Chapter 541: Can you reward me with a rope?
The next morning, Shi Yuqi knocked on the door.
“The Sect Leader has summoned all the elders and above to a meeting. You should come with me.”
Shi Yuqi called out.
“This is not good, right? I’m not a high-level figure in the Hua Rong Sect.”
Cheng Hong Ling hesitated.
“It’s fine. She specifically asked me to invite you. It’s probably because you exposed Hua Yu and made great contributions, so she wants to praise you in public.”
Shi Yuqi guessed.
“Did you tell her that monitoring Hua Yu was my personal action?”
Cheng Hong Ling asked.
“Of course. How could I, as your master, steal your credit? I only stepped in to cover for you yesterday because the Cao family was present,”
Shi Yuqi explained.
“Go, we need both cultivation and contribution to have our names on the Hua Rong Sect’s Immortal Tablet. It’s always good to get more exposure.”
Qi Huang suggested through the Sea of Consciousness.
“Alright.”
Cheng Hong Ling thought it made sense, so she accepted the invitation.
Cheng Hong Ling and Shi Yuqi quickly arrived at the Hua Rong Sect’s assembly hall. The elders also arrived one after another, and the scene became lively.
“I wonder what the Sect Leader wants us for?”
“Nonsense, what could be more urgent than the Saintess getting married?”
“Speaking of which, yesterday, it was thanks to Junior Cousin Shi, otherwise, we would have been complicit.”
“Yes, if we had all spoken up to persuade her, the Sect Leader would have been forced to adopt that ‘east eats west lives’ plan. The Hua Rong Sect would become the Cao family’s wet nurse. This is even worse than doing work for others.”
“Speaking of Junior Cousin Shi, why did she bring that direct disciple with her? Although that girl has outstanding talent, she is not qualified to participate in sect discussions yet, right?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps she dotes on her disciple very much and brought her to see the world.”
“See the world? This assembly hall is so solemn and strict. Not just anyone can come here. Truly ignorant of propriety.”
“She’s only in her thirties. For a cultivator, she’s practically a young girl. It’s normal for her to be ignorant of propriety, especially since she made such a great contribution. Young and frivolous.”
“That’s true. After suffering a couple of times, she’ll learn her lesson. Sect Leader Hua is an extremely strict person and can’t stand arrogance.”
…
After a moment of discussion, the elders’ gazes all fell upon Shi Yuqi and her disciple.
Qi Huang observed through the Sea of Consciousness and found that most of the elders present were older, thus, they were all elders to Shi Yuqi. She felt a little speechless. She didn’t expect that Jade Peak not only had the lowest strength but also the youngest generation. It was truly displeasing.
“We must carry forward the inheritance of Jade Peak, otherwise, we won’t be able to hold our heads up in public.”
Qi Huang made a silent decision.
Not long after, Hua Ru Yi led Hua Yu into the hall.
After a night of calming down, Hua Yu’s expression returned to its usual tranquil state, as if nothing had happened.
Hua Ru Yi did not sit on the throne.
Unexpectedly, Sect Leader Hua did not sit on the throne but stood before the steps and cupped his fists in greeting.
The elders looked at each other, not understanding what Sect Leader Hua meant.
“Everyone, I have summoned you here today for three main matters…”
Hua Ru Yi paused here and then looked at Cheng Hong Ling:
“Firstly, as everyone has seen what happened yesterday, it was thanks to the quick thinking of Junior Cousin Shi’s disciple, otherwise, we would have been deceived by my disobedient disciple. Therefore, I must praise her in public.”
“What? Wasn’t this done by Junior Cousin Shi’s order?”
Elder Zhou asked doubtfully.
“No, this was purely my disciple’s personal action. I lied to cover for her yesterday only because the Cao family was present.”
Shi Yuqi explained.
“Junior Cousin Shi, do you think we are fools? That little girl has only been here for a few days, why would she know so much about the Hua Rong Sect’s affairs? And she even took the initiative to help. Are you trying to take credit for her? You are indeed a qualified master.”
Elder Zhou raised his objection.
“Heh, Uncle-Master Zhou, you think too highly of me. How rare the Recording Mirror in her hand is, as everyone knows. When have you ever heard that I have one?”
Shi Yuqi retorted.
“Uh…”
Elder Zhou was speechless for a moment.
…
“So that’s how it is. No wonder she’s here today!”
“With such a great contribution, she indeed has the right to be here.”
“So resourceful at such a young age, coupled with outstanding talent, her future is limitless.”
…
The elders realized what had happened and praised her one after another, their eyes softening.
