Immortality begins with raising apprentices

Chapter 123 My Master is the Most Despicable Person in the World!
Chen Ye hadn't gone far when
Xu Qingsong quickly caught up from behind, his face still bearing that gentle and polite smile. He cupped his hands and said, "Deacon Chen, my name is Xu Qingsong. If I spoke inappropriately just now, I hope Deacon Chen will forgive me."

"Fellow Daoist Xu," Chen Ye returned the greeting, his guard up even more.

A dog that doesn't bark is the one that bites.

Qingjun, who shouts and yells all the time, obviously wouldn't bite anyone.

As for Zhiwei... this girl is simply indifferent.

Xu Qingsong didn't beat around the bush. He calmly looked at Chen Ye and slowly said, "Deacon Chen, let's get straight to the point. Your disciple, Xu Qingjun, is my sister, my half-sister."

Although Chen Ye had already guessed that Xu Qingsong's target was Qingjun.

It's clear that he was taken aback by his bluntness.

Chen Ye remained calm and said in a deep voice, "What do you mean by that, Senior Brother Xu? I rescued Qingjun by chance in the Three Thousand Mountains seven years ago. I know a little about her past. If she is truly of the Xu family bloodline, why was she stranded outside and almost lost her life back then?"

"It's a misfortune for our family, and it's a story too complicated to tell in a few words."

A perfectly timed hint of sadness appeared on Xu Qingsong's face.

"The events of that year were complicated and involved some villains. Now that the obstacles within the family have been removed, I have come here on the orders of the family to bring Qingjun... my sister, back to the Xu family of Yuexi Lake to be recognized by her ancestors."

Chen Ye frowned.

If Xu Qingsong truly wanted to bring Qingjun home, why wait until today?

After what happened at the main hall, he had a feeling that Xu Qingsong was probably behind it all, deliberately transferring him to Baiqi Garden so that he would anger Bai Susu.

Even if Bai Susu doesn't kill him, if he can't get past her, he will fail the test.

Under the manipulation of those with ulterior motives, I'm afraid I won't be able to go to Taoshan Medicinal Herb Garden, and I might even be exiled to a remote area.

In this way, one has the opportunity to resolve their own issues quietly...

But what is the purpose of doing this?
"Take Qingjun back?"

Chen Ye suddenly realized something and sneered.

"If you weren't forced into it, you probably wouldn't want to openly and legitimately bring Qingjun back, would you?"

Xu Qingsong's expression turned slightly unpleasant after Chen Ye pointed out his mistake.

Indeed, if Xu Qingjun were brought home in a proper and respectable manner, then in the eyes of the outside world, she would be the true third young lady of the Xu family.

At the same time, it will also alarm Mao Qingzhu...

He intended to resolve everything quietly, but for some reason, Chen Ye received Bai Susu's protection.

But no matter what, Xu Qingjun is ultimately a member of the Xu family, and it is impossible for her to fall into the hands of outsiders.

Chen Ye continued, “Fellow Daoist Xu, Qingjun is now living peacefully here with me and has already begun her cultivation. She is still very young and probably has no memory of the Xu family, and may even harbor fear. Bringing her back to a completely unfamiliar environment rashly may not be a good thing for her.”

Xu Qingsong had anticipated Chen Ye's reaction, and he smiled slightly:
“I understand Deacon Chen’s concerns. The Xu family is deeply grateful for Deacon Chen’s nurturing of Qingjun and will surely repay him handsomely. But Qingjun is ultimately a member of the Xu family. It is the right path for her to return to her ancestral home. The cultivation resources and connections that the family can provide are far beyond what ordinary cultivators can offer. Letting her return to the family is the best arrangement for her future.”

"The best arrangement?"

Chen Ye sneered, refusing to back down an inch.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, do you know that Qingjun is doing very well here with me? She has her senior sister by her side and me, her master, to take care of her. She doesn't need so-called family glory, much less those conflicts that might hurt her again."

Xu Qingsong remained calm, but his tone became more serious: "Qingjun's constitution is special, and I'm sure the steward has noticed something about it."

How could Chen Ye not know that Qingjun had a special constitution?

The game's setting explicitly states that Qingjun is a descendant of a true dragon.

Although the Xu family is currently unremarkable, their ancestors must have had a trace of true dragon blood.

