Marry the Demon Sect Girl with No Bride Price

Chapter 616: Chapter 276: Master and Disciple

Tantai Mingyue stood at the edge of the cliff atop Danxia Peak, from where one could see the direction of the Zhenyang Mountain’s gate.

Su Xin remembered when she was fourteen, on her first mission down the mountain, she was ambushed by the Spirit Corpse Mountain in the Northern Wilderness, and after a fierce battle, was delayed in returning.

When she returned to Zhenyang Mountain, her master was standing in the same spot, gazing into the distance.

Seeing her return, her master’s eyes turned red, just like at this moment.

Su Xin sheathed her sword and knelt before Tantai Mingyue, "Master, the disciple has returned!"

"Xin’Er!"

Tantai Mingyue helped her up, his slightly red eyes full of joy and affection, looking her up and down, seemingly wanting to touch her face, but eventually refrained.

"It’s good that you’re back, good that you’re back."

At this moment, Qin Gengyun and the others landed at the peak and saluted Tantai Mingyue:

"Greetings, Sect Leader Uncle."

Tantai Mingyue restrained his excitement, and his red eyes returned to calmness, speaking to them in his usual dignified and gentle tone:

"You’ve all worked hard, follow me."

He then led them to the Peak Master Hall, where Tantai Mingyue spread his robe, flew up to the high Sect Leader throne, and slowly sat down, overlooking the people below.

"I’ve already heard from Xiyue and Ningzhi about your experiences at the Joyful Union Sect, Celestial Phoenix Mountain, and Cyan Lotus Mountain. This expedition to the South Demon was my oversight, causing you to face many dangers. Su Xin, after you were taken by Zuoqiu of the Celestial Fall Sect... what happened?"

Su Xin quickly recounted the story of how Qin Gengyun and the others rescued her, and later their trip to Wind Bell Village, only omitting Wei Wan’s search for relatives and her accusation of Sect Leader Chen Qingmo as the Spirit Corpse Mountain Master.

Upon hearing that Su Xin was not violated by Zuoqiu and others, Tantai Mingyue visibly breathed a sigh of relief, but upon hearing the glossed-over details of the Wind Bell Village trip, his elegant brows slightly furrowed. Glancing at the group, he calmly said:

"The journey was perilous, everyone has worked hard, return and rest for now."

"Yes."

Qin Gengyun and Qiu Zhihe exchanged a glance, both somewhat surprised, having been prepared to face Tantai Mingyue’s questioning, they were unexpectedly let off so easily.

As they prepared to leave, Tantai Mingyue spoke: "Su Xin, stay behind."

Su Xin saluted, "Yes."

As Qin Gengyun and others left, the vast Peak Master Hall only had Tantai Mingyue and Su Xin remaining.

Both women were elegant and gentle, beautiful as water, seemingly carved from the same mold.

One was more mature and poised, the other charming and graceful.

The two women silently faced each other, seemingly with a thousand words to say but unsure of where to begin.

Finally, Tantai Mingyue spoke first, "Xin’Er, your cultivation seems to have improved recently, did you have any fortuitous encounters?"

Su Xin, having been severely injured by Ming Hu at Wind Bell Village, and narrowly escaping death, was treated with the Mist Spirit Bathing Technique by Qin Gengyun and others. She had brushed the gates of death, and after reshaping her meridians and cleansing her Tao Heart, her cultivation advanced to the Fourth-Layer Golden Core.

She respectfully replied, "Master, with the help of Junior Brother He and Junior Sister Ruo, I have indeed improved my cultivation."

"He Zhiqiu and Ruo Mei?"

Tantai Mingyue slightly frowned, speaking sternly to Su Xin:

"Xin’Er, do you remember what I instructed you before your departure?"

Su Xin respectfully said, "I remember, Master told us to investigate the cause of two Senior Uncles’ deaths, which we have already found clues about at Cyan Lotus Mountain, presumably Junior Sister Ye and the others have reported to you."

Tantai Mingyue looked at her, while Su Xin remained silent.

Both knew what Tantai Mingyue was asking about was He Zhiqiu and Ruo Mei’s identity, yet Su Xin deliberately said nothing about it.

