After Faking Her Death and Escaping, the Junior Sister Fell to the Demonic Path - Chapter 28

However, by the time Qin Qingyi arrived, everything had already been settled.

Bai Qiyue was ultimately saved, at the cost of Bai Lan almost completely emptying her entire savings, in addition to signing a series of unequal treaties.

“Is this finally enough?”

Bai Lan’s face was practically as black as the bottom of a pot.

Bai Lan and Shangguan Yu sat facing each other. Watching the other party accept the benefits yet still refuse to relent, Bai Lan was beginning to lose her composure.

Looking at the pile of rare treasures and high-grade immortal artifacts displayed on the table, and even the (Luster Treasure Robe) she had just taken off was among them, Bai Lan couldn’t help but close her eyes in distress.

“Hey! I said, is that enough? Can you give me a clear answer, yes or no?”

Bai Lan spoke again, this time with a hint of anger in her voice.

To be honest, she really wanted to flip the table and leave immediately, but she was the one in the wrong and the one at a disadvantage right now. It was truly…

“Oh, Valley Master Bai, please don’t speak yet. Wait for this Sect Leader to review them carefully, then we can discuss further.”

Shangguan Yu covered her mouth with a fan, squinted her fox-like eyes, and smiled sweetly, with no trace of the previous displeasure.

With a wave of her hand, she collected all the precious items on the table—any single one of which would be fiercely sought after by everyone in the Xuanyuan Realm—but still refused to relent:

“Your daughter personally agreed to the bet. Now that she’s lost, she refuses to uphold it… If word gets out, everyone might think the Medicine King Valley is bullying others, and that my Sword Sect is a soft persimmon to be kneaded by anyone.”

The soft words made Bai Lan’s face twitch. In her heart, she knew these items alone wouldn’t satisfy this glutton.

Too greedy!

Truly too greedy!

How could there be such a black-hearted person in this world!

How could the Sword Sect elect such a person as their leader?!

If she had known this thick-skinned, black-hearted fellow was an insatiable glutton, she shouldn’t have given in repeatedly!

She should have just taken her child and left directly!

Why stay here and suffer this aggravation?!

“Mother…”

Sensing her mother’s rage, Bai Qiyue wanted to say something, but was immediately glared at by Bai Lan when she turned her head.

“Shut up! I’ll deal with you when we get back!”

She causes trouble every single day, insisting on learning the sword. Now, she’s unskilled, caused a mess, and Bai Lan has to clean it up!

Hearing this, Bai Qiyue shrank her neck, not daring to speak anymore, and continued to hide behind her, acting like a quail.

Seeing her feigning good behavior now, even if Bai Lan was angry, she couldn’t vent it.

After all, she was her beloved daughter. Even if she was frustrated by her lack of improvement, she ultimately cared for her, so how could she scold her too harshly?

She could only suppress her temper and patiently continue to negotiate with the old fox.

Bai Lan knew clearly that if she didn’t bleed profusely this time, the matter likely wouldn’t be resolved. After much hesitation, she still slipped off the jade bracelet on her wrist and pushed it a bit toward Shangguan Yu.

“Adding these, is it enough?”

Shangguan Yu took the bracelet into her hand again, examined it closely, and then checked the valuable items inside. Only then did she finally smile genuinely.

“As expected of the Medicine King Valley, with profound resources.”

Shangguan Yu slightly raised her hand and handed the bracelet to the silent Venerable Wen Qing on the side, while she herself picked up a cup of tea and took a sip.

“Valley Master Bai is truly generous.”

After seeing what was actually inside the bracelet, Venerable Wen Qing’s face almost cracked into a wide smile.

Oh my, the sheer number of valuable items was dazzling! The Medicine King Valley truly was financially powerful.

No wonder her Senior Sister wasn’t satisfied with just one round of ‘robbery.’

If it were her, she would feel like she didn’t deserve all these good things from the Medicine King Valley if she didn’t draw her sword and plough the valley’s land back and forth three times.

Venerable Wen Qing felt a pity in her heart, but maintained the necessary expression on her face and immediately advised:

“Senior Sister, it was just a squabble between juniors; it shouldn’t be taken seriously. Furthermore, Valley Master Bai has shown such sincerity, we should give her some face.”

