JSCMU-Chapter 113: Fool

“Sect Master!” Ma Hongyu suddenly blocked in front of Ye Cheng, his voice starting to tremble. “This disciple of mine is introverted and ignorant of social conventions. Sect Master, I will strictly discipline him from now on. I absolutely won’t let him make another mistake.”

Zhao Wuji’s expression was unreadable.

Ma Hongyu directly knelt down.

Ye Cheng was stunned and followed to kneel as well.

He was even a bit confused, not understanding why the Sect Master suddenly said this.

“Hongyu,” Zhao Wuji revealed a faint smile, “what do you take me for? Don’t worry, I just want to talk to Ye Cheng. Get up, don’t make a fool of yourselves.”

Ma Hongyu didn’t believe it, but since Zhao Wuji said so, he could only pull Ye Cheng up with him.

“Sect Master,” Ma Hongyu said hesitantly, “this disciple of mine is a blockhead. If the Sect Master has any instructions, it’s the same if you tell me. Once I return, I’ll properly guide him according to the Sect Master’s orders.”

Zhao Wuji glanced at him. “It’s nothing, just a few words.”

At this point, Ma Hongyu had no choice. He could only silently pray that Zhao Wuji would show mercy to Ye Cheng for the sake of his years of hard work, even if he had no great merits.

“Ye Cheng,” Zhao Wuji looked at Ye Cheng again.

Ye Cheng didn’t think anything was wrong and obediently walked up.

Zhao Wuji asked him, “What do you think of  Yun Jin?”

Ye Cheng thought carefully and said, “She is a botany genius. If possible, I’d like to have a good discussion with her.”

Ma Hongyu. “…”

He was breaking out in cold sweat.

This is the result of raising a disciple to be too pure-hearted, making others wish they can speak on his behalf.

Ye Cheng was very honest. Zhao Wuji’s face slightly darkened, but then he suddenly smiled, “Good. You are indeed devoted to botany, a rare and pure person. I like people like you.”

“Here, this jade pendant is for you. Wear it with you. It’s the same as the one Danxia received. It’s a defensive magic item, enough to keep you safe,” Zhao Wuji said gently.

Ye Cheng, overjoyed by the unexpected favor, quickly accepted it and wore it at his waist.

Ma Hongyu was also a bit surprised.

From what he knew of the Sect Master, Ye Cheng’s voluntary surrender earlier would definitely have made him furious.

But instead of punishment, he gave a reward? Was this really the Sect Master’s way of doing things?

“All right, you may go. Focus on tending to the spiritual fields from now on, let others see what you two are capable of,” Zhao Wuji said with a smile.

Ma Hongyu quickly pulled Ye Cheng with him, “Thank you, Sect Master.”

Zhao Wuji watched the two leave, then sneered coldly.

Someone who displeased him still wanted to live?

He infused that jade pendant with a rare poison. If worn long enough, the poison would erupt within a month, leaving him dead without a visible trace of poisoning.

By then, so much time would’ve passed, no one would suspect this meeting tonight.

Ye Cheng might have some talent in botany, but in this cultivation world, are talented people rare?

Since he admired Yun Jin so much, let him go underground and wait for her!

The flickering candlelight danced across Zhao Wuji’s face, making his features waver in and out of the shadows.

Outside.

Ma Hongyu looked at Ye Cheng and sighed, “This hurdle should be over now. Disciple, from now on, just stay in the spiritual fields and don’t go out unless necessary.”

“Yes,” Ye Cheng replied directly.

He didn’t want to go out anyway.

Compared to humans, he preferred spending time with spiritual plants.

Ma Hongyu nodded, and the master and disciple returned to the spiritual fields.

Deep in the spiritual field, there was a small cave dwelling, which served as their residence.

“Master, I’m going to check on the spiritual plants,” Ye Cheng said, then went back to the fields.

Ma Hongyu watched his back and sighed again.

He was truly worried.

His disciple was too naive. While he was still around, he could still barely protect him.