Otherwise, Mao Qingzhu would not have given birth to Qingjun.

Seeing Chen Ye remain silent, Xu Qingsong smiled easily:
"Deacon Chen...do you sometimes notice that my sister occasionally goes crazy? Is she irritable, belligerent, cruel, and bloodthirsty?"

Xu Qingsong's words were like a boulder thrown into Chen Ye's heart lake, stirring up a thousand waves.

Isn't this exactly the character of Qingjun in the original text?
But Qingjun has never shown this personality trait yet, so how could Xu Qingsong know?
Unconsciously, Chen Ye's voice became somewhat hoarse: "Could it be... some kind of hidden ailment of the Xu family?"

"Exactly!"

Xu Qingsong suddenly clapped his hands and sighed.
“Since the Xu family moved to Moon Rhinoceros Lake three hundred years ago, new members of the clan have been born with gray hair. Although they are exceptionally talented, they are all irritable.”

"When Qingjun was born, he had a full head of silver hair. The clan elders were overjoyed, thinking that he had extraordinary talent, but it turned out that he was just an ordinary person..."

"Moreover, there is another interesting thing, which is that Xu Qingjun is not her father's biological daughter, but a descendant of other members of the Xu family... Of course, this is a family secret. Outsiders do not know this."

"Furthermore, because some clansmen used to have slightly gray hair and become irritable, Qingjun... therefore, the clan elders believed that Qingjun was an ominous sign."

At this point, Xu Qingsong sighed and turned to look at Chen Ye.
"Since Steward Chen is Qingjun's teacher, there is no need to hide these matters from him. However, they are ultimately family scandals, so I hope Steward Chen will not spread them."

His words sparked a flash of inspiration in Chen Ye's mind.

No wonder Mao Qingzhu was reluctant to bring Qingjun back to the Xu family.

So Qingjun really isn't Xu Buhui's child!
And because Qingjun also had silver hair, they were even more certain that Qingjun was the illegitimate child of another Xu family man.

Furthermore, Chen Ye understood Xu Qingsong's unspoken meaning: "You mean... the Xu family has a way to cure Qingjun's mania?"

"Deacon Chen is truly a prophet!"

Xu Qingsong's tone softened again, carrying a hint of compassion, as if he were genuinely worried about Qingjun's condition.

"This matter concerns Qingjun's life and future, and we must both be cautious. You should think it over carefully. If Qingjun's constitution is not guided and suppressed by the Xu family, it will backfire on her as she gets older, and the consequences will be unimaginable."

He deliberately emphasized the phrase "backfires," his eyes filled with sincerity.

"I hope Deacon Chen will consider this carefully. Besides, Qingjun is ultimately a member of the Xu family... Deacon Chen, you will surely come to your senses."

After saying this, Xu Qingsong left calmly with his entourage without saying another word.

He was certain that Chen Ye would compromise as long as Chen Ye genuinely cared for his apprentice.

Of course, it wouldn't be unreasonable to forcibly abduct Qingjun based on blood ties.

But if you can avoid offending them, why bother?
As he left, Xu Qingsong glanced back at the spirit plant steward, a cold smile playing on his lips.

No way, you'll regret it if you don't listen to reason...

Chen Ye stood there, watching Xu Qingsong's departing figure, his brows furrowed into a deep frown.

Xu Qingsong's words were like a thorn, deeply embedded in his heart.

He remembered that Qingjun in the original story did indeed seem to have a hidden mental illness.

The Xu family should be descendants of a true dragon, so perhaps they really do have a way?
……

The setting sun, like blood, cast a dim, yellowish glow over the Rakuri-in courtyard.

Chen Ye stood outside the courtyard for a long time before finally pushing open the gate.

A fragrant aroma of food wafted over.

"Master, you're back!"

A small, fluffy white figure peeked out from the kitchen; it was Qingjun.

A few specks of soot clung to her little face, making her look like a little kitten caught stealing food.

But her bright phoenix eyes sparkled with excitement, and she was waving a spatula that was barely bigger than her small face.

"Yes, Master is back."

Chen Ye stepped forward and instinctively tried to pat her head, but Qing Jun nimbly dodged him.

"Humph!"

The little girl still had a problem with Chen Ye and didn't want her master to touch her head, since her master always scared her!
She pouted, seemingly very unwilling:

"We promised to make lots and lots of delicious food for Master today, so come in with Qingjun! Otherwise, Qingjun will eat it all by herself! This is today's delicious food!"

