Chapter 1051 Zhiwei’s Thoughts (3)

If not for that exquisitely delicate and surpassingly beautiful face, anyone looking would applaud such a suave and handsome cold-faced Sword Cultivator gentleman—were it not for the master-disciple pair alone, Zhiwei would not have removed her disguise; otherwise, even Chen Ye might not have recognized his own disciple.

"Returning to Master, Ten Thousand Medicines Celestial City is a jumble of fishes and dragons, with spies from every faction densely packed into Celestial Street Nine Districts. Additionally, Master’s growing fame has reverberated through the Yan Kingdom. Hence, a Master accompanied by three female disciples stands out too much in Yan and Qi Territory."

The white-clad maiden paused, her gaze lifting, her eyes like a cold pool reflecting the moon, unruffled,

"Moreover, some days ago, while reviewing intelligence within the Sect, I learned that Tuoba You of Duqing Sect was executed, reportedly for colluding with external sects. I suspect Master Qing Xuan’s identity was exposed, which led to Tuoba You’s demise. If so, being recognized as Master with three female disciples would surely arouse speculation from others."

"To prevent any unforeseen complications, I pondered changing my appearance to a male cultivator, which might spare us much unnecessary trouble. This kind of guise makes movement more convenient."

Chen Ye held his teacup, his gaze lingering upon the strikingly different aura of his eldest disciple.

The young maiden’s visage, with her hair tied up, had shed some of its softness, yet it magnified her inherent cool aloofness to the utmost, complemented by the sword Canchen cradled in her arms, an undisguised prodigy from a reclusive Sword Sect.

Psst...

Zhiwei truly looked increasingly stunning; whether in appearance or posture, she had fully matured, no longer the ink-haired little girl of yesteryears.

"Zhiwei..." Chen Ye’s voice was gentle, carrying a note of appreciation, "your thoughts are meticulous, foresighted—truly matured."

"Master overestimates; this is simply what I, as the eldest disciple, ought to do."

Zhiwei lowered her gaze, devoid of any conceit.

Chen Ye assumed his eldest disciple was conscientious and reliable, nodding in appreciation, his gaze once more seeking out the two wild lasses through the window.

Little did he know,

the maiden’s expression seemed calm, yet the lowered gaze concealed a brewing undercurrent.

"Master’s gentle nature often finds it hard to refuse matters of romance between men and women... If it truly comes to the grand ceremony, that little Su girl, or others in the valley, using the favorable circumstances to cling to Master with soft words and tender smiles... distracting his focus, disrupting his cultivation, what then?"

"Master... is too kind-hearted, easily bullied by female cultivators. If I were used as leverage to manipulate Master... Master could only be controlled by others..."

She would absolutely not allow the events of Duqing Sect to happen again!

Given the situation,

she would not let Master take the stage...

This time at the herb ceremony, she was determined to guard Master from behind!

Before coming here,

Zhiwei had already learned about the so-called herb ceremony and guessed Master’s intent—most likely to marry Su Qingdi!

Yet as a disciple, how could she bear to see Master selected as a husband?

This is an affront to Master!

"Chirp chirp chirp chirp! (Damn, hiding here all along!)"

Suddenly, the fox’s cry interrupted Zhiwei’s thoughts.

Only to see Bai, the little white fox, darted onto the wooden desk, now frantically spinning in circles atop it.

Its pair of bright fox eyes nearly shot flames, its front paws tapping "bang bang" on the desk, incessantly baring its teeth at Chen Ye.

In the past few days, Bai’s mind was incessantly replaying Chen Ye’s shameless words to it on the terrace.

Something like "I have some very important news to tell you"

Something like "When you hear it, make sure you don’t break ties with me"

Yet after letting its fox heart rise to its throat, the damnable evil race man actually said with maddening steadiness "The time’s not right yet, I’ll tell you in a few days, prepare yourself mentally"!

Even in its dreams, Bai was worried it might have been caught by this evil race as leverage.

"Chirp chirp!! (You damned human, if you don’t explain today, I swear I’ll scratch your face to bits!)"

The little white fox leapt from the bamboo table, waving its two small white paws mid-air, poised to pounce toward Chen Ye’s collar.

Chen Ye’s eyelid twitched, slightly guilty as he coughed softly, raised his hand lightly, using a gentle stream of Spiritual Power to stabilize the airborne fox and return it.

At this moment, there’s no secret; the matter of teasing Bai, the little white fox, was something he now couldn’t admit...