Chapter 14: A Flaw in Intelligence
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
At the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, in a tea room:
“Fairy, please have some tea,” Manager Liu offered the tea carefully.
“Thank you for your trouble,” Zhou Jin Yue replied politely, taking the tea and gently placing it on the table. Her gaze kept drifting toward the second floor.
Manager Liu was taken aback by her politeness and hurriedly said it was his duty, adding a stream of praises for her graciousness.
Inwardly, he was full of admiration. As the direct disciple of the Sect Master of the Five Elements Dao Sect, Zhou Jin Yue certainly carried herself with poise and decorum.
He had always thought of disciples of great sects as haughty, especially in a sect as powerful as the Five Elements Dao Sect. Every disciple there was undoubtedly exceptional and, therefore, prone to arrogance.
Manager Liu had encountered countless haughty disciples, including those like Su Ming, who brimmed with an air of superiority. Meeting someone as kind and approachable as Zhou Jin Yue was a refreshing change, and his smile became more sincere.
After delivering three plates of snacks to her table, Manager Liu tactfully retreated to avoid disturbing her. Zhou Jin Yue appreciated his discretion.
Her mind, however, was preoccupied with thoughts of resolving the conflict between Yu Zhao and Lone Moon Peak.
Although this matter technically wasn’t hers to handle, the special bond she shared with Yu Zhao made it impossible for her to turn a blind eye.
If she were unaware of Yu Zhao’s predicament, that would have been one thing. But now that she knew, she couldn’t just stand idly by. The problem lay in the status of Lone Moon Peak within the Five Elements Dao Sect—it was extraordinarily lofty. Even Zhou Jin Yue’s master, the Sect Master, had to show deference to Master Qing Yan of Lone Moon Peak.
Would intervening in Lone Moon Peak’s affairs anger Master Qing Yan?
Considering the delicate relationship between the Main Peak and Lone Moon Peak over the years, Zhou Jin Yue ultimately decided it wasn’t her place to interfere directly. Matters concerning Lone Moon Peak should be handled by their own people. After returning, she planned to discuss this with Fang Cheng Lang.
It was Fang Cheng Lang who had entrusted Yu Zhao to her care, emphasizing that she must look after the girl. Now, his sudden indifference was puzzling. She began mentally rehearsing her arguments for their upcoming conversation.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of light footsteps. Zhou Jin Yue immediately stood and walked toward the staircase, where she saw Yu Zhao and Su Ming descending.
Yu Zhao appeared emotionless, with a terrifying calmness, while Su Ming looked utterly dejected, as if mourning a great loss.
Zhou Jin Yue couldn’t help but smile. From the looks of it, Yu Zhao had not been at a disadvantage, and Su Ming had learned his lesson.
She was quite satisfied with the outcome.
“Senior Sister Zhou, let’s go back. It’s all been settled,” Yu Zhao said, eager to return.
Though she hadn’t retrieved the spirit stones, she’d gained something far more valuable. Her priority now was figuring out how to monetize a small portion of her newfound treasures without drawing attention to herself.
“Alright,” Zhou Jin Yue agreed with a raised brow and followed Yu Zhao to the door.
Just as they were about to leave, Su Ming’s quiet but menacing voice rang out from behind them.
“Yu Zhao, the Fifth Senior Brother is returning soon.”
Yu Zhao paused ever so slightly before continuing as if she hadn’t heard a word. Without turning back, she left decisively.
Su Ming sneered. She had suffered a heavy loss this time, with a third of her storage ring’s contents—his cherished possessions—gone.
Well, all but one item.
Did Yu Zhao think this was over? Not a chance.
Her nemesis, Quan Ye, was about to return from the minor secret realm to the Five Elements Dao Sect. Yu Zhao’s good days were numbered.
…
Elsewhere, Zhou Jin Yue and Yu Zhao were discussing the very person Su Ming mentioned—Quan Ye.
“Based on the timeline, Quan Ye should indeed be returning soon,” Zhou Jin Yue said.
Quan Ye, the fifth-ranking disciple of Lone Moon Peak and Yu Zhao’s Fifth Senior Brother, had been sent to train for a year in the Bramble Secret Realm and was due to return.
Yu Zhao remained silent.
Zhou Jin Yue sighed. She hesitated but eventually patted Yu Zhao lightly on the arm. “You know, the spot for the Bramble Secret Realm training was originally yours. Why did you give it to Quan Ye?”
The Five Elements Dao Sect controlled five secret realms, each aligned with one of the five elements. The Bramble Secret Realm, aligned with wood, was the least dangerous, richest in resources, and most suitable for Foundation Establishment disciples.
Every year, ten disciples were selected to enter, with the main criterion being that they must be in the Foundation Establishment stage.
Last year, Yu Zhao had successfully reached the Foundation Establishment stage and, with her status as a direct disciple of Master Qing Yan, had secured a spot. However, shortly before the departure, it was announced that her spot had been given to Quan Ye instead.
Though technically eligible, Quan Ye had already been to the Bramble Secret Realm during his own Foundation Establishment phase. The sect rarely allowed repeat entries due to the limited slots and the need to ensure broader access for all disciples.
Yet Yu Zhao had ceded her opportunity to Quan Ye, sparking dissatisfaction among her peers. To them, it was infuriating that someone could so casually forgo what they all coveted and give it to someone who had already experienced it once.
This incident marked the start of Yu Zhao’s decline in reputation within the sect.
Abruptly, Yu Zhao stopped walking and stared intently at Zhou Jin Yue. “Senior Sister Zhou, if I told you I didn’t give up that spot willingly but was forced to, would you believe me?”
Zhou Jin Yue was startled but nodded without hesitation. “I believe you!”
If Yu Zhao had said this a day earlier, Zhou Jin Yue might have had her doubts. But after witnessing Su Ming’s exploitation and attempted violence against Yu Zhao, she could no longer doubt the girl’s words. She felt only sympathy and concern.
“Senior Sister Zhou, how much do you know about Quan Ye?” Yu Zhao asked instead of explaining further.
After a moment of thought, Zhou Jin Yue replied, “A little. I’ve heard that Quan Ye has narrow meridians but vigorous qi and blood, making him naturally gifted in body cultivation. However, his combative nature and lack of restraint have led Master Qing Yan to forbid him from leaving Lone Moon Peak easily.”
Zhou Jin Yue, well-connected and popular among disciples, had a wealth of information. Yet even she couldn’t know everything, especially regarding Lone Moon Peak.
“That’s correct,” Yu Zhao said coldly. “Quan Ye’s combative nature has caused severe injuries to others during sparring, which is why Master Qing Yan restricted his movements to Lone Moon Peak.”
Zhou Jin Yue nodded. Her earlier description had been understated. In truth, she suspected that Quan Ye’s behavior stemmed from more than just a fiery temperament—she even doubted his intelligence.