Chapter 82 A Lunchtime Treat

Chen Chuangfu silently acknowledged the logic, then changed his tone, sneering, “A dog is still a dog. No matter where it goes, it only thinks of its master. As your senior, I must say, you’ve played the loyal hound well. I'll allow you to only shout out, ‘Zhou Chen is worthless!’”

Wu Zhongdao mocked, stroking his chin, “Senior Chen is so magnanimous. Shouldn’t you hurry up and kowtow in gratitude?”

Zhou Chen closed his eyes, his heart filled with despair, as painful memories surged up once more. His knees buckled, and he bit through his pale lips, the bitter taste of blood spreading in his mouth.

Just as he was about to kneel, a silken sash, dazzling with a myriad of radiant colors, suddenly fluttered through the air and caught him, steadying his body. From within, a hundred green leaves burst forth, shooting like arrows at Chen Chuangfu and Wu Zhongdao. The leaves sliced through their first-grade robes, leaving bloody welts in their wake.

Startled by the sudden attack of green leaves, Chen Chuangfu and Wu Zhongdao staggered and fell to the ground, shivering in fright.

Zhou Chen, astonished, glanced at the silken sash, then turned to look at the woods behind him.

Chen Chuangfu’s eyes bulged, nearly losing control from fear. But when he saw the leaves had only grazed his skin, he instantly puffed up with false bravado and shouted, “Who dares to attack in the Tianyan Sect? Do you even know which peak we’re from?”

Qu Yiqiu elegantly retrieved her iridescent sash and stepped out from the woods.

“No matter which peak you belong to, trespassing on my Xiaoping Peak is a road to death.”

Sunlight filtered through the interlacing leaves, casting golden beams that fell upon her, making her appear like a celestial maiden descending to the mortal world to save the suffering.

Zhou Chen stared at her in a daze, his mind buzzing, with only one thought remaining.

Chen Chuangfu and Wu Zhongdao were equally captivated by her beauty, but as soon as they heard her icy words, they instantly sobered and their faces changed dramatically.

“You’re Qu Yiqiu, disciple of Mo Qingli?!”

It was both a question and an affirmation.

The moment they saw her face, they knew the answer.

Qu Yiqiu’s gaze swept coldly over the spirit beasts behind them, and she smiled faintly. “Is Mo Qingli a name for the likes of you to call? Or mine, for that matter?”

Chen Chuangfu’s expression grew uglier, and when he sