Immortality begins with raising apprentices

Chapter 112 Brother Qingjun, Zhiwei is Jealous

Inside the main cave of Bencao Peak, the aroma of tea wafts through the air, lingering and persistent.

Peak Master Pang Taining stroked his long beard and slowly said, "Nephew Qingsong, I have already arranged for Chen Ye to be transferred to Baiqi Garden in advance."

The person in front of him was Xu Qingsong, the second young master of the Xu family of Yuexi Lake, a rising star in the inner sect.

At such a young age, he had already reached the eighth level of Qi Refining. Coupled with his profound family background, even an elder from the outer sect like the Peak Master of the Herbal Peak had to give him some respect.

"That's excellent. Thank you for your trouble, Peak Master Pang."

Xu Qingsong smiled gently and cupped his hands in greeting.

He put down his teacup and asked casually:
"Speaking of which, the fact that the Hundred Wonders Garden has been abandoned for many years and its spiritual veins are depleted is secondary. I've heard... there seems to be another hidden story behind it?"

Upon hearing this, Peak Master Pang put down his teacup and sighed, "What my nephew says is true. The reason why Baiqi Garden is abandoned is not only due to the problem of the spiritual vein, but also mainly because of the spiritual herbs of the Duqing Sect in the garden."

"The spiritual herbs of the Crossing Love Sect?" Xu Qingsong feigned surprise. "Ordinary spiritual plant masters would indeed avoid those demonic items like the plague. However, with the resources of the Herb Peak, dealing with them shouldn't be too difficult, right?"

“Alas,” Peak Master Pang shook his head, lowering his voice slightly, “Nephew, you may not know this, but the source of these spiritual herbs is related to True Person Bai Li.”

Upon hearing the name "Bai Li," Xu Qingsong's fingers, holding the teacup, tightened almost imperceptibly.

Peak Master Pang continued, "Back then, True Person Bai Li was an exceptionally talented individual, hailed as the number one genius of our Lingyin Sect, with a promising future. Twelve years ago, when our sect clashed with the Duqing Sect, True Person Bai Li slew two of their Golden Core elders, making him famous throughout the Yan Kingdom. It's just a pity... that heaven is jealous of talent."

Xu Qingsong continued, "I have also heard that True Person Bai Li died in battle, surrounded and killed by at least five Golden Core True Persons, and not even a complete skeleton was left. This matter remains a mystery to this day. Some say it was... an internal strife within the sect, while others say it was a joint attack by the Myriad Puppet Sect and the Crossing Love Sect."

"exactly."

Peak Master Pang nodded, his expression becoming more solemn.
"The spiritual herbs in the Hundred Wonders Garden were among the many spoils of war that True Person Bai Li seized from the Crossing Love Sect. His only daughter, Bai Susu, loved flowers and spiritual plants from a young age. True Person Bai Li, deeply devoted to his daughter, specially planted these captured spiritual herbs in the Hundred Wonders Garden and even personally adjusted their medicinal properties, intending to study and cultivate them with his daughter in the future, enjoying the joys of family life..."

At this point, Peak Master Pang couldn't help but let out another long sigh:
"Things have changed. The Hundred Wonders Garden remains the same, but Master Bai has passed away. Since Master Bai Li's death, the Hundred Wonders Garden has become the apple of Bai Susu's eye, her personal possession. Anyone who dares to touch a single blade of grass or tree in the garden will face her deadly wrath. Nephew, you know that girl has a strange personality and ruthless methods. No disciple in the peak wants to provoke her. Over time, the Hundred Wonders Garden has been completely abandoned."

This matter was a well-known secret within the Herbal Peak, and the Peak Master brought it up now to let Xu Qingsong know the implications.

As for the disciples of other peaks, such as Li Qiuyun, an outer disciple of Zixiao Peak, they were naturally completely unaware of this.

Xu Qingsong toyed with the teacup in his hand and sighed softly:
"But the Hundred Wonders Garden cannot be left to decay... The other disciples are cowardly and afraid of death, they are not even as good as the newly initiated Deacon Chen!"

