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"Brother Qi, our Sect Leader is looking for you."
A disciple from Miaochun Valley sent a letter, inviting Qi Xiao to come over. In someone else's territory, Qi Xiao had no choice but to go.
"Please lead the way, Junior Brother."
The messenger disciple was slightly startled and repeatedly expressed modesty. "Not at all, it is my duty as instructed by the Master."
After walking for about half an hour, the messenger finally brought Qi Xiao to the location. As he pushed open the large door, a swirl of white smoke greeted him, filling the room with the fragrance of herbs.
A woman dressed in plain clothes sat on a high platform, smiling as she looked at him. Her eyes sparkled. With a slight wave of her sleeve, she signaled for someone to bring over a mat, indicating for Qi Xiao to sit.
Qi Xiao felt uncertain about what this Lady Ye wanted from him. Lowering his head, he said, "I dare not."
Lady Ye's expression suddenly changed; she snorted coldly and said, "Dare not? I saw how decisively you acted in broad daylight; it didn’t seem like you were hesitant at all."
Qi Xiao bent even lower and spoke earnestly, "I merely sparred with Brother Ma; I meant no offense to Miaochun Valley."
Lady Ye's gaze turned cold. "You don't need to explain. I know you have feelings for Qing'er. If you acted rashly, it must be because of her."
"I ask you: why are you helping her?"
Qi Xiao frowned involuntarily. He had anticipated that Lady Ye might have some reservations, but he didn't expect her to be so forceful.
"She offered me benefits; I help her, that’s all there is to it."
Lady Ye scoffed. "Just a trivial benefit, and you've been bought off?"
"Before she asked you to do this, she must have told you what it meant, right? Now the entire valley is abuzz with talk that you and Ma Yang fought over her, claiming you're here to assert your dominance."
"You defeating Ma Yang is one thing, but you deliberately humiliated him in front of the Grand Elder under broad daylight—how do you expect their marriage to continue?"
Lady Ye stared at him intently, her expression icy as if covered in frost. "Don't you think you should give me an explanation?"
Qi Xiao felt a surge of anger. He straightened his back and met Lady Ye's gaze on the high platform.
"I have one question that puzzles me; may I ask for your clarification?"
"Speak."
"Although my interactions with Miss Shu have been limited, I can see that she is not someone foolish or weak who can be easily bullied."
Since the valley has chosen to appoint her as the Lesser Valley, it naturally believes in her and is watching her closely. If that is the case, then why does the valley not trust that she can stand on her own two feet and support Miaochun Valley, instead of forcing her to marry Ma Yang?
Although I am helping her for her own good, my motivations for doing this are not solely based on those benefits. Life is full of ups and downs; there will always be hardships. Even if one can endure for a time, can one truly endure for a lifetime? Or perhaps the valley hopes she can bide her time? But as she waits, who knows if it might lead to a wolf's den? In the end, who benefits from their closeness remains uncertain.
Ye Niang's voice dropped as she scolded, "How dare you speak so recklessly about Miaochun Valley?" A sudden pressure enveloped Qi Xiao, weighing down on him, yet he managed to hold himself upright without kneeling.
He forced a smile and said directly, "You summoned me to discuss this matter; why do you hesitate halfway through?"
Ye Niang looked at him intently. "Since you understand the stakes involved and know how it concerns Miaochun Valley's future, how dare you interfere? Do you not fear that I might kill you?"
Qi Xiao coughed lightly, glancing at the sword poised at his throat, suddenly gaining insight. "As a junior, I am naturally unafraid. If the valley truly wanted to kill me, it would have acted long ago instead of wasting words with me, a mere disciple."
He paused for two seconds before continuing. "The valley does not wish to kill me for two reasons: first, the Sect Leader is mindful of the friendship between our sects and would not allow the valley to act against me without consulting him; second, the valley itself does not genuinely want to harm me."
"Do you really believe that?"
Qi Xiao scoffed lightly. "If the valley truly wanted to push this matter forward, the key would lie with Miss Shu. Even without me, she would find another way to prevent this marriage."
The valley had said nothing about her but instead focused all blame on him, indicating that it did not genuinely wish to promote this union. Realizing this made Qi Xiao understand that the valley could neither kill nor harm him and that it did not sincerely want to push for this outcome. Therefore, the reason for their summons was worth reconsidering.
Qi Xiao cupped his hands in respect and said, "If the valley has any instructions, please speak freely."
Ye Niang silently observed him for a moment before suddenly breaking into laughter. "I initially thought you were reckless enough to stir up trouble in broad daylight; unexpectedly, you are quite perceptive."
"You are right," she admitted. "I do worry about this matter and feel indecisive."
I wanted to stabilize the situation for Qing'er, but I was also worried that the Elders would take advantage of it, causing her and Miaochun Valley even more trouble. After thinking it over, I realized that you seemed quite capable. At least from your earlier remarks, I could tell that you genuinely wished her well.
Qi Xiao's eyes widened in surprise. He must have misheard; surely this Elder had misunderstood something. Seeing Qi Xiao's astonishment, Ye Niang let out a cold snort. The entire Miaochun Valley knew that Qing'er had feelings for you, not to mention that you had challenged Ma Yang on her behalf. The rumors about the two of you were rampant; after doing all this, you still didn't want to take responsibility?
Responsibility? What responsibility did he have? Wasn't this all a misunderstanding?
Qi Xiao stammered for a while, forced a bitter smile, and thought to himself: Is the Elder really intent on dragging me into this? As a mere inner sect disciple, what benefit could the Valley gain from pulling me into their affairs?
A mere inner sect disciple? Ye Niang's eyes flickered as she spoke slowly. "I'm not blind; I'm close to death! A mere inner sect disciple can possess specialized soul cultivation techniques?"
Qi Xiao was taken aback and momentarily speechless. Before leaving, he had specifically gone to Elder Chang to obtain a Concealment Stone, and the Elder had assured him that this stone could mask soul fluctuations. Could it be that Elder Chang had deceived him?
He hesitated and wondered how the Valley had figured it out. Ye Niang gently raised her gaze. "You indeed have no soul fluctuations on you, but since you neither set up an array nor used any drugs or talismans, how did you directly pull Ma Yang into an illusion? What other explanation could there be besides using soul power?"
The disciples below assumed they were simply lacking in insight or thought Qi Xiao had employed some miraculous technique. However, the Elders and the Sect Leader on stage were not so easily fooled. They clearly saw that Qi Xiao had done nothing but pulled someone into an illusion; what other explanation could there be besides interfering with soul power?
Qi Xiao felt frustrated with himself for being careless. Had he known that this battle would be observed by the Sect Leader and Elders, he would never have resorted to such methods.
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