Chapter 8 Shaoyang Sect (VIII) “No further investigation.”…
"Zhou Mingran, you said you wanted a set of men's clothes, so I bought you a new one out of my own pocket and rushed it over to you, and you still scolded me?"
"Scold you? What's wrong with scolding you? Shouldn't I scold you? I asked you to buy some clothes, look at what you bought? Are you able to wear it?"
Ji Feibai glanced at someone guiltily and said stubbornly, "Although the color is a bit niche, it's not so bad that you can't wear it..."
Zhou Mingran was so angry that she felt tired. She held her forehead and sighed heavily: "Yingying, say sorry to Junior Brother Jiang for me." She repented from the bottom of her heart and really shouldn't have asked Ji Feibai to help.
Zhu Ciying looked at Xie Rangchen.
The victim said calmly, "It's just a piece of clothing. Jiang doesn't think there's anything wrong with it."
Nothing wrong?
The corner of Zhu Ciying's eye twitched slightly.
Ji Feibai bought a pale pink gown. From the collar to the sleeves and hem, one could see exquisite, vibrant crabapple blossoms, embroidered with exquisite craftsmanship that was lifelike. From a closer distance, one could even smell the rich floral fragrance, a truly dazzling sight.
Fortunately, Xie Rangchen has excellent body proportions, and the long gown highlights his temperament, making him look as gentle and graceful as jade.
Even so, the spirit bird still silently covered its eyes, unable to bear to look directly.
Zhou Mingran's anger subsided, but he also felt that Ji Feibai's actions had made him lose face: "You must have done this on purpose!"
Ji Feibai felt aggrieved: "Zhou Mingran, don't take my kindness for granted! Who told you not to explain to me that the clothes are for men? I thought you were wearing them yourself."
"When have I ever worn clothes of this color..."
"Sister, Brother Ji, please stop arguing. Brother Ji, there are so many disciples in the sect, and I only asked you for help because you have the best relationship." Zhu Ciying stepped forward to smooth things over. After all, the quarrel between the two was caused by her suggestion to buy Xie Rangchen a new set of clothes.
"Good relationship?" They both said in unison and looked at her.
"With him?!"
"With her?!"
"Stop dreaming."
"Absolutely not."
Zhu Ciying: “?”
You two have a good understanding, don't you?
at the same time.
Front mountain, meeting hall.
Elder Feng, Elder Li and Yu Boying had just taken their seats.
Suddenly, a man walked into the quiet hall, holding a fan in his hand and looking very elegant.
"Elder Yu, Elder Li."
Yu Boying and Elder Li stood up together and returned the greeting: "Master Yuyin."
True Man Yu Yin bowed to Elder Feng and said, "Elder Feng, how are you?"
"You're back." A glimmer of hope ignited in Elder Feng's tired eyes.
"I'll send someone to bring Yingying back," he said.
"No need." Master Yu Yin raised his hand to stop her. "I've already ordered Ming Ran to go to the back mountain to pick them up. They should be here soon."
As soon as he finished speaking, four figures appeared at the entrance of the hall.
"Master, look who I brought here?" Zhou Mingran spoke first.
Yu Yin Zhenren's eyebrows curved: "Ying Ying."
“Master—”
Zhu Ciying lifted her skirt, bent down and knelt, bowing deeply to him.
Yu Yin Zhenren almost teleported in front of her, helped her up, and said in a gentle and powerful tone: "Yingying, don't be afraid, Master is back."
Zhu Ciying felt a lump in his throat and looked up at his master.
True Man Yuyin had an elegant appearance, more like a frail scholar from the mortal world than a cultivator wielding a sword or a knife. He was in his early thirties and was the youngest Grandmaster of the Shaoyang Sect, holding the same status as the other elders.
But he was used to freedom and didn't like to meddle in other people's affairs. He seldom participated in handling affairs within the sect and usually liked to travel and enjoy the scenery.
Therefore, the presence of the two of them, master and apprentice, in Shaoyang Sect was not very strong, but no one dared to bully them.
Only this time, his little apprentice was wronged.
Elder Feng was deeply moved by their master-disciple bond. When he regained his composure, he immediately noticed a familiar figure: "Why are you here too?"
"Master." Ji Feibai saluted, "Zhou Mingran asked me to come."
Zhou Mingran: “?” When did I?
She resisted the urge to roll up her sleeves and beat someone up.
Elder Feng naturally didn't believe Ji Feibai's nonsense. How could he not know what his own disciple was thinking? He was just joining in the fun.
"Elder Yu, Elder Li, since True Man Yu Yin has arrived, let's start early." After he said that, he noticed another figure coming in from outside the door.
Elder Feng immediately bowed and greeted him: "Sect Master."
Everyone was shocked and looked towards the door.
Sect leader Qu Yantao strode into the meeting hall and said as he walked, "This matter is of great importance. Now that everyone is here, let's re-examine it as soon as possible."
He walked to the top and sat down, waving to the crowd: "Elders, please take a seat."
"Is your name Zhu Ciying?" Qu Yantao's tone sounded a little warm for some reason.
