Chapter 206: Chapter 127: Chief Disciple (Part 1)

He could see Chen Qing had great potential and sincerely wanted to befriend him.

In the end, Chen Qing declined Wu Tieshan’s invitation to stay for a meal and returned to the Fishery.

As dusk fell, the small courtyard of the Fishery was enveloped in tranquility.

Chen Qing had just sat cross-legged in his room to regulate his breathing for a moment when a soft knock came from the door.

“Steward Chen?”

It was Lin Xue’s voice, tinged with a hint of barely perceptible nervousness.

Chen Qing opened his eyes. “Come in.”

The door was pushed open, and Lin Xue walked in carefully, carrying a ceramic bowl.

Steam wafted from the bowl, and the rich, savory aroma of fish soup instantly filled the small room.

“Steward Chen.”

Lin Xue placed the bowl gently on the table, her hands clasped together awkwardly. “I… I made some soup with the Silver Thread Fish we caught today. I thought since you just got back and have been training hard, something warm would help you warm up.”

In the dim, yellow light of the oil lamp, her cheeks seemed to be tinged with a faint blush, and her voice grew a little softer.

Chen Qing looked at the milky-white soup, dotted with vibrant green scallions. It was steaming hot and smelled wonderful.

He was a little surprised, his gaze falling upon Lin Xue.

“That was thoughtful of you.”

Chen Qing’s tone was gentle. “But you don’t need to go to any special trouble for me. The work at the Fishery is already complicated enough. Just focus on being a good Patrol.”

“It’s no trouble at all!”

Lin Xue quickly looked up, her eyes bright. “Uncle Zhao has been teaching me to identify fish species, and Brother Shuosheng has been showing me the waterways. Everyone has been so good to me. I just… I just wanted to do something for everyone. I made a large pot of this soup and gave a bowl to Grandpa Zhao, Brother Shuosheng, and Brother Jiang Feng. This one is for you,” she added quickly.

“I see.” Chen Qing nodded slightly and walked to the table. “Thank you, then.”

He picked up the warm bowl of fish soup.

The soup was a rich white, clearly having been simmered for a long time. The fish was so tender it had almost dissolved into the broth. A few slices of ginger and vibrant green scallions floated on top, and the aroma seemed to penetrate straight to his lungs.

Chen Qing took a sip directly from the rim of the bowl.

A gentle, savory warmth instantly slid down his throat, then spread through his chest and abdomen.

The flavor of the soup was mellow and rich, with the unique, subtle sweetness of Silver Thread Fish. It was cooked perfectly, without a hint of fishiness—only pure, savory fragrance.

What was more amazing was that as the soup entered his stomach, a gentle warmth, like a nascent flame, quickly rose from his lower abdomen and flowed through his entire body.

This was the effect of a Treasure Fish.

“It tastes very good.”

Chen Qing put down the bowl and looked at Lin Xue, his eyes holding a trace of sincere praise. “Thank you for the trouble.”

Hearing the compliment, Lin Xue couldn’t suppress the slight upward turn of her lips, revealing a bright smile. “I’m glad you like it, Steward Chen! Then… I’ll be going. Please drink it while it’s hot!”

She retreated with light steps, carefully closing the door behind her.

The room fell quiet again, leaving only the flickering light of the oil lamp and the fish soup.

Chen Qing sat down again, looking at the bowl of soup, lost in thought.

It wasn’t that he didn’t understand what Lin Xue was thinking.

’A young girl’s heart is like a flower bud quietly blooming on a branch in early spring, full of timid explorations and pure yearning.’

’Besides gratitude, she clearly felt something more for him.’

’Perhaps these feelings stemmed from the kindness he showed by taking her in, or from the strength he displayed. Or maybe it was just the natural admiration a girl, having lost her support, would feel for the person protecting her.’

However, Chen Qing’s feelings for Lin Xue were more out of camaraderie for her fallen sect sister, Lin Wei, and his responsibility as a Steward to a subordinate—to the sister of a deceased acquaintance.

To protect her and help her establish herself at the Fishery.

’As for anything else…’

…..

Deep within Lake Heart Island, Tingtiao Pavilion was built by the water.

Outside the window, the mist over the water was vast, while inside, sandalwood incense curled in the air.

He Yuzhou, the Sect Leader of the Wutai Sect, was known in the Jianghu as the “Canglang Fisherman” due to his years spent fishing on Dingbo Lake and his profound, ocean-like demeanor.

At this moment, he was sitting across from Peng Zhen, the Dean of the Kun Earth Institute.

