Chapter 073
Chapter 73: Truly Such a Pity
Ye He Qi gazed at Shi Zi Chu, whose captivating peach-blossom eyes drifted toward the distant horizon, shimmering with ambition and schemes, exceptionally dazzling.
Whether Su Zhu was naturally gifted as an alchemist was uncertain, but Shi Zi Chu was most likely a gu master.
Although those gu master clans had been annihilated overnight, records about gu masters still survived abundantly.
Most gu master clans passed their arts only to daughters, never to sons, which naturally elevated the status of women. Indeed, throughout history, the most renowned gu masters were all women.
In this way, Shi Zi Chu would have fit perfectly among those gu master families.
“Clan Chief Ye is unusually quiet,” a gentle and melodious voice broke the silence. Shi Zi Chu withdrew her gaze and smiled warmly as she met Ye He Qi’s inscrutable eyes, “I’m in a good mood today. You may ask me three questions free of charge.”
Free?
Really?
Though Ye He Qi was skeptical, he indeed had a few questions he wished to ask Shi Zi Chu.
“What do you feel, returning to your hometown?” Ye He Qi’s voice was mild and leisurely, sounding especially friendly.
Shi Zi Chu lowered her head, looking down toward Waterlight City, now vanished from sight, and lightly replied, “Clan Chief Ye has discovered quite a bit.”
Ye He Qi observed Shi Zi Chu quietly.
Yet, much information had been deliberately erased, leaving him only fragments.
“I haven’t returned for more than ten years; I almost didn’t recognize it,” Shi Zi Chu remarked wistfully, her tone nostalgic. “To tell Clan Chief Ye the truth, this is actually my first time coming to Waterlight City.”
Her true hometown was a remote and impoverished village, far, very far from Waterlight City.
Only after drawing Qi into the body could one be considered an entry-level cultivator. For a cultivator of such humble origins, traveling to Waterlight City from the village would take four or five days.
Seeing Shi Zi Chu’s honest expression, Ye He Qi fell into thought.
It seemed Shi Zi Chu’s background was even harsher than he had imagined.
“In the past, Father often spoke of Waterlight City. Back then, I used to think that when I grew older, I could visit the city with Father, but who knew…” Shi Zi Chu’s eyes dimmed slightly.
Ye He Qi studied her gloomy expression, feeling something was amiss.
Therefore, he doubted her sincerity on this matter.
Once Shi Zi Chu finished her moment of sorrowful reflection, Ye He Qi gently asked, “Were you close to your parents?”
Shi Zi Chu pondered briefly, then said, “I think so.”
She thinks so?
Ye He Qi couldn’t draw any useful information from that response.
“Last question.” Ye He Qi gazed at Shi Zi Chu, poised and elegant as always. “Where exactly is your hometown?”
Shi Zi Chu smiled playfully in return, “Clan Chief Ye is truly that curious about me?”
“Yes,” Ye He Qi admitted frankly.
It was perfectly natural to be curious about one’s own kind, and perhaps Shi Zi Chu had already obtained a thorough record of his life from elsewhere.
“Waterlight City, Water Lotus Town, Water Road Village.”
Seeing Ye He Qi’s searching gaze, Shi Zi Chu straightened, spreading her hands earnestly. “The truth.”
Heaven knows, this was indeed a rare instance of her telling the truth!
A village so obscure he’d never even heard of it—one could imagine how isolated it was.
Looking down at her delicate white fingers, Shi Zi Chu smiled softly, “If the chance arises, I’ll take Clan Chief Ye to visit someday.”
Ye He Qi nodded slightly.
Little did Shi Zi Chu know that the casual promise she made would soon come true.
Supreme Virtue City.
The cloud boat landed on open grounds belonging to the Ye Clan.
Su Zhu woke up as well, darting out of the cabin and immediately spotting Shi Zi Chu on the deck.
Watching the girl, barefoot and hurriedly clinging to Shi Zi Chu’s side, Ye He Qi momentarily didn’t know what to say.
[Could this really become the connection between the Ye Clan and Venerable Xing Lan?]
Shi Zi Chu gently smoothed Su Zhu’s somewhat messy hair and said softly, “Your big brother is still here.”
Su Zhu snapped out of her daze, and upon confirming she wasn’t dreaming, turned and nodded politely toward Ye He Qi, “Big brother.”
Ye He Qi didn’t mind Su Zhu’s attitude, but he indeed needed to discuss this matter with Shi Zi Chu.