Zhu Ciying replied, "Yes."
Qu Yantao nodded and got to the point. "I've heard everything about you. I believe you didn't mean to hurt Qu Wanqing. But regarding the demonic energy in you, I can't definitively prove your innocence. How do you explain this?"
Zhu Ciying stepped forward, her golden gauze skirt swaying gently. "In reply to the Sect Master, I have never colluded with the demons. I was raised in the Shaoyang Sect since childhood, and I was taught to adhere to the righteous path and practice diligently. I simply disdain to associate with the demons."
She had a firm gaze and a neither humble nor arrogant attitude.
Qu Yantao looked her up and down, then suddenly turned to ask Yu Boying, "Elder Yu, what do you think of what she said?"
Yu Boying had been torn between two things since entering the council hall. He knew in his heart that Zhu Ciying had not intentionally harmed Qu Wanqing, but she could not explain the source of the evil spirit, so she was still wrong.
Even if there was the slightest loophole, he would even risk his own reputation to give Qing'er an explanation: "Sect Master, please let her explain the source of the evil spirit. If she can prove that the evil spirit in her body is not her own, then I will believe her."
Qu Yantao sighed inwardly, looking at Yu Boying with a heavy gaze, as if he had already seen through everything. "Care leads to confusion, care leads to confusion... Elder Yu, I handed Qing'er over to you because I value your strict teaching style. I hope you can train her well, not ignore the facts and lose your mind for her."
Yu Boying's face flushed, and his old fingers clasped the armrests of the wooden chair tightly.
Qu Yantao gestured to Zhu Ciying to explain.
Zhu Ciying took a deep breath and said, "Disciple doesn't know."
"That means there is no evidence." Qu Yantao said.
Zhu Ciying remained silent, indicating her agreement.
Elder Feng couldn't sit still any longer: "She doesn't have it, but I do!"
Everyone's eyes fell on him. Elder Feng took out a stone and said, "Count it as half."
He called Ji Feibai over.
As soon as Ji Feibai took the stone, he realized its special feature: it was a photo stone. At the same time, he understood his master's intention and, without hesitation, channeled spiritual energy into it.
A spot of light appeared in the center of the photo stone, and the light slowly spread out until it enveloped the entire stone, then poured out like particles, quickly forming a picture in mid-air.
Several blurry figures suddenly became clear. It was the scene in the Discipline Hall that day. The photo stone displayed the entire scene from beginning to end.
Yu Boying's face suddenly turned pale and looked extremely ugly.
Zhou Mingran, unable to bear it any longer, took two steps forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Zhu Ciying. Although he bowed in greeting, his words were laced with sarcasm: "They say Elder Yu is the most discerning of the seven Shaoyang Sect elders, but today, it seems he's quite adept at bullying the weak and acting tyrannically."
"Senior Sister." Zhu Ciying stretched out her hand to protect her.
Zhou Mingran didn't care about the elders' reputation at all. She only cared about who bullied her junior sister: "Yingying, don't be afraid. I, your senior sister, have a mouth that is used for quarreling."
"Puff." Ji Feibai laughed out loud, and was immediately punched on the head by his master.
"Mingran, don't be rude." Master Yuyin put the folding fan back to his waist, took a step, and stopped in the center of the hall.
With his master personally taking action, Zhou Mingran felt relieved and crossed his arms over his chest, waiting to see the show.
"I understand my own apprentice. Yingying's inability to prove the source of the demonic energy is indeed due to her ignorance of the truth."
"But I know."
Memories that had been buried for years were revealed once again, and Jade Hidden Master spoke like a storyteller: "Seventeen years ago, I traveled to an unnamed village in southern Xiangzhou. Hundreds of villagers there were massacred by demons and monsters, and resentment was overwhelming."
"I engaged in a battle with them. Just as I was about to kill the last great demon, I suddenly heard a child crying from the collapsed rubble. While I was distracted, the great demon took the opportunity to burrow into her body and refused to come out."
He paused, his tone suddenly becoming grave. "That child is only one year old, and because of my negligence, she carries such heavy karma. How could I possibly harm her? So I placed a demon seal within her to restrain the great demon and prevent him from causing trouble."
After doing all this, he originally planned to find a family to support the poor girl. However, when he handed the child over, the child grabbed his hand and refused to let go.
He just realized that perhaps it was because they were destined to be together, or perhaps it was because her big dark eyes were filled with his image, that Master Yu Yin softened his heart.
"I brought her back to the sect as a disciple and personally nurtured her for seventeen years. She was quite talented, diligent in her cultivation, and had a firm heart. How could she have become a traitor colluding with the demons?"
Master Yu Yin's heart ached. He had never considered letting Zhu Ciying know her own life story. He hoped she could grow up in peace and without worries.
"Besides, before bringing her into the sect, I sought the opinion of the sect leader."
The last sentence made everyone look different.
Calm, surprised and moved to tears.
The spirit bird wiped its tears and huddled on Xie Rangchen's shoulder.
