“Who would have thought… Master would actually have me take care of a traitor like you.”
Blue Ling’er grumbled in front of the stove, apron tied around her waist.
Doudou has already accepted me again.
Only Second Senior Sister still holds a grudge against me.
Master did this precisely to repair our relationship~
Su Cheng sat in her wheelchair, leisurely admiring the flowers and teasing the parrot in the cage.
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll lay a hand on you?”
Blue Ling’er suddenly asked coldly:
“I heard you left the sect for years without making any progress in cultivation. If I wanted to kill you, you wouldn’t stand a chance.”
“Kukuku.”
Su Cheng let out a string of bell-like laughter.
“Second Senior Sister, I know you very well. You’re the one who listens to Master the most. Since Master told you to repair the relationship with your junior sister, how could you possibly harm me?”
As Su Cheng said, Blue Ling’er had no real reason to lay a hand on her.
Su Cheng’s actions after “betraying the sect” did infuriate Blue Ling’er, but the root of it was a misunderstanding between her and Yu Yi.
Now that the misunderstanding between master and disciple was resolved and Yu Yi had forgiven Su Cheng—while also intending to punish her accordingly—it truly wasn’t Blue Ling’er’s place to interfere.
A chill emanated from Blue Ling’er’s hand, extinguishing the fire in the stove.
Then she brought a steaming bowl of porridge and set it before Su Cheng.
“I also know that Second Senior Sister has a sharp tongue but a soft heart~ She’s actually very gentle with her junior sisters~”
Su Cheng accepted the porridge, smiling at Blue Ling’er.
“Hmph.”
Blue Ling’er’s cheeks flushed slightly as she snorted.
“Su Cheng, I’ll be watching you. You’d better behave. If I find even a hint of betrayal, not even Master can protect you!”
With that, Blue Ling’er took off her apron and walked toward the door.
“Second Senior Sister.”
Su Cheng called out to her, speaking with a deeper meaning.
“Do you really not know the secret Master is hiding?”
Blue Ling’er stopped.
She turned back, looking at Su Cheng in confusion.
“Master’s secret?”
Seeing Blue Ling’er’s expression, Su Cheng already had her answer.
Doudou is an innocent little fool, so it’s normal she didn’t notice anything.
But Second Senior Sister is clever and always by Master’s side.
How could she not sense anything strange about Master…?
Su Cheng thought silently.
Blue Ling’er, seeing Su Cheng hesitate to speak, couldn’t help stepping forward.
“Su Cheng, what are you trying to say? Careless speculation about Master is a serious offense!”
“Even so, aren’t you a bit curious yourself?”
Su Cheng gave a mischievous smile.
“I…”
Blue Ling’er was left speechless.
Su Cheng wasn’t wrong. Blue Ling’er’s curiosity had indeed been piqued.
And just as Blue Ling’er hesitated, unsure if she should press further, a calm voice came from outside.
“What are you two discussing?”
Yu Yi appeared before them, smiling.
“Disciple greets Master.”
Both of them bowed in unison.
Then Blue Ling’er, feeling a little guilty, asked Yu Yi,
“Master, did you come here to assign a task?”
“I mainly came to see how you two are getting along. As for tasks, that’s secondary.”
Yu Yi replied lightly.
In truth, Yu Yi had passed by and overheard Su Cheng trying to hint at her “secret” to Blue Ling’er, so she appeared to cut her off.
Yu Yi wasn’t sure how much of her secret Su Cheng had uncovered, or if she knew her Master had been possessed.
Either way, the fewer people who know this secret, the better.
This Su Cheng… really needs some discipline.
Yu Yi thought silently.
She didn’t want a disciple who could see through her and had a big mouth to boot.
That was more or less how Yang Xiu died.
“Su Cheng.”
Yu Yi spoke softly.
“Come with me.”
“Yes.”
Su Cheng nodded respectfully and wheeled herself out.
As the two disappeared into the distance, only Blue Ling’er remained.
Her curiosity aroused by Su Cheng, she glanced at the untouched bowl of porridge on the table.
“What a waste of emotion…”
She ruffled her hair, annoyed.
***
Pushing open the heavy stone door, Yu Yi and Su Cheng entered a dark, unlit space.
It wasn’t particularly damp or cold, but with no light entering, a sense of oppressive discomfort lingered.
This wasn’t Su Cheng’s first time here. She knew this place well.
This was the Confinement Room of Among the Colorful Clouds.
“Do you know why I brought you here?”
Yu Yi asked quietly, pushing Su Cheng’s wheelchair.
“After leaving the sect, I repeatedly offended Master. I must be punished. I have no complaints.”
Su Cheng replied calmly.
“No, this punishment isn’t for what you did before.”
Yu Yi paused.
“It’s for the mistake you just made.”
“Eh?”
Su Cheng froze.
In the next instant, Yu Yi snapped her fingers. Instantly, the lanterns on the walls lit up one by one, illuminating the previously dark Confinement Room.
Yu Yi raised Su Cheng’s hands above her head and locked them in a Stone Shackle.
“Su Cheng, you truly are my cleverest disciple. But some things are best kept to yourself. There’s no need to share them with others, understand?”
Yu Yi’s tone was gentle, but a warning lingered beneath her words.
A cold sweat traced Su Cheng’s face.
Though Yu Yi didn’t spell it out, her words laid everything bare.
Master… she really has changed…
Su Cheng thought inwardly.
What had only been a suspicion was now clearly reality.
“Good.”
Yu Yi extended a pale finger, gently caressing Su Cheng’s trembling cheek.
“You’re shaking. Why?”
Su Cheng stared into Yu Yi’s glowing eyes, unable to speak.
“Su Cheng, you’re a smart girl. You know I won’t hurt you.”
Yu Yi lifted Su Cheng’s chin, brought her face close, and, feeling her quickening breath, smiled faintly.
“Don’t worry. I’ll treat you even better than before. Of course, that’s only if you behave. Can you do that?”
Su Cheng nodded.
“Good girl.”
Yu Yi patted her head gently, then turned to leave.
“Wait here until I bring Chi Ming back to heal your legs. As long as you comply, I’ll not only accept your loyalty but reward you as well.”
“Yes… Master.”
Su Cheng gasped, watching Yu Yi depart.
She felt her body growing strangely hot.
Master used to be so… meek…
How did she become so forceful?
Such a domineering Master…
Ah…
I like it…
Like, like, like…
Su Cheng’s eyes grew hazy, her cheeks flushed, and her breathing quickened with excitement.
There was no doubt.
She had been utterly conquered by Yu Yi.
Task failed successfully