After saying that, Xu Qingsong took out a brocade box from his storage bag and pushed it in front of Peak Master Pang: "This is just a small token of my respect. I hope Peak Master will accept it with a smile."

Pang Fengzhu's eyes flickered slightly, and he accepted the brocade box with a smile.

For him, this was just a matter of going with the flow, and he could also gain a favor from the Xu family, so why not?
Although Bai Susu has an eccentric temper, she wouldn't kill people indiscriminately...

Coincidentally, this new deacon is skilled at treating demonic energy.

This is truly a win-win situation!
The more Pang Fengzhu thought about it, the more satisfied he became. He sighed, "I just didn't want to see this spiritual land ruined. Since Deacon Chen didn't refuse, I can only trust his abilities... I hope he has some real skills and doesn't waste Bai Zhenren's efforts, and also doesn't anger that girl from the Bai family."

Xu Qingsong also stood up with a smile: "Peak Master Pang has truly gone to great lengths! This junior will not disturb you any longer, farewell."

……

On the other side, as soon as Xu Qingsong left Bencao Peak, one of his trusted followers approached him and whispered, "Second Young Master, news has arrived. Chen Ye has already gone to Baiqi Garden."

The attendant paused, then asked with some confusion, "Second Young Master, why go to such lengths to deal with a mere steward?"

Xu Qingsong sighed, "Foolish! Why get yourself involved when you can use someone else to do the dirty work? Besides... right now, I just want to teach him a lesson."

The attendant nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

Xu Qingsong's thoughts drifted back to a few days ago.

If it weren't for my elder brother's prior preparations...
It seems they really intend to let this stepmother get away with it.

It turns out... his sister was actually still alive!

Xu Qingsong smirked and, instead of returning directly to his cave, ordered, "Go to Luoli Courtyard."

……

Rakurin.

Xu Qingsong stood outside the courtyard, looking at the few still verdant pear trees with a deep gaze.

He slowly stepped into the courtyard, his gaze immediately locking onto the little girl who was huddled under the eaves, hugging her knees, her silver hair particularly striking.

Another girl with black hair sat quietly to the side, watching him warily.

"I knew that woman surnamed Mao would finally reveal her true colors... I'd like to see what her bastard child will be like!"

Xu Qingsong scoffed inwardly, but put on a warm smile on his face.

He approached slowly, trying to make his voice sound gentle and approachable: "You must be Uncle Chen's disciples? How adorable."

Qingjun was startled by the sudden appearance of the stranger and instinctively shrank behind Lu Zhiwei.

Zhiwei shielded Qingjun behind her, her small face tense, staring at Xu Qingsong without saying a word: "You are..."

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid,"

Xu Qingsong's smile grew even warmer. He crouched down, trying to look Xu Qingjun in the eye.

“I am a friend of your master. Your master has been ordered by the sect to go to Baiqi Garden to manage the herb garden and he probably won’t be back for a while. He specifically asked me to come and see you if I have any free time.”

His voice was gentle, but his eyes carefully examined the silver-haired girl. Was this the bastard child who had been separated from her family?

Apart from her phoenix eyes, which vaguely resembled her parents, everything else... was completely unlike them.

"You...you are my master's friend?" Qingjun timidly peeked out from behind Lu Zhiwei and asked in a low voice.

She remained wary of the smiling older brother in front of her.

"Of course it's true." Xu Qingsong's smile remained unchanged, and he even took out a few spiritual fruits from his storage bag and handed them over. "These are specially brought for you. Try them, they're very sweet."

Xu Qingjun looked at the crystal-clear spiritual fruit that exuded an enticing fragrance, and subconsciously swallowed, but did not reach out to take it.

She secretly glanced at Lu Zhiwei beside her.

Lu Zhiwei remained aloof, her gaze sweeping back and forth between Xu Qingsong and Lingguo before she spoke softly, "Thank you for your kindness, but Master prepared plenty of food for us before he left."