The little girl insisted on pulling Chen Ye to the stove, pointing to a fish in the pot that was cooked to a golden brown color and had a sweet and sour aroma.

Although there were a few slightly charred spots on the fish, indicating that the cooking time wasn't quite right, the sweet and sour aroma was undeniably tempting.

Chen Ye felt a warmth in his heart. He squatted down and looked at Qing Jun's bright little face, which was covered in stove ash, and said softly, "Our Qing Jun is so amazing. She can even make sweet and sour fish for Master."

He reached out and gently wiped the ash from her cheek with his sleeve.
"However, next time you should be careful not to turn yourself into a little kitten."

"I'm not a little kitten!" Qingjun puffed out her cheeks, but she couldn't hide the smile on her lips.

She picked up a clean pair of chopsticks, took a small piece of the tenderest meat from the fish's belly, carefully blew on it, then stood on tiptoe and held it to Chen Ye's lips: "Master, eat quickly!! Don't hesitate!"

Looking at her expectant eyes, Chen Ye opened his mouth and ate the piece of fish.

The fish is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors. Although it can't compare to his own cooking skills, the effort he put into it is priceless.

"Yes! The sweet and sour fish that Qingjun makes is the best Master has ever eaten!" Chen Ye praised without reservation.

"Whee!"

Qingjun immediately beamed with joy, and proudly shook her little head.

"Of course! Qingjun will make even more delicious food for Master in the future!"

Looking at Qingjun's lively and adorable appearance, Chen Ye was filled with mixed emotions.

"Qingjun, Master... there's something I want to tell you."

"Ok?"

Qingjun was holding a spatula, proudly preparing to put a piece of fish on her plate, when she heard this, she tilted her head and looked at him curiously.
"What's wrong, Master? Is it because Qingjun's fish is so delicious that you want to eat it every day?"

"Qingjun,"

Chen Ye crouched down, trying to make his eyes level with hers, and softened his voice even more.

"Master is wondering if you would like to go to a very, very big place? It's much more magnificent than our Luoli Courtyard."

The little girl blinked her eyes, her expression full of anticipation: "Of course I want to, but Qingjun also really likes Luoliyuan."

"That place is the Xu family home, where Qingjun's parents live."

A look of anticipation first appeared on Qingjun's face, then turned into confusion.

Upon seeing her master's somber expression, the little girl immediately understood.
She lowered her head, her small hands nervously twisting the hem of her clothes, and the spatula fell to the ground with a clatter: "Master, are we taking Qingjun home?"

"Qingjun's family has come looking for her... That Aunt Mao is actually Qingjun's mother, and she's much more powerful than her master."

"Oh... but what's the use of being powerful?"

"Wouldn't that mean someone would stand up for Qingjun?"

"Only Master would bully Qingjun... Qingjun, please forgive Master with reluctance, so that you won't need anyone else to back you up..."

"Well, for example, Master is very poor, while the Xu family is very rich and has many spirit stones..."

What can spirit stones be used for?

“Spirit stones have many uses; Qingjun can have whatever she wants…”

"Five in a row is enough."

"Then we can buy Qingjun some delicious food."

"Master's pastries are the most delicious things in the world."

"Yes...yes...with the Xu family involved, no one will dare to look down on Qingjun..."

"Qingjun understands..."

"What do you know?"

"I know." The little girl lowered her head, silently reaching out her hands to weakly push Chen Ye out of the kitchen.

"Master is the most despicable person in the world. You are not allowed to eat Qingjun's food..."

……

The little girl wasn't very strong, but Chen Ye used her strength to back out of the kitchen.

He leaned against the doorframe, watching Qingjun turn her back to him angrily, her small shoulders trembling, clearly she had cried again.

Ugh……

Qingjun is both timid and prone to crying.

What should we do if we go to the Xu family?

Especially Xu Qingsong, whose intentions were clearly hostile.
The so-called hidden illness he mentioned, and its treatment, may not be as simple as he makes it out to be.

We definitely need to prepare in advance for Qingjun's illness.

However, specific details still need to be discussed with Mao Qingzhu before a decision can be made.

After all, in the Xu family, Mao Qingzhu was probably the only one who still cared about Qingjun.

