ALL NOVEL Chapter 46 - Strong in Restraint, I’ll Take Responsibility
On the Spirit Boat, Inner Cabin
“Master, may I come in?” A gentle voice called from outside.
“Come in.”
Xu Yang, seated cross-legged in meditation, opened his eyes, a faint gleam of sunlight within them.
“Yay! Qing’er is coming in!”
Situ Qingqing stepped in, wearing a lightweight dress with a short hem that barely covered her shapely legs, tightly fitted to her figure.
Xu Yang blinked, his posture straightening slightly. “Qing’er, what’s the occasion?”
“I’m here to thank Master, of course!” Situ Qingqing’s lips curved into a mischievous smile. That smirk reminded Xu Yang of his first day in this world—was he about to reenact the scenario of a victimized master once again?
He quickly dismissed the thought. “Qing’er, there’s no need for thanks between us…”
Before he could finish, Situ Qingqing was already standing close.
“Qing’er, what are you up to? Your Senior Sister is right outside…”
“Master, do you underestimate me?” Situ Qingqing huffed. “Watch, I’ll give you a reason to see me in a new light!”
“How should I… respond to this?” Xu Yang hesitated.
…
Half an hour later.
Xu Yang sighed. “Qing’er, is this your idea of making me cry?”
Situ Qingqing bit her lip, hesitating. “Master… I’ll take responsibility.”
As the one responsible for starting the mischief, she couldn’t just leave halfway through.
Just then, a clear and gentle voice came from outside the cabin. “Master, I have something I need to discuss with you…”
Senior Sister?!
Situ Qingqing froze, a flash of panic in her eyes. If her Senior Sister came in and saw this, would she draw her sword and cut down this “disrespectful disciple” for seducing their master?
She looked at Xu Yang with pleading eyes, unable to speak.
…
“Come in, Xuan’er,” Xu Yang’s calm voice echoed within.
Yuan Kouxuan stepped in, immediately seeing her master seated at the desk, holding a brush as he intently penned some words.
‘As expected, Master looks most handsome when he’s serious.’ She walked over, gracefully grinding the ink for him, her gaze drifting over the eight characters he had written: “Tolerance is strength; desirelessness is steel.”
Muttering the words under her breath, she tried to comprehend their meaning. The more she pondered, the more she admired her master’s wisdom. As his disciple, she could only strive to follow his lofty ideals, but knew she could never truly match him.
“Master, your disciple has learned much from this.” Yuan Kouxuan’s voice was as clear as a mountain spring, trying to steady the fluttering in her heart.
‘Learned much? What is there to learn?’
The first four words were just a random phrase, and the last four were a warning to himself, a reminder to remain composed around his disciples, especially Yuan Kouxuan. Xu Yang chuckled, setting down his brush.
“It was just idle writing, Xuan’er. You don’t need to think too much of it…”
Beneath the table, Situ Qingqing pinched Xu Yang’s leg, a silent reminder to steer the conversation away and get her Senior Sister to leave.
“Master, is your throat dry?” Yuan Kouxuan poured a cup of water and handed it to him.
Xu Yang accepted it, nodding, “A bit.” He took a sip, then abruptly began to cough. “Cough, cough…”
“Master, are you alright?” Yuan Kouxuan quickly took out a handkerchief and handed it to him.
Xu Yang dabbed his mouth with the handkerchief and asked, “Xuan’er, what brings you here?”
“I’m a bit uneasy about leaving Purple Cloud Peak unguarded, Master. Since the spirit boat hasn’t flown too far yet, perhaps Qing’er could return? It wouldn’t take much time.”
‘Purple Cloud Peak’s treasure trove was filled with valuable items that Master had painstakingly gathered. If anyone were to steal from it…’
‘Senior Sister, I knew you were up to something!’ Situ Qingqing thought, feeling smug.
Xu Yang straightened his back, speaking in a casual tone. “No need to worry. Nobody knows I’ve left Purple Cloud Peak, and any intruder would regret crossing the formations I set there.”
“Is there anything else, Xuan’er?”
After a pause, Yuan Kouxuan continued, “About Qi Yuan’s cave, should we notify the sect?”
Although her Master might have clashed with Ji Hongluan in the past, he had always prioritized the sect above all. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so generous as to give away his personal sword as a mission reward.
“Yes, but not just yet.” Xu Yang had his own plan.
Although he had instructed his second disciple, Ruan Yuer, to locate the cave, he had no intention of claiming it solely for himself. In the original story, Qi Yuan’s cave emerged of its own accord, causing tremors that were impossible to ignore, collapsing mountains and affecting entire cities. It would be hard for anyone to miss.
So Xu Yang decided to inform Ji Hongluan, the sect master, when the cave was on the verge of emerging. It would be a way to make himself look good, and perhaps help repair some of his reputation in her eyes.
Seeing that her master already had a plan, Yuan Kouxuan held her tongue. She cast a few glances his way, a hint of disappointment in her eyes… In truth, her main intention was to inquire if he still needed any “detoxification.”
However, sensing his calm aura without any signs of poisoning, she feared mentioning it might make her seem frivolous. Given the lack of privacy on the spirit boat, she had no choice but to suppress the thought.
…
Once Yuan Kouxuan had left, Xu Yang gently called, “Qing’er, your Senior Sister has gone.”
There was no response.
Feeling a bit awkward, Xu Yang lifted her from under the desk and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Qing’er, you did well.”
Situ Qingqing didn’t complain; instead, she looked at him with a touch of guilt. “It’s all my fault…”
Xu Yang lightly pinched her cheek. “It’s fine, Qing’er, you did great!”
“No, Master, I still have a long way to go. I’m going back to train harder!”
Situ Qingqing pouted, filled with renewed determination. She was tired of sneaking around. She wanted to cultivate diligently and surpass her Senior Sister, so that one day she could boldly claim Master’s attention—even if her Senior Sister was watching!