She was sincerely advising this.

After all, this immense benefit was solid and real.

Why would they reject it?

Hearing that there was finally one reasonable person present, Bai Lan’s expression improved slightly. Considering that the person was also the main victim in this incident, her tone became softer.

“Venerable is magnanimous.”

Venerable Wen Qing returned a smile.

It’s not that she’s magnanimous; it’s that you truly gave too much.

Now, should they finally relent?

Bai Lan looked at Shangguan Yu, her heart held its breath.

Unexpectedly, Shangguan Yu put down her teacup, glanced at Venerable Wen Qing, and slowly said: “If you don’t mind, I naturally won’t pursue it.”

Bai Lan’s hopeful gaze immediately shifted back to Venerable Wen Qing.

Since she had received the benefits, she couldn’t possibly keep harping on the other person’s mistake.

And so, the matter was thus lightly brushed aside.

Qin Qingyi and Venerable Wen Qing smiled and waved goodbye to the extravagant patron (scapegoat/not really).

As soon as the people left, Venerable Wen Qing couldn’t wait to take out and divide the bribes she had received.

Perhaps because she had agreed so readily earlier, Bai Lan had actually taken out quite a few more valuable items—some of which were hard to find treasures in the Xuanyuan Realm—insisting that she owed Cangxue Peak and that it should be considered compensation.

This made Venerable Wen Qing too embarrassed to refuse, so she had to accept them.

Now that the people were gone, wasn’t it time to divide the spoils?

“This one is for Qingyi.”

Venerable Wen Qing scooped up an item and threw it to her eldest disciple, then picked out a few items suitable for her second and third disciples and tossed them over. After that, she shoved all the remaining rare treasures to Zhou Zhixue.

“You suffered a lot in this incident. Keep them all.”

Seeing Zhou Zhixue about to decline, Venerable Wen Qing said in an undeniable voice: “You were injured, and it is only right for the other party to give some compensation. You don’t need to feel constrained by it.”

Qin Qingyi smiled, her eyes crescent-shaped, and she tucked the good items into her Qiankun (Cosmos) Sleeve with a clear conscience.

Zhou Zhixue couldn’t argue with Venerable Wen Qing, and also followed suit: “Thank you, Master.”

Under the eaves of the Zhijian Peak main hall, the group was busy dividing the spoils.

Shangguan Yu came out and saw this scene.

“Senior Aunt, would you like a share too?”

Qin Qingyi sat cross-legged on the ground and waved to her, asking cheerily.

Shangguan Yu shook her head and chuckled softly.

“No need, you all keep them.”

Seeing her decline, Qin Qingyi didn’t press her. After all, Zhijian Peak had plenty of valuable resources, and the dignified Sect Leader wouldn’t be petty enough to snatch things from her juniors.

So, she and her junior sisters more confidently accepted the friendly gifts from Valley Master Bai.

“The person was sent away, but the matter is not yet over.”

Looking at the oblivious children, Shangguan Yu sighed.

Hearing this, Venerable Wen Qing also slowly withdrew her smile. Her gaze fell on Zhou Zhixue beside her.

“Senior Sister, step aside for a private talk.”

Shangguan Yu naturally agreed.

She stood up and walked with Venerable Wen Qing to where the bronze bells hung under the eaves before stopping.

The two spoke in hushed tones. Venerable Wen Qing’s brows furrowed increasingly as they talked. The drafts in the corridor fragmented their words, making it hard for Qin Qingyi and the others to hear clearly.

“What are Master and Senior Aunt talking about?”

Hu Yu was curious. He couldn’t hear clearly, only vaguely caught a few mentions of Junior Sister’s name, so he voiced it out, “I hear it’s about Junior Sister.”

Qin Qingyi’s power was far above his, and she heard it clearly.

But it was better not to have heard it.

Her expression was grim. She turned and met eyes with Xie Su, whose expression was equally unpleasant.

“Senior Sister…”

Xie Su called her softly, her gaze falling on Zhou Zhixue, who was clinging close to her.

“Wait for Master’s decision!”

