingxian' at his waist. It complemented the Immortal Emperor's robe he had gifted her rather well.
Truthfully, there was little to be cautious about. When Senior Sister instructed her to bow, she bowed.
Frankly, as long as she didn't stir trouble, nothing untoward would happen. Everything was meticulously arranged by the eldest senior sister.
Watching the senior sister produce the Star River Ruler as a disciplinary rod, listening to her recite the peculiar sect rules that could amuse the crowd.
Dongfang Jue didn't find it amusing; instead, she felt an overwhelming sense of sacredness.
Besides Li Shiyao, who would drink the bathwater from the Spirit Pool Hall?
Besides Yu Lan, who would bypass the door to climb through a window?
And then there was that disciplinary ruler—besides disciplining the perverted senior sister, no one else would have the privilege of using it!
Even when Li Shiyao drugged the Grandmaster, he didn't hold her accountable. He merely had Yu Lan give her a scare.
Dongfang Jue tried to commit every detail to memory. This was the happiest day of her life.
From this day forward, she stood equal to her two senior sisters.
She could now proudly declare to all that she was the Lingxian Hall's third direct disciple.
As this moment finally arrived, she became even more acutely aware of Ye Qinghan's earlier words.
This love was not rushed. Like Ye Qinghan, she too had been planning it for a long time. Hehe~
Only by casting aside those stubborn attachments did Dongfang Jue understand that all this had never been difficult to attain—she had merely been seeking distant solutions while neglecting the obvious.
She had overcomplicated everything. What was truly needed to become a disciple was the one thing her master valued above all else: sincerity.
And in this regard, she couldn't even hold a candle to Su Muchan, who had the audacity to openly declare she wanted to latch onto someone's coattails.
"Tea service—"
Li Shiyao, dressed in a qipao and carrying a wooden tray, approached Dongfang Jue like a professional hostess. The tray held tea already brewed by Ye Qinghan, its fragrance refreshingly soothing.
Taking the teacup Li Shiyao offered…
Wait… Shiyu's cup? This tea couldn't possibly…
"Shiyu, you wouldn't…"
Li Shiyao wore a look of regret: "Actually, I did have something in mind, but I've run out of my medicinal powder…"
Dongfang Jue gave an awkward smile. Well, thanks to Elder Cangjue of Ling Mountain!
"Master, please have some tea."
Su Cheng slowly took the teacup and smiled.
"Jue'er, lift your head. There's no need to be nervous."
"Yes, thank you, Master."
Right, she wasn't some hideous monster no one could bear to look at—she was even wearing makeup!
Hearing Master loudly declare her official acceptance, hearing the name Dongfang Jue come from Master's lips, it felt like her armor had shattered. Tears instantly streamed down her face.
But the eldest senior sister wouldn't let her lose face. If it had only been Master and the sisters, it wouldn't have mattered, but there were quite a few people present this time.
With a light flick of her sleeves, the tears overflowing her eyes instantly vaporized and vanished. Immediately after, two whispers reached her ears.
[Too many people here today. Don't embarrass yourself. If you want to be affectionate, come to my room later.]
[Don't overthink it. I just don't want you bothering the Master.]
"Disciple Dongfang Jue swears not to betray Master's trust and will never disappoint Master's expectations!"
"Bow—"
Following the senior sister's rhythm, she bowed slowly. Watching as the master carefully fastened the jade pendant—which had been meticulously prepared days prior—around her waist.
Skipping the formal gift-giving rituals, it resembled a medal ceremony. Su Cheng gently helped Dongfang Jue rise to perform another deep bow. With that, the initiation rites drew to a close.
"This is for you. Don't overthink it—just something I bought on a whim. If you don't like it, toss it."
Speaking with a dismissive air, Ye Qinghan shoved the exquisitely wrapped box into Dongfang Jue's dazed hands…
"Thank you, Senior Sister! Jue'er loves it and will treasure it forever!"
Ye Qinghan rolled her eyes, crossed her arms, and turned away.
"You like it without even looking? I told you you're thick-headed, but you never listen!"
Compared to Ye Qinghan, Li Shiyu was much more straightforward!
"This is Shiyu's initiation gift to Jue'er. From today onward, Jue'er is Shiyu's true junior sister! Rest assured, Shiyu's got your back!"
Dongfang Jue beamed with delight: "Then Jue'er thanks Senior Sister in advance. I'll treasure this gift with all my heart!"
"Hurry up and open it to see if you like it!" Li Shiyu wasn't like Ye Qinghan. She hoped Dongfang Jue would love her gift, and only seeing her junior sister's delight would put her mind at ease!
Dongfang Jue smiled, placed the box on the table, and opened it right in front of Li Shiyu.
Inside was a brocade carp pendant braided with red thread by Li Shiyao. Though merely a pendant, the box it came in was larger than her senior sister's!
Seeing Dongfang Jue freeze in silence, Li Shiyao hurriedly explained!
"Shiyu actually wanted to buy a gift for Ju'er too, but Shiyu doesn't have much pocket money left…"
"It's not that Shiyu was stingy with her allowance. Elder Yulan told Shiyu she could give a one-of-a-kind gift, so Shiyu thought of braiding a little fish for Jue'er…"
Li Shiyu was practically frantic!
Dongfang Jue just stared at the red-string-braided koi for ages, completely lost in thought, not uttering a single word!
Seeing this, Li Shiyu hurriedly reached out to take back her little fish, but unexpectedly, Dongfang Jue clutched the box tightly to his chest!
Li Shiyu was dumbfounded. What was going on?
"If Jue'er doesn't like it, Shiyu will ask Senior Sister for some extra pocket money later and get Jue'er…"
"Thank you, Senior Sister! Jue'er loves this koi fish! Jue'er wants this one, and won't trade it! For anything! This is the best gift Jue'er has ever received!"
"Uh… as long as Jue'er likes it, Shiyu won't take it back since she gave it to him."
Seeing Shiyu speak thus, Dongfang Jue slowly released the box from her embrace, staring blankly at the koi fish inside.
"You haven't even looked at the gift I gave you, and you're already saying Shiyu's gift is the best?"
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