Immortality begins with raising apprentices

Chapter 150 Qingzhu, the Big Coward

Seeing that Chen Ye didn't speak, Xiao Li assumed that her mute sister was shy, so she became even more energetic, practically hanging on Chen Ye, chattering incessantly.

Chen Ye felt utterly overwhelmed.

From his past life to this one, he had never been so intimately entangled with a woman.

As for the two disciples?

Chen Ye did hug his two disciples often, but in his eyes, they were not considered to be of the opposite sex at all.

They can only be considered two fluffy little animals named Tuanzi.

The girl's body was soft and delicate, her face sweet, and she carried the fragrance of youth.

He tried to pull his arm away discreetly, but Xiao Li was clinging to him too tightly. If he made any big movements, he was afraid of arousing suspicion.

Just as Chen Ye was in a dilemma, another female voice came from outside the courtyard gate: "Xiao Li, stop fooling around. Hurry up and take the purchased fabric to Zhang Mama in the embroidery room?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Li stuck out her tongue, then reluctantly let go of Chen Ye's arm and bowed to the newcomer: "Yes, Sister He."

Before leaving, she winked at Chen Ye and mouthed silently, "Sister Tao, I'll come play with you again when I get back!"

Chen Ye watched her skip away, then breathed a long sigh of relief and turned to look at the person who had come from behind.

This person was someone Chen Ye knew.

She was Mao Qingzhu's personal maid when she was in Lingbao Pavilion in Yunxifang.

At that time, Chen Ye only knew that she was at the late stage of Qi Refining, but he couldn't tell her exact cultivation level.

But now that Chen Ye has broken through to the late stage of Qi Refining, he can tell at a glance that Xiao He's cultivation level is at the eighth level of Qi Refining.

"Tsk... A mere maid, yet her cultivation is at the eighth level of Qi Refining. How could she be content to remain a maid?"

Chen Ye was secretly puzzled, but when Xiao He's gaze fell on him, his heart tightened.

The disguise techniques used by Tingfeng Pavilion are likely to be ineffective against experts in the late stage of Qi Refining.

fortunately.

With Chen Ye's perfected Qi Concealment Technique enhanced, Xiao He didn't notice anything amiss and nodded to Chen Ye.
"Xiao Tao, you've come back just in time. Madam is taking a bath right now; she's always been used to your service. After all, you... sigh."

As she finished speaking, Xiaohe sighed silently.

Xiao Tao was rescued by the former madam by chance. She was simple-minded and mute, so the madam liked to have Xiao Tao serve her personally.

Chen Ye inwardly groaned, but outwardly he could only nod blankly and follow behind Xiao He.

He didn't want to cause any scandalous misunderstandings that might affect his friendship with Mao Qingzhu.

just,

At this point, he had no choice but to agree.

He's now on the verge of disaster and has no choice but to act!
Xiaohe led him through a moon gate to a bathhouse filled with steam and a warm, fragrant aroma.

The pool water is drawn from a mountain spring, with colorful flower petals floating on it. The entire bath is made of a single piece of warm jade, radiating a soft glow under the dim light.

Mao Qingzhu had her back to them, her long, jet-black hair loosely tied up with a simple jade hairpin, her snow-white shoulders and arms half-exposed above the water, her skin appearing even more delicate and radiant under the steam.

Chen Ye secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Thankfully, it wasn't the kind of bath he had imagined.

Mao Qingzhu's body was mostly submerged in the water, and not a single glimpse of her skin was visible.

"Madam, Xiao Tao has returned," Xiao He reported respectfully.

"Mmm," Mao Qingzhu responded softly, her voice carrying a hint of languor after her bath.

Xiaohe turned to Chen Ye and instructed, "Madam likes to use Hundred Flowers Dew. Go and fetch it and add it to the pond."

She pointed to a rosewood shelf not far away.

"Go quickly! Don't keep the lady waiting."

Chen Ye's heart tightened. How could he know anything about Hundred Flower Dew?

But she dared not hesitate for a moment, and could only grit her teeth and follow the manner of an ordinary maid, walking obediently to the wooden shelf.

