CHAPTER 6
The First Disciple Beyond the Immortal Hall
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"Impossible. His sect is right there. If he lost his sect, would he really take Ye Chenmeng out to beg for food?"
The elder looked equally puzzled. Cheng Liang’s account made perfect sense.
"That shack? I had it searched three times. That Su Cheng took everything—even the pots and pans. He definitely moved out!"
Cheng Liang slammed his palm hard on the table, roaring, "Bunch of useless fools! With so many of you, you couldn't keep tabs on a worthless废物 with no cultivation?"
"Take more men this time. Search the entire vicinity!"
"Yes, sir!"
The next day, Su Cheng went out to buy groceries as usual, but this time, Ye Qinghan accompanied him.
Compared to the cool, revealing attire of Lingxian Hall, Ye Qinghan had changed into a slightly more conservative dress, claiming it was to match her master's low-key style.
In truth, Ye Qinghan simply didn't want outsiders to get a free look—that was a special privilege reserved for her master.
"Master Su, is this your daughter? She's so beautiful!" The vegetable vendor nearby couldn't help but comment upon seeing Su Cheng.
"Auntie, do I look that old? This is my disciple!"
As Su Cheng spoke, he glanced back at Ye Qinghan, as if asking her if she thought he looked old too.
Ye Qinghan giggled beside him, saying nothing, offering no defense. She rather liked her master this way—quite amusing.
"I'm telling you, I won't be picking greens from my stall anymore! These past few days, I've even splurged on buying meat! Old Wang from the butcher shop said you got married!"
【That old fool, spreading rumors! I'm never buying meat from him again!】
"Qinghan, perhaps next time I should handle the shopping myself. This place is full of vulgar language—it's not conducive to your cultivation!"
Ye Qinghan hadn't realized her master's original poverty meant he'd actually begging for food…
But upon hearing the words "taken a wife," her cheeks flushed slightly. Master… would he be willing to take her as his wife?
"Master, it's fine. If I remain under your protection forever, how will this disciple ever grow?"
【I wish you’d be this sharp in other matters! You’re clearly just trying to catch me in a blunder!】
"What's the young lady's name? She's truly lovely! Who would've thought that Su Cheng would be so blessed!"
The matron rested her chin on her hand, thoroughly pleased with what she saw—as if appraising a future daughter-in-law!
"Auntie, my name is Ye Qinghan. Meeting my Master is the greatest blessing of my life."
Ye Qinghan was unfazed, replying casually.
"Su Cheng, what did you threaten her with? Or did you trick her?"
"What's wrong with me taking on a disciple?"
"What could you possibly teach her? If you had any real skill, would you be here every day picking up vegetable scraps from me?"
Su Cheng was speechless. That was precisely his persona!
Ye Qinghan had ruined his persona!
He was harmless as a lamb! He might have no dignity, but at least he kept his life, right?
"Auntie, you've misunderstood. Qinghan wasn't threatened or tricked. It was only after Qinghan knelt at Ling Mountain for an entire day that the Master agreed to take her as a disciple."
Hearing this, the old woman grew even angrier!
"Such a beautiful child, and you made him kneel for a whole day! Have you no shame?!"
"Not Qinghan—shut your mouth…"
【My dearest Qinghan! Please stop causing trouble!】
Ye Qinghan perked up at this! Heh heh~
"Auntie, Master really treats Qinghan well. He even feeds Qinghan from time to time!"
The old woman reached behind her for the stick: "He abuses you, doesn't he? Only gives you a meal every now and then? Come on, Qinghan, I'll take you to report him to the authorities!"
"Qinghan, I'll end up dying by your hands sooner or later."
Ye Qinghan laughed so hard she shook like a leaf: "Auntie, ordinary officers couldn't possibly catch my master."
"They can catch him! They can catch him!" Su Cheng hurriedly interjected from the side. "Ugh! Why would they arrest me?!"
"Auntie, the point is, Master is actually incredibly powerful. Otherwise, how could Qinghan have chosen him as her teacher?"
