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Chapter 36: Then I'll Disturb You
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"Dongfang Jue." Ye Qinghan had hoped it was Cheng Liang who came. On the contrary, this Dongfang Jue was the most troublesome!

"What brings her here?"

"Qinghan doesn't know. The disciple noticed she doesn't seem to have discovered Lingxian Hall. She's been waiting for quite some time in the courtyard where the master once resided."

【Ugh… If it were anyone else demanding answers, it wouldn't matter. But Dongfang Jue? We can't kill her yet. We'll still need her father's help with the Northern Domain Demon Capital affair later…】

【Moreover, Dongfang Jue still holds great utility. When confronting enemies from beyond the heavens, we'll need her family's legendary immortal artifact. Killing her now would likely alter the future.】

Ye Qinghan had originally intended to have her master leave her waiting outside. This annoying pest simply couldn't accept defeat—unable to beat her, she clung stubbornly to the fight!

But upon hearing his master's inner thoughts, Ye Qinghan's pupils instantly contracted, and his heart jolted violently!

His master knew about the events in the North!

Could it be that the master knew who had killed her mother all those years ago?

No! The master must know!

"Is she here to seek revenge?" Su Cheng asked cautiously.

"Disciple did cross paths with her in the secret realm and engaged in combat, but I never took her life," Ye Qinghan replied truthfully, wanting to gauge her master's reaction.

Though Ye Qinghan knew her Master would certainly avenge her, she… couldn't bear to wait a single moment longer!

But if she acted on her own, would it affect her master?

Ye Qinghan wanted vengeance, but she didn't want her master to bear the consequences of interfering with the heavens' will…

【In that case, wouldn't it be better not to meet? Or perhaps help Qinghan resolve the misunderstanding?】

【If we avoid meeting, that Eastern Jade girl's temperament suggests she won't let it rest. She'll surely find a way to track down the Lingxian Hall. Who knows, the situation might only escalate.】

【Resolving the misunderstanding is still the better course. Meeting Dongfang Shuo afterward would also be justifiable.】

"Come with me to take a look."

Su Cheng led Ye Qinghan outside the hall, where they found Dongfang Jue asleep against the courtyard fence, clutching his black iron spear.

Thanks to Su Cheng's earlier preparation, Ye Qinghan, who had intended to kick her awake, restrained her temper and gently patted her instead.

Dongfang Jue slowly opened her eyes. Spotting Ye Qinghan, she sprang to her feet with heightened alertness.

"Miss Dongfang, why are you sleeping here?"

Su Cheng spoke with a kindly expression, appearing utterly harmless.

"Master Su, I came looking for Ye Qinghan. Since you weren't here, I waited."

Ye Qinghan was utterly speechless. Was this guy trying to get himself killed?

Couldn't he see the gap between my sister and me?

"You're no match for me. Why bother?"

"I'm not here to fight. I came to play with you… well, I suppose you could call it a visit."

"Master and I are both busy. We don't have time to play with you."

"I won't bother you. Go ahead with your business."

Ye Qinghan sensed something was off. This Dongfang Jue was grinning like a fool—clearly up to no good!

Ye Qinghan turned to look at her master—this wasn't something she could decide on her own.

[Qinghan, how much do you dislike her? You practically have "dislike" written all over your face! But it's kind of amusing.]

Hearing her master's teasing thoughts, Ye Qinghan could only snort silently inside.

At that moment, the gazes of two stunning beauties were fixed on Su Cheng. One seemed eager to visit Lingxian Hall as a guest, while the other appeared ready to slaughter the visitor…

【This is hard to refuse. After all, you don't bite the hand that feeds you. Let's see what she does.】

【Meet force with force, water with earth!】

"Qinghan, guests are guests. As Lingxian Hall's First Disciple, how could you neglect proper etiquette?"

"Master speaks wisely!" Ye Qinghan gritted her teeth, wishing she could shove Dongfang Jue into the nearby well and drown him!