Fortunately, there were only a few jade bottles on the wooden shelf, one of which, crystal clear and exuding a rich floral fragrance, was the most eye-catching.

With a firm resolve, Chen Ye took down the jade bottle and carefully dripped the nectar-like liquid inside into the bath.

When the dew is added to the water, the fragrance of the room becomes even stronger.

Seeing that his movements were somewhat stiff but still quite proper, Xiaohe nodded and then asked Mao Qingzhu, "Madam, how was your cultivation at the Heart-Slaying Cave this time?"

Heart-Slaying Cave?
Chen Ye was startled; this place was also recorded in the original game's storyline!
In "Immortal Fall", it is one of the most important dungeons during the beginner period.

But he didn't expect that five hundred years before the game's storyline, Luxin Cave was actually the territory of the Mao family.

The reason why the Heart-Slaying Cave is named Heart-Slaying Cave is because this place is actually the place where a Golden Core cultivator disintegrated.

This Golden Core cultivator was a swordsman, and many of his swords were buried within his body. Because he died here, these swords were filled with malevolent energy, turning this place into a dangerous place, especially affecting the spiritual consciousness of cultivators.

"No wonder... it seems that the combined magic treasures, the Can Chen Xiao Han, came from the Lu Xin Cave."

Chen Ye suddenly realized, and his heart warmed.

If he remembered correctly, there was a third-tier spiritual weapon hidden in the Heart-Slaying Cave!
This sword is the origin of the name of the Heart-Slaying Cave. It is called the Heart-Slaying Sword and is specifically designed to destroy the divine consciousness!

"Practice?"

Mao Qingzhu gave a bitter smile, a trace of sorrow appearing on her exquisite face.
"The Heart-Slaying Cave is a place of confinement and punishment for the Mao family; how can one talk about cultivation there? Father does not wish to have any further dealings with the Xu family. He has already repaid the favor he did for them in the past... But, but Qingjun..."

At this point, Mao Qingzhu sounded exhausted.

Both the Mao and Xu families knew that Qingjun was not a descendant of Xu Buhui.

However, everyone believed that Qingjun was the bastard child of one of the Xu family men.

No matter how Mao Qingzhu explained, they only assumed that she was trying to cover up that wild man.

The Mao family has always been known for its strict family rules, and Mao Qingzhu's actions have undoubtedly brought shame upon the family.

Actually, there is another way to prove her innocence.

But if she reveals it, Qingjun's life may be in danger, and she may become a consumable for cultivation.

Xiaohe, hearing this, also showed a look of pity on her face, and advised, "Madam, why do you torture yourself like this? The Master..."

"Xiao He, there's no need to say more."

Mao Qingzhu interrupted her, her voice soft but resolute.

She turned her head, and when her phoenix eyes saw Chen Ye through the misty steam, her pupils dilated in shock.

wrong!

This isn't Xiaotao!
"presumptuous!"

Mao Qingzhu's jade-like face flushed with rosy hues, her eyes filled with shame and indignation.

With a gentle slap on the water's surface, several water arrows instantly materialized, bursting forth and piercing straight at Chen Ye!
This sudden turn of events shocked Xiao He, who exclaimed, "Madam, please calm down!"

She couldn't understand why the lady would kill Xiao Tao, whom she had always doted on.

Chen Ye reacted very quickly, shaking a jade pendant.

This jade pendant was the very one that Mao Qingzhu had given to Zhiwei before!
He originally intended to take Qingjun's little bell as a token.

However, the little girl loved the bell so much that she would shake it at the drop of a hat...

In that instant, Mao Qingzhu abruptly withdrew her attack.

How could this madman who dared to sneak into her bath have this jade pendant?

Wait, is he Ye Di?
Ye Di risked his life to sneak into the Mao family. Could it be that something happened to Qing Jun?
"Cough cough..."

Mao Qingzhu suddenly coughed violently. She held her forehead, a look of pain on her face, and her voice became extremely weak.
"Never mind... Perhaps... perhaps my soul was injured in the Heart-Slaying Cave, which is why I was a little uneasy just now... Xiao He, you can step back now, let Xiao Tao stay and serve you."

