Chapter 180: Oh, Sorry, I Forgot You Don’t Have a Brain
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“Young Sect Master, look ahead! That looks like the flying ship of the Five Elements Dao Sect!”
Upon hearing this, Mu Ye excitedly stepped onto the deck.
Although the distance was far, she could vaguely make out the silhouette of a massive flying ship. From the glowing array patterns on its exterior, she could discern the name Five Elements Dao Sect.
Mu Ye’s smile brightened with joy.
“Wonderful! I’ll finally get to see Sister Yu again!”
It wasn’t Mu Ye who had spoken, but her close companion, Junior Sister Shen Fu. Yu Zhao’s outstanding performance during her sparring with You Fei had won over many disciples from the Green Wood Sect, including Shen Fu.
While the disciples of the Pill Hall and Medicine Hall were overjoyed, those of the Martial Hall could not muster a single smile. The thought of soon competing against Yu Zhao filled them with preemptive anxiety.
The flying ship continued its journey for another day and night before finally arriving at the Aspiration Pavilion. Without waiting for the ship to stabilize, Mu Ye, having already informed the Sect Leader and elders, eagerly jumped off.
The Five Elements Dao Sect’s ship had arrived earlier, and most of its disciples, along with those from the Tai Bai Academy, were already offboard, waiting as their Sect Leaders and elders conversed with the Pavilion’s hosts.
Mu Ye scanned the crowd but didn’t see Yu Zhao. Disappointed, she approached Zhou Jin Yue, someone she knew, and greeted her with composure.
“Senior Sister Zhou.”
Surprise flickered briefly in Zhou Jin Yue’s eyes before she greeted Mu Ye warmly. “Junior Sister Mu, it’s been a while.”
“Senior Sister Zhou, where’s Yu Zhao? Is she still on the ship?”
Though Mu Ye didn’t raise her voice, it was loud enough for those nearby to hear clearly. This drew the attention of the Five Elements Dao Sect’s disciples, their expressions varied.
“Yu Zhao isn’t with us,” Zhou Jin Yue replied, her smile dimming slightly.
Mu Ye was startled. “Why not? Is she not planning to participate in this competition?”
Zhou Jin Yue hesitated, unsure how to answer. Quan Ye interjected with a mocking laugh.
“Yu Zhao is wild and irresponsible. Unfit for any significant role, she’s been stripped of her right to compete. Hoping to see her in the competition? Impossible!”
Mu Ye frowned and turned to Zhou Jin Yue. She didn’t believe Quan Ye’s words; her trust lay solely in Zhou Jin Yue.
“Junior Sister Mu,” Zhou Jin Yue explained with a faint trace of helplessness, “Yu Zhao has indeed withdrawn from the sect’s competition. However, she will participate independently. You’ll see her soon enough.”
Mu Ye processed this, her expression thoughtful.
“She’s that discarded disciple of Master Qing Yan, isn’t she?” The voice of Li Jing Rang suddenly cut through. “Daring to join the grand competition of the cultivation world—doesn’t she fear being ridiculed?”
As Li Jing Rang’s comment echoed, Ye Cong Xin wished Quan Ye would punch him to silence him. Could he not realize his foolishness? Wasn’t it bad enough that the Five Elements Dao Sect already disliked him?
Unsurprisingly, the disciples of the Five Elements Dao Sect and Mu Ye’s expression darkened. Regardless of what Yu Zhao might have done, it was not up to an outsider to judge her.
Mu Ye, simply unable to tolerate anyone belittling Yu Zhao, rolled her eyes and retorted, “Who are you? I was talking to Senior Sister Zhou. What does this have to do with you?”
Though displeased, Li Jing Rang feigned magnanimity. “I am Li Jing Rang of the Tai Bai Academy.”
“Li Jing Rang? Never heard of you. Are you famous or something?”
Of course, Mu Ye knew exactly who Li Jing Rang was. As the Green Wood Sect’s Young Sect Master, she often dealt with other sects and kept tabs on their most outstanding disciples. However, the man before her didn’t match the descriptions of a refined, elegant scholar. Apart from his pale complexion, everything else was entirely wrong.
