Chapter 71: The Sneaky Apprentice

The next day, just after breakfast, Hong Zun and Qingshi were called to the Sect Master’s main hall by Qi Xiong.

"Brother Qingshi, are you used to the Profound Heaven Sect?"

First, he showed concern. Hearing this, Qingshi nodded with a smile.

"It's all quite good. I also like the atmosphere of Sword Peak."

"That's good."

After a few polite words, Qi Xiong got down to business and looked at Hong Zun.

"Junior Brother, Near-Sea Camp is also about to rotate. This time it's your Sword Peak’s turn."

Hearing this, Hong Zun was stunned, and then his face changed drastically. "Damn, how could I forget this?"

Guarding Near-Sea Camp, all the disciples of the entire peak must go, unless there are special circumstances. This is nothing, but what about Changqing?

He can't go! And Hong Zun can't enter Near-Sea Camp, which means he won't see Ye Changqing for at least another year.

Seeing Hong Zun’s reaction, Qi Xiong asked.

"What's wrong, Junior Brother?"

"No, nothing. I forgot about this."

Hearing this, Hong Zun showed a forced smile. Seeing this, Qi Xiong always felt he was strange, but didn't delve into it, just nodded.

"Then Junior Brother, start preparing and go to Near-Sea Camp to hand over with the Jade Maiden Peak disciples as soon as possible."

"Okay."

Guarding Near-Sea Camp is definitely unavoidable. Now Hong Zun is thinking about how to keep Changqing and not let him go to Near-Sea Camp.

After setting things up, Hong Zun and Qingshi left. Until they returned to Sword Peak, Hong Zun was frowning.

To this, Qingshi asked suspiciously.

"What's wrong with you? Did you lose your soul?"

"You're senile. Didn't you hear about the rotation of Near-Sea Camp just now?"

"What's that? This is a sect rule. Besides, it's just guarding Near-Sea Camp, and there's no great danger. What are you worried about?"

Qingshi thought Hong Zun was worried about the safety of the disciples, but to this, Hong Zun cursed angrily.

"I'm not worried about this. It's Changqing! Guarding Near-Sea Camp, all the disciples of the entire peak must go, except for special circumstances. Changqing is no exception."

As soon as these words were spoken, Qingshi reacted. "Holy crap, this is a big deal."

"What should we do without Changqing?"

"I actually forgot about this."

"That's why you can't do anything. You really can't do anything, but you're first in eating."

Saying this angrily, he turned and entered the cave. Qingshi saw this and chased after him, saying at the same time.

"Hurry up and think about how to keep Changqing. He can't go to Near-Sea Camp."

"Isn't that what I'm thinking about?"

The two entered Hong Zun’s cave one after another, but they didn't notice at all that Xu Jie, who happened to pass by not far away, heard everything.

Xu Jie didn't care much about Near-Sea Camp. After all, he had been there before. In his opinion, it was just changing a place to cultivate.

What really made Xu Jie care was that Master didn't seem to want Junior Brother Changqing to go together. "How can this be?"

Immediately, Xu Jie turned around and came to Liu Shuang’s cave. Lu Youyou and Wang Yao happened to be there too.

Seeing the three women, Xu Jie looked anxious.

"Something big happened!"

Hearing this, the three women all looked at Xu Jie, bewildered. What kind of major event could have turned him into such a state?

"Have you forgotten about the rotation for the Near-Sea Camp?"

"We haven't forgotten. We've been prepared for a long time, just waiting for Master's order."

Lu Youyou replied with a strange look. It was just the Near-Sea Camp, so why was he so nervous?

"No, I mean Master intends to keep Junior Brother Ye Changqing behind. Think about it—if Junior Brother Ye doesn't go to the Near-Sea Camp, won't we be unable to eat for an entire year?"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the three women changed, and they became equally nervous.

"Then what should we do?"

"That's right, I can't manage without Junior Brother Ye."

"Me neither."

"That's why I came to discuss it with you all, to see what can be done."

"But the decision Master has made..."

Hong Zun wanted to keep Ye Changqing. Even though Xu Jie and the others were his personal disciples, one could not twist a thigh with an arm; there was no easy solution.

After some deliberation, the four of them ended up with furrowed brows. Only after a long silence did Xu Jie seem to think of something, and he spoke to the three women in a mysterious tone.

"To stop Master, it's impossible for us alone, so we must borrow external force."

"External force?"

"Yes, get someone who can stand toe-to-toe with Master to step in."

After the four of them whispered for a while, satisfied expressions appeared on their faces; clearly, they had found a way.

Afterward, Xu Jie left Divine Sword Peak alone and headed to the Main Peak. Unexpectedly, he didn't go to the Technique Hall or the Elixir Hall, but went straight to the Law Enforcement Hall.

Inside the Law Enforcement Hall, Shi Song, who was in the middle of cultivating, was stunned to hear that the third disciple of Divine Sword Peak, Xu Jie, requested an audience. He then replied without hesitation.

"I will not see him."

"But Hall Master, that Xu Jie says he has an important matter to report to you regarding Divine Sword Peak."

Hmm? What kind of medicine was he selling in this gourd? The third disciple of Divine Sword Peak coming to the Main Peak's Law Enforcement Hall to report on Divine Sword Peak?

After pondering for a moment, Shi Song changed his mind.

"Bring him in."

"Yes."

Soon, led by a deacon of the Law Enforcement Hall, Xu Jie met Shi Song.

Xu Jie wasn't actually familiar with this Second Elder of the Main Seat. After all, someone who was always stone-faced, rigid, serious, and in charge of the sect's Law Enforcement Hall wouldn't be liked by the disciples, and Xu Jie felt the same.

But this time, seeing Shi Song, Xu Jie wore a smile and bowed respectfully.

"Disciple Xu Jie greets the Second Elder."

This kid is acting strange. Why is he smiling like a rotten persimmon?

He grew wary inwardly, but on the surface, he asked calmly.

"You said you had something regarding Divine Sword Peak to report to me?"

"Yes, and it is a very important matter."

"Speak."

Shi Song didn't want to waste time and went straight to the point. Xu Jie, having prepared his words, straightened his expression.

"It is like this: the rotation for the Near-Sea Camp has arrived, and this time it is Divine Sword Peak's turn."

"Just now, the disciple inadvertently heard Master say that he wants to keep a portion of the Divine Sword Peak disciples behind."

"Isn't this a violation of sect rules? Guarding the Near-Sea Camp is something all disciples must do. This is a sect rule, and Master is knowingly violating it..."

"Wait a moment."

Xu Jie was speaking incessantly, but before he could finish, he was interrupted by Shi Song, who looked at him with a strange expression.

"You... are here to report your master, Hong Zun?"

For a moment, Shi Song looked at Xu Jie as if he were full of rebellion. This kid had a sinister look; he was no good.

To this, Xu Jie maintained an expression of righteous indignation.

"That is correct. The disciple is here to report his master. The Elder might think the disciple has a rebellious heart, but the disciple has absolutely no selfish motives in this matter."

"All I have is a heart loyal to the sect. As a Peak Master, he knowingly violates the sect rules. As a disciple of the Dao One Sect, even if it is my own master, I should uphold justice over family."

"This is what is in the disciple's heart. I walk upright and sit straight; I do not fear what others think of me."