Shi Zi Chu instructed gently, “Go put on your shoes. We’ve arrived.”
Su Zhu obediently nodded.
Descending from the cloud boat, Ye He Qi led Su Zhu toward the main hill.
Naturally, Shi Zi Chu wouldn’t attend Ye Clan’s internal meeting, so she leisurely decided to visit Liu Cui Yu.
Emerald Peace Hall.
With guards from Ye He Qi clearing the way, none of the maids dared stop Shi Zi Chu.
Thus, she walked unimpeded into the hall.
“Useless! A bunch of useless fools!”
Liu Cui Yu’s shrill voice echoed alongside the sound of breaking porcelain.
Entering, Shi Zi Chu saw shattered porcelain scattered all over the floor. Several maids knelt anxiously, while Liu Cui Yu sat on the main seat, bandages wrapped around her head and hands.
A strong medicinal scent lingered throughout the room.
Seeing Shi Zi Chu enter with her graceful, celestial beauty, Liu Cui Yu, whose own face had been destroyed, nearly lost control, shouting furiously, “Shi Zi Chu, you little wretch! Hurting Rou Rou wasn’t enough; now you’ve harmed me too! I’ll ruin your face!”
With vicious curses, Liu Cui Yu charged forward, spiritual power forming blades from her bandaged hands aimed at Shi Zi Chu’s flawless visage.
Two guards swiftly drew their swords, ready to intervene at any moment.
Shi Zi Chu remained completely calm, her gentle smile unchanging as she softly said, “Is Old Madam sure?”
Shi Zi Chu’s serene elegance made Liu Cui Yu appear even more desperate and crazed, like a madwoman.
Liu Cui Yu’s blade halted just inches from Shi Zi Chu’s face.
She suddenly recalled the Chu Clan’s fate.
Chu Zhi Sheng’s plot against Shi Zi Chu in the Eternal Night Forest had led Venerable Xing Lan to the Chu Clan seeking justice. If not for the Chu Clan ancestor’s timely intervention, Chu Zhi Sheng would likely no longer exist.
Shi Zi Chu smiled faintly and pointed gently to her cheek, her confident manner filling Liu Cui Yu with bitter resentment and murderous intent.
[I’ll definitely find a way to make this little wretch suffer!]
“My master isn’t lacking rejuvenation pills,” Shi Zi Chu said leisurely, folding her hands gently. “Unfortunately, rejuvenation pills are useless for Sixth Junior Sister now~”
The deliberately elongated ending carried clear mockery.
Seeing Liu Cui Yu’s vicious eyes instantly fill with worry and agitation, Shi Zi Chu continued, “Old Madam may not know, but Sixth Junior Sister’s injuries are grave. Without a spirit healing pill, she’ll remain crippled for life. Truly, such a pity~”
[Spirit healing pill?!]
Liu Cui Yu’s mind buzzed briefly before filling with joy.
The Ye Clan had spirit healing pills!
Her son indeed had spirit healing pills!
[Rou Rou can be saved!]
“Just you wait!” Liu Cui Yu hissed venomously, attempting to shoulder-check Shi Zi Chu on her way out.
However, Shi Zi Chu swiftly sidestepped, causing Liu Cui Yu to stumble forward awkwardly.
Watching Liu Cui Yu’s retreating back, Shi Zi Chu feigned apology, “Seems I’ve caused trouble for Clan Chief Ye.”
Despite her words, Shi Zi Chu’s eyes held no trace of remorse.
The guards following dared not comment.
After leaving Emerald Peace Hall, Shi Zi Chu returned to the south courtyard to wait for Ye He Qi.
Since Su Zhu hadn’t yet entered the clan records and given her relationship with Ye He Qi, she wouldn’t be able to leave the Ye Clan anytime soon.
Returning to her room, Shi Zi Chu sat down to meditate and regulate her breathing.
When finished, as she leisurely snacked, someone knocked at the door.
“Come in.”
With permission granted, Ye He Qi entered, followed by Su Zhu in a neatly fitted gown.
Shi Zi Chu popped a spirit pill into her mouth and chewed thoughtfully, eyes questioning Ye He Qi.
Ye He Qi briefly glanced at the porcelain vial in Shi Zi Chu’s hand, then calmly stated, “Two matters: one about Su Zhu, and another about the Old Madam.”
Shi Zi Chu nodded slightly, gesturing for both of them to come sit.