If something happened to him, what would Ye Cheng do…

What he said earlier about passing the hurdle was to ease Ye Cheng’s mind.

But knowing Zhao Wuji’s personality…did they really pass this hurdle?

He wasn’t confident at all.

That night, Ma Hongyu thought of many things, but in the end, could only sigh.

The next morning.

At the break of dawn.

Gu Jinghong came again.

As always, he did nothing else and just stood by the plants, rambling nonsense, looking completely mentally unwell.

Ma Hongyu was long used to it and treated Gu Jinghong like he didn’t exist.

Ye Cheng usually ignored Gu Jinghong too. But this time, he walked over and took the initiative to ask, “Why didn’t Junior Sister Yun come? I heard about her improvements to botany techniques and they left me amazed. It’s a pity I didn’t get to witness it.”

Gu Jinghong looked up, a hint of wariness in his eyes, “Master is busy and doesn’t have time to come.”

Ye Cheng said earnestly, “Botany techniques require communication to improve. I actually have some insights too. If you don’t mind, I could…”

“Ye Cheng! Come over here!” Ma Hongyu immediately shouted.

He was somewhat terrified.

Is this disciple of his tired of living?

At a time like this, he was still getting involved with Yun Jin. Zhao Wuji would take action even if he didn’t intend to before.

Ye Cheng responded, then quickly said, “Botany techniques are infinitely profound. If I can have one more person in the same field, it would truly be a wonderful thing.”

After saying that, he finally walked over to Ma Hongyu.

“Master,” Ye Cheng awaited Ma Hongyu’s instructions.

Ma Hongyu opened and closed his mouth, then said weakly, “From now on, you’re not allowed to meet with Yun Jin.”

Ye Cheng was a bit puzzled. “Why?”

Ma Hongyu gritted his teeth. “Don’t you know the Sect Master hates her to the bone? If you keep associating with her, even I won’t be able to protect you! Do you think the Sect Master gave you that jade pendant as praise? He’s warning you to work for him from now on!”

So there was a hidden meaning.

Ye Cheng suddenly understood.

He quickly went to find Gu Jinghong. “Junior Sister Yun shouldn’t come here for now. Once the Sect Master calms down, I’ll exchange insights with her again.”

Gu Jinghong. “…”

Could he slap this fool to death?

Gu Jinghong’s gaze slightly shifted and landed on the jade pendant at Ye Cheng’s waist. “Was that given to you by the Sect Master?”

Previously, Ye Cheng wasn’t wearing it, it appeared overnight.

And that jade pendant looked exactly the same as the one given to Ye Danxia. Gu Jinghong casually guessed.

“Yes,” Ye Cheng answered. “The Sect Master is so good to me. Since he doesn’t like Junior Sister Yun, I won’t meet with her for now either.”

Gu Jinghong’s lips twitched.

Right now, he truly admires Ma Hongyu. Just how did he train such a disciple?

“…I understand,” Gu Jinghong replied through gritted teeth.

He continued carrying out his task of communicating with spiritual plants. When it was getting late, he returned to Heavenly Sword Peak.

Gu Jinghong briefly reported to Yun Jin. Then, he said in hesitation, “Master, there’s one more thing.”

“Go ahead,” Yun Jin casually took out a pill and continued cultivating while munching on it.

Gu Jinghong’s lips twitched.

He just saw it clearly.

What was Master eating?

A perfect-quality pill?

Judging by the aura, it seemed to be a Rejuvenation Pill?!

Gu Jinghong suddenly forgot what he originally wanted to say and couldn’t help but ask, “Master, that pill is…?”

“Rejuvenation Pill,” Yun Jin said carelessly. “Didn’t I give you one when you were seriously injured?”

Gu Jinghong’s lips trembled.

Rejuvenation Pill…

Isn’t that used to heal meridians and dantian?

What happened to Master?

Gu Jinghong suddenly felt panic rise in his heart. He was about to ask in detail.

Then he saw Yun Jin pour out a dozen more pills, and pop them into her mouth like candy.

Gu Jinghong. “???”