Chapter 37: Ye Chen and the Bright Moon Sect

Su Yao stood with her arms crossed, her face etched with unconcealed defiance. She had always held her grand-uncle in high regard and would never allow outsiders to speak ill of him; she had even helped Xiao Chenxin suppress the embarrassing incident involving the gifting of his Supreme Bone.

And now, with her "sycophant" level dialed up to the maximum?

Defensiveness!

It was absolutely necessary to defend him!

Su Yao cast a cold, sharp glare at Qiu Changsheng, as if she were ready to carve him up on the spot. Qiu Changsheng shivered involuntarily, then offered a forced, conciliatory smile.

"It was merely a reminder. If you don't wish to hear it, that is fine."

Before he could finish, Su Yao retorted with biting sarcasm, "Then I also advise your sect to recruit more female disciples. I, too, am merely offering a reminder. If you don't wish to hear it, that is fine."

Seeing Su Yao acting so combative, Xiao Chenxin quickly stepped forward, pulled her to his side, and transmitted his voice to her, "Su Yao, don't cause trouble. You are acting as my disciple right now; just cooperate with me so we can secure the secret realm first."

Su Yao pouted, clearly reluctant, and transmitted back, "But I really can't stand him! Who is he to point fingers at my grand-uncle? Who does he think he is? Where does he get the nerve! No, I’m going to properly discipline the Sword-Wielding Immortal Sect later. I have plenty of dirt on them!"

Seeing her so incensed, Xiao Chenxin urged, "Forget it, let's leave first. You can deal with those things when we return. If we don't go now, I shall be angry—and you know the consequences of making your grand-uncle angry."

Su Yao immediately grabbed Xiao Chenxin’s arm, shaking it coquettishly. "Master, don't lower yourself to his level. I heard the spirit beef here is excellent and has nourishing properties. Let me treat you to it! I wonder if that person who likes pointing fingers has anyone willing to treat him to a meal."

With a cold snort directed at Qiu Changsheng, Su Yao dragged Xiao Chenxin away. Once their group had departed, Qiu Changsheng finally let out a long, hidden sigh of relief. "That was close! I almost drew my sword."

No one knew why Qiu Changsheng was sighing, nor could they fathom his thoughts. But among the disciples of the Sword-Wielding Immortal Sect, they had already reached their own conclusions.

"Our Senior Brother is truly magnanimous! Even after being spoken to like that, he kept his cool and didn't hold it against them."

"Exactly. That peak master is hardly a decent person. Our Senior Brother was clearly offering a well-intentioned reminder, and yet he still gave our Senior Brother a cold look."

"Actually, they act that way because they know it only makes our Senior Brother look more generous."

"Senior Brother, stop sighing. The world is vast, and you’ll find all sorts of birds in it."

Xiao Chenxin, unaware of the scene behind him, followed Su Yao down into the mortal city below.

***

Before the food was even served, Su Yao began her performance.

"Grand-uncle, I see you aren't sitting comfortably; let me conjure something more suitable for you."

"Grand-uncle, have some tea; I poured this myself."

"Grand-uncle, are your legs tired? Are your shoulders sore? Would you like me to massage them for you?"

"Grand-uncle, don't be angry at that fellow from earlier. When I get back, I’ll teach them a lesson! I’ll make the Sword-Wielding Immortal Sect realize we are not to be trifled with."

"Oh, and grand-uncle, do you want to hear some gossip about the Sword-Wielding Immortal Sect? I know so much!"

...

Having shed her status, Su Yao was the epitome of a sycophant, terrified that Xiao Chenxin might feel even the slightest bit of displeasure.

Ling Hu and Meng Yao, sitting in the room, felt as if they were on pins and needles. This was the Saintess of the Yaoguang Holy Land! A figure usually so high and mighty that all living beings looked up to her, yet today, she was acting in such a manner. She was fawning so hard it was almost unrecognizable!

The two of them dared not look, nor did they dare commit a single detail to memory. The Saintess had many virtues, but one fatal flaw: she held grudges. This was a secret tip passed down to every disciple who joined the Yaoguang Holy Land by their "seniors." Apart from the grand-uncle, no one who offended the Saintess managed to avoid being sabotaged later.

Meng Yao peeked left and right, noticing that all the tasks she could have done had been snatched up by Su Yao. She could only keep her head down, occasionally stealing an envious glance at Su Yao before quickly looking away.

Unlike Meng Yao, Ling Hu, who had already played the part of a sycophant once before, was far more experienced. She sat upright, staring at the teacup in her hands as if it contained some profound secret realm or boundless destiny, looking utterly engrossed.

Su Yao, who was currently kneading Xiao Chenxin’s shoulders, suddenly spoke up. "Grand-uncle, I just received news from my disciples. Fu Lin'er has already brought Ye Chen to the Bright Moon Sect and is currently waiting for the next spirit boat to reach the Cloud Sea. Should we go over and stir up some trouble?"

As she spoke, Su Yao couldn't help but lick her lips in excitement. This was a perfect opportunity to take revenge on Ye Chen! *Who told you to attack my grand-uncle back then? Who told you to launch a sneak attack on him? Today, you’re just getting what you deserve!*

Xiao Chenxin, however, wore a solemn expression, lost in thought. They had traveled via spirit boat and spatial formations, a method of travel that was already incredibly fast. For Ye Chen, a man severely wounded, to reach the Bright Moon Sect in just over a day with Fu Lin'er's help—he must have stumbled upon some fortune left by the Heavenly Dao along the way. Otherwise, they could not have arrived so quickly.

This meant the Heavenly Dao had not yet given up on Ye Chen. The Bright Moon Sect would surely have the means to heal him, and they would certainly do so! If he were to interfere now, and the Heavenly Dao decided to cheat by directly restoring Ye Chen to full health, his situation would become difficult.

***

Once a "Son of Fortune" begins to grow, he is no longer someone an ordinary person can handle.

Finally, Xiao Chenxin shook his head and said, "No, Ye Chen’s injuries must be treated here. After all, the Bright Moon Sect holds a status similar to ours among the righteous sects, and we have some influence over them. Even if Ye Chen is taken in by the Bright Moon Sect, we can manage it. We cannot let him defect to an even more powerful sect."

Su Yao nodded immediately. "I listen to you, grand-uncle. I have no objections!"

Xiao Chenxin added in a low voice, "However, we must pull some strings during the process. We cannot let it go too smoothly for him."

As he spoke, the corners of Xiao Chenxin's mouth curved slightly upward.

Hearing this, Su Yao’s heart leaped with joy. *My grand-uncle’s level of cunning is now no less than mine! This is proof that he approves of my methods! Yes! It must be! I have surely gained my grand-uncle’s approval!*

...

Bright Moon Sect, Cloud Sea Hall.

Fu Lin'er carried Ye Chen off the spirit boat and approached a disciple. "Exalted one, please, I beg the Bright Moon Sect to heal my brother."

The disciple didn't even look up; a thread of spiritual energy suddenly flickered out and latched onto Ye Chen's pulse. He frowned after observing for only a moment.

"His spiritual energy malfunctioned during cultivation, damaging his meridians... and he was severely wounded by someone else. Hiss... it's a miracle he's even alive. Tell me his name so I can register him."

Fu Lin'er quickly replied, "Fu Lin'er."

As the disciple was about to record it, he suddenly frowned. "I asked for his name, not yours. First, let me be clear: the Bright Moon Sect has three conditions for refusal. First, we do not save those who betray their masters or ancestors and commit heinous acts. Second, we do not save members of the demonic cult. Third, we do not save those who are lawless and slaughter mortals."