Her words were reasonable, and although Xiaohe had doubts, she didn't dare to ask any more questions because she saw that the lady's face was pale and she didn't seem to be faking it.

"Yes, Madam. Please... take good care of yourself." Xiaohe glanced at her worriedly before leaving the bathhouse, looking back several times.

Once the beaded curtain fell, it separated the inside from the outside.

The water murmured softly, and the air was filled with a delightful fragrance.

Only Chen Ye and Mao Qingzhu remained in the bath. A deathly silence fell over the room.

It seems that Mao Qingzhu's shame and indignation just now was just an illusion.

She regained her usual gentle and composed demeanor, quietly sinking her body into the water, letting the warm pool water envelop her, leaving only a section of her snow-white neck and delicate collarbone visible.

Chen Ye felt extremely uncomfortable. He lowered his head, focused on his nose and mind, and said in a calm voice, "Sister Qingzhu, it's been a long time."

"Please excuse my misunderstanding, Brother Ye. I didn't know it was you who came, which caused this misunderstanding..."

Mao Qingzhu's voice was soft and gentle, and there was nothing unusual about it.

It seemed as if they had met by chance in an ordinary hall, rather than in this private and ambiguous bath.

Chen Ye composed himself and bowed his head, saying, "Sister Qingzhu, the situation is urgent, and I had no other choice but to act this way. I apologize for any inconvenience caused."

"I see."

Mao Qingzhu nodded slightly, and seeing that Chen Ye kept his head down, she quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

She lightly raised her jade-like hand and casually tossed her dark hair with the pool water. This unintentional action carried an innate charm.

If Chen Ye hadn't bowed his head, he would probably have turned into a crayfish by now.

Seeing Chen Ye's restraint, she smiled gently and said, "There's no need for such formality between us, brother and sister."

Good guy...

So the woman who was blushing just now wasn't you?
Chen Ye silently complained that if he wasn't reserved, it would be Mao Qingzhu who should be.

He kept his head down and recounted in detail Xu Qingsong's visit and his explanation of the "hidden bloodline disease."

After listening to Chen Ye's account, a layer of frost finally settled on Mao Qingzhu's gentle face:
"What a Xu Qingsong! What a Xu family! How dare they... how dare they bully you like this!"

Although she said "deceived you," Chen Ye knew that what she was really angry about was the Xu family's scheming and contempt for Qingjun.

"Sister Qingzhu, what exactly is going on with Qingjun?" Chen Ye asked in a deep voice, this was the question he was most concerned about on this trip.

Mao Qingzhu closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, the anger in her phoenix eyes turned into confusion: "I don't know either..."

"?" Chen Ye was dumbfounded.

Fortunately, Mao Qingzhu wasn't completely clueless.

She bit her lip, looked up and saw the man with his head down, her long eyelashes trembled.

This is still...

For the first time, she was completely naked, yet only a few steps away from the man...

Overwhelmed with shame, Mao Qingzhu's breathing quickened slightly. She unconsciously stirred the water's surface before saying:

"Actually... Qingjun is not my child."

"?" Chen Ye was dumbfounded again, and even couldn't help but look up at Mao Qingzhu.

Those identical, piercing phoenix eyes, how could they not be his/her biological child?

But before he could get a good look at the woman's face, his eyes were drawn to her unconscious movement of stirring the water.

The water surface was rippling gently, appearing and disappearing intermittently.

Mao Qingzhu, who had previously appeared gentle and graceful in front of Chen Ye, panicked the moment she saw him look up: "Brother Ye..."

She didn't notice Chen Ye's gaze shift for a moment; she was simply shy.

But Chen Ye thought he had been caught red-handed giving a suspicious look.

Even with his thick skin, he felt embarrassed and quickly lowered his head in embarrassment.

“Ahem… I mean, Brother Ye, you don’t need to be so reserved…” the stunningly beautiful woman hiding in the bathtub added again.

"..."

Even her stubbornness is somewhat similar to Qingjun's.

No, it's not just about being stubborn.

