Yu Yi left so decisively that Chi Ming, left alone in the wind, took a long time to regain her senses.
“W-wait a minute!”
Chi Ming hurriedly shouted.
Yu Yi stopped, turning her head with a deep, meaningful gaze that pierced straight through Chi Ming.
“What is it? Do you really want to die?”
She spoke in a low voice.
Just one glance made Chi Ming feel as if ten thousand arrows had pierced her heart.
She instinctively clutched her chest, her voice stuck in her throat, unable to utter a sound for a long time.
“Chi Ming, the waters of the Jianghu are too deep for you to grasp. Though you’ve walked the wrong path, as your master, I’m still willing to give you a chance to see the right direction. Whether you choose to walk into darkness or turn back is up to you.”
Yu Yi narrowed her eyes slightly, speaking with hidden meaning:
“Of course, as your master, I believe you’ll come back sooner or later.”
“Return to the side of a Demoness like you? Don’t joke. That’s impossible!”
Chi Ming waved her hand in rejection.
“Oh? Impossible? Then recall what those so-called Right Path scoundrels said back then.”
“You… You heard that?”
Chi Ming’s face instantly turned red, her teeth clenched tight, unable to refute.
“Whether you return to your master’s side or continue to serve those hypocrites of the Righteous Faction, that’s for you to decide.”
Yu Yi smiled and said no more.
In the blink of an eye, she vanished from Chi Ming’s sight.
Yu Yi’s parting words struck a sensitive nerve within Chi Ming.
The words spoken by the white-browed elder leading the other nine masters echoed endlessly in her ears.
“No, no, no… I can’t be bewitched by the Demoness!”
Chi Ming shook her head like a rattle-drum, comforting herself inwardly:
“A Demoness is a Demoness, a world-shaking calamity of unforgivable crimes! There are so many Righteous Faction forces in the world, and perhaps a few Human-faced Beast-hearted scoundrels among them, but they must be the minority! Yes, I must have chosen the wrong faction. Maybe the next one I find will be truly righteous?”
“Speaking of which, the Sixth Martial Sister… no, Su Cheng, joined a Righteous Faction in Liangzhou that’s flourishing. Was it called… Heavenly Water Sect? Maybe I should go straight to her?”
Just as Chi Ming decided her next move, a sudden realization struck her.
“Wait… What is this place, anyway? Why did the Demoness come here, and for what purpose?”
Chi Ming furrowed her brow, deep in thought.
Very quickly, she made her decision.
She would not seek out Su Cheng for now, but instead, tail Yu Yi’s group to uncover whatever plot they might have!
***
Yu Yi, soaking naked in the lake, should have been enjoying the moment, but instead found it excruciating.
“Master, do you need your disciple to wash your back?”
“Master, the water is clearer over here. Would you like to move?”
Blue Ling’er crouched at the shore, sending enthusiastic glances Yu Yi’s way, eagerly offering her help.
“No need.”
Yu Yi replied calmly.
She could more or less guess Blue Ling’er’s intentions.
The so-called back washing and moving to better water were really just excuses to observe her body from up close and at multiple angles.
Second disciple Blue Ling’er… Could it be she’s lusting after her master’s body?
Afraid of losing composure, Yu Yi could only avert her gaze from Blue Ling’er.
Which left her staring straight ahead.
But now, having removed her upper garment, the majestic peaks of her chest were unconstrained, boldly claiming most of her field of view.
Staring too long made her a little dizzy…
Luckily, this body’s cultivation was profound; if she were an ordinary person, dragging around such large burdens all day would be utterly exhausting.
Seeing Yu Yi’s tense, focused expression, Blue Ling’er tactfully gave up her hints and instead started flattering her:
“As expected of Master. Even during the most leisurely bath time, you remain dignified. Unlike me and Doudou, who just indulge in comfort at such times.”
Yu Yi could only sigh inwardly.
I want to enjoy my bath time too!
The problem is, you keep staring at me, making me nervous!!
For the first time, Yu Yi understood what it felt like for a beautiful girl to be ogled by an lsp.
“Flatterer.”
Though tense inside, her face remained calm.
Blue Ling’er chuckled softly, saying no more.
After a while, Blue Ling’er spoke again:
“Master, Doudou has returned.”
Following Blue Ling’er’s gaze, Yu Yi saw Huang Doudou running towards them from not far away.
When Yu Yi had let Chi Ming go and returned to the lakeside, she had assigned Huang Doudou a task—
Go to the nearest village or town, purchase some new clothes, and bring them back for later use.
Seeing that Huang Doudou had changed into a new outfit, the mission was clearly accomplished.
“This little one is efficient.”
Yu Yi thought to herself.
In the sect, Huang Doudou was responsible for intelligence gathering and various clean-up tasks, an excellent runner.
Since she had not left the sect, she had brought much convenience to Yu Yi, making her feel comforted.
However, when Yu Yi saw the mountain of clothes Huang Doudou carried, her expression froze.
“Master! As you requested, I brought all the suitable clothes!”
Huang Doudou beamed brightly.
“Doudou, your master only told you to buy a few plain robes, but you cleared out the whole store?”
Yu Yi asked.
“But no matter how plain the clothing, it can’t hide your beauty, Master!”
Huang Doudou blinked.
The implication was clear—she brought a whole pile so Yu Yi could choose which was plain enough.
Yu Yi scanned the clothes, picking out a white and a blue robe for herself and Blue Ling’er.
“These two. The rest, return exactly as you found them.”
“Eh?”
Huang Doudou blinked in confusion.
“A-all of them… returned?”
“While returning them, place the money back with the shopkeeper too.”
Yu Yi said coolly.
“Your little schemes can’t escape your master’s eyes.”
Huang Doudou’s small face trembled, and the copper coins hidden in her pocket suddenly felt like burning potatoes.
“What are you waiting for? Want to be punished?”
Yu Yi looked at her, enunciating every word:
“Hurry and return. If you’re slow, I’ll forever withhold the ‘thing’ you desire.”
Yu Yi deliberately emphasized the word “thing”.
Huang Doudou immediately realized that this “thing” likely referred to the physical “pleasure punishment” she craved.
Which was definitely not the punishment she wanted.
“No, Master! I’ll go right now!”
Terrified, Huang Doudou moved instantly.
Her speed was astonishing—leaving only a yellow afterimage before vanishing like lightning.
Yu Yi watched, sighing quietly.
Surrounded by “problem disciples.”
They’d all need proper discipline in the future!
Not punishing someone who wants punished is a punishment