Chapter 168: Little Radish
This novel is translated and hosted only on BCatranslation
Ye Cong Xin was utterly frustrated with the trio but worked hard to maintain the image of a thoughtful and considerate junior sister. With her mediation, Lan Zi Yu and the other two finally quieted down.
In the Main Hall, Fang Cheng Lang knelt with his gaze slightly lowered, his expression a mix of penitence and regret.
“Cheng Lang, I’m deeply disappointed in you,” Master Qing Yan said with a stern tone.
Fang Cheng Lang knocked his head against the floor in silent acknowledgment, not offering a single word in his defense.
Master Qing Yan’s dark eyes, as unfathomable as a deep pool, glanced at him. After a long silence, he spoke, his voice low and deliberate, “You must take first place in the upcoming sect competition.”
Fang Cheng Lang replied in a steady voice, “This disciple will give his utmost effort.”
“Dismissed.”
“Yes.”
Before leaving, Fang Cheng Lang, for reasons unknown, chose to close the hall doors behind him. The grand hall was immediately shrouded in dimness. The vast space, now eerily silent, seemed almost lifeless.
Master Qing Yan sat in a chair crafted from the finest treasures of the cultivation world. A profound sense of solitude suddenly washed over him. He had always been someone who disliked noise and commotion.
Years ago, an old acquaintance had entrusted him with Fang Cheng Lang’s care, leaving him no choice but to accept his first direct disciple. Not long after, Lan Zi Yu was sent to the sect by the old sect master, who didn’t want his talents wasted. This led to Lan Zi Yu joining Lone Moon Peak.
Having accepted one disciple, then another, Master Qing Yan stopped resisting the idea of taking in students. However, his requirements were strict, and over the years, he had only accepted five disciples. The additions of Yu Zhao and Ye Cong Xin were unexpected exceptions.
Yu Zhao.
Master Qing Yan unconsciously thought of her name, and her determined expression surfaced in his mind.
“Ugh…”
Abruptly, he groaned in pain, veins throbbing on his forehead, his face flushed unnaturally.
Why?! Why does my head ail me every time I think of Yu Zhao? Could there be some unknown connection between us?
Outside the hall, the group awaited Fang Cheng Lang’s return.
“Senior Brother, Master didn’t punish you, did he?” Lan Zi Yu asked immediately, concern in his voice.
“Master is magnanimous; he wouldn’t bother with my trivial mistakes.”
The group fell silent. Not a single one believed his words. However, seeing no sign of discomfort on Fang Cheng Lang’s face, they couldn’t press further. As usual, Ye Cong Xin broke the awkwardness.
She smiled brightly, her eyes curving into crescents. “Senior Brother, we passed the preliminary round today—it’s a joyous occasion! Why don’t we all celebrate in the bamboo grove?”
“I agree!” Quan Ye exclaimed enthusiastically.
Lan Zi Yu and Su Ming were less enthusiastic but didn’t want to spoil the mood, so they didn’t oppose the suggestion. However, Fang Cheng Lang declined, shaking his head. “You all go ahead and celebrate. I need to visit Ah Jue.”
“Senior Brother…”
“Junior Sister, enjoy yourselves,” Fang Cheng Lang said, cutting her off with a gentle yet firm tone before turning to leave.
Quan Ye muttered in dissatisfaction, “Senior Brother is so inconsiderate.”
Ye Cong Xin forced a smile. “It’s fine. Even if Senior Brother doesn’t join, the four of us can still celebrate.”
“Junior Sister,” Su Ming interjected, “I think we should forget about it. With just the few of us, there’s really nothing worth celebrating. Let’s save it for another time.”
Su Ming’s words resonated with Lan Zi Yu, who added, “Su Ming is right. Let’s wait until Cui Jue has recovered, and then we can celebrate together.”
“Hey! What’s the meaning of this? Junior Sister meant well, and now none of you want to go? How is that fair?” Quan Ye protested.
In five years, many events had unfolded, yet Quan Ye knew none of them.