He Yuzhou’s voice was calm. “Junior Brother Peng, have all the arrangements for the Grand Celebration been properly handled?”

Peng Zhen set down his teacup and replied solemnly, “Reporting to you, Sect Leader, Senior Brother, the arrangements are mostly in order. It’s just… I’m afraid the sect leaders of Qixia Manor, Cold Jade Valley, and Xuanjia Sect will find it difficult to attend the ceremony in person this time.”

He paused, a trace of helplessness on his face. “The old demon Heart Devourer of the Demon Sect and his Sub-Pavilion have vanished without a trace, like a sword hanging over their heads. The leaders of the Three Sects all say that under these circumstances, they dare not leave their mountains, fearing the Demon Sect will take advantage of their absence to wipe out their strongholds.”

The Yunlin Sub-Pavilion has the Eight Great Guardians in addition to Heart Devourer, and their strength is formidable.

If the Four Great Sects joined forces, they would have nothing to fear. But for a single sect to face the Infinite Demon Sect, they would be stretched thin.

He Yuzhou nodded slowly. “A guard dog dare not stray far from home. With the Demon Sect threat unresolved, their caution is understandable.”

He withdrew his gaze and said, “As long as this Heart Devourer is not eliminated, Yunlin Prefecture will know no peace. To think that our thunderous strike on Nine Waves Island failed to force him out into the open… The depth of his concealment and the extent of his scheming are truly worrying.”

“Sect Leader, Senior Brother, you are absolutely right.”

Peng Zhen deeply agreed, a worried look gathering on his brow. “The remnants of the Demon Sect… old evils die hard.”

He Yuzhou changed the subject, his tone growing heavier. “As for the Li Fire Institute… what is the aftermath of the Xiao Ruize affair? Junior Brother Hong must be heartbroken.”

At the mention of Xiao Ruize, Peng Zhen’s expression also darkened. “It was a huge blow to the Li Fire Institute. Xiao Ruize was the Chief Disciple they had poured all their resources into cultivating. At the Peak of the Middle Stage of Embracing Pill, he was one of the few prospects with a hope of breaking through to the Astral Force realm. His death, along with several other elites from the institute, was a devastating loss.”

“Junior Brother Hong hasn’t said much on the surface, but privately… sigh. The new Chief Disciple, Li Wang, has decent aptitude, but his prestige and strength are far inferior to Xiao Ruize’s.”

“The early death of a great talent is a tragedy for the Sect.”

A disciple as outstanding as Xiao Ruize is incredibly difficult to nurture.

He Yuzhou said in a low voice, “These disciples are the future backbone of our Sect. We must redouble our care for the disciples Within the Sect. We cannot be stingy with Elixirs and other resources. This is especially true for those promising saplings who have potential and dare to fight. We must protect them closely. The loss has already occurred; we absolutely cannot allow any more good prospects to wither away for nothing.”

“I understand. I will see to it that all institutes carry this out.”

Peng Zhen agreed solemnly. After a moment of contemplation, he added, “But… Sect Leader, Senior Brother, there is one more matter concerning the Grand Celebration. In the Cyan Wood Institute, the position of Chief Disciple remains undecided. Luo Xinyi and Xu Qi are at a stalemate, and Junior Martial Uncle Li…”

Peng Zhen left his sentence unfinished, but his meaning was clear.

“The Cyan Wood Institute’s Chief Disciple hasn’t been decided yet?”

He Yuzhou’s brow furrowed instantly. “The Sect’s Grand Celebration is just around the corner! The Chief Disciples of the Five Institutes must represent the disciples of their respective institutes. How can the Cyan Wood Institute be without a head? Junior Martial Uncle Li…”

“That old man… he really isn’t taking this matter seriously enough!”

Peng Zhen shook his head.

He knew the Sect Leader had always been tolerant, even indulgent, of that reclusive, highly senior Junior Martial Uncle Li.

But this time, the decorum of the Sect’s Grand Celebration was at stake.

“Junior Brother Peng.”

He Yuzhou looked at Peng Zhen, his gaze like a torch. “Go to the Cyan Wood Institute in my stead. Give Junior Martial Uncle Li a message. Tell him the Grand Celebration is imminent, and a Chief Disciple for the Cyan Wood Institute must be chosen as soon as possible! Tell that old man to make a decision quickly! This matter cannot be delayed any longer, and it absolutely must not hold up the Grand Celebration!”

Peng Zhen immediately stood, bowing to accept the order. “I will obey the Sect Leader’s decree! I will go to the Cyan Wood Institute at once and will be sure to convey the Sect Leader’s wishes clearly to Junior Martial Uncle Li!”

…..

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