CHAPTER 42
Interrogation
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"Sister Dongfang, stop rubbing! Ouch~"
"Spill it. What do you eat every day to get so big?"
Ye Qinghan chuckled, "I think it's just my constitution. Some people just don't gain weight no matter what they eat."
Dongfang Jue scowled, "No way! I'm still young—I'll keep growing!"
"Sister Dongfang, you can't just rub Shiyu because you don't have any yourself!"
Hearing this, Dongfang Jue flared up even more! What was that supposed to mean?
"Who do you think doesn't have it? Huh? Fine, you're picking on me too!"
Ye Qinghan laughed so hard she shook like a trembling flower branch, marveling at how skilled Li Shiyu was at the art of conversation.
Before long, the three of them finished washing and began getting dressed.
"Shiyao, pick one out." Ye Qinghan generously opened the wardrobe, inviting Li Shiyu to choose freely.
The wardrobe was filled with all kinds of dresses and gowns. Shiyu's eyes lit up—what girl wouldn't love beautiful dresses?
As the Sacred Maiden, Li Shiyu held a high position, even surpassing the elders in status. Yet she remained bound by the rigid rules of the Sacred Mountain, her daily attire consisting mostly of white robes. Seeing Ye Qinghan's diverse collection of stylish garments, she couldn't help but feel envious.
"Sister, you're so kind to me!"
As a princess, Dongfang Jue naturally didn't think much of a few pretty dresses—unless it was Ye Qinghan's Glass Silk Water-Sleeve Dress. After all, it was a divine-tier dress. Could it possess some special ability?
Yet Ye Qinghan rarely wore the Glass Silk Water-Sleeve Dress herself. At Lingxian Hall, she primarily followed her master's taste—bold styles with sheer, minimal fabrics. If not for Ye Qinghan's deliberate approach of gradual progression, wearing it or not would have been irrelevant. After all, it was just the two of them.
"Come eat!"
Seeing the three immortals emerge from the Spirit Pool dressed in their flamboyant finery, Su Cheng called out affectionately for them to eat.
Li Shiyao and Ye Qinghan both dug in heartily, but Dongfang Jue, being a princess, maintained a degree of table manners.
Even though her sister didn't want to leave, dinner still had to be eaten. Li Shiyao suspected that Sect Leader Su had personally cooked to honor Princess Dongfang Jue. But regardless of the reason, having a meal was a blessing!
Of course, the little goofball didn't forget to serve Ye Qinghan extra portions, urging her sister to eat more. After all, once Dongfang Jue left, they might not get another chance!
Ye Qinghan had intended to see Li Shiyao off after dinner, but Li Shiyao insisted on staying with her sister. Ye Qinghan simply found her a room and told her to rest first.
Thus, the final judgment for Dongfang Jue was about to begin.
The atmosphere in the Main Hall was oppressively tense. Su Cheng sat in his chair sipping tea, its flavor tinged with an odd, unfamiliar note.
"Miss Dongfang, Qinghan mentioned you seem quite interested in magical artifacts?"
With those words, even Dongfang Jue understood that Master Su was singling her out!
But Dongfang Jue lacked the courage to confront Su Cheng directly. Her earlier conversation with Ye Qinghan had merely been an attempt to exchange information.
If she could build a connection, that would be ideal. If not, she'd find another way.
But the situation now felt dangerously tense. What was so wrong with mentioning four words—“innate treasure”?
She hadn't said anything strange! Why was the atmosphere thick enough to kill her?
But regret was useless now. She had no choice but to steel herself and respond.
"Indeed, I've long heard of Master Su's generosity in passing down his personal sword to his direct disciple. This junior admires that greatly!"
[No obvious slip-ups.]
An evasive answer. Should he press further? Or try to draw her out?
Su Cheng hesitated briefly before slowing the pace of the conversation. Two sentences weren't enough to gauge Dongfang Jue's depth.