"How powerful?"
"Very powerful! Qinghan admires him deeply!" Ye Qinghan blinked her big eyes, making it sound like gospel truth!
The old woman narrowed her eyes, sizing up Su Cheng. He was certainly tall enough, but as for any real talent… she couldn't tell.
"Qinghan, Master will take you out for a meal. Let's not chat with her anymore, okay?"
"Really?" Little stars sparkled in Ye Qinghan's eyes! She seemed genuinely excited about eating out.
"Mhm."
"Auntie, Qinghan will chat with you next time. Master is taking Qinghan out to eat!"
The old woman waved cheerfully, but her expression changed completely when her gaze fell on Su Cheng…
They hadn't walked far when someone called out Ye Qinghan's name.
"Miss Chenmeng?"
Ye Qinghan pretended not to hear, dismissing it as mere barking. Her master had bestowed the name Qinghan upon her—and now someone dared call her Chenmeng? Looking for trouble?
Su Cheng, however, turned back and appraised the person approaching.
"Master Su, it's an honor to meet you."
The visitor was none other than Lu Cheng, the Second Elder of the Heavenly Dao Pavilion.
"Elder Lu? Seeking my disciple for business?"
"Indeed. The Sect Leader has urgent matters to convey to Miss Chen Meng." Lu Cheng bowed his hands. If not for the crowd present, he wouldn't have bothered to give this good-for-nothing any courtesy.
Su Cheng curled his lips. "Qinghan, he's here for you."
"Master isn't seeking me—he's looking for Miss Chen Meng. This disciple knows no Miss Chen."
"You must be joking, young lady."
Ye Qinghan realized this Second Elder couldn't understand subtle hints—she'd have to communicate with him bluntly!
"I'm not joking with you, you old fool! My name is Ye Qinghan! It was bestowed upon me by my Master! Do you understand?"
"If you're looking for Miss Chen, go find her somewhere else! I don't know her!"
Su Cheng was also startled by Ye Qinghan's sudden outburst. She felt like Ye Qinghan's fangs had practically bared when she spoke just now…
Su Cheng suddenly remembered—this woman was Ye Yanwang. Before seeking vengeance, before letting go of her hatred, the only difference between her and the villains was that she still showed some courtesy toward her master.
"Qinghan, Qinghan! Second Elder didn't know any better! Calm down, calm down."
"What Second Elder? I've given him far too much face! Master, don't stop me. If I don't teach him a lesson today, I'll be too furious to sleep tonight when I review my moves!"
Similarly, this display left Lu Cheng speechless…
Lu Cheng couldn't fathom it. How could this Chen Meng girl, having followed Su Cheng for only a few days, seem like a completely different person?
But Lu Cheng could do nothing about it. She was the woman the Sect Leader had chosen. What could he possibly do?
"Miss Qinghan, I apologize for my rudeness."
Ye Qinghan paid him no mind, instead listening intently to her master's thoughts, afraid he might be upset that someone had called her Chen Meng.
"What business do you have with Qinghan? Speak now."
"Er…" The Second Elder was dumbfounded. Could he possibly say this in front of Su Cheng?
[Heh, nothing more than a thief's heart refusing to die. I saw this coming!]
【If Qinghan wishes to leave…】
[Consider the Six Rites as a parting gift. With them, even by Cheng Liang's side, she might forge a different path.]
Ye Qinghan, to be honest, couldn't bear to listen anymore. While she had indeed thought that way initially, plans had changed now. This master—she wanted him too!
"I should step aside?" Su Cheng began to turn away, but Ye Qinghan grabbed his arm.
Ye Qinghan heard this and thought, Are you trying to play this divide-and-conquer tactic on me?
"You're playing dirty, kid!"
"Master needn't step aside. Lu Cheng, is it? Go tell Cheng Liang that Miss Chen is dead. Tell him to give up that notion!"
"Since Qinghan has chosen this master, even if this master dies, Qinghan will follow him in death!"
[That guy was looking at me earlier. Why does this sound like it's meant for me?]