After a moment of silence in the hall, Tantai Mingyue stood up, walked down the platform, and stood beside Su Xin, softly saying:

"Xin’Er, what are you afraid of?"

Su Xin was startled, clenched her hands tightly, the veins slightly protruding on her fair hands, speaking loudly:

"Master, I... I have something to ask you."

Tantai Mingyue held her hand gently, kindly saying, "How come going out once created a distance between you and Master? If you have something to ask, just say it."

Su Xin’s slender hand was cold, she looked up at Tantai Mingyue, and said word by word:

"Master, is the Sect Leader... related to the Spirit Corpse Mountain?"

Once Su Xin spoke, her heart tightened, she had even prepared for Master to take action against her, resigning to her fate with closed eyes.

But the hand holding hers remained gentle, and she heard the astonished voice:

"Xin’Er, what are you saying? The Spirit Corpse Mountain is ruthless and malicious, a greater evil than the Demon Sect, how could the Sect Leader Senior Brother be associated with it? The Demon Sect harbors hatred towards our Zhenyang Sect, there are countless slandering rumors like these, you must not let them taint your Tao Heart!"

Su Xin looked up at Tantai Mingyue in astonishment, seeing her master’s face with an expression of undeniable surprise and a hint of disappointment.

Clearly, she was genuinely somewhat angry, disappointed that Su Xin would let such rumors disturb her Tao Heart.

Yet Su Xin felt joy surging in her heart.

Judging by this, regardless of the truth, Master was unrelated to the Spirit Corpse Mountain!

Su Xin knew Tantai Mingyue well, understanding that her current expression was no pretense, which filled her heart with gladness, as if a heavy burden was suddenly lifted halfway.

She smiled, reversing her grip on Tantai Mingyue’s hand:

"Master, I was reckless. Um... the Sect Leader has been in seclusion for two years, when might he emerge?"

I have promised Taoist Friend Qin and Taoist Friend Qiu, I will give them an explanation. Since Master doesn’t know the truth, then I shall directly ask the Sect Leader.

Tantai Mingyue gently brushed the hair on Su Xin’s forehead, softly asking:

"Xin’Er, what exactly did you encounter at the South Demon?"

Su Xin replied, "Master, since there are rumors, we should clear them up. Zhenyang Sect, as the leader of the Righteous Path, should not be ashamed before the world. I trust the Sect Leader Uncle, but I wish to confirm personally!"

"You! Outwardly gentle, yet more stubborn than anyone."

Tantai Mingyue gently caressed Su Xin’s face with affection, sighing:

"You might not know yet, but keeping this position as the leader of the Righteous Path, the Zhenyang Sect might no longer hold."

Su Xin was taken aback, "Master, why do you say this?"

Tantai Mingyue said, "Somehow, the news of Senior Brother Shi and Senior Brother Wei’s deaths leaked, and it has spread across the world these past two days. Currently, people from the Thunder Sword Sect, Feiyun Sect, and Western Emperor Palace are on their way to Zhenyang Sect."

Su Xin was stunned, she already knew from Ming Hu that the news of Shi and Wei’s deaths had leaked, but hadn’t expected it to become known worldwide so quickly.

"Master, are the people coming from Thunder Sword Sect, Feiyun Sect, and Western Emperor Palace attempting to verify this news?"

Tantai Mingyue nodded, "Thunder Sword Sect and Feiyun Sect have long been unhappy being overshadowed by us. If they confirm the two Senior Brothers’ deaths, they won’t continue to endure in silence."

"As for the Western Emperor Palace, Lin Yuan has always wanted to see me dead. She won’t miss such a good opportunity."

Su Xin’s expression changed, "Master, is the world really going to fall into chaos?"

Tantai Mingyue sighed, "Xin’Er, you’ve just returned, don’t think too much, go back and rest. We’ll discuss it tomorrow."

Seeing Tantai Mingyue’s brows showing a hint of weariness, Su Xin immediately saluted, "Yes, Master, don’t over-exert yourself."

Once Su Xin left, Tantai Mingyue’s gentle expression gradually turned cold.

"He Zhiqiu, Ruo Mei... Xin’Er may be soft-hearted towards you, but I will personally handle it."