readease Chapter 496 - 156: The Carefully Nurtured Chick Has Grown Up
Chapter 496 - 156: The Carefully Nurtured Chick Has Grown Up
Qin Gengyun respectfully said, "Report to the Peak Master, my wife and I were originally Loose Cultivators without high-level cultivation techniques. Our cultivation reached the Foundation Establishment and fell into a bottleneck. We seek the Grand Dao and longevity, only a Major Sect has high-level cultivation techniques that could help us break through the bottleneck."
"My wife and I discussed, both thinking that Zhenyang Sect is the leader of the Righteous Path in the world and definitely has profound cultivation techniques. More importantly, it wouldn’t oppress unknown Loose Cultivators, so we decided to try our luck at Zhenyang Mountain."
"We hid our relationship because we feared the sect’s rules. If they knew we were married, they might not agree to let us join the sect."
"But we, as a couple, truly admire Zhenyang Sect, and joining the sect is solely for the purpose of enhancing our cultivation!"
"We fought with all our might during the beast tide, nearly losing our lives. We have absolutely no disloyalty to the sect. We plead with the Sect Leader for forgiveness! Please don’t drive us away from Zhenyang Mountain!"
Qin Gengyun spoke with deep emotion. After finishing, he didn’t forget to pull the dazed Qiu Zhihe over to bow and plead with Tantai Mingyue.
Qiu Zhihe was pulled over to bow and couldn’t help but turn her head to look at Qin Gengyun’s calm, mountain-like side profile, feeling suddenly like she was lamenting how the chick she meticulously nurtured had grown up.
On the opposite side, Tantai Mingyue was also moved by Qin Gengyun’s words. It wasn’t that Qin Gengyun’s ’loyalty’ to the sect touched her, but rather Qin Gengyun’s last sentence.
"Please don’t drive us away from Zhenyang Mountain!"
If he were truly a remnant from the Demon Sect infiltrating here, the first reaction to her questioning would be to ask her to trust him.
However, He Zhiqiu’s reaction was just to avoid being expelled from Zhenyang Sect.
This aligns with He Zhiqiu’s statement of wanting to join Zhenyang Sect for high-level cultivation techniques to break through his cultivation bottleneck.
Tantai Mingyue paid attention to details, and the subtleties shown by He Zhiqiu just confirmed his and Ruo Mei’s innocence.
Yet, Tantai Mingyue didn’t fully trust his words. She said coolly:
"Ruo Mei went down the mountain to buy supplies but returned half a day later than other disciples. Why was that? Was it truly because the quantity of Spirit Marrow bought was insufficient? Or did you have other motives?"
Tantai Mingyue’s voice gradually became severe.
This was the final questioning. If they could withstand it, Tantai Mingyue would temporarily set aside her suspicions.
If there was a trace of a flaw, Tantai Mingyue would act immediately, summoning all Zhenyang Sect disciples, ensuring the two would be besieged and killed!
Qiu Zhihe sensed the murderous intent in Tantai Mingyue’s eyes, her hand slightly clenched.
If a fight truly broke out, she must protect her husband, ensuring he escapes first. If she couldn’t escape, she would make sure the entire Zhenyang Sect paid the price!
Outside the window, the night was deep, and the atmosphere inside was quiet, with undercurrents surging.
Qin Gengyun seemingly didn’t notice that slight murderous intent, scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed:
"Report to the Sect Leader, actually my wife was late because she did another thing."
Tantai Mingyue squinted her eyes, "What did you do?"
Qin Gengyun turned to look at Qiu Zhihe, his eyes showing tenderness, then answered;
"In a few days, it’s my birthday. My wife gives me a gift every year. Her being half a day late must be because she went to prepare a present for me."
"Preparing a birthday gift for you?" Tantai Mingyue was stunned, not expecting He Zhiqiu to give such an answer.
Qin Gengyun held Qiu Zhihe’s hand, speaking softly, "Darling, what gift did you prepare for me? Quickly show it to the Sect Leader."
Qiu Zhihe glanced at him, the hidden murderous intent in her eyes finally vanished. She took out a cyan-colored base garment embroidered with gold threads from the bedside cabinet.