Su Cheng tilted his head, surprised by Ye Qinghan's unwavering resolve. Shouldn't she have gotten what she wanted already?
【Qinghan, your master truly didn't misjudge you. Rest assured! Entering the Lingxian Hall may bring some shame upon me, but I swear—once you're there, I won't let Qinghan lose to anyone!】
Even if I have to shower you with rare treasures, I'll cultivate you into a Demon Emperor who can rival anyone!
Ye Qinghan finally breathed a sigh of relief. If her master really got led astray by this guy, things would be bad!
Thankfully, she reacted swiftly and remained resolute!
Others tame beasts, but I tame masters!
Before she could celebrate, Cheng Liang's First Disciple arrived—in a villainous entrance so cliché even Su Cheng couldn't be bothered to mock it…
"I've long heard rumors of the Sect Leader harboring feelings for a fox spirit outside the sect. Little did I know it truly was a fox spirit!"
The tall woman pushed aside the Second Elder, stepping forward like a master, locking eyes with Ye Qinghan.
"Miss Chenmeng…"
SMACK!
Before she could finish her sentence, Ye Qinghan delivered a sharp slap!
"Didn't you hear me? My name is Ye Qinghan!"
"You… you… you!" The girl seemed stunned, unable to believe Ye Qinghan would dare strike her.
Smack!
Another slap!
"I'll say it again: my name is Ye Qinghan, not 'you, you, you'!"
"Hey, hey, hey! Qinghan, this is Master Cheng's First Disciple—Shangguan Rou!" Seeing Ye Qinghan about to strike again, Su Cheng quickly pulled him behind him, terrified the guy would start a fight with Cheng Liang's First Disciple…
"Su Cheng! How dare your disciple strike me?"
"Damn it!"
Ye Qinghan's arms were held by Su Cheng, but his legs weren't restrained. Su Cheng lost his grip, and the First Disciple delivered a swift kick!
"How dare you speak my master's name! Do you think I'm giving you face?"
Cheng Liang's First Disciple had never encountered such a situation before. Before she could even dodge, she was kicked hard into the ground…
Ye Qinghan couldn't care less anymore. Breaking free from Su Cheng's grip, he was ready to fight!
"I am Ye Qinghan, the First Disciple of the Lingfrost Hall!"
"And you have the nerve to ask how dare I hit you? Let me tell you!"
"I'm not good at talking sense, but I sure love beating people up! Got a problem with that?"
Ye Qinghan was utterly ruthless. The Second Elder, a cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage, stood nearby now as docile as a child, not daring to breathe a word.
【Alright, Cheng Liang will eventually pin this on me. At least I've got plenty of debts to worry about—he wouldn't have spared me anyway.】
【Qinghan, give it your all! Otherwise, your master's death will have been in vain!】
Heh! Su Cheng, who thought Ye Qinghan couldn't hear him, spoke the words she most wanted to hear right now!
Her entire being was no longer filled with spiritual energy—it was brimming with pure, raw combat desire!
Ye Qinghan feared nothing more than Shangguan Rou escaping. She remembered it all too well—last time, right before her eyes, Cheng Liang had dared to kick her master!
This debt, Ye Qinghan would settle sooner or later!
Ye Qinghan was still scheming inside! I haven't come for you yet! You came first, huh?
"Why aren't you pretending anymore? Keep pretending, and see if I don't beat you!"
"I'll kill you!"
Shangguan Rou was furious beyond control, reaching for her sword as she spoke. Su Cheng beside her remained unperturbed. As long as he didn't intervene and no one died, this would just be a disciple sparring match, no matter how much chaos it caused.
Ye Qinghan thought to himself, Oh? Pretty cocky! You're just a man's pet. Fighting?
"Master, is this person a fool?"
"Qinghan, since Miss Shangguan wishes to spar, accompany her. You're sisters—why such hostility?" Su Cheng smiled. He had no doubt Ye Qinghan would lose. That dummy corpse was still lying in the Lingxian Hall!
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