“You are Jiang Ling, right? Given your great contribution, I plan to give you some reward. What would you need?”
Hua Ru Yi stepped forward and asked.
“Need what?”
Cheng Hong Ling fell into thought.
Qi Huang did the same. After a moment, she suddenly reacted and quickly reminded her through mind transmission:
“Quick, quick, quick, ask her for a magic treasure that can bind, and ensure its toughness is sufficient. Even cultivators at the Nascent Soul realm cannot break free.”
Cheng Hong Ling was stunned. Although she felt very embarrassed, she gritted her teeth and said softly:
“May I ask if the Sect Leader has any magic treasures that can bind people? The kind that simply binds without harming the body.”
The surrounding elders looked at each other, not knowing what this little girl wanted to do.
“A magic treasure for binding people? You want to play with this?”
Hua Ru Yi also showed surprise, but then she reacted and quickly said: “In the Hua Rong Sect’s Treasury, there is a magic treasure called ‘Phoenix Patterned Kasaya.’ Its function is to bind people, and its texture is soft and flexible. Cultivators below the Shentong Realm cannot break free. It can meet your requirement of binding without harming.”
“Kasaya?”
Cheng Hong Ling was very surprised. She thought the Sect Leader would give her something like a rope.
“Yes, it looks like an ordinary kasaya, but it is exquisitely made, with phoenix patterns embroidered on it, hence the name ‘Phoenix Patterned Kasaya.’ When not in use, you can wear it on your shoulders as ordinary attire, adding to your splendor.”
Hua Ru Yi introduced.
“Then thank you, Sect Leader.”
Cheng Hong Ling cupped her fists and thanked her. Although it was different from what she had imagined, the kasaya was much better than a rope. At least it wouldn’t hurt her skin.
“What are you proud of? You ruined my good deed with Cao Yang, and now the Hua Rong Sect is in a difficult position. If a war breaks out, you will be the sinner of the Hua Rong Sect.”
Hua Yu scolded from the side.
Cheng Hong Ling did not speak. She was not Qiao Feng and never liked to argue.
“Shut up, you disobedient disciple! It was clearly your infatuation that caused the trouble, yet you still dare to blame others.”
Hua Ru Yi sternly rebuked her, then turned back and apologized with cupped fists: “I’ve made everyone laugh. The second matter is about my disobedient disciple and that little monster from the Cao family. Everyone knows the specific process, so I won’t waste my breath. Now I just want to seek everyone’s opinion, as the final deadline given by the Cao family is only half a month away.”
“I refuse! Everyone saw what happened yesterday. If Hua Yu marries into the Cao family, then our Hua Rong Sect will become the Cao family’s easy target, able to do whatever they want, and never be able to recover.”
Shi Yuqi eagerly voiced her opinion. “Junior Cousin Shi, can’t she not marry? You saw what happened yesterday. Just a slight pressure from them was unbearable. If they really get serious, wouldn’t our entire sect be destroyed?”
Elder Zhou retorted. “Uncle-Master Zhou, have you considered that if we allow Hua Yu to marry the Cao family, then our sect’s rules will become a mere formality? In the future, Saintesses can elope with anyone without restraint. Over time, what resources will we have to train disciples?”
Shi Yuqi countered. “Not only that, but the longer the immortal bloodline is inherited, the lower the chance of producing a ‘nine-tenths’ genius. If Hua Yu is let go, when will the next ‘nine-tenths’ genius appear? If it never appears, then our Hua Rong Sect will quickly decline.”
A tall middle-aged woman chimed in. This was the First Seat Jiang who had scrambled for Cheng Hong Ling at the entrance that day. “This is ridiculous. We can’t even guarantee we’ll get through this month, and you’re still thinking about the future?”
Elder Zhou jeered. “So what if we can’t get through it? Is your Shi Yuqi someone who fears death? As the saying goes, a country without laws cannot be governed. If everyone is as cowardly as you, then forget about Saintesses; we can’t even control ordinary disciples. The Hua Rong Sect will soon fall apart.”
Shi Yuqi cursed.
…
Dozens of elders thus divided into two camps, arguing heatedly. Those who agreed to Hua Yu’s marriage were led by Elder Zhou, while those who opposed it were represented by Shi Yuqi’s strong voice. “I actually think Uncle-Master Zhou is right. You don’t really think the Cao family will show mercy then, do you?”
Hua Yu suddenly spoke, a hint of contempt on her enchanting face. “They want me, not the Hua Rong Sect. If you insist on obstructing, then the thirtieth of this month will be the day of remembrance for everyone in the Hua Rong Sect. Those who oppose will become the sinners of the Hua Rong Sect.”
