Chapter 444: Secret Discovered
“Why do you ask that? Do you not want Cheng Hong Ling to marry into the Lü family?” Elder Zuo asked, perplexed.
“What is Master’s intention? Do you want Cheng Hong Ling to marry into the Lü family?” Steward Cai asked, avoiding the question.
“Stop playing riddles with me, speak plainly,” Elder Zuo rebuked impatiently.
“Master, think carefully. With Cheng Hong Ling’s talent and the Lü family’s resources, her future is bound to be limitless. If the Lü family is united, it will be beneficial for your grand-daughter and you. Conversely, if she completely disregards your grand-daughter’s feelings and retaliates against us, wouldn’t we be letting a tiger grow into a menace? Therefore, I must ask clearly whether this is good or bad for you!” Steward Cai explained earnestly.
Elder Zuo was stunned by Steward Cai’s words. His expression quickly turned serious, and after a moment, he shook his head and said, “No, the different branches of the Lü family are at each other’s throats fighting for the position of Clan Leader. She absolutely cannot marry Lü Yi, otherwise my grand-daughter’s lineage will have no hope of recovery, and we will face endless troubles.”
“That’s why I asked you just now! Didn’t you say Lü Er still needs to observe Cheng Hong Ling’s performance? If we can eliminate her in this round, will that brat lose interest in her?” Steward Cai reiterated.
“I’m not sure, but this gives us some room to maneuver,” Elder Zuo said after some thought, then quickly asked, “Didn’t you go to HuXiao Sect? What did they say?”
“It’s useless. You just saw it. The spiritual sense Cheng Hong Ling used has reached the Huashen Realm Fifth Layer. Even if all the Immortal Seeds from HuXiao Sect attack her together, their chances of winning are not high,” Steward Cai said, deflecting the question and saving face for HuXiao Sect without directly stating they were afraid to fight.
“Cai De, are you deliberately trying to fob me off to save HuXiao Sect’s strength?” Elder Zuo narrowed his eyes slightly.
“Master, as things stand, I’ll tell you the truth. HuXiao Sect chickened out, and I really don’t want HuXiao Sect to suffer any losses. After all, you know my daughter married the Sect Leader’s son from HuXiao Sect!” Steward Cai stated frankly, knowing his Master’s character and that he wouldn’t make a fuss.
“You are quite honest,” Elder Zuo said with a cold smile.
“I can’t help it, you are my Master. I wouldn’t hide anything from you,” Steward Cai flattered.
“It seems you have some filial piety!” Elder Zuo showed a hint of appreciation, truly not intending to reprimand him.
“Moreover… I need to be honest with you about one thing. I still hope Cheng Hong Ling joins HuXiao Sect,” Steward Cai continued to be frank, as he had already sounded out his Master’s stance and no longer needed to hide anything.
“This is your true objective, isn’t it?” Elder Zuo’s smile turned sinister.
“Master, as the saying goes, a Master for a day is a father for life. You know my character. If I gain any benefits in the future, I will definitely remember you, and I would never be ungrateful,” Steward Cai pledged his loyalty again.
“I hope you remember your words,” Elder Zuo’s expression softened a bit upon hearing this.
“The key issue is how we are going to stop that brat Cheng Hong Ling in this round. Right now, the only ones with a chance to defeat her seem to be Cheng Kang and Lin Ran. But the problem is, it’s only the third round. How can they go head-to-head?” Steward Cai said, relieved slightly.
“You go and sound them out. Donglai Sect is mostly impossible, but Lin Ran is not necessarily so. Don’t forget why she is participating in the Evergreen Convention this time,” Elder Zuo reminded him.
“Thank you for the reminder, Master!” Steward Cai’s eyes lit up, and he hurried away.
Steward Cai quickly found Donglai Sect and stated his purpose, hoping Cheng Kang would eliminate Cheng Hong Ling.
“Alright, but Steward Cai needs to give me a reason,” Ye Donglai did not refuse immediately but tried to bargain.
“The reason is simple. Cheng Hong Ling appears to be very strong. Only by eliminating her in advance can your disciple have a chance to breathe. If she encounters her in later rounds and both sides are injured, it will only benefit the Immortal Seeds of other sects,” Steward Cai racked his brain for a reason.
