NOVEL NEXT Chapter 34 - Exceptional Talent, Acting as Needed
Outside the Purple Cloud Hall:
Situ Qingqing glared, flustered, as she adjusted her clothing, her expression a mixture of embarrassment and irritation.
“Are you satisfied now, Third Senior Sister?” she huffed, still flustered from evading but ultimately falling victim to Xue Jinli’s playful teasing.
Xue Jinli’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Very satisfied. But tell me, Sister, have you been secretly using some kind of remedy?”
Situ Qingqing’s cheeks flushed as she protested softly, “What remedy? Don’t make things up. I’ve always been like this. Maybe you should look for answers within yourself, Senior Sister.”
She couldn’t possibly tell Xue Jinli that her “remedy” was her master himself—though a bit of a bitter pill, he was indeed effective.
“Well, I tried,” Xue Jinli said with a pitiful look at her own figure. “Come on, as sisters, share your secret with me! Pretty please!”
‘Sisters by the same master and nothing more’, Situ Qingqing thought to herself, rolling her eyes slightly. “Rather than asking me, perhaps you should consult Junior Sister Liu.”
Xue Jinli gave a resigned look, glancing at Liu Beifeng. “Sure, with her figure, even bandaged, there’s no hiding that talent.”
Liu Beifeng: (⊙_⊙)?
“Hmph, I’m naturally talented too,” Situ Qingqing declared proudly, puffing out her chest. Not wanting Xue Jinli to continue this line of questioning, she turned toward the hall and said, “Third Senior Sister, wait here. Let me go in and inform Master first.”
Xue Jinli, feeling slightly played, raised a brow and asked, “Why can’t I go in with you?”
“You didn’t complete your task thoroughly. Aren’t you afraid Master will be upset? I’ll go in first and try to smooth things over,” Situ Qingqing replied with a hint of exasperation.
“What do you mean, incomplete?” Xue Jinli murmured. “Didn’t I bring back a good candidate?”
“What did you say, Senior Sister?” Situ Qingqing turned back, feigning innocence.
“Oh, nothing. Just hurry up, alright? And remember, if Master seems upset, do your best to calm him down. If he gets really mad, give me a signal so I can escape!” Xue Jinli said, giving a cheeky wave.
As Situ Qingqing entered the hall:
Liu Beifeng looked uncertain and asked Xue Jinli hesitantly, “Senior Sister Xue, is our master really that fearsome?”
Xue Jinli’s eyes twinkled as she explained solemnly, “Master’s fierceness is relative. He’s harsher than you, but more lenient than me. If you ever get the chance, I can help you test it out. Just be sure to run right after; if you get caught, all you need to do is…”
Liu Beifeng wasn’t prepared for her senior sister’s mischief.
In the back hall of Purple Cloud:
Situ Qingqing tiptoed quietly inside.
As she entered, she was greeted by the sight of her master, shirtless, facing away from her and practicing a series of techniques that emitted a radiant glow.
Hmm?
Seeing this, Situ Qingqing’s expression turned a bit peculiar.
‘Good thing I didn’t let Third Senior Sister in. Master’s spotless reputation might not have survived.’
But most importantly, she had seen it.
‘Master, I’ll keep this secret for you forever.’
Approaching silently, Situ Qingqing placed a gentle hand on her master’s shoulder, preparing to greet him softly:
“Master… Aah!”
A startled scream escaped her as her master instinctively grabbed her and flipped her over his shoulder. Realizing it was her, he quickly caught her around the waist, preventing a hard fall.
Still, the experience left Situ Qingqing a bit shaken.
“Qing’er, why are you here? Has your senior sister stopped watching over you?” Xu Yang asked, still holding her.
Blushing, Situ Qingqing huffed, “No, she hasn’t. But Third Senior Sister is back, so I came in to inform you. By the way, Master, what were you doing?”
“Practicing,” he replied. “In the future, remember… hmm?”
So he really was training…
Situ Qingqing looked slightly disappointed. “Master, Third Senior Sister is waiting outside.”
Xu Yang nodded, coming to his senses. “I was feeling a bit dizzy… Give me a moment to recover, and I’ll go see her.”
A stick of incense later:
Outside Purple Cloud Hall:
Xue Jinli grew impatient.
‘What’s taking Situ so long? It’s been ages, and Master hasn’t called me in yet.’
“Forget it, waiting is pointless,” she grumbled, pulling Liu Beifeng along. “Come on, we’re going in to greet Master!”
As she approached the entrance, though, she heard something strange.
Xue Jinli halted immediately. “Um… Liu, on second thought, maybe we should wait a bit longer?”
Liu Beifeng, quick to agree, replied, “Yes, Senior Sister Xue, whatever you think is best.”
With a conflicted look toward the hall, Xue Jinli sighed deeply and advised Liu Beifeng, “Liu, what your Senior Sister Situ is going through right now is for our sake. Remember, you owe her gratitude and must never disrespect her…”