A hint of displeasure flashed in Xu Qingsong's eyes; this black-haired girl was much more alert than the silver-haired one.

He still smiled and said, "It's alright, children always like new and interesting things. I obtained this spiritual fruit by chance, and it is very beneficial to the body. Your master will be happy to know."

He gently placed the spirit fruit on the stone steps in front of the two of them, without insisting that they take it.

He suddenly asked, "Little girl, are you so greedy for spirit fruits? Is Uncle Chen usually this stingy?"

Xu Qingsong had never seen such a greedy little girl!

I'm still both timid and greedy.

He huddled behind the black-haired girl, but his eyes were almost glued to the spirit fruit, and he was drooling.

If I weren't starving every day, how could I be so hungry?

Humph……

Even if he is an illegitimate child, he is still an illegitimate child of the Xu family!
Xu Qingsong was somewhat displeased.

The eldest girl couldn't help but roll her eyes at Qingjun before saying, "Master always answers our every request."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qingsong disagreed and said, feigning concern:

"That makes sense... Uncle Chen is a very good person. However, your master has been busy with affairs since going to Baiqi Garden, and I'm afraid he won't be able to get away for a while. If you have any difficulties or anything you want to say to your master, just come to the inner sect to find me."

As he spoke, his eyes never left Qingjun.

This greedy girl is getting cuter and cuter the more I look at her.

After all, he is a descendant of the Xu family...

Xu Qingsong felt a little itchy in his hands.

He turned his gaze away and stood up:

"I won't disturb you two junior sisters any longer. If you need anything, remember to come find me."

Xu Qingsong slowly departed with his entourage. The entourage followed behind, secretly thinking to himself:
"The Second Young Master's actions—luring Chen Ye away and making a special trip to this secluded Luoli Courtyard—could it be that his main purpose is to see this silver-haired little girl? His sister's identity is a closely guarded secret within the family, so the Second Young Master's clandestine actions are consistent with his usual style. It's just a pity for Chen Ye, who has become the Second Young Master's 'family visit' pawn, and who knows what dangers he will face."

Once Xu Qingsong had gone far away, the Luoli Courtyard returned to tranquility.

Looking at the few spiritual fruits on the stone steps that emitted an enticing fragrance, Qingjun whispered, "Senior Sister, is that big brother... really Master's friend?"

Zhiwei shook her head solemnly: "I don't know. But this person is extremely cunning. He may seem gentle in his speech, but his eyes never leave you. He is definitely not a good person. Qingjun, you must be more careful when you see him in the future, and never trust him easily."

"Oh……"

Qingjun nodded as if she understood, but her gaze couldn't help but drift towards the spiritual fruits. She licked her lips and asked softly, "Then...can we eat those fruits?"

Zhiwei glanced at her, and seeing her greedy look, she softened a little and said softly, "Wait until Chen Ye comes back and ask him. Things of unknown origin should not be eaten casually."

Upon hearing this, Qingjun's face immediately fell, but she still obediently nodded.

She knew her senior sister meant well. But... those fruits smelled so good.

The older girl bit her lip.
It is unclear when it began, but the black-haired girl took off her hairpin and let her long hair fall loose.

Her jet-black hair once again obscured her eyes.

She said quietly, "Anyway... Chen Ye is so good to you, and you don't lack these spiritual fruits."

How could the little girl understand the implied meaning in her senior sister's words?
She pouted her little mouth to herself:

"Hmph! Master is so annoying!! He touches my head all day long... If it weren't for the fact that his pastries are so delicious, I wouldn't let him touch my head! Why doesn't he touch my senior sister's head?! It's all just to bully Qingjun!!"

The older girl remained silent and decided to eat fewer bowls of rice in the next few days to slow down her growth.

As for the reason?

No reason.

　Thank you to Toyokawa Inari for the generous donation of 1500 points!

　　Thank you Suiyuan for the 500 coins!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)