Rumors had clearly misled her.
Li Jing Rang’s smile faltered, unable to maintain his composure.
“This fellow Daoist, I have treated you with respect, yet you choose to insult me with your words. You claim I am insignificant—do you dare to reveal your own name?”
“What’s there to fear?” Mu Ye replied with a cheerful smile. “I am Mu Ye, the Young Sect Master of the Green Wood Sect.”
Li Jing Rang was stunned.
Her? The Young Sect Master of the Green Wood Sect? Impossible!
As he began to doubt Mu Ye’s claim, the Sect Master of the Green Wood Sect arrived, leading elders and disciples forward. Each disciple greeted Mu Ye respectfully, addressing her as the Young Sect Master as they passed by.
Li Jing Rang had no choice but to accept the truth. Though he was the eldest senior brother of the Tai Bai Academy, the Green Wood Sect was far superior, and Mu Ye’s status as its Young Sect Master gave her a level of prestige he couldn’t match.
“Junior Sister Mu…”
“Stop,” Mu Ye interrupted coldly, her tone devoid of warmth. “Address me as Daoist Mu or Young Sect Master Mu.”
“Daoist Mu, I meant no offense earlier. If I have upset you, I offer my apologies. Perhaps we can set aside our differences and reconcile?”
“There’s no need. Your offense wasn’t against me but Yu Zhao. Whether you deserve forgiveness is for Yu Zhao to decide.”
Her meaning was clear—Mu Ye was angry because Li Jing Rang had insulted Yu Zhao. A mere apology to her wasn’t acceptable.
The disciples of the Five Elements Dao Sect were astonished. They hadn’t expected the Young Sect Master of the Green Wood Sect to defend Yu Zhao so fiercely, even at the risk of a falling out with Li Jing Rang.
When had she and Yu Zhao grown close?
“Well said, Mu Ye,” Zhou Jin Yue exclaimed, clapping in approval. Her eyes gleamed with admiration.
Zhang Jun gave her a thumbs-up, while Fang Cheng Lang and Lan Zi Yu looked conflicted. They felt a growing shame. When Yu Zhao had been slandered, they hadn’t spoken up immediately. Instead, someone from an outside sect had stepped in to defend her.
The guilt wrapped around them like vines, tightening until it was hard to breathe.
“Mu Ye, Senior Brother Li didn’t say anything wrong. Why are you angry with him? You’re being unreasonable,” Quan Ye suddenly interjected.
Mu Ye had been about to let the matter drop, but Quan Ye’s interruption changed her mind. His reasoning was simple: he believed Mu Ye had been misled by Yu Zhao’s facade and felt compelled to expose the “truth” to clear Senior Brother Li’s name.
Ye Cong Xin felt exasperated. She realized she should have silenced not just Li Jing Rang but also Quan Ye.
“Silence!” Fang Cheng Lang rebuked coldly, glaring at Quan Ye. He turned to Mu Ye and said, “Young Sect Master Mu, please don’t mind my junior brother’s outburst.”
Quan Ye stiffened, clearly dissatisfied, but Mu Ye’s gaze swept over the two men as realization dawned.
“Oh, so he’s the lunatic who shattered Yu Zhao’s Dao foundation!”
“I’m not a lunatic!” Quan Ye roared, his face flushing red. “Yu Zhao framed me!”
“You’re claiming Yu Zhao destroyed her own Dao foundation just to frame you? Do you think I’m stupid, or do you think she is? If you’re going to lie, at least put some thought into it.” Mu Ye paused deliberately before adding, “Oh, I forgot—you don’t have a brain.”
“Pfft!” Zhang Jun couldn’t hold back his laughter, quickly covering his mouth with his hand.
Even Zhou Jin Yue wanted to laugh but managed to restrain herself. The frustration over Yu Zhao being unable to participate in the sect competition eased somewhat.
Some things Zhou Jin Yue couldn’t say, but Mu Ye had no such reservations.
Yu Zhao, you’ve made a truly loyal friend.