Volume 1, Chapter 31: Taking Charge for Everyone!

"This disciple knows she is wrong."

Since her master asked, Ye Qinghan answered.

However, whether she truly knew she was wrong or not didn't really matter; she was kneeling there regardless, wasn't she? Whatever Master said was the absolute truth!

Elder Shi chimed in from the side, "Sect Master Su, why lose your temper? Qinghan is young and hot-headed. Besides, in the secret realm, it is common practice for cultivators to kill one another for the sake of rare treasures."

[Damn it, what is wrong with you? Why are you taking Ye Qinghan's side?]

"That’s right, Sect Master Su! Elder Shi is right! Sister Qinghan was just acting on impulse!" Li Shiyao chimed in while clapping.

[Huh? Why does it feel like I’m the one in the wrong here?]

[Even though I never intended to blame her from the start, how am I supposed to play my part with you people acting like this?]

[If you all play the good cop, don’t I have to be the bad cop?]

"Qinghan did not act on impulse. She had planned it that way from the moment she entered! The treasures in the secret realm naturally belong to the strong, do they not?"

Ye Qinghan knew her master wouldn't blame her, so she became even more arrogant.

Ha!

I stole it! What can you do about it?

It’s only because my master told me to kneel that you lot have the right to speak! If I were to stand up, you’d all be kneeling, too terrified to utter a word!

"Qinghan, are you saying you’re very impressive?"

"That’s right! Master, I simply believe that I deserve those things!"

[Huh? Why are you acting even more arrogant while kneeling than I am standing up?]

[Who is the master here?]

"Then how about I kneel and listen to you instead?"

As soon as those words left his lips, even the "Living Yama" Ye Qinghan had no choice but to soften her stance.

"Qinghan wouldn't dare. I only hoped to earn Master’s praise, which is why..."

Hmph!

"Sect Master Su, you see, Qinghan was just overly eager to contribute, which led to her taking shortcuts. She had no malicious intent."

"Exactly, Sect Master Su! Elder Shi is right!"

Shi Mingyi and Shiyao spoke one after another, like a comedy duo; whatever Shi Mingyi said, Shiyao would applaud.

Including Cheng Liang, all the clan heads remained silent, simply watching Su Cheng and Ye Qinghan.

The saying that one shouldn't discipline their children in public or expose family scandals to outsiders is utter nonsense. With so many elders, clan heads, and prodigies present, how could this just be brushed aside?

They demanded an explanation!

"Lady Shiyao, how do you think I should punish her?"

Shiyao was stunned. Was this really her decision to make? She looked at Ye Qinghan, who was dumbfounded—why did Master have to ask *her* of all people? Seeing the little fool's expression, Ye Qinghan guessed the situation.

Damn it!

Shiyao thought: A punishment? Isn't being trapped in Lingxian Hall and tortured by him the greatest punishment of all?

"I suggest... expulsion from the sect!"

[Huh? Wasn't this girl just her best friend? Wasn't she just defending Ye Qinghan?]

[Plastic friendship, I see.]

Ye Qinghan, however, was unfazed; she still trusted her master.

"Wouldn't that just be giving her exactly what she wants? Without anyone to keep her in check, wouldn't she just go around causing even more trouble?"

Shiyao looked disappointed. She had thought she’d found a chance to save Sister Qinghan from her misery, but alas, it had failed.

"I only ask for Master’s punishment; this disciple will have no complaints!"

Ye Qinghan was completely calm. Could Master actually punish her? Don't be ridiculous—it was all an act for their benefit! Not only would she not be punished, but she’d probably get a delicious meal once they got home.

"Tell me, how did I teach you?"

"This disciple knows her mistake. Next time, I will ensure there are no survivors! I apologize for the trouble, Master."

The elders' pupils constricted. Ye Qinghan was truly unrepentant! Even Cheng Liang was bewildered; Ye Qinghan seemed to have truly become a "Living Yama."

Everyone’s gaze shifted to Su Cheng, waiting for him to discipline this incorrigible disciple. To their shock, Su Cheng made no move to punish her. Instead, he stroked her hair with a look of gratification.

"This time, I will handle the aftermath. Remember my teachings for next time: when cutting weeds, you must pull out the roots!"

"Especially those who spout nonsense about 'not bullying the young and poor'! Kill them immediately! Chop them into eight pieces!"

"Keep that in mind!"

"Qinghan will remember Master’s teachings." Ye Qinghan stood up slowly, her sword case dropping into place in an instant. "No need for Master to clean up; I will handle the trouble I caused myself."

Huh? Shiyao was confused. She couldn't help but feel that Sister Qinghan and Sect Master Su were... strangely well-matched.

In an instant, as the unfolded sword case slowly closed, the so-called "prodigies" fell as corpses, all struck through the throat by a single blade.

"Sect Master Su, how can you shield your disciple in such heinous crimes?"

"It was one thing to kill in the secret realm, but now, right in front of us, you condone your disciple slaughtering the innocent!"

The disciples were terrified, and the clan heads and sect leaders were filled with shock! Cheng Liang couldn't fathom it; his Qinghan seemed to have died, and this "Living Yama" was not the Ye Chenmeng he once knew.

"She is my disciple. If I don't shield her, who should I shield?"

[Is this guy an idiot? If I don't shield my own disciple, should I shield your wife?]

Su Cheng found it laughable. What kind of foolish question was that?

"Qinghan is the head disciple of Lingxian Hall! I am the Sect Master of Lingxian Hall and her master. I am here to back her up!"

"Why else would I be here? To watch her get bullied by you?"

[Qinghan, thanks to you, Master is ready to stand tall and act like a real man today.]

Ye Qinghan paused as Su Cheng backhanded the sword 'Lingxian' from her waist.

"I had intended to interact with you all as an ordinary person."

Su Cheng shielded Ye Qinghan by his side. The freezing blade reflected a cold glint, and the temperature plummeted!

"But all I got in return was alienation."

Su Cheng stood tall, sword in hand, facing the dozen sect masters and clan heads, as if the spirited youth from years ago had returned.

"No more pretending~"

"I am invincible~"

"The cards are on the table~"

The dozen people stared at Su Cheng holding the Lingxian sword, glancing at one another. Could it be? Could it be that this Su Cheng had been playing the fool all along? That was impossible!

"Sect Master Su, could it be!" The Holy Mountain elder was incredulous. Su Cheng’s lack of cultivation had been common knowledge for a long time; could he have truly been hiding his strength all along?

Su Cheng smiled faintly, saying nothing.

Dongfang Jue had just opened his eyes to hear Su Cheng reveal his hand. He thought to himself: *Indeed! I was right! The reason Ye Qinghan became so strong in such a short time must be because of this master!*

At the same time, Li Shiyao reached the same conclusion. She had been puzzled as to why Sister Qinghan would be controlled by a master with no cultivation, but now it all made sense! Su Cheng was no useless weakling; Sister Qinghan could never escape him and was forced to play into his hands!

"Brother Su, are you going to fight us sect masters for the sake of this disciple?"

Cheng Liang stood with his hands behind his back, feeling that Su Cheng was merely putting on a brave front. As long as he didn't show fear, Su Cheng's acting would be useless!

"How could that be? I have no such intention, brother. However, if anyone dares to target my Qinghan, according to the rules of Lingxian Hall, that means total annihilation of their sect!"