Just as Zhang Mingyuan was feeling thoroughly uncomfortable under the elders' bizarre gazes and touching, dramatic speeches, the sound of rushing wind approached from the distance, accompanied by crisp, loud shouts.
“Master! Master! Master!”
A flash of sword light drew an incredibly flashy arc across the sky before landing steadily in the center of the plaza.
The newcomer was dressed in white, with a face as smooth as jade, sharp sword-like eyebrows, and bright, starry eyes. He was none other than Zhang Mingyuan's sole personal disciple, Chu Jinghong!
The Jinghong Sword beneath his feet had been forged by Zhang Mingyuan himself years ago. Light rippled across its blade, making it clear at a glance that it was no ordinary weapon.
“My good disciple, come here! Let Master see if you've been practicing your swordplay diligently while I was away!”
Zhang Mingyuan immediately put on his masterly air, a gratified smile gracing his face. He prepared to stage a touching display of teacher-disciple affection to dilute the awkward atmosphere from moments ago.
However, after Chu Jinghong landed, his feet seemed glued to the spot by magnets, and he didn't take a single step toward his master.
His eyes were wide and round, staring straight at the mountain of treasures. His mouth hung slightly open, and drool was practically dripping from his chin.
Zhang Mingyuan's hand, which had been reaching out to pat his disciple's shoulder, froze awkwardly in midair.
The atmosphere grew tense and awkward once more.
“Rebellious disciple! Your master is speaking to you!” Zhang Mingyuan's face darkened, and he barked in annoyance.
“Oh, oh! Master, I'm here!” Chu Jinghong shuddered, finally snapping out of his daze.
He rushed over to Zhang Mingyuan in a few quick strides, first scanning him from head to toe. Seeing that although his master looked a bit “haggard,” he was still heroic and carried an extraordinary aura, he couldn't help but feel immense admiration in his heart.
As expected of Master! Even after being humiliated like that by the Red Dust Immortal, his elegance remained undiminished! He thought to himself: Sigh, these treasures must have been earned by Master working tirelessly night after night, diligently plowing the fields to get them from Master's Wife! Master has truly worked hard!
At this thought, Chu Jinghong's gaze shifted, becoming identical to those of the elders—filled with respect, sympathy, and a deep sense of “we all understand.”
With a face full of sincerity, he grabbed Zhang Mingyuan's hand and said with deep emotion, “Master... you must take good care of your health over at Master's Wife's place!”
“Pfft—”
Zhang Mingyuan nearly coughed up a mouthful of blood.
He violently flung Chu Jinghong's hand away and pointed at his nose, roaring, “What ‘Master's Wife’?! And what do you mean ‘take care of my health’? Do you even know how to speak, boy?!”
Halfway through his rant, he suddenly remembered something. His eyes widened, and his fury flared even hotter.
“Wait, damn it, it was you! Last time, you were the one who yelled ‘Master's Wife,’ which led to that crazy woman dragging me away! I haven't even settled that score with you yet!”
Hearing this, Chu Jinghong instantly looked as if he were the most wronged soul in the world, waving his hands in a panic. “Master, I'm innocent! How can you blame me for that?!”
“Why can't I blame you?! If you hadn't shouted nonsense, would your master be in this state today?” Zhang Mingyuan fumed, his beard twitching with rage.
“Wrong! Completely wrong!”
Chu Jinghong suddenly straightened his back and said with a serious expression, “Master, not only can you not blame me, but you actually have to thank me!”
Zhang Mingyuan was so infuriated by his rebellious disciple's words that he actually laughed.
“Heh! You little brat, you've grown bold, haven't you? If you don't give me a proper explanation today, I'm going to pull off my belt and beat you to death!”
“Master, listen to my analysis!” Chu Jinghong cleared his throat, posing like a master strategist.
“Think about it. If I hadn't shouted ‘Master's Wife’ that day, making her embarrassed enough to take you away early, what would have happened if she had stayed here in Qingyun Heaven?”
Confused, Zhang Mingyuan frowned at him.
Chu Jinghong raised a finger and spoke eloquently, “Look, she only stayed here for a brief moment, and your ten-thousand-acre spiritual fields were completely obliterated. If she had stayed any longer, she might have carried our entire Qingyun Heaven sect away! My shout was a timely stop-loss!”
“And most importantly!”
Chu Jinghong's tone shifted as he pointed at the pile of treasures, his voice rising an octave, “Although you might have suffered some... ahem, humiliation and hard work in Myriad Snow Palace, look at how many treasures you brought back! Can any of these be bought with spirit stones? You used a mere ten-thousand-acre spiritual field to trade for half of her treasury!”
He concluded with resounding emphasis, “Master, you made an absolute profit!”
“...”
Damn!
After hearing this, Zhang Mingyuan was completely dumbfounded.
This actually... seemed to make some sense?
No, wait, absolutely nothing about this was right!
What on earth was going on?
Zhang Mingyuan stared at his precious disciple, his mind in complete disarray.
He clearly remembered that when he first picked this kid up from the foot of the mountain, he was an honest, well-behaved child.
How had he turned into this fast-talking, logic-bending rascal?
Who on earth did he learn this from?
“Rebellious disciple, you've gone completely out of character, do you know that?!”
“Alright, shut up!”
Zhang Mingyuan rubbed his temples, having a headache. He couldn't be bothered to argue with him further.
“Stop spouting this nonsense to your master. I returned today simply to bring these spoils back first.”
He cleared his throat, turned around to face all the elders and disciples of Qingyun Heaven, and announced in a clear, loud voice:
“In truth, that Su Jinxue is a fool! She believes she has imprisoned me in Myriad Snow Palace, but little does she know, this is akin to releasing a tiger into the mountains, or appointing a monkey to guard a peach orchard!”
As soon as these words left his mouth, he couldn't help but admire his own quick wit.
See? Didn't he just save his own face?
He continued, “I must return to Myriad Snow Palace after today. For now, store these items in the sect treasury. Use what needs to be used, distribute what needs to be distributed, and do not hold back! Once I have completely emptied Myriad Snow Palace, that will be the day of my official return!”
His speech was grand and stirring.
Zhang Mingyuan had successfully beautified the humiliating fact of being “imprisoned” by Su Jinxue into a grand strategic move of infiltrating enemy lines to fleece Myriad Snow Palace!
Hehehe, as expected of him!
However, as his voice faded, a bizarre silence fell over the plaza.
Everyone present, from the elders to the disciples, and even his rebellious disciple Chu Jinghong, stared at him with eyes that said, “We understand, we truly do.” Their expressions were filled with an indescribably complex mix of emotions.
The Grand Elder was the first to step forward, cupping his hands with a solemn and pained expression. “Rest assured, Sacred Lord! While you endure humiliation on the front lines, we will firmly guard the rear! During your absence, this old man will manage all affairs of Qingyun Heaven, ensuring you have no worries about the home front!”
The smile on Zhang Mingyuan's face froze.
Wait, what was with that look? Why did it feel even more off than before?
Forget it, there was no point in overthinking. These people probably had something wrong with their brains.
He had more important things to do right now.
He had to make a trip to Spring-Return Valley!
Last time, it was that wretched girl Bai Lumian who had concocted some bizarre medicine for Su Jinxue, causing him to be drugged and end up making a complete fool of himself!
This was simply outrageous!
He had to go settle this score personally!
Rate on N.U.
