CHAPTER 76
The Holy Maiden's Maternal Family
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"Qinghan, brew some tea."
"Yes."
Shi Mingyi had lived a long life, but he had truly lived to see this day!
He felt like a father watching his daughter marry, filled with immense joy yet even more reluctance.
Su Cheng and Shi Mingyi sat facing each other across the table, locked in a long, wordless stare. Finally, Su Cheng broke the silence.
"Are you worried about Shi Yao, Elder Shi?"
Shaking his head, Shi Mingyi felt only regret—regret for not heeding Li Shiyao's advice to bring more gifts for the initiation ceremony!
These gifts were like a daughter's dowry upon marriage—the tokens of respect given by her family to bolster her standing!
Though he now understood Immortal Su deliberately concealed his cultivation level—likely dismissing such formalities—he couldn’t let Shiyao be looked down upon by fellow disciples, could he?
Shi Mingyi hadn't intended for Li Shiyu to outshine Ye Qinghan, but he couldn't let her appear pitiful either. Otherwise, people might think everyone from Holy Mountain had died out!
With Su Cheng's extraordinary talents, Lingxian Hall's fame spreading far and wide was only a matter of time. By then, the position of direct disciple would be priceless, and besides, Su Cheng likely wouldn't value such things anyway.
Shi Mingyi's mind was in turmoil. He hoped Li Shiyao would find a good home, yet feared the little fool might suffer injustice or cause trouble…
"Heh, given Immortal Su's supreme abilities, Shiyu's divine connection surely warrants no worry."
"I am but an ordinary cultivator, a mortal being. Founding a sect to pass on my lifetime's learning—that hardly qualifies as divine providence."
"Though Shiyu has her shortcomings, her heart is pure and free of malice. In accepting her as a disciple, I humbly ask for Immortal Su's understanding."
"I understand your concerns. Though Shiyu possesses the intellect of a child, this is precisely the path a Holy Maiden must walk. To care for all living beings, one must make sacrifices. But Second Elder, rest assured—I have my own ways to ensure her safety."
Hearing this, Shi Mingyi's regard for Su Cheng grew even stronger. He thought to himself: Indeed! Immortal Su is truly extraordinary!
Unbeknownst to himself, Su Cheng had also come to accept this little fool, Li Shiyu.
"Shiyao, come here."
Hearing her master call, Li Shiyu came running without delay.
"Master, I saw Second Elder bring so many delicious treats! Can you make something tasty for Shiyu?"
She ran to Su Cheng's side, shoving a live chicken into his hands as she spoke…
"Alright, go sit with Second Elder for a bit. He must have much to discuss with you." Su Cheng looked kindly as he took the still-flapping chicken from Li Shiyu's hands before walking away.
"Is Second Elder reluctant to part with Shiyu?" Li Shiyu's innocent expression made even awkward questions flow effortlessly from her lips.
"You've grown up so fast, Shiyu. Time flies."
"Second Elder, don't say things like that! In the stories Sixth Elder tells Shiyu, only people who are about to die say things like that!"
"Hahaha, I'll go beat him up later! Always telling our Holy Maiden those awful stories!"
Her laughter seemed genuinely contagious. With just two sentences, Li Shiyu had Stone Mingyi roaring with laughter.
"How is Lingxian Hall? How has Ye Qinghan treated you? And what about Master Su?"
Li Shiyu sat on the table with no regard for propriety, tilting her head as if pondering.
"Everything's been great. Sister Qinghan takes good care of me, and Master occasionally cooks delicious meals for us."
Shi Mingyi froze. He'd been curious about this since she mentioned it last time…
"You mean… Master Su personally cooks for you?"
"Elder Shi, are you being silly? There are only three of us in Lingxian Hall—of course it was our Master who cooked for us!"
Uh…
No wonder! When we brought the gifts into the courtyard earlier, no matter what treasures they were, Ye Qinghan didn't even glance at them. Only the food items were personally…
"Shiyao, do you know what your Master and Sister Qinghan like?"
Li Shiyu pondered for a moment: "Hmm… Master likes Sister Qinghan, and Sister Qinghan seems to like Master too."
