CHAPTER 405
The One Who Tied the Bell Must Untie It
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"So you're saying there's another copy of Master? A female one?"
Xiao Ai gave a helpless smile. Though it was hard to accept, Su Muchan was indeed Su Cheng’s doppelgänger in this world.
However, Su Cheng wasn't from this world, and that guy wasn't a duplicate either. There was no such thing as two tigers sharing the same mountain.
"So Sister Youwei can rest assured. The one you killed—Xiao Ai can't say for certain if it was your master—but Xiao Ai would stake her life on it: that was absolutely not the Master's duplicate."
Xiao Ai thought to herself: Su Cheng's duplicate? She could spot one at a glance without even opening her divine sense!
It was only because Su Muchan was in a woman's body that she had to look twice!
Hearing it put so plainly, Chu Youwei understood that Xiao Ai was offering her a way out and trying to ease her mind.
It must be said, there was a reason Lady Gu Ai had risen to her position.
In essence, she was telling Chu Youwei that the original host was nothing like that master from the past, and certainly not as good as her master!
But in truth, there was no concrete evidence—it was all conjecture. Yet it was stated with such certainty, leaving no room for doubt!
Chu Youwei knew this well, yet Lady Gu Ai's words held truth.
"Little Sister Youwei, I think Lady Gu Ai is absolutely right. That sort of person could never be your master!"
Bai Tao didn't elaborate further; she simply hoped Youwei could emerge from her grief.
As for Chu Youwei's choice, she didn't care. She believed a girl like Youwei could thrive even without Su Cheng.
Cangjue was merely listening for the entertainment value. All this talk of dungeon worlds and dungeon entities was rather intriguing!
"Thank you so much, Master Gu Ai. Youwei has made many mistakes. She just doesn't know how to express her apologies to her master, nor whether her master would be willing to forgive her."
Chu Youwei had come to a realization. Lady Gu Ai was right—that sort of person could never be her master!
Xiao Ai returned a perfectly sweet smile, revealing nothing of her thoughts, yet radiating pure sweetness.
Gently taking Chu Youwei's hand, Xiao Ai smiled. "Youwei sister belongs to the Master. How could he possibly blame you?"
"If the Lord were unwilling to forgive you, how could Xiao Ai have come personally?"
"Sister needn't worry. Just be yourself as always. As long as you've truly come to understand, there will be no problem."
Su Cheng remembered Chu Youwei's story. With a thousand years of memories as vivid as yesterday, how could he possibly blame this beloved disciple who had been by his side day and night for a millennium?
Several hours later, Su Cheng had returned. However, Chu Youwei intercepted the two little girls who were about to turn the sect leader's chambers into a kitchen…
"Elder Yu Lan, Elder Cang Jue, I know you're in a hurry, but might I borrow my master for a moment?"
After much deliberation, she decided against trying to muddle through. She wanted to explain herself clearly to her master…
"I won't take long. I just wish to apologize to Master in person. Is that acceptable?"
Cangjue scratched his head. "Um… go ahead. I just wanted to discuss the Immortal Alliance with Master Su. It's not that urgent…"
Yu Lan also felt a twinge of guilt: "I have no urgent matters. Miss, you may go."
Chu Youwei nodded her thanks and quietly slipped into Su Cheng's bedchamber.
Before she could knock, Xiao Ai's voice reached her ears.
"My lady, it seems you only remember Xiao Ai when you need help!"
"Ah, I was just worried Yuwei might be upset! I figured it'd be easier for you girls to talk among yourselves."
"Xiao Ai is swamped every day, and frankly, it's not that convenient!"
"Xiao Ai is the best! She's my most outstanding personal attendant! So, how is it? Is Youwei feeling any better?"
This was the first time Chu Youwei had eavesdropped on her master, but she needed to understand his thoughts.
She was afraid too—afraid her master wouldn't forgive her, afraid he'd cast her aside…
Truthfully, she’d already made her choice, hadn’t she?
When Su Cheng called her to eat, she had already given her answer.
However, she had assumed Xiao Ai would truthfully relay her thoughts to Master. Little did she know that this Gu Ai was far more formidable than she had imagined.
Through the door, she heard Xiao Ai spouting nonsense in front of the Master!
"No, young ladies are delicate creatures. Xiao Ai has only met the young lady a few times—how could she possibly be open with Xiao Ai?"
"Xiao Ai appealed to reason and emotion, elaborating at length on the Master's brilliant wisdom and benevolent heart!"
"Though it showed promise, the issue wasn't fully resolved!"
"Xiao Ai believes the one who tied the bell must untie it. I've already paved the way for the Master. If he follows my advice and coaxes the young lady, it's bound to work!"
"Xiao Ai observes that Young Miss Youwei also leans toward Your Lordship—after all, she hasn't left Lingxian Hall, has she?"
"Moreover, with the groundwork I've just laid, if Your Lordship makes your move now, the young lady is already weakened. Wouldn't she be as easy as picking fruit from a tree?"
Chu Youwei: A piece of cake?
"Xiao Ai, are you mocking me?" Su Cheng smiled helplessly. Xiao Ai's exaggerated performance was too obvious—he couldn't miss that the little rascal was mocking him!
"Hehe, it's just been so long since I've seen such a serious look on your face, Master. Sorry, I got carried away…"
"I can handle enemies, but when it comes to girls, I still need Xiao Ai's advice. They say the one who tied the bell must untie it. What should I do to make her return to her original self?"
Xiao Ai rolled her eyes and pouted!
Zero Two was resting, so Su Cheng couldn't borrow its power to open his divine sense and detect Chu Youwei outside the door.
But Xiao Ai was different—every word just spoken had been meant for Chu Youwei's ears!
She'd thought her master could play a double act with her, but now she was utterly exasperated with this stubborn blockhead…
"Master, that's not right! Girls are sensitive. You can't use such harsh words. What if you scare the young lady away?"
Su Cheng nodded. Xiao Ai had a point!
"Oh dear, look at me—I just got carried away… Xiao Ai, Youwei is my disciple. Even if she runs away, I'll bring her back!"
"I told you this approach won't work! Girls are delicate. Your aggressive tactics are too strong. Can't you be gentler?"
Su Cheng was at a loss for what to do!
"Youwei was only fourteen when she became my disciple. I rescued her from human traffickers. All the other children fled, but she insisted on becoming my disciple, saying she had nowhere else to go."
"Ever since then, the words 'Master' became her anchor, and the Ling Tian Sect became her home."
"In terms of innate talent, she was no different from ordinary mortals. In terms of background, she had no one to rely on. Yet, to avoid disappointing her Master, she became an Emperor."
For seventeen hundred years, we were inseparable. Countless times she was wounded or wronged, yet never once did she cry out. She only looked at me with that foolish smile…"
"In the end, it was to avenge me. Caught between enemies and surrounded by many, she met a tragic end."
"This time, I intended to grant her freedom. Yet the moment she called me 'Master,' I lost my resolve."
"By answering that single word, 'Master,' she became my disciple…"
Chu Youwei was stunned. Master remembered her!
But! But!
But Master never said anything!
She had thought…
【Youwei, this time, I will not take you as my disciple.】
As if everything clicked into place, tears streamed down her face before she could even react.
Over seventeen hundred years. Over seventeen hundred years.
The doors burst open. A stunning figure in a black gauze gown rushed into the sleeping chamber, throwing herself straight into Su Cheng's arms…
"Master!"
All that remained was seventeen centuries of grievance mingled with seventeen centuries of resentment, now transformed into tears and sobs, as if she intended to settle every account with her master at once.
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