"Qingjun,"

Chen Ye softened his voice.
“Master is not trying to drive you away. It’s just that… the Xu family is your family after all, and Master hopes that Qingjun can know that she still has another family, and… people who care about her.”

Qingjun didn't turn around, her muffled voice coming from the kitchen: "Qingjun doesn't care! Qingjun only wants her senior sister and master... and Qiuyun! Those people didn't want Qingjun before, and now they want to take Qingjun back. They are bad people! Master is bad too! They want to give Qingjun to bad people!"

"Master..."

Zhiwei arrived at the kitchen door at some point. She looked at Chen Ye, then at Qingjun, whose back was to them and whose shoulders were still trembling slightly.

The older girl said softly, "Master, Qingjun... she's just scared."

Chen Ye nodded; he naturally understood.

If Qingjun were older, it would be easier to explain.

But Qingjun was just a little girl.

And so they returned to the Xu family.
It's like being abandoned by your "family" in a completely unfamiliar place.

Even if she had feelings for Mao Qingzhu, those feelings were far from enough to provide her with a sense of security.

Chen Ye sighed, feigning nonchalance:

"Idiot, why are you crying? Master didn't say he had to send you back."

"Master assures you that no one can take you away unless Qingjun wants to. Master will stay with Qingjun until Qingjun grows up and no longer needs Master."

The sobbing in the kitchen gradually subsided.

All that remained were the occasional faint sobs.

With red and swollen eyes, she asked in a hoarse voice, "Master... really... really won't lie to Qingjun?"

"When has your master ever lied to you?" Chen Ye asked, feigning seriousness.

Qingjun pouted, as if she was about to accuse her master of his past "evil deeds," but she swallowed the words back down.

She sniffed and whispered, "Then...then pinky promise!"

Chen Ye chuckled and extended his little finger: "Okay, pinky promise."

The little fingers of the two hands, one big and one small, were hooked together and gently wiggled.

"Pinky promise, for a hundred years, no take-backs!" Qingjun recited in her childish voice, a smile finally returning to her face.

Chen Ye said firmly, "Qingjun is Master's disciple. How could Master not want Qingjun? Unless... unless one day Qingjun grows up and doesn't want to follow this old man Master anymore."

"No way!" Qingjun immediately retorted, shaking her head like a rattle-drum. "Qingjun will always follow Master! Because... because Senior Sister is here! No one can take Master away!"

"What if Master marries a mistress in the future?"

Chen Ye asked again, almost as if possessed. He remembered Qing Jun's shocking statement about "making Aunt Mao her master and wife" and couldn't help but tease her.

"Master's wife?"

Qingjun was taken aback upon hearing this, and a look of confusion appeared on her small face.

She tilted her head and thought for a moment, then said in an extremely serious tone, "Then...then Qingjun and Senior Sister will work together to drive Master's wife away! Master belongs to Qingjun and Senior Sister!"

Chen Ye was both amused and exasperated. Good heavens, did this little girl want him to serve the two of them for the rest of his life?

Weren't you thinking of finding a mistress for your master before? Why have you changed your mind now...?

If the two girls were to live apart, wouldn't that tear me in two?
"Okay, okay, let's not talk about this anymore."

Chen Ye ruffled Qingjun's hair and changed the subject.

"The fish is getting cold. If we don't eat it soon, Master will eat it all by himself."

"Ah! My fish!" Qingjun suddenly remembered the fragrant sweet and sour fish, and quickly broke free from Chen Ye's arms, rushing towards the stove.

Seeing Qingjun regain her liveliness, Chen Ye finally felt relieved.

He will take Xu Qingsong's words to heart, but he still needs to consider them carefully.

……

The little girl was exhausted both physically and mentally today, and Chen Ye quickly coaxed her to sleep.

He was alone in Rakurin, lost in thought.

The Xu family...

Although the Xu family is not as powerful as the Bai family, they are not a Golden Core family.

However, under the rule of the Lingyin Sect, they remained a well-known cultivation family.

Especially Xu Qingjun's lineage, which is even more extraordinary.

His father, Xu Buhui, had a Foundation Establishment level of cultivation.

The eldest brother, Xu Qingyun, is even better. He is a true disciple of the Lingyin Sect, with a Foundation Establishment level of four, and is the future successor of the Xu family.

