Chapter 60

Chapter 60

Hopelessly Stupid

“Useless thing, get in here!”

Zhu Yuxian’s icy reprimand echoed, and Lu Chengfeng scrambled to his feet, offering a slightly awkward smile to Caixia before rushing inside.

Upon entering, he saw Zhu Yuxian reclining on a jade couch, clad in a translucent black gauze dress that accentuated her fair skin, making her resemble a beautiful serpent.

A servant girl was brewing tea at a table in front of the bed, her movements fluid and graceful, a sight to behold.

“Alright, Yulu, you may leave.”

Zhu Yuxian gave the order, and the servant girl stopped her task, placing two freshly brewed cups of tea on the table before quietly retreating.

Seeing that they were alone, Lu Chengfeng didn’t hesitate and immediately knelt down again.

“Master, save me.”

This time, Zhu Yuxian didn’t tell him to rise. Instead, she sneered and said, “I thought after meeting Old Ghost Li and eating his two fish, you would obediently listen to him and spend half a year in seclusion, forgetting all about me, your master.”

“Why are you suddenly acting like a kowtowing insect now?”

Lu Chengfeng said with a hint of grievance, “Before going to the Law Enforcement Hall, disciple felt there was something fishy about this and that they might harbor ill intentions towards me. So I instructed my wife, Suyi, to come to Black Crane Peak and seek Master’s help if I didn’t return by late evening.”

“Who would have thought that at Heavenly Punishment Peak, this disciple would be caught red-handed by the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall? He punished me with half a year of seclusion, and I dared not disobey!”

“During these six months, disciple has reflected deeply and realized that I acted too rashly and forgot that I still had Master to rely on, which is why I was taken advantage of. That’s why I rushed to see Master as soon as I left seclusion.”

Zhu Yuxian remained noncommittal, leaning slightly on the soft couch. She picked up a teacup from the table in front of her with one hand and gently blew on the tea, causing ripples to form on its surface.

“Then why are you clamoring for me to save you?”

Lu Chengfeng didn’t hide anything and spoke frankly, “Although I was in seclusion, I heard that the sect recently discovered the Black Shark Recluse’s legacy. Inner Peak elders are leading the expedition, and a large number of disciples have been mobilized to explore the ruins.”

“Disciple has a bad feeling about this. Coupled with the fact that the Grand Elder has something on me, if any trouble arises in the sect, I’m afraid I’ll be at his mercy. That’s why I’m begging Master for help.”

Hearing this, a glint flashed in Zhu Yuxian’s eyes. She carefully studied Lu Chengfeng for a moment.

“You’re quite clever. Get up, stop kneeling. My disciples don’t have such weak knees.”

“Of course, I only kneel before Master. In front of the Grand Elder, my back was straight as an arrow,” Lu Chengfeng said with a flattering smile as he got up and sat down at the table opposite Zhu Yuxian without waiting for her invitation.

“Master, disciple would like to ask for a cup of your tea to calm my nerves!”

Lu Chengfeng said with a cheeky grin. Before Zhu Yuxian could respond, he had already picked up the remaining teacup and taken a small sip.

He found the tea slightly bitter, but a cool sensation flowed directly into his mind, even making the talent star floating above his brow shine a bit brighter.

He couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise, “Master, this tea is truly extraordinary. It seems I’ve stumbled upon a treasure.”

Zhu Yuxian said with a smug look, “You have good taste. This is Cloud Cliff Bittervine Tea, a supreme treasure for nourishing the spirit. I only have a few ounces left, and I usually treasure it dearly.”

“You lazy brat, you have the nerve to take what I cherish.”

Lu Chengfeng laughed upon hearing this.

“Thank you, Master, for the reward.”

He then proceeded to drink the tea in one gulp.

Zhu Yuxian couldn’t help but scold him, “Such a waste of good tea, like a bull chewing on peonies.”

Lu Chengfeng put down the teacup.

“Disciple doesn’t possess Master’s elegance. I was merely asking for a cup of tea to quench my thirst.”

Zhu Yuxian, for some reason, suddenly became playful. She also drank her tea in one gulp and then licked her red lips slightly.

“It does have a unique flavor this way.”

Seeing Lu Chengfeng staring at her lips, she snorted and reprimanded him, “Control your eyes, or I’ll gouge them out.”

Lu Chengfeng quickly calmed himself, lowering his gaze, not daring to provoke his master any further.

“Tell me, what news did you receive? I don’t believe you would come to me for help just because you heard about the ruins,” Zhu Yuxian asked, putting down her teacup.

Lu Chengfeng thought for a moment and said, “I wouldn’t dare deceive Master. When the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall summoned me, he slandered Master. His words were truly unbearable to hear.”

“Although I haven’t been your disciple for long, I absolutely don’t believe Master would be that kind of person. Moreover, as master and disciple, I naturally wouldn’t side with outsiders.”

“The Grand Elder wants to target Master and started with me. When I left seclusion, a large number of experts suddenly left the sect, leaving it empty within.”

“Disciple felt something was amiss. If someone with ill intentions were to strike at this moment, the sect would be in danger. That’s why I came to seek Master’s help.”

Zhu Yuxian asked, “Tell me, how did that old fool slander me?”

Lu Chengfeng lowered his head slightly.

“Disciple dares not speak of it.”

“It’s not like you’re the one saying it. What are you afraid of?” Zhu Yuxian snapped. “Tell me the truth.”

Lu Chengfeng then said with some indignation, “The Grand Elder actually claimed that Master colluded with outsiders to murder Junior Martial Uncle Xun twenty years ago. He even said that Master is a spy from another sect and that you killed my former master, Zhao Changzhen.”

“Such words are complete slander! If I weren’t so weak, I would have drawn my sword and fought him to the death.”

Zhu Yuxian’s face, surprisingly, broke into a smile.

“Oh? Aren’t you afraid that I really am a spy for another sect? What if everything he said is true? Wouldn’t you be walking into the tiger’s den?”

Lu Chengfeng immediately raised his head and said resolutely, “Disciple will never believe that old fool’s words. It’s absurd to distrust one’s own master and believe an outsider.”

“Besides, even if what he said is true…”

He paused for a moment, then said slowly, “So what? You are still my Master.”

“I don’t need outsiders to teach me the principle of loyalty between master and disciple. No matter what happens, I will stand by Master’s side.”

Zhu Yuxian asked nonchalantly, “What about your former master, Zhao Changzhen? If I killed him, would you still acknowledge me as your master?”

Lu Chengfeng sneered. “Among all the slander, that’s the most ridiculous. With Master’s martial arts skills, why would you need three sword strikes to kill Zhao Changzhen?”

“I saw the person who intruded on Bixia Peak that day with my own eyes. It was definitely not Master.”

“The Grand Elder is blatantly slandering Master’s innocence. He must have ulterior motives. How could I believe a single word he says?”

Zhu Yuxian looked at him for a long time before letting out a long sigh.

“You’re quite clever. You can see people and situations clearly, unlike some fools who are hopelessly stupid.”

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