Chapter 83: Fooling Children
============================================================
Two stunning beauties, dressed in new clothes and wearing new hats, strolled through the streets of Dingzhou City. They practically became a tourist attraction in the city.
Even diners in restaurants paused mid-meal to come out and see just how stunning they were!
"Master Su." Shi Mingyi stood at the inn entrance, bowing his hands toward Su Cheng.
Su Cheng nodded in acknowledgment. What surprised Shi Mingyi, however, was that Ye Qinghan actually gave him a slight bow!
He was merely the Third Elder!
How could he possibly deserve such respect?
They say a mother's status rises with her son's achievements. Shi Mingyi never imagined he'd actually bask in Shi Yao's glory in his lifetime!
He thought to himself: All these years of effort by Shi Mingyi have not been in vain… Shi Yao! You are this elder's pride!
"Elder Shi, do you think Shiyu is pretty?" Li Shiyu, wearing an innocent housewife expression, twirled around in front of Shi Mingyi, holding the hem of her skirt to show off her new dress.
"Beautiful! Beautiful! Our Shiyu looks beautiful in anything!"
Thanks to the Holy Maiden joining Lingxian Hall, Shi Mingyi's status on the Sacred Mountain rose accordingly. To be precise, he had effectively seized all the power.
Nearly all dealings with the Lingxian Hall and matters concerning the Holy Maiden fell under his purview.
It even bordered on the emperor holding the court hostage. However, among the elders, he was indeed the one who interacted most frequently with the Lingxian Hall and was also quite doting toward Li Shiyu.
Su Cheng smiled and led Ye Qinghan away first. Likely, Shi Mingyi was also eager to inquire about Li Shiyao's recent circumstances.
Shi Mingyi, however, pulled Li Shiyu back into the room. "Shiyu, how have these days been?"
As soon as Shiyu entered, she picked up Elder Shi's teacup, took a generous sip without hesitation, and poured herself another cup.
"How have I been? Pretty good, actually."
"Could you tell the Elder? How has Sect Leader Su treated you? How has Senior Sister treated you?"
Though Shi Mingyi was delighted that the Holy Maiden had joined Lingxian Hall, the elders of the Holy Mountain—himself included—had been deeply concerned about Li Shiyu these past days.
"Master treats Shiyu… well, it's complicated. On the plus side, he won't let her wash his clothes! On the downside, he has given her many treasures and even a mysterious cultivation technique."
Though Shi Mingyi didn't understand what washing clothes signified, those treasures and mysterious techniques…
"What treasures? What cultivation techniques?"
"The six gifts Master bestowed upon Shiyu—each is a treasure surpassing even celestial quality! Senior Sister said we must tell no one!" Li Shiyu tilted her little head up, looking utterly smug!
Shi Mingyi heard this! Good! Right, right!
Not tell anyone! That's exactly right!
Though Shi Mingyi didn't recognize those innate treasures, he could tell Ye Qinghan's sword case was no ordinary item!
Never mind the sheer size of that sword case, capable of expanding and contracting at will—the flying swords stored within were of a grade beyond estimation!
Immediately, Shi Mingyi began scrutinizing Li Shiyao…
"This garment looks extraordinary, radiating divine energy and Taoist aura…"
"Of course! My senior sister and I each have one. Hers is the Glass Silk Water-Sleeve Dress, while Shiyu's is the Graceful Shadow Glowing Skirt."
Shi Mingyi thought to himself, Just as I suspected!
"Huh? Why is Shiyu carrying that filthy bell? Aren't you afraid of staining your clothes?" Shi Mingyi had watched Li Shiyu grow up since childhood. Dealing with this little scatterbrain? He was practically a pro!
Li Shiyu fell for it instantly: "Master gave this to me too. He said I absolutely must never part with it, never let anyone touch it, and never tell anyone…"
Mid-sentence, Li Shiyu snapped out of it!
"Second Elder, you tricked Shiyu into talking! You're so mean!"
"I didn't! You said it all yourself!" Shi Mingyi roared with laughter. Shiyu had grown up—now she could catch on mid-sentence!
Shi Mingyi scrutinized it carefully. He recalled Li Shiyu mentioning that Sister Qinghan even bathed with her sword at her side. He could make a rough guess about this bell too.
"Shiyao, have you been drinking?"
"No, only last time when I accompanied Sister Dongfang to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion…"
"Then why are you carrying a wine gourd if you don't drink?"
"It's not a wine gourd. Master gave it to me, but I don't know how to use it. He just said I should figure it out myself."
Shi Mingyi thought to himself, She's still just a child after all…
But if Master Su gave Shiyu this magical artifact, why didn't he teach her how to use it?
"Shiyao? Didn't you ask your senior sister how to use it?"
"Senior Sister said that although Master cooks for Shiyu, he won't spoon-feed her."
"Haha, you clearly didn't understand."
"Yeah, I was talking about the magical artifact, but my senior sister was talking about eating. How could I understand that?"
Li Shiyu said this with a look of genuine hurt on her face. But her hurt wasn't because her senior sister wouldn't help her—it was because she didn't understand what her senior sister was talking about…
"Just listen to what Sister Qinghan says. I don't think she'd ever harm you either."
"Of course! Senior Sister is so kind to me. She spent a fortune redeeming my mother's bracelet, you know? And she's usually so stingy with money! That's why she loves me so much! But I love her too!"
Shi Mingyi smiled inwardly, thinking: Truly, she is worthy of being the Holy Maiden!
Originally, Holy Mountain had planned to petition the Heavenly Dao Pavilion to accept Li Shiyu. But now, the Holy Maiden had found a far better home.
Everything seemed destined. The Holy Maiden, with her childlike innocence, had befriended the cunning, domineering fox demon and joined the Lingxian Hall—a place that held the Heavenly Dao in utter contempt.
Shi Mingyi had intended to advise Li Shiyu to seek a master, reasoning that assisting her master with tasks within her capabilities was only natural and would strengthen their bond.
But upon reflection, Li Shiyao was simply this kind of person. Master Su and Ye Qinghan most likely cherished her precisely for being this way.
Master Su certainly didn't need someone to wash his clothes, and Ye Qinghan likely wouldn't want anyone competing for her master's attention. The current situation was probably best for the Holy Maiden.
Master Su showed no favoritism, and Senior Sister Ye made no effort to target her. On the contrary, both treated her with utmost care.
Given this, offering unsolicited advice would only be superfluous and counterproductive.
"Huh? What's that ringing?" Shi Mingyi had long noticed the bells on Li Shiyu's ankles. Compared to the bell, these appeared even more extraordinary.
Though merely two bells strung on a red cord, the silver-white bells were enveloped in Taoist aura. As Li Shiyu had said, they were clearly treasures far surpassing the Immortal Grade.
"This was given by my master… Second Elder, my senior sister said anyone inquiring about magical treasures isn't a good person! Second Elder, what are your intentions?"
"Oh my, young lady! What possible motives could I have?"
Shi Mingyi couldn't shake the feeling that this fellow had somehow grown sharper since returning from the Lingxian Hall…
But upon closer inspection, Shi Yao seemed to carry only these four treasures. The other two were likely stowed away.
According to Shi Yao, the hidden ones weren't even the best. The true treasures were the ones she never parted with.
"Second Elder, are you after Shi Yao's treasures?"
"Young lady, you might as well take my old life instead!"
Shi Mingyi's heroic expression of readiness to die for his cause also eased Li Shiyu's guard.
"Second Elder, my Master and Senior Sister have repeatedly emphasized that these treasures are more precious than my life. You absolutely must not harm me!"
============================================================