She spoke, interrupting Xie Su.

This matter was not yet for them to decide on their own.

Qin Qingyi looked down at Zhou Zhixue, who was still oblivious, blinking her eyes at her. In the end, she only pursed her lips, and gently stroked her head to comfort her: “When we return to the peak, Senior Sister will take you to play in the snow.”

Zhou Zhixue’s eyes brightened at the mention of it.

She loved playing in the snow.

It was icy and cool, comfortable.

Seeing her nod in agreement, completely carefree, a small smile appeared on Qin Qingyi’s face, and she added a few more words: “Today, Senior Sister will teach you how to build a beautiful snowman.”

Saying “play in the snow” was actually teaching her how to control her spiritual energy.

The thousand-year cold lotus had excellent effects. Zhou Zhixue had not shown any signs of the previous delirium or qi deviation ever since.

Even the spiritual energy accumulated in her dantian was quickly being absorbed in these passing days.

Her strength had also ascended due to this opportunity. It was estimated that in a few days, she would be able to fully absorb and utilize it, cross that barrier, and step into a new realm.

Before long, the conversation at the other end neared its end.

However… it seemed their communication was not smooth, and their voices grew louder. This time, even Zhou Zhixue heard them.

“Junior Sister, you should make a decision soon,” Shangguan Yu pressed Venerable Wen Qing, her eyebrows lowered.

“Senior Sister, no need to persuade me further. As her Master, I will naturally protect her completely!”

After dropping this firm statement, Venerable Wen Qing turned and left, ending their conversation.

Venerable Wen Qing was furious, completely devoid of her previous cheerfulness. She walked up to the group, left the instruction “Return to the peak!”

And then left alone on her sword.

Leaving the others to look blankly at Shangguan Yu.

“Qingyi.”

Shangguan Yu walked over and called her name gently.

She reached out, took out the other Qiankun jade bracelet given by Bai Lan, and placed it in her palm.

“Take this to your Master. She left in a hurry, and I didn’t have time to give it to her.”

However, Qin Qingyi did not take it with her usual playful smile.

She looked at Shangguan Yu’s thin, frail wrist, gazed at it fixedly for a few seconds, then took the jade bracelet from the equally thin and pale hand.

“Thank you, Senior Aunt.”

Shangguan Yu’s eyes were gentle. She withdrew her now empty hand and was about to say something else, but was interrupted by Qin Qingyi.

“Senior Aunt, if there is nothing else, this niece will also take her leave.”

Qin Qingyi cupped her hands, polite yet distant.

Shangguan Yu was slightly startled upon hearing this. Then, seeing that her junior brothers and sisters beside her also looked downcast, she figured they must have heard her conversation with Wen Qing just now.

However, she didn’t feel the need to offer any further explanation.

If they heard it, so be it. Her brows showed a hint of fatigue, and she quietly replied: “Very well, you all return.”

“Zhijian Peak has many matters, so I won’t keep you any longer.”

With that, she also turned and walked toward the Zhijian Peak hall.

Only a few steps away, as Shangguan Yu walked, she suddenly covered her mouth and coughed a few times. Her slender shoulders trembled slightly because of it, but she forcefully held it back. The muffled cough was suppressed in her chest, almost inaudible by the time the wind carried it over.

Qin Qingyi looked at her slender back and, for the first time, saw a hint of loneliness in this Sect Leader Senior Aunt.

“Let’s go back to the peak.”

She said softly.

For several days in a row, Venerable Wen Qing’s expression was terribly gloomy upon returning to the peak.

Shangguan Yu also visited Cangxue Peak a few times, but each time she was harshly reprimanded by Venerable Wen Qing, who smashed teacups and chased her out.

Shangguan Yu could only leave, but each time before leaving, she would ask Venerable Wen Qing to consider the matter further, which would result in several teacups being thrown out of the room.

Consequently, the atmosphere on Cangxue Peak grew increasingly tense.

Until one night, at bedtime, Qin Qingyi didn’t see Zhou Zhixue.

Meanwhile, Venerable Wen Qing, who was meditating in her room to quell her inner anger, sensed her young disciple outside, about to knock on the door.

“No need to knock, come in.”