Zhiwei is also stubborn, but her stubbornness is completely different from that of Qingjun and Mao Qingzhu.

Zhiwei's stubbornness is a kind of arrogant stubbornness.

But this "mother and daughter" pair was both cowardly and stubborn.

Chen Ye inwardly scoffed, but outwardly remained respectful: "If Qingjun isn't Qingzhu's child, then whose descendant is she?"

"Well……"

Mao Qingzhu hesitated slightly, then looked Chen Ye over again.

Since he has been Qingjun's master for nearly ten years, and their relationship is like that of a biological father and daughter, perhaps we can tell him?
Once she made up her mind, it felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from her heart.

This secret had been buried in her heart for eight or nine years, and now that she had found someone to confide in, it undoubtedly relieved her pressure.

With her mind at ease, she looked at Chen Ye again and found it somewhat amusing.

Well.

Ye Di is clearly a grown man, so why is he more thin-skinned than a woman?
His back is getting more and more bent, and his head is about to touch the ground...

Seeing his reserved demeanor, Mao Qingzhu's initial embarrassment at being caught bathing was strangely replaced by a hint of amusement.

She leisurely stretched her body in the water, the warm pool water covering her snow-white shoulders, leaving only a graceful neckline visible.

The gentle ripples on the water accentuated her jade-like skin, making her appear even more delicate and beautiful.

She parted her lips slightly, her voice gentle yet teasing: "Brother Ye, with your head bowed like this, is it because this warm jade floor is prettier than your sister's?"

"No... not!"

Chen Ye inwardly groaned and quickly explained, "I just... I just dared not offend Sister Qingzhu."

"Oh?" Mao Qingzhu's phoenix eyes curved into beautiful crescents. She deliberately drew out her words, "But if you keep your head down, how will you know what your sister looks like now? How can you say you're being offensive?"

This...this is a death trap question!
Chen Ye felt his scalp tingle. How could he, a former office worker, possibly handle such sharp and witty remarks?
He made up his mind and decided to remain silent, keeping his head down.

Depend on!
He's starting to look more and more like Qingjun...

She also has a bit of a little witch tendency, but inside she's just a timid little dumpling!

Seeing his "dead pig doesn't care about boiling water" attitude, Mao Qingzhu finally burst out laughing.

"Okay, I won't tease you anymore."

She stopped laughing, her expression gentle, but the smile in her eyes was impossible to hide.

She slowly recounted Qingjun's background:
"Everyone outside thinks that Qingjun is my illegitimate daughter with a man from the Xu family, right?"

Chen Ye nodded subconsciously.

Mao Qingzhu shook her head, a complex emotion flashing in her phoenix eyes: "Actually, Qingjun is not of the Xu family bloodline, and... is not even human."

Chen Ye paused.

"Nine years ago, I was forced to marry into the Xu family, but... that was out of gratitude to my father. I didn't like Xu Buhui and never had any contact with him. I have been cultivating alone in the back mountain of the Xu family."

Mao Qingzhu's beautiful eyes were vacant, lost in distant memories.

"The mountain behind the Xu family is called Longmian Mountain, which is the resting place of the Xu family's ancestors. I accidentally discovered... there was a round stone there that kept moving around. Out of curiosity, I reached out to touch it, but pricked my hand."

"The moment the blood flowed in, that stone... burrowed into my belly. Using me as its bed, it gave birth to Qingjun."

In that instant, the fog in Chen Ye's mind vanished completely.

That's it!

Hundreds of years ago, the ancestors of the Xu family may have discovered some of the peculiarities of Longmian Mountain.

So they moved to Longmian Mountain, but the Xu family ancestors did not know that there was a dragon egg there.

Afterwards, the dragon egg continued to subtly influence the bloodline of the Xu family, causing them to develop what is known as a hidden bloodline ailment.

In other words.

Chen Ye previously thought that it was the Xu family bloodline that affected Qing Jun, but in reality, it was Qing Jun who affected the Xu family!

Even now, Mao Qingzhu doesn't know that the little dumpling that crawled out of her belly is actually the famous dragon!
　Thank you Honeysuckle Dew for the 600 coins!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)