Dongfang Jue grinned, hastily clasping his hands. "Then we shall intrude."

Ye Qinghan thought, You're here to cause trouble on purpose!

Though displeased, Ye Qinghan had no choice but to lead the way, as Su Cheng had spoken.

Watching the two head toward the forest edge, Dongfang Jue froze.

"Master Su, where are we going?"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the dense forest vanished in the blink of an eye, replaced by a colossal and magnificent complex of halls!

Three characters in gold lettering against a black background hung high above the entrance: Lingxian Hall.

What?

Even his father, the esteemed Human Emperor, had never resided in such an imposing palace!

Lingxian Hall—so it truly was a hall of immortals!

Ye Qinghan, didn't you say your master lived in poverty? Is this poverty? Wasn't your master supposed to be detached and uninterested in luxury?

The moment he stepped over the threshold, he felt the dense spiritual energy within the courtyard—truly the residence of immortals!

"Qinghan, you two talk. I'll go brew some tea."

"Master, Qinghan is here. That's enough."

Dongfang Jue froze. Wait—you two talk while I make tea?

Su Cheng, you haven't been hijacked by this Ye Qinghan, have you?

Master is going to brew tea—I recognize every single character, yet when they're strung together, it all becomes incomprehensible?

Dongfang Jue scanned left and right. The courtyard held numerous items, but it was the training dummy—covered in sword marks—that captured his attention.

Beyond that, countless halls encircled the courtyard, with a towering pagoda even rising behind them!

Guided by Su Cheng, Dongfang Jue sat down in the courtyard. "Master Su, this Lingxian Hall is truly magnificent! Though I've lived in luxury since childhood and thought I'd seen it all, today has truly broadened my horizons."

"Miss Dongfang flatters me. In truth, the courtyard where you rested earlier was my humble abode back then."

"But alas, as a woman, Qinghan could not share my humble abode, so I employed a minor divine art."

Ye Qinghan smiled as she sat beside her master, her jade-like hands gently twirling a teacup to offer it to him. "Master, tea."

When it came to Dongfang Jue, however, Ye Qinghan merely tossed a teacup her way. She couldn't be bothered to wait on her.

Only then did Dongfang Jue notice that Ye Qinghan had changed her attire at some point.

Compared to the long gown she'd worn outside the hall, her current attire was slightly more revealing, yet it didn't appear deliberate.

Taking the cup to pour herself a cup, Dongfang Jue felt a flicker of panic…

She had assumed her status as a princess might command some deference, but judging by this moment, this princess might not hold much value in Su Cheng's eyes…

"May I ask, Miss Dongfang, what brings you here?"

Dongfang Jue paused briefly before blurting out an excuse: "The tale of Master Su cleaving three great mountains with a single sword stroke has spread far and wide. Jue'er has come today to extend a gesture of goodwill on behalf of others."

As for whose goodwill I represent—I won't say.

As for whether we're establishing goodwill, that's pure fabrication.

"General Dongfang and I are old acquaintances. We were once as close as brothers—why would we need to establish goodwill? Could it be he has already forgotten me?"

Huh? Dongfang Jue froze.

Master Su knew my father? Then what the hell was this about establishing friendly relations? Had he just caused trouble?

If Su Cheng were the petty type, wouldn't he take it out on my father?

"Years ago, while practicing medicine to seek enlightenment, he was still the Prince of the North. He fell ill in the army, and I happened to be passing nearby. I administered effective treatment to help him, and that's how we met."

"Master Su, I believe my father would never forget you. It's likely the court officials didn't recognize you and failed to clarify your status, leading to this misunderstanding."

At that moment, hearing the words "Prince of the Northern Frontier," ripples stirred within Ye Qinghan's heart. Could it be…?

"Heh, I suspect that is the case. You were born in the military camp back then. Your father even asked me to name you."

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