“I’m sorry, this reason is not convincing,” Ye Donglai immediately refused. Such a move with a disproportionate risk and reward would be accepted by no fool.
Steward Cai was not discouraged and went to find Lin Ran, knowing she would most likely agree.
“No!” To his disappointment, Lin Ran refused after some thought.
“Why? Isn’t the Sixth Princess coming to Yongning Prefecture to participate in the Evergreen Convention to prove herself? It’s already the third round. If you don’t make a move, and she gets eliminated by another sect, you will never be able to prove yourself,” Steward Cai reminded her, puzzled.
“There are two reasons. First, if I want to meet her in this round, I have to switch my opponent token. This would make me look guilty. Second, in the next round, she will face challenges from two sects. If I participate, wouldn’t that be ganging up on her? Even if I win, it wouldn’t be glorious,” Lin Ran explained her reasons.
Steward Cai never expected this Sixth Princess to be so principled. He actually felt a bit ashamed for a moment and finally left dejectedly.
Steward Cai returned empty-handed and reported the bad news to his Master.
“Hmph! I didn’t expect this Sixth Princess to have so much integrity. She’s a hundred times better than her shameless father,” Elder Zuo said sarcastically.
“Master, what should we do now?” Steward Cai asked anxiously.
“Don’t worry. Do you know what I’ve been thinking about recently?” Elder Zuo asked, changing the subject.
“Uh… please enlighten me, Master!” Steward Cai asked sheepishly, thinking, “I’m not your mind-reader, how would I know what you’re thinking?”
“Did you see the entire process of Cheng Hong Ling’s fight with Jinliu Sect just now?” Elder Zuo confirmed.
“I saw it,” Steward Cai replied quickly.
“Didn’t you find her very strange?” Elder Zuo inquired.
“Very strange? Hasn’t she always been strange? Her looks are not earthly, her talent is monstrous, and her personality is extremely peculiar,” Steward Cai answered without thinking.
“Never mind, you’ll come with me to see the people from Jinliu Sect later, and then you’ll understand,” Elder Zuo shook his head helplessly.
“Yes!” Steward Cai respectfully accepted the order.
…
In the evening, Elder Zuo, with Steward Cai, went to a nearby inn to meet with people from Jinliu Sect and brought along some慰问品 (comfort items).
Elder Jin was flattered and quickly invited the two stewards from the Immortal Alliance to sit down.
“I don’t know how your young master is doing?” Elder Zuo asked.
“Alas! The situation is not very optimistic. Although their Spirit Souls have returned, they have suffered severe damage due to the suppression of the Heavenly Dao. I don’t know when they will recover,” Elder Jin sighed.
“This Cheng Hong Ling is quite ruthless. They are all sects under the Immortal Alliance, yet she showed no mercy,” Steward Cai took the opportunity to reprimand her.
“Who says not? After the Evergreen Convention, I will definitely seek an explanation,” Elder Jin said through gritted teeth.
“Fellow Daoist, are their souls the only thing that’s damaged? What about external injuries?” Elder Zuo got straight to the point.
“Thank you for your concern, Elder Zuo. Their external injuries are not serious. A few pills and a couple of days’ rest will be fine,” Elder Jin quickly explained.
“Then I think she was being soft-hearted!” Elder Zuo raised the corner of his mouth slightly.
“What do you mean?” Elder Jin was a bit confused.
“Since she has the cultivation of the Huashen Realm Fifth Layer, why did she only inflict such superficial injuries on your son and disciple?” Elder Zuo pointed out.
“Perhaps she held back? After all, they are all cultivators under the Immortal Alliance, and we’ll meet again,” Elder Jin speculated.
“Didn’t you just say she was ruthless? Not to mention the past grievances between your two sects, she will face Jinliu Sect in the next round. There’s no way she’d hold back then,” Elder Zuo retorted with reason.
“Elder Zuo is right. If she could severely injure our Immortal Seeds, she would have a sure victory in this round. But why would she do that?” Elder Jin was completely baffled.
“You all say… could it be because her spiritual sense strength is higher than her cultivation level?” Elder Zuo made a bold conjecture.