Under the mask, the young man pursed his thin lips slightly.
Zhu Ciying's heart skipped a beat. Sure enough! She'd suspected the moment she'd opened her celestial eye and examined her dantian. Her master must know her secret—the blood curse.
Zhou Mingran scratched his head. He had never imagined that his master would drop such earth-shattering news. It turned out that Yingying didn't know, and he had also been kept in the dark for seventeen years!
Ji Feibai and Elder Feng almost hugged each other and cried. Heaven was unfair, Yingying's life was too rough!
Qu Yantao continued, "Everyone, whether you believe it or not, this is the fact."
"Zhu Ciying is innocent. As she said, she did not collude with the evil spirit within her body. Instead, she remained resolute and bravely fought him to the end. This incident was entirely an accident and will not be pursued further."
"I discussed with Master Yuyin earlier that we should add another seal to prevent such incidents from happening."
Qu Yantao walked down the stairs step by step. When Zhu Ciying got close, she could even see the fine lines at the corners of his eyes.
"I went to see Wanqing. Her injuries looked a bit serious, but they were actually all minor injuries. She should be fine after a day or two of recuperation."
Qu Yantao folded his hands together and leaned forward slightly: "I'm here to thank you on her behalf."
Zhu Ciying quickly moved aside and said, "Master, you are too polite. Fighting against demons is what a disciple should do."
"Your spirit should be commended." Qu Yantao smiled with satisfaction, "I officially declare that Zhu Ciying's results and ranking from this sect competition will be restored, including her place in the Penglai Island Secret Realm Trial."
"I hope you can shine on behalf of the Shaoyang Sect."
Zhu Ciying was stunned. Suddenly, everything that had happened today felt like a dream. The joy of reuniting with her master and senior sisters, the relief of having her innocence proven, and the overwhelming hatred she felt upon learning about her past all blended together, making her forget to answer.
It was only when Zhou Mingran shook her arm that Zhu Ciying came back to her senses and stood in awe. She said, "I will definitely live up to your expectations."
The matter has come to an end.
"Who is he?" Elder Li pointed at the young man in pink standing at the door with a cane and asked in confusion, "Why is he wearing a mask?"
Zhu Ciying's nerves jumped, and before anyone could speak, he rubbed his right ear twice. "He's my second senior brother. Master took him in from outside the sect a few years ago, but he hasn't officially joined the sect. My second senior brother has a bit of an odd temper. He doesn't like talking to strangers, and he doesn't like showing his true face. A while ago, he met Master in Suzhou, and Master suddenly remembered that he had another disciple who was away from home, so he brought him back."
"These are what my senior sister told me."
Zhou Mingran, who was suddenly mentioned, said: "Oh, yes, that's right."
Yu Yin Zhenren touched his chin, putting on an expression of serious thought: "Although it happened a while ago, it is true. You see, I was so busy dealing with Yingying's affairs that I forgot to introduce her to everyone first."
Ji Feibai quietly nudged his master with his elbow and asked softly, "Master, you're not hiding from me that you have someone else outside, are you?"
Elder Feng gave him a slap on the face without saying anything. "How dare you talk like that, kid! What do you mean I have someone outside? What if your mistress hears and misunderstands me... If your mistress didn't love you, I'd give you a whole room of younger brothers and sisters."
Besides, when did Yu Yin Zhenren's taste become so bad? What does his apprentice wear? Tsk, tsk, tsk, how come their tastes are similar to this brat's?
Qu Yantao looked at Xie Rangchen for a long time.
Zhu Ciying was most worried about him. Xie Rangchen was his apprentice, and the two of them must have been very familiar with each other. Even with the mask covering his figure, it couldn't be changed.
Zhu Ciying was afraid that he would notice something.
After a while, Qu Yantao asked calmly, "What's your name?"
"Jiang Huai." Xie Rangchen answered in a low voice.
Qu Yantao retracted his gaze and laughed, "Jiang Huai, welcome to the Shaoyang Sect. However, since you are the disciple of Master Yu Yin, you are also a disciple of the Shaoyang Sect. Remember to go to the Zhixing Division to register and get a house number."
Xie Rangchen nodded.
Zhu Ciying breathed a sigh of relief, and his anxious heart gradually calmed down.
Fortunately, I didn’t recognize him.
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【Ji Feibai's Diary】:
June 16th, sunny.
Yu Jian suddenly received a message from Zhou Mingran, saying that she urgently needed a pair of men's clothing.
What? Men's clothing!
Zhou Mingran actually made a Taoist partner!
Damn it! We agreed to be single together, how could she unilaterally break her promise? No, I'm going to fight back.
I specially bought a very sexy pink gown at a high price and had the boss fumigate it with incense. I hoped that when they hugged, Zhou Mingran would be unable to bear the scent and would knock him down ten miles away with one palm.
Ha ha ha ha.
However, what I never expected was that the clothes were given to her junior brother by Zhou Mingran.
Oh, not a love rival.
That's okay.
[Zhou Mingran's perspective]: The message was sent to a group. Someone replied immediately? Then it's you.
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