Chapter 234: How Can a Big Man Be So Petty?
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“Zhao… ah—!”
Master Qing Yan had barely opened his mouth when his expression suddenly twisted in pain. His features contorted grotesquely, and his body convulsed, as if possessed by some malevolent spirit.
The crowd was terrified, retreating in alarm.
Even Yu Zhao was startled.
Could it be that Ye Cong Xin, driven into desperation, had prematurely drained Master Qing Yan’s luck? Or was this the result of some lasting injury that had left him mentally unstable?
Regardless of the cause, Yu Zhao told herself to stay as far away from Master Qing Yan as possible. Someone of his caliber losing control was dangerous—no amount of preparation could ensure her safety.
There was only one prudent course of action.
“Yao Wu Ji, Si Tu Xuan, let’s leave immediately!”
“Huh? Oh, yes, right,” they stammered in surprise before hurriedly nodding.
With a burst of light, the three turned into streaks of radiance, disappearing into the distance.
“Zhao’er… don’t go…”
Master Qing Yan took two steps forward but abruptly froze, convulsing once again.
The disciples of the Five Elements Dao Sect trembled in fear, seeking help from Zhou Jin Yue. “Senior Sister, what should we do?”
“Don’t panic. The Sect Master will arrive shortly,” she reassured them with a calm demeanor.
When Master Qing Yan first appeared, she had immediately sent a message to her Master. Initially, she had been worried he might harm Yu Zhao.
Now, it seemed that her concern should have been directed at Master Qing Yan himself.
The Sect Master Ji Yuan rushed to the scene, only to find Master Qing Yan in a deranged state, convulsing uncontrollably.
“Qing Yan!” he exclaimed in shock.
When he had last seen him at the Grand Elder’s, Master Qing Yan had been fine. How could he suddenly relapse?
There was no time to ponder. Supporting Master Qing Yan, he teleported to the door of Hermit Bao Hua’s residence.
“Bao Hua, Qing Yan has relapsed again!”
The door opened immediately.
Sect Master Ji Yuan strode in and, under Hermit Bao Hua’s guidance, placed Master Qing Yan on a bed in the side room.
Meanwhile, Sect Master Wu Sang hurried in from another courtyard.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
“I’m not sure. I received word from a disciple…”
As Sect Master Ji Yuan explained, Hermit Bao Hua carefully examined Master Qing Yan’s condition. His fluctuating expression and tightly furrowed brow gave her pause. Gathering her courage, she injected a thread of her divine sense into his body.
“Get out!!”
In an instant, her divine sense was forcefully expelled.
The impact caused her to stumble backward. Wiping the sweat from her brow, she announced, “I’ve found the cause.”
Both Sect Master Ji Yuan and Sect Master Wu Sang looked at her intently.
“Master Qing Yan’s soul power has suddenly increased for some unknown reason, exceeding the limits of his sea of consciousness. This has led to erratic behavior and emotional instability. Given time to adjust, he will recover fully.”
Relief washed over Sect Master Ji Yuan, though a sense of unease lingered—tinged with suspicion toward Ye Cong Xin. What had she done to Master Qing Yan? How could she achieve what even the greatest hands of the cultivation world had failed to do, turning a perilous situation into an opportunity for his soul to grow stronger? It was almost unbelievable.
“Just as before, avoid provoking him. Let him adjust naturally,” Hermit Bao Hua advised.
Sect Master Ji Yuan nodded repeatedly.
By the time Master Qing Yan regained control over his body, rumors of him publicly calling Yu Zhao “Zhao’er” and behaving as if possessed had already spread throughout the Five Elements Dao Sect.
Fang Cheng Lang, confined to solitary reflection, remained oblivious.
However, the news stirred mixed reactions among those on Lone Moon Peak.
Lan Zi Yu, Su Ming, and Quan Ye gathered privately to discuss the matter.
Su Ming was the first to speak. “Do you think Master regrets it? Could Yu Zhao be our junior sister again?”
“She already had you sweeping the grounds, and you still want her back?” Lan Zi Yu shot him a sideways glance.
Su Ming’s expression flickered briefly, but he quickly regained his confidence. “She punishes me because she cares.”
Lan Zi Yu sneered. “Keep lying to yourself.”
Unconvinced, Su Ming retorted, “Second Brother, don’t pretend. I know you want Yu Zhao back too. You couldn’t even hide the Purple Cloud Bamboo Flute in your sleeve.”
Lan Zi Yu shoved the flute deeper into his sleeve, scowling. “She thinks she can leave whenever she pleases and come back just as easily. Does she think Lone Moon Peak is a joke? Master should make her suffer more!”
Quan Ye chimed in, annoyed. “Second Brother, why are you being so petty? You’re a grown man!”
Both Su Ming and Lan Zi Yu turned to him in surprise.
“Fifth Brother, weren’t you the one claiming Yu Zhao was an imposter before? Why are you defending her now?”
Quan Ye shrugged. “If even Master says she’s Yu Zhao, then she’s Yu Zhao. I must’ve been mistaken before.”
“Mistaken? You misled me! If not for you, I could’ve reconciled with Yu Zhao ages ago!” Su Ming fumed.
As their voices rose, Lan Zi Yu stepped in to stop the brewing argument. “Enough! Quit bickering! The question is whether or not we want Yu Zhao to come back.”
“Of course, we do!” Su Ming exclaimed, raising both hands in agreement.
Quan Ye huffed. “I agree too.”
Lan Zi Yu nodded. “Since you’re both in favor, Eldest Brother and Fourth Brother likely won’t oppose either. I’ll visit Master when he’s free and share our thoughts. Yu Zhao can return, but she can’t act as recklessly as before. Attacking her brothers is unacceptable.”
Quan Ye mumbled under his breath, “I don’t mind if she hits me…”
“What did you say?” Lan Zi Yu’s gaze darkened.
“I said I have no objections. I’ll follow your lead, Senior Brother.”
Lan Zi Yu’s expression softened slightly.
Su Ming added eagerly, “And when she comes back, she should limit her interactions with outsiders. We’re her closest family. Who knows what ulterior motives outsiders might have?”
Lan Zi Yu found Su Ming’s suggestion agreeable and nodded. “Third Brother makes a good point. Disciples of Lone Moon Peak should support each other like family.”
Buoyed by Lan Zi Yu’s support, Su Ming rattled off more ideas in excitement: Yu Zhao shouldn’t use illusion techniques to prank others even when angry, no unwarranted silent treatments, and she shouldn’t take back gifts she had given.
The group grew more enthusiastic as they debated.
In the shadows, Cui Jue listened, suppressing a laugh.
He had also been present when Yu Zhao left, blending into the crowd without making his presence known. He knew Yu Zhao had no desire to see him and refrained from spoiling her mood.
He had witnessed Master’s lofty demeanor crumble into retreat, and he was certain of one thing.
Master regretted it.
Just as he did, though it was too late.
What could be done? Broken mirrors couldn’t be mended, and spilled water couldn’t be reclaimed.
Cui Jue had resolved to atone for his mistakes with his entire life. Yet, unlike him, his three junior brothers still indulged in their fantasies, dreaming of using rules to bind Yu Zhao.
They didn’t realize that Yu Zhao had already undergone a rebirth, unwilling to tread the same old path.
A mocking smirk tugged at Cui Jue’s lips as he turned and slipped away silently.
He wouldn’t warn them.
Let them enjoy their dreams a little longer.
Let them feel the bitter sting of waking from those dreams later.
It was his final act of mercy toward his fellow disciples.