Chapter 71: Old Six's Disciple

Just after breakfast the next day, Hong Zun and Qing Shi were summoned by Qi Xiong to the Sect Master's hall.

"Brother Qing Shi, are you still used to being in the Dao Yi Sect?"

He had shown concern first; upon hearing that, Qing Shi smiled and nodded.

"Everything's pretty good; I also like the atmosphere of Divine Sword Peak."

"Then that's good."

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

"Junior brother, the Jinhai Yingdi is due for rotation soon; this time it's your Divine Sword Peak's turn."

Upon hearing this, Hong Zun first froze, then his face changed drastically—Damn, how did I forget this?

Garrisoning at Jinhai Yingdi requires all the peak's disciples to go, unless there are special circumstances—normally that's no problem, but what about Little Ye Zhangqing?

He can't just leave, and moreover, Hong Zun can't enter Jinhai Yingdi, meaning he won't be able to see Ye Zhangqing again for at least a year.

Seeing Hong Zun's strong reaction, Qi Xiong asked.

"What's wrong, junior brother?"

"Nothing, nothing, I just forgot about this."

Upon hearing that, Hong Zun forced a smile; seeing this, Qi Xiong felt something was off but didn't press further, merely nodding.

"Then junior brother, get ready and go to Jinhai Yingdi as soon as possible to hand over with the Jade Maiden Peak disciples."

"Okay."

Garrisoning at Jinhai Yingdi is unavoidable; now Hong Zun is thinking about how to keep Little Ye Zhangqing from going there.

After the matter was settled, Hong Zun and Qing Shi took their leave; all the way back to Divine Sword Peak, Hong Zun wore a furrowed brow.

Qing Shi wondered about that.

"What's wrong with you, did you lose your soul?"

"You old fool, didn't you hear about the Jinhai Yingdi rotation just now?"

"What's the big deal? It's sect rule; besides, garrisoning at Jinhai Yingdi isn't that dangerous—what are you worried about?"

Qing Shi thought Hong Zun was worried about the disciples' safety, but Hong Zun snapped back angrily.

"I'm not worried about that; it's Little Ye Zhangqing—garrisoning at Jinhai Yingdi requires all the peak's disciples to go unless there are special circumstances, and Little Ye Zhangqing is no exception."

Upon hearing that, Qing Shi finally realized—Holy shit, this is a big deal.

Without Little Ye Zhangqing, what are we to do?

"I actually forgot about that."

"So what can you do? You're good for nothing but eating—top eater."

Speaking irritably, he turned and strode into his Dong Fu; Qing Shi saw this, hurried after him, and said at the same time.

"Quick, think of how to keep Little Ye Zhangqing—he can't go to Jinhai Yingdi."

"I'm thinking about it right now."

The two entered Hong Zun's Dong Fu one after the other, completely unaware that Xu Jie, who happened to be passing nearby, overheard everything.

As for the Jinhai Yingdi matter, Xu Jie didn't really care—after all, he'd been there before; to him it was just a change of venue for Xiūliàn.

What really concerned Xu Jie was that the master seemed unwilling to let Little Ye Zhangqing come along—how could that be acceptable?

Xu Jie immediately turned a corner and arrived at Liu Shuang's Dong Fu; Lu Youyou and Wang Yao happened to be there as well.

Seeing the three women, Xu Jie looked anxious and said.

"Something big has happened."

Upon hearing that, the three women looked at Xu Jie, completely bewildered—'What big thing have you gotten yourself into?'

"You forgot about the Jinhai Yingdi rotation?"

"No, we haven't forgotten; we're ready and just waiting for the master's order."

Lu Youyou replied strangely, "It's just Jinhai Yingdi—why are you so worked up about it?"

"No, I mean the master wants to keep Little Ye Zhangqing behind—think about it: if Little Ye Zhangqing doesn't go to Jinhai Yingdi, then we won't get any food for a year."

Upon hearing that, the three women's faces changed, and they too grew anxious, saying.

"What should we do?"

"Yeah, without Little Ye Zhangqing I can't manage."

"Me too."

"So I came to discuss with you all, see what we can do."

"But the master's decision.............."

Hong Zun wanted to keep Ye Zhangqing, but even though Xu Jie and the others are Inner Disciples of the master, you can't twist a thigh with an arm—there's really nothing he can do.

After discussion, all four frowned; only Xu Jie, after a long silence, seemed to have thought of something and mysteriously said to the three women.

"Trying to stop the master ourselves is impossible, so we must rely on external help."

"External help?"

"Yeah, get someone who can match the master to step forward."

After the four whispered among themselves, their faces all showed satisfaction—obviously they had a plan.

Afterward, Xu Jie alone left Divine Sword Peak and went to Zhu Feng; unexpectedly, he didn't go to the Arts Hall or the Pill Hall, but headed straight for the Law Enforcement Hall.

Inside the Law Enforcement Hall, Shi Song, who was practicing Xiūliàn, heard that Divine Sword Peak's third disciple Xu Jie requested an audience; he first froze, then without hesitation said.

"Not seeing him."

"But Hall Master, Xu Jie says he has important matters to report to you, concerning Divine Sword Peak."

"Huh? What's he up to? Divine Sword Peak's third disciple coming to Zhu Feng's Law Enforcement Hall to report on Divine Sword Peak affairs?"

After a moment's thought, Shi Song still changed his words.

"Bring him in."

"Yes."

Soon, under the guidance of the Law Enforcement Hall Steward, Xu Jie met Shi Song.

As for this second elder, Xu Jie actually wasn't familiar with him; after all, someone who always wears a stern face, is inflexible and grave, and also heads the sect's Law Enforcement Hall, would not be liked by the disciples, right—Xu Jie felt the same.

But this time, upon seeing Shi Song, Xu Jie broke into a smile and respectfully saluted.

"Disciple Xu Jie greets the Second Elder."

This kid is off, why is he smiling like a rotten persimmon flower.

He secretly felt on guard, but on the surface he remained calm and asked.

"You say there's something about Divine Sword Peak to report to me?"

"Yes, and it's a very important matter."

"Speak."

Shi Song didn't want to waste words, went straight to the point, and Xu Jie, having prepared his words, immediately put on a serious expression.

"It's like this: the rotation at Jinhai Yingdi is due, isn't it? This time it's our Divine Sword Peak's turn."

"Just now, I happened to hear my master say that he wants to keep some of the Divine Sword Peak disciples."

"This isn't violating sect rules, right? Guarding Jinhai Yingdi is something all disciples must go to; this is sect regulation, and even though the master knows it, he still violates........"

"Wait a moment."

Xu Jie was speaking incessantly, but before he could finish, Shi Song interrupted him and then gave him a strange look.

"You.......... are here to accuse your master Hong Zun?"

In that moment, Shi Song looked at Xu Jie—this was simply a person full of rebellious spirit; this kid had a hawkish gaze and wolfish vigilance, not a good thing.

As for that, Xu Jie responded with a righteous and solemn expression.

"Not bad, disciple is here to accuse the master; the elder might think the disciple harbors rebellious intent, but the disciple has no selfish motives in this matter."

"All I have is a loyal heart for the sect; as the peak's master, knowing full well, he violates sect rules; as a disciple of the Dao Yi Sect, even if it's his own master, he should uphold righteousness over kinship."

"This is what the disciple thinks in his heart; he acts upright and proper, and the disciple fears no one's opinion of him."