He only saw that Fang Cheng Lang, Lan Zi Yu, Su Ming, and even Cui Jue—who was recuperating in the cave—had started to distance themselves from Ye Cong Xin, whether intentionally or not. This left him thoroughly irritated.
Su Ming rolled his eyes. “I’ll go if I feel like it. If I don’t, I won’t.”
Lan Zi Yu was even more curt, throwing his sleeves back as he walked away.
Su Ming snorted, dragging his steps and swaying with every move before leaving as well.
Quan Ye’s face darkened.
His Second Senior Brother and Third Senior Brother had never taken him seriously.
One day, he would make them regret bullying him.
Just then, soft sobbing suddenly came from nearby.
Startled, Quan Ye turned to see Ye Cong Xin crying like a pear blossom drenched in rain.
He was at a loss, clumsily trying to comfort her. “Little Junior Sister, don’t cry. You look terrible when you cry.”
Ye Cong Xin almost choked on her tears from sheer indignation.
“Fifth Senior Brother, I must not be doing well enough. That’s why Eldest Senior Brother and the others don’t like me anymore,” she said, suppressing her anger as she sobbed.
“If they don’t like you, then you can just not like them back.”
Ye Cong Xin was momentarily stunned. Her eyes darted before she continued her lament. “I know I’m not as smart or capable as Senior Sister Yu. That’s why they all like Senior Sister Yu and not me. But I feel so sad…”
“Yu Zhao? She’s stirring up trouble again, isn’t she?” Quan Ye’s eyes turned fierce. “I knew that imposter wasn’t up to any good. Wait here. I’ll go get justice for you.”
Before Ye Cong Xin could stop him, he stomped off toward the mountain, ignoring her attempts to call him back.
Ye Cong Xin was dumbfounded.
She only wanted Quan Ye to comfort and sympathize with her, not to confront Yu Zhao.
Frustrated, she stomped her foot in annoyance.
This time, she learned her lesson. Quan Ye was utterly brainless. She couldn’t afford to be too indirect with him, or it would backfire.
Meanwhile, Quan Ye stormed into the inner courtyard like a whirlwind.
Xiu Luo and the others had just returned from the training grounds and weren’t cultivating yet. Instead, they were chatting in small groups about the day’s qualification trials.
Quan Ye’s sudden arrival immediately put them on alert.
“Where’s Yu Zhao? Tell her to get out here now!”
Standing at the base of the mountain, Quan Ye roared, his anger palpable. His robes stretched taut over his muscular frame, emphasizing his solid build.
The inner disciples turned to look at Xiu Luo and Feng Qi Yun, who were known to be close to Yu Zhao.
“You, Xiao Luo, right? Tell me where Yu Zhao is!”
Recognizing Xiu Luo from her earlier presence near Yu Zhao, Quan Ye demanded in a gruff tone.
Xiao Luo?
Feng Qi Yun and the others, who had planned to coldly deal with Quan Ye’s provocation, almost broke their composure upon hearing that nickname.
What kind of ridiculous name was Xiao Luo?
To come up with such a nickname for Xiu Luo—absolute genius!
“Your father’s the ‘little radish’! Your whole family are ‘little radishes’!”
Xiu Luo’s face turned red with fury.
Her petite figure was a sore spot for her, and she despised being called small. Now, not only had Quan Ye insulted her size, but he’d also given her such a terrible nickname.
Clearly, he was mocking her!
“Huh? Why are you insulting people?”
Quan Ye was genuinely confused.
But Xiu Luo had already clenched her fists and charged at him. “You’re asking for a fight!”
Quan Ye’s eyes lit up with excitement. He immediately forgot about Yu Zhao and swung back with his fists, ready for a brawl.
Bang!
Nearby, Lan Zi Yu and Su Ming—who had split ways earlier—met again and were now awkwardly staring at each other. Hearing the commotion, their expressions shifted dramatically.
“Not good! That’s Quan Ye! He’s after Yu Zhao too! Could they already be fighting?”
“Let’s hurry!”