She'd only recently discovered Sister Qinghan's feelings for Master. Sister Qinghan would sneak peeks at Master bathing and even wash his clothes.
As for the master liking Sister Qinghan, Li Shiyu simply believed any man should like her. If a man didn't like Sister Qinghan, he must be sick!
Shi Mingyi adjusted his expression. Wasn't that obvious? He knew the master and disciple liked each other. If they didn't, why would Su Cheng take Ye Qinghan in?
Besides, Ye Qinghan only behaved like a decent person in front of Su Cheng. Anywhere Su Cheng couldn't see, she was pure evil incarnate!
"What else? Does Shiyu know anything else?"
Li Shiyu tilted her adorable little face, deep in thought…
"Sister Qinghan likes money, or valuable things. Master seems to really enjoy calligraphy and cooking. Oh, and Sister Qinghan loves eating the meals Master makes—Shiyao loves them too!"
Shi Mingyi looked thoughtful, then summoned his men.
"Did you hear that? Follow the Holy Maiden's orders—return to the Holy Mountain and take whatever is valuable!"
"Shiyao didn't make any requests, and Master hasn't asked anything of Shiyao either."
"Shiyao, you don't understand—this apprenticeship isn't just about you!"
Li Shiyu suddenly jumped up, as if she'd thought of something incredibly amusing!
"Does Elder Shi want to become a disciple too? Then Elder Shi can be Shiyu's junior disciple!"
"I'll beat you up! Show some respect!" Elder Shi said, waving his sandbag-sized fists to scare Li Shiyu.
Now that Li Shiyu had joined the Lingxian Hall, she was acting all high and mighty!
"I'm part of Lingxian Hall now. If you hit me, I'll go tell Senior Sister!"
Master is Su Cheng! Senior Sister Ye Qinghan!
You dare hit Lingxian Hall's second disciple? Do you know how Pingyun Sect ended?
Hmph!
But Li Shiyao knew Elder Shi wouldn't lay a finger on her. All these years, the elders had treated her exceptionally well—even their own daughters hadn't been taught with such patience.
Shi Mingyi looked utterly helpless. This Li Shiyu hadn't even formally joined Lingxian Hall yet, and she was already picking up bad habits!
"I mean, when the Holy Mountain's Holy Maiden takes on a disciple, shouldn't there be some ceremony? If it's too shabby, Shiyu will be looked down upon in the Lingxian Hall, and the Holy Mountain will be disrespected too!"
"Senior Sister said Master's only requirement for disciples is to be happy every day. Master never pushes Senior Sister to cultivate either. Shiyu doesn't think anyone will look down on her."
Shi Mingyi pondered, You never mentioned this last time either!
"Have you ever seen Ye Qinghan cultivate?"
"Only once. Senior Sister practiced for a short while this morning before Master called her away to assist with something."
"Does Ye Qinghan rarely cultivate?"
"Sister Qinghan spends most of her time by Master's side, grinding ink for him or assisting with tasks."
"What about you?"
"Shiyao wanted to help Sister Qinghan, but she always refused."
"Why?"
"Last time Shiyu wanted to wash Sister Qinghan's clothes, Sister Qinghan said only she could wash the Master's garments—it wasn't Shiyu's turn…"
Shi Mingyi heard this! How could this be? She hasn't even formally apprenticed yet, and already she's trying to undermine my sacred maiden?
Shi Yao didn't understand. She thought Sister Qinghan was just diligent and loved working, not wanting her younger sister to do these chores.
But Shi Mingyi wasn't fooled. This was precisely Ye Qinghan's shrewdness! Thank goodness he'd asked—who knew what else might have happened otherwise!
"Now that Shiyu has joined Lingxian Hall, she can't be so carefree. She should learn from your sister Qinghan, right?"
"But Sister Qinghan won't let Shiyu do anything. She just makes sure Shiyu eats her fill, sleeps soundly, and plays freely."
"That won't do. What are you here for? Remember?"
Li Shiyu looked utterly serious, thinking Shi Mingyi's question was downright silly.
"To play with Sister Qinghan! What else?"
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