Chapter 068
Chapter 68: Clan Chief Ye, Why Not Ask Me?
Ye He Qi’s voice was gentle, his tone slow and deliberate. “Because of Daoist Xing Lan’s teachings, the Chu Clan hasn’t raised objections.”
“Does this mean that the Ye Clan Elders and ancestors now hold grievances against Clan Chief Ye?” Shi Zi Chu tilted his head, his long hair flowing over the chair as he settled.
“I naturally trust Daoist Shi,” Ye He Qi sighed, his brows furrowed with a hint of concern. “But if things continue this way, even disagreements will become the least of our worries.”
Not long after Shi Zi Chu was severely injured, Xing Lan nearly tore apart the Chu Clan. The Chu Clan’s ancestor had to personally leave seclusion to host Xing Lan, preventing their destruction. Yet now, Chu Zhi Rou, that fool, had gone to beg Xing Lan for help!
Shi Zi Chu couldn’t even muster the will to comment on her actions. That piece on the board was now completely useless. The link between the Ye Clan and Xing Lan had to be replaced.
Shi Zi Chu could never be that piece. She was more treacherous than a sieve, and for her, betraying others was the least of her faults. What he needed was someone controllable to bridge the Ye Clan and Xing Lan.
After a brief silence, Shi Zi Chu decided not to expose him.
“Clan Chief Ye,” Shi Zi Chu began.
Ye He Qi lowered his gaze to meet hers.
“Why not ask me for help?” Shi Zi Chu smiled, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “I’ll resolve this immediate crisis for you.”
Although Ye He Qi’s true thoughts were a mystery, he lowered his gaze and humbly spoke, “Please, Daoist Shi.”
“…” Shi Zi Chu’s lips twitched. His words had been far too casual, and there was no joy in having tricked him.
Ye He Qi glanced up, noticing the surprise in Shi Zi Chu’s expression, and smiled gently, “It’s just a word. Do you think I cannot speak it?”
“To someone as proud as Clan Chief Ye, I thought…” Shi Zi Chu smiled faintly.
Ye He Qi chuckled lightly. “It’s just a word, after all. There’s no loss in it.”
If bowing his head or playing the part of the pitiful could yield benefits, it would not be beneath him to do so.
“Wait for three days. I’ll go to Supreme Virtue City after that,” Shi Zi Chu said, resting her head on her arm. “But…”
Xing Lan knew her temperament, and whether Xu Zhou Ye would suffer was unclear. As for Chu Zhi Rou, she would most likely be left unscathed, for Xing Lan had plans to let her handle things personally.
Seeing the look in Ye He Qi’s eyes, Shi Zi Chu smiled lightly. “Sixth junior sister probably won’t be in any trouble.”
“But didn’t Daoist Shi already pick someone?” Ye He Qi’s smile was gentle and poised.
The young lady, a branch of the Ye Clan, who resembled Chu Zhi Rou, had likely already been selected when Shi Zi Chu asked him to find someone.
It was a perfect strategy—undermine Chu Zhi Rou’s position, silence his objections, and redirect all the resources invested in her to the young lady.
Three birds with one stone.
“Does Clan Chief Ye like her?” Shi Zi Chu asked, her smile sweet.
Ye He Qi smiled softly. “Of course.”
The young lady was of Ye Clan blood, tied to them by natural bonds. Meanwhile, Chu Zhi Rou had no such connection to Ye Clan—if not for her worth…
The smile in Ye He Qi’s eyes deepened, and his gaze, warm like blooming peach blossoms, lingered on Shi Zi Chu. “I will remember this favor from Daoist Shi.”
Shi Zi Chu returned a soft smile. “Clan Chief Ye, just don’t trick me twice, and we’ll be fine.”
“…I’ll try my best.”
Meng Xi Yu and the others returned, and Shi Zi Chu leaned back against the chair while Ye He Qi sat elegantly beside her. It seemed their conversation had concluded.
Yao Ruo Ruo walked over and sat beside Shi Zi Chu, speaking in a low voice. “Zichu, I just thought of something. If we sneak into the back mountains like this… could it…”
Venerable Xing Lan was not one to be easily approached, and if they were blamed for this, their sins would be great!
Shi Zi Chu, seeing the unease in Yao Ruo Ruo’s eyes, could only shake her head helplessly.
“I’m staying there,” Shi Zi Chu pointed to the distant eastern pavilion.
Yao Ruo Ruo looked in that direction, her eyes widening in surprise.
Ye He Qi glanced toward the grand, luxurious palace and slightly raised an eyebrow. Typically, the main peak was where the peak master resided, and personal disciples had their own separate residences. Yet here, Shi Zi Chu had a place on the main peak, in the eastern pavilion. Venerable Xing Lan’s favoritism towards Shi Zi Chu was far beyond expectation.
“I told her, but she didn’t believe it.” Meng Xi Yu’s voice was cool.
Venerable Xing Lan’s favoritism was already widely known.
But that was something they would understand later.
Shi Zi Chu patted Yao Ruo Ruo’s hand on her lap. “Want to take a look inside? Does that make you believe me?”
Yao Ruo Ruo now believed her.
“Don’t mind me, Ruo Ruo,” Shi Zi Chu continued, “When I met my master, I had just lost both my parents. Back then, I couldn’t bear to stay alone at Vigilance Peak. Master pitied me and allowed me to stay in the eastern pavilion.”
Shi Zi Chu squeezed Yao Ruo Ruo’s hand affectionately.
Yan Zhou Bai’s gaze softened with pity as he looked at Shi Zi Chu.
Yao Ruo Ruo felt a pang of guilt. “Sorry, Zichu, I brought up your sad past.”
Shi Zi Chu smiled gently. “It’s fine.”
Sitting beside them, Ye He Qi observed Shi Zi Chu, his peach blossom eyes deep in thought.
Shi Zi Chu and Jiang Wan Sheng had known each other for a long time. That much was certain. They must have met before Shi Zi Chu entered Jade Void Sect.
Though Shi Zi Chu’s past was erased, Jiang Wan Sheng’s wasn’t. Ye He Qi’s instincts told him that her past had been quite the story.
“We should head to the front mountain hall,” Shi Zi Chu said, looking over in that direction. “I wonder how things are going. Sixth junior sister doesn’t seem well.”
It was time to check on the situation.
No one objected.
At the front mountain hall, they arrived just as Xing Lan stepped out.
Not seeing Chu Zhi Rou and the others, Shi Zi Chu raised her gaze with curiosity.
Ye He Qi and the others greeted Xing Lan with a formal bow.
Xing Lan raised a hand to signal them to stand. Turning to Shi Zi Chu, she spoke, “I’ve gone to the Execution Hall.”
Shi Zi Chu nodded.
Good. She used to be a regular at the Execution Hall, and now they were the ones there. Time to have a little fun!
“Should Hua Ting Li be expelled from the sect?”
Xing Lan’s voice, cool and low, suddenly rang out.
Shi Zi Chu’s head jerked up in surprise, her eyes wide with confusion. This wasn’t a private matter!
What exactly was he planning?
Seeing her stunned expression, Xing Lan’s lips curved into a barely perceptible smile.
Ye He Qi and the others stood still, but their minds were racing.
“Fourth Junior Brother’s crime doesn’t warrant death?” Shi Zi Chu hesitated, considering her words carefully, as her mind whirled with thoughts on what Xing Lan could possibly mean.
“Up to you.”
Shi Zi Chu studied the tall, imposing figure of Xing Lan, his cold and domineering aura pressing down on her. Suddenly, she realized something.
Xing Lan’s nature was strong-willed, with a core of stubbornness and indifference. The bond between her and Xing Lan was already half in the open, so he must have a possessive streak.
Considering things from Xing Lan’s perspective, there was Jiang Wan Sheng, who had known her for years, Meng Xi Yu, who had once wished to be her Dao companion, and Yan Zhou Bai, whose feelings for her remained uncertain.
After thinking it over, Xing Lan restrained herself.
“Then… disciple…”
Xing Lan’s cold voice cut through Shi Zi Chu’s words, “Go back and rest.”
After all that injury, did she still want to run around? One day, they’d settle everything.
“Oh,” Shi Zi Chu dropped her head, her voice faltering.
Xing Lan remained unmoved.
Yao Ruo Ruo, sensing the oppressive silence, leaned forward and whispered, “Zichu is fine. We’ll come back to visit you another day.”
“Alright~” Yao Ruo Ruo hummed, but said nothing more.