Volume 1, Chapter 37: The Princess's Gambit

"Is that really so?"

Dongfang Jue wore an expression of utter disbelief. It was one thing for Cheng Liang to know her father and have held her when she was a child, but for Su Cheng to have gone as far as naming her?

"Back then, my grasp of the heavenly mandate was not what it is today. Seeing how much General Dongfang cherished you and your mother, I simply bestowed the name 'Jue' upon you."

Dongfang Jue had long since forgotten why she had come; she was becoming addicted to listening to these stories. "What does it mean?"

"'Jue' consists of two jade characters. It signifies that you and your mother are the two most precious jades in General Dongfang’s life. 'Jue' also carries the meaning of coming together—a wish that you shall be joined for generations, never to be parted."

In all her years, this was the first time she had ever heard such a thing. She truly had not expected her own name to have been given by Ye Qinghan’s master. If that were the case, could she beg her father to let Su Cheng take her on as a disciple? Logic dictated that if Ye Qinghan, a woman with no prior connection, could become a direct disciple, surely she could too!

"Master Su, this is the first time I've ever heard that my name held such significance."

Su Cheng smiled. Though these were facts, many years had indeed passed. Dongfang Shuo was no longer who he once was; he was now the Human Emperor, and that little child had transformed into a princess.

"Though, your mother wasn't very happy at the time. She called me a penniless priest and even told your father to chase me away!"

"Ah? Did she really?" Dongfang Jue scratched her head. It seemed she shouldn't be too happy just yet.

"However, General Dongfang treated me well, often hosting banquets and treating me with the courtesy of a brother."

"When I return this time, I will certainly—"

Su Cheng waved a hand, interrupting her. "It is of no consequence. I have no desire to interfere in the affairs of the mortal world. Now that I have taken Qinghan as my direct disciple, I wish to pass on all that I have learned. I truly have no time to concern myself with worldly matters outside these halls."

"This..."

"Qinghan, keep Miss Dongfang company. Your master is going out to buy groceries."

*What?*

Dongfang Jue was stunned again. It was another sentence she couldn't comprehend. Is Ye Qinghan the leader of Lingxian Hall? You are the master! You are the mentor! Why are you the one making tea and going out to buy groceries?

"Very well."

Ye Qinghan had wanted to go in her master's stead, but she reconsidered; her master had already been chatting for quite some time. It was her turn now. Ye Qinghan tilted her head and looked at Dongfang Jue, sensing that she certainly hadn't come here without an ulterior motive. She was definitely up to no good.

"Speak. Why are you here? Who sent you?"

***

Dongfang Jue blinked. *You really are the one in charge, aren't you!*

"I was curious, so I came to see."

"Curious about what?"

"Curious about what kind of master could make you grow so much stronger in just one month." Dongfang Jue didn't shy away, choosing to be direct.

"Are you a sticky piece of candy? Why—"

Before Ye Qinghan could finish, she saw Su Cheng, now wearing different clothes, hurrying over.

"Qinghan, give your master some silver. I’m off to buy groceries."

Ye Qinghan produced five taels of silver and a few copper coins.

"Oh, Qinghan, give me a bit more. We have a guest, after all."

"Very well, Master, here is another five taels. Please, spend it sparingly."

"Yes, yes, yes. I know, I know."

Dongfang Jue stood on the side, her expression more shocked than if she had seen Ye Qinghan with a dozen immortal-grade artifacts. Seeing her expression, Su Cheng chuckled and explained, "Do not mind it, Miss Dongfang. The expenses of Lingxian Hall are all managed by Qinghan."

"No, no..." Dongfang Jue only wanted to say that she was already past the point of being surprised.

After Su Cheng left, Dongfang Jue probed, "It feels like you are the leader of Lingxian Hall, and Master Su is the disciple."

In an instant, Ye Qinghan’s aura shifted. Dongfang Jue felt the temperature around her drop. "Miss Dongfang, please watch your words. Even if you are a guest, Qinghan’s patience is not infinite."

"My apologies." Dongfang Jue could feel Ye Qinghan’s profound respect for Su Cheng. She wasn't like Li Shiyao; even a single glance told Dongfang Jue just how much Ye Qinghan revered him. The way she served tea, her demeanor, even the simple dress she wore—all were prepared for her master. It was a mixture of reverence and awe.

"I know what you are thinking. Master is just like this in daily life. Essentially, I make the decisions for all the minor matters."

"What kind of matters count as major?" Dongfang Jue asked, intrigued.

"In everything I do, I only consider whether Master is pleased. Anything where I cannot ascertain Master's attitude is a major matter."

"Is the reason you haven't killed me because you aren't sure of Master Su’s attitude?"

"It is because you are still useful while alive." Ye Qinghan smiled, feeling a rare sense of delight at finally speaking to someone with a functioning brain. Shangguan Rou, Li Shiyao—everyone she had encountered lately seemed to be a brainless idiot.

"So that's how it is." Dongfang Jue surmised it was mostly because of her father; otherwise, Ye Qinghan would surely not have shown mercy.

"I thought you would be like those idiots and ask me what use you have."

***

"Thank you for the compliment."

"So, you are curious about my master?" Ye Qinghan chuckled, her eyes filled with the disdain of a superior.

"I am curious about the method you used to obtain this position as a direct disciple." Dongfang Jue decided to get straight to the point. Ye Qinghan was not the type for small talk, and neither was she.

"What method do you think could deceive my master?" Ye Qinghan looked at her as if she were a fool. Dongfang Jue actually believed she had used some sort of scheme to trick her way into this position. She had knelt honestly for an entire day, wagering her immortal path and her future on a gamble! But she was lucky; she had won the bet.

"I heard that Master Su had never taken a disciple all these years."

*No kidding. If he had, would I still be the head disciple?*

"You’re starting to talk nonsense. It doesn't matter; you simply think I used some lowly means to trade for this position."

"You misunderstand. As you said, I don't believe any trick could deceive Master Su."

"Then what are you asking?"

"I want to know, compared to others, what exactly makes you special? How were you lucky enough to be chosen by Master Su?"

Ye Qinghan wanted to laugh. When her master was picking up vegetable scraps, why didn't any of you think joining Lingxian Hall was a lucky thing?

"Heh, because back then, joining Lingxian Hall wasn't considered lucky—it was a laughingstock."

Like clouds parting to reveal the sun, it dawned on Dongfang Jue. *So that was it.* It was the timing! Before that one strike, in the eyes of the public, Su Cheng was just a good-for-nothing, a master without a shred of cultivation.

"Thank you, Miss Qinghan, for clearing that up."

"Wait, you..." Ye Qinghan suddenly sensed something wrong. The way this person was acting today was... "Are you here to scout the place?" Ye Qinghan’s brows furrowed, and anger crept onto her pretty face. It was different from before—less rage, and more a hint of worry.

"Are you afraid?" Dongfang Jue smiled. She hadn't expected Ye Qinghan to wear such a cute expression. Weren't fox spirits supposed to be unfathomable?

"If I were you, I wouldn't do something so stupid."

"Why?"

"Because the head disciple of Lingxian Hall, Ye Qinghan, is still alive."

Ye Qinghan refilled her tea and began to consider her countermeasures.

"What, are you afraid your master might fall for me?"