"Cloud Patterned Golden Threaded Robe?"
Qin Gengyun’s face showed an expression of ’surprise,’ taking the garment, he marveled:
"This is a protective garment capable of resisting ordinary magical artifacts. Darling, where did you get this?"
Qiu Zhihe appeared ’shy,’ speaking softly, "I saved up the monthly stipend given by the sect and bought it while going down to Zhenyang City."
Qin Gengyun hugged her, moved, "Darling, thank you, I love your gift!"
After speaking, he even kissed her forehead, causing Qiu Zhihe to exclaim and hurriedly push him away, her cheeks turning red.
This time it wasn’t an act but genuine embarrassment.
She had a thin skin; even if acting, it wasn’t possible for her to behave intimately with her husband in front of outsiders.
Tantai Mingyue watched, stunned, unexpected that this severe questioning would eventually turn into a scene of two disciples showing affection.
She coughed lightly, her tone finally returning to gentle, "The sect has its regulations, Ruo Mei, He Zhiqiu, you should know your boundaries, don’t indulge in passion and besides..."
Tantai Mingyue looked at He Zhiqiu, "Return to Divinity Transformation Peak before dawn. Be cautious; don’t let others find out."
Qin Gengyun rejoiced, "Thank you, Sect Leader!"
Qiu Zhihe also followed suit courteously, "Thank you, Sect Leader."
Tantai Mingyue nodded, her figure flashed out from Ruo Mei’s room.
At this time, not far from the courtyard, a stern figure appeared, it was Leng Jing, the Peak Master of Sword Tomb Peak. He asked Tantai Mingyue:
"Sect Leader Sister, how was it?"
Tantai Mingyue shook her head, "It’s not them."
Leng Jing remained silent for a moment, looking carefully at her face, suddenly asking:
"Sister, what’s wrong?"
Tantai Mingyue smiled, "Nothing, just worried that the clues have been broken, fearing it’s not easy to find out the truth about the deaths of the three Senior Brothers. Once the news of Senior Brother Shi and Senior Brother Wei’s deaths is known outside, Zhenyang Sect will no longer be the leader of the Righteous Path."
Leng Jing comforted her, "No need to worry too much, Sister. If our Zhenyang Sect disciples can win the prize at the Immortal Ascension Ceremony six months later, enter the Immortal Flying Pavilion and obtain fortuitous opportunities, they’ll undoubtedly become stronger than us, ensuring Zhenyang Sect has successors."
Tantai Mingyue sighed softly, "Let’s hope so."
Leng Jing looked at her dignified and gentle side profile, hesitated briefly, then finally spoke:
"Sister, thank you for today. If it weren’t for you, my Tao Heart would have been disrupted."
Earlier at Danxia Peak, Leng Jing heard Xia Qinglian’s name, his Heart Demon surged, his body trembling, Tantai Mingyue held his hand, calming him.
However, his words at this moment carried not only gratitude but also inexplicable softness and affection.
Tantai Mingyue acted as if she hadn’t heard, speaking gently, "Senior Brother Leng, thanks for staying outside tonight. The sect is experiencing a turbulent time, quickly return to Sword Tomb Peak."
Leng Jing looked at her gentle yet calm pretty face, his expression dimmed, nodded, "Alright, Sister, be careful, I’m leaving."
"Okay."
Leng Jing left reluctantly, Tantai Mingyue watched his departing figure, standing at the moonless cliff edge, silently for a long time, murmuring:
"I’m sorry, Senior Brother Leng, I am no longer worthy of you."
Inside Ruo Mei’s room.
"Husband, why didn’t you listen to me! I’m angry! You... mmm mmm mmm..."
"Husband! Don’t think I forgive you every time just because of this, do you know how dangerous it was just now?"
Pa!
"Ouch! Husband, what are you doing?"
"Darling, I told you long ago, if there’s ever anything hidden from me again, I won’t be lenient. Accept the punishment from me now!"
Pa pa pa!
"Ouch?! Qin Gengyun, you really dare to do this to me?! Ah! Husband, I was wrong!"