The second brother, Xu Qingsong, was also exceptionally talented, with a cultivation level of the eighth level of Qi Refining.

With the addition of Mao Qingzhu, this lineage now has three Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"However... the dust has not settled yet, there is no need to fight the Xu family to the death. After all, Qingjun is also a member of the Xu family."

Thinking about this, Chen Ye had an even bigger headache.

Judging from Xu Qingsong's attitude alone, it's quite obvious that Xu Buhui seems unable to accept being cuckolded.

Mao Qingzhu didn't know which member of the Xu family she was having an affair with...

"I never expected that the background of Qingjun, which was only mentioned briefly in the game, would contain such a melodramatic story."

He sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, gazing at the koi swimming leisurely in the pond, his mind heavy with thoughts.

The afterglow of the setting sun cast a long shadow of him, carrying a touch of desolation.

"Master."

A crisp sound rang out from behind.

Chen Ye turned around and saw that Zhiwei had quietly come up behind him at some point.

The young girl was slender and petite, with her long, dark hair loosely tied up with a simple wooden hairpin, and a few strands falling beside her fair cheeks.

She had delicate features, light eyebrows and eyes, and a pair of obsidian-like eyes that were calm and undisturbed.

Her aloof and refined demeanor made her resemble a snow lotus quietly blooming in a secluded valley, untouched by the dust of the world.

She silently walked to Chen Ye's side, took a soft cushion from her storage bag, gently placed it on the stone bench next to her, and then patted her leg naturally.

Chen Ye was taken aback, somewhat confused.

Seeing that he didn't move, Zhiwei repeated the action, her voice calm: "Master, lie down."

Chen Ye looked at his eldest disciple's expressionless face and her slender legs that seemed to break at the slightest touch, and felt both amused and exasperated.

Does this girl want him to rest his head on her lap?
What kind of behavior is it for a man in his forties to be resting his head on the lap of a seven or eight-year-old girl?

But he understood that Zhiwei was also showing her concern for him in her own way...

Chen Yeyi lay down on the stone bench somewhat uncomfortably, gently resting his head on Zhiwei's lap.

Hmm... the little girl's legs are so thin and soft, it's quite comfortable to use as a pillow.

After Zhiwei waited for him to lie down, she stretched out her two small hands and gently pressed them on his temples.

Her fingers were slender and fair, slightly cool, yet the force she applied was surprisingly precise and gentle.

one more time.

The gentle pressure gradually relaxed Chen Ye's tense nerves.

Strands of his dark hair brushed against his cheeks in the night wind.

Zhiwei remained silent, focusing intently on massaging his head.

She lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow under her eyelids, her expression focused and serious.

The moonlight filtered through the branches and leaves of the pear tree, casting dappled shadows on her and adding a touch of mystery to her cool and aloof face.

"Master, what happened?"

Chen Ye hummed in agreement and did not hide anything: "There are some things, concerning Qingjun."

He briefly recounted to Zhiwei what Xu Qingsong had said that day, as well as his own concerns.

After all, Zhiwei and Qingjun were sisters, and she had the right to know about Qingjun's affairs.

Zhiwei listened quietly, her hands continuing their work.

After Chen Ye finished speaking, she frowned slightly: "I have also noticed Qingjun's constitution, but..."

Only then did the eldest girl realize that it was Qingjun's hidden ailment.

But... she promised Qingjun that she couldn't tell her master.

Zhiwei paused for a moment, then said, "Master, we cannot completely disbelieve the Xu family's words, nor can we completely believe them. This matter needs to be discussed further."

Chen Ye was slightly surprised, not expecting that Zhiwei, at such a young age, could see things so clearly.

He opened his eyes and looked at the delicate little face so close to his, and those calm, unwavering black eyes. He couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.

“Zhiwei is right,” Chen Ye sighed. “However, Xu Qingsong spoke with such certainty that Master still felt somewhat uneasy.”

A gentle evening breeze, carrying the faint fragrance of pear blossoms and the coolness of night dew, stirred Zhiwei's waist-length black hair.

"If Master is uneasy, Zhiwei will stay with Master."

“Master, go to sleep... Today, Zhiwei will tell you a story.”

"Once upon a time..."

　Sorry, I only have 6k today.

　　Let's just combine them into one chapter.

　　Tomorrow, the author will definitely rise to the occasion!!!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)