"Blades, spears, armor—these are of no use to me. Merely external trappings. Giving them to Qinghan for self-defense serves her far better than hanging them on my own body."
【Within Lingxian Hall, I hold the home-field advantage. If I remain silent, she won't escape.】
With her master present, Ye Qinghan could finally speak. As long as she could discern her master's thoughts, she wouldn't fear saying the wrong thing.
Given the current situation, Ye Qinghan felt it was time for her to speak. With her master by her side, even if her decisions proved ill-advised, her master could cover for her, dismissing it as a disciple's overreach.
After all, if the words came from the Master, there would be no room for retraction.
"Miss Dongfang mentioned that my master bestowed two innate treasures upon Qinghan. I inquired about them, but my master did not elaborate. I am curious—which two treasures did Miss Dongfang refer to? And how did she come to know of them?"
Dongfang Jue froze. Was she being interrogated?
If she couldn't answer, these two were both ruthless—she might end up paying with her life.
Dongfang Jue propped her chin on her hand, feigning deep thought.
"Master Su possesses supreme divine prowess. Surely his sword must be of divine quality? Jue'er surmises this is the first treasure."
"Later, I witnessed Sister Qinghan suppressing an enemy at the Nascent Soul stage using that sword case. It must be a先天法宝 (innate treasure). Jue'er surmises this is the second?"
Ye Qinghan smiled. "You're spot on with your guesses! You're quite the guesser! Your logic doesn't hold water, but you're dead right!"
"Could it be that Miss Dongfang has reservations and refuses to speak plainly? Earlier when discussing with Qinghan, you were so certain, yet now you speak only of conjecture?"
Dongfang Jue raised an eyebrow. Ye Qinghan was clearly playing the good cop for her master!
But was she supposed to tell Ye Qinghan she'd looked it up in the system?
Not only was this her secret—even her own father didn't know—but even if she did tell them, these two probably wouldn't believe her anyway!
Better to say Heaven revealed it to her!
[With Dongfang Jue silent for so long, how could she know this matter could be put aside? The priority was to figure out who else knew about it!]
Upon hearing this, Ye Qinghan realized her master and she were thinking along the same lines!
"Miss Dongfang must have her reasons for not speaking. It's all right."
"Sister, I am deeply grateful for your understanding, Jue'er."
Ye Qinghan smiled, revealing the same expression she once used to fool the little fool, yet her gaze remained utterly serious.
"Sister, do not be alarmed. The tale of the innate divine artifact is undoubtedly false. Yet Master, whose heart is set upon the welfare of the realm, fears that schemers might stir chaos by spreading baseless rumors. Should the world descend into turmoil in pursuit of this divine weapon, it may be too late to restore order."
Huh? So I'm the villain here? Dear sister, I'm a princess. If the world descends into chaos, wouldn't that mean chaos for my household?
You're practically calling me names right to my face!
"Sister speaks wisely."
But Dongfang Jue could only nod in agreement. Not only was he currently in a vulnerable position, but even if he weren't, Ye Qinghan's words held undeniable truth.
Whether true or false, once this spreads, it will ignite a fierce struggle among the warlords, unleashing a chaotic era!
"Qinghan doesn't doubt you, sister. I just fear you've fallen into the schemes of schemers, being manipulated as a pawn, don't you?"
Dongfang Jue was utterly stunned!
Dongfang Jue wasn't a fool. The implication was clear: Father had sent him here as a scout!
Why did this mission feel less like building goodwill and more like causing trouble for Father?
"Sister worries too much. I merely stumbled upon this matter by chance. My purpose was to warn you, not to incite anyone else."
"Is that so? Little sister, don't be stubborn. Your master and your father are old acquaintances. You and I are sisters, not outsiders. If you face any difficulties, don't hesitate to ask for help. It's better than letting things spiral into disaster."
Ye Qinghan thought to herself, Trust you? Like hell I would! You came here with ulterior motives!
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