CHAPTER 555
Thinking What He Thinks
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Different.
Su Muchan understood clearly that Ye Qinghan was different from the other disciples. The Master's trust in Ye Qinghan was second only to that placed in Xiao Ai…
When the Master said "equal," he meant he treated them all impartially.
This did not imply that Master Su Cheng favored each disciple equally. Even if he favored Ye Qinghan slightly more, he would still grant them equal treatment.
And that was enough. Coveting what didn't belong to one's station was nothing but obsession—something cultivators most strictly avoided.
Though demonic doctrines claimed that forcefully obtaining something could dissolve such attachments, matters of the heart could never be forced.
If Su Muchan desired more from Su Cheng, it likely wouldn't be much for him to grant. As long as she asked and her request wasn't excessive, Su Muchan believed Su Cheng would most likely give it to her.
But love, above all else, defies quantification. Sometimes it's a single glance, or a hesitant step left uncrossed for ages, or words left unsaid. In short, it's not something one can demand.
It was like an accidental glance, or a helpless smile.
"Master, I understand," Su Muchan said.
Su Cheng heard her words and glanced at Su Muchan's forced smile. At that moment, he decided to ease her worries.
"I don't need you to be sensible. In this Lingxian Hall, aside from Shiyao, I've said similar words to nearly every disciple."
"What I truly desire is for you to find joy and happiness, to realize your dreams, and to fulfill the meaning of your lives."
The meaning of life?
Su Muchan had never pondered such matters, but she could roughly guess the life's purpose of the other disciples.
Foremost among them, Ye Qinghan's purpose in life was dual cultivation with her master. Ye Qinghan now harbored no hidden thoughts on the matter, even publicly declaring she was born solely for dual cultivation with her master! Her dream was to dual cultivate with her master every single day—she lived for dual cultivation and wished to die in her master's bed…
As for the second disciple, Li Shiyao, there was little need to elaborate. Her eyes saw nothing beyond indulging in delicacies and bearing the master's child. As for the meaning of life, Su Muchan suspected Li Shiyao might not even recognize those four characters, and even if she did, she couldn't possibly grasp their meaning…
The third disciple, Dongfang Jue, could at least be considered a person. She was probably the master's most trouble-free disciple, possessing her own life plans, ideals, and aspirations…
As for Miaomiao, she likely aspired to become a true medical immortal?
Finally, there was Chu Youwei. Su Muchan hadn't met her often, nor exchanged many words, but it seemed she too was consumed by obsession…
As for herself, she didn't know either…
Su Muchan had never truly contemplated such matters. Before, she'd sought a mountain sect to shelter her for a few years, later aspiring to rule the Demon Realm…
Without her Master, she would likely have followed a step-by-step path, treading carefully for many years—probably centuries—before reaching her current position.
She was the only disciple without the Six Rites or a jade pendant, not even on par with fellow outer-door disciple Chu Youwei.
Beyond a mysterious cultivation technique, her master had given her nothing else.
Had she not possessed the ability to hear others' thoughts, she likely would have resented her master's perceived favoritism, much like Li Shiyao. But knowing it was intentional, she accepted it without complaint.
Su Muchan said nothing, merely returning her master's smile. She felt that was more than enough.
Su Cheng graciously stayed for dinner in the Western Regions before returning home. By then, Ye Qinghan and Li Shiyao had already departed.
"Master, Miaomiao tried her hand at cooking a few dishes. Would you care to taste them?"
Su Cheng had barely sat down when he saw Miao Miao blushing as she shyly extended the invitation.
Su Cheng paused for a moment, then seemed to realize something. He smiled and nodded.
Though he’d already dined in the Western Regions, Miao Miao had cooked specially for him and extended an invitation—how could his master refuse such a gesture?
He moved to the table. The Lingxian Hall residents usually ate in the courtyard, but today seemed to be a private meal for just the two of them. Miaomiao had brought the food into the main hall herself. It appeared that if Master refused, she intended to eat there anyway, teasing him until he cried!
Her cheeks flushed, Miao Miao sat down across from Su Cheng.
"Is Youwei not here today? Did she go out to play?" Su Cheng's divine sense instantly swept over Lingxian Hall. Normally, without him present, Chu Youwei wouldn't wander off…
Miaomiao casually served some dishes onto Su Cheng's plate. Her pretty face now betrayed a hint of unease, as if lost in thought.
"Sister Youwei? Seems she was called away by a long-haired sister."
"Oh, never mind. I was just wondering. No wonder Lingxian Hall only has Miao Miao and me today."
The long-haired sister was most likely Mengdie. Normally, Miao Miao should have met most of the Valkyries. As for the Godslaying Kings, while many had long hair, the one who would seek out Chu Youwei was almost certainly Mengdie.
The table held mostly home-cooked dishes. They looked quite ordinary, unremarkable in appearance, and their flavors held nothing special.
But Su Cheng examined them closely…
"Is that… wild greens? Why put them so far away?" Su Cheng's gaze settled on the dish furthest from him. He could recognize the variety of wild greens. Truth be told, it had been ages since he'd last eaten such a thing.
If pressed to say how long, it would likely be thousands of years…
After all, the last time he ate this wild vegetable was in another world, during his early days of begging for food—a life he had long since grown accustomed to.
Seeing it now, he even felt a touch of nostalgia…
"Master? Miao Miao found these while gathering herbs earlier. She thought they'd make a nice accompaniment to wine, so she picked some."
Su Cheng furrowed his brow slightly. Truth be told, he had little interest in delicacies from land or sea. Yet with this thing before him, he did feel a pang of nostalgia for its flavor…
"Hmm, I know. What I meant was, you didn't have to put it so far away. I'm not picky."
【I've been perfectly clear, you little fool!】
This was one of Su Cheng's rare days off. Just as he'd anticipated, as long as he found something to keep those troublesome fellows occupied, they'd be too busy to cause him any trouble.
"Does Miao Miao drink? Care to join me for a couple of cups?"
It was rare for Su Cheng to say such things, and even rarer for him to show such interest.
All the senior disciples were out traveling, leaving only the youngest and least experienced junior disciple to accompany the Master. Such scenes were commonplace, but within Lingxian Hall, this was a rare opportunity for Miaomiao!
"Of course." Miao Miao seemed to have been waiting for this moment for ages, as if her master belonged solely to her when her senior sisters were absent. She skillfully poured wine for her master, her eyes brimming with an indescribable emotion.
What Su Cheng hadn't anticipated, however, was that Miao Miao remained silent throughout the entire dinner. Though it was supposed to be a shared meal, it felt more like she was serving him or keeping him company over wine.
Perhaps Miao Miao had intended to speak earlier, but by the time Su Cheng guessed her thoughts, Miao Miao—possessing the ability to read minds—had already received her answer.
This baffling answer had tormented her for a full year.
Just as she finally resolved to take that step and seek the answer, she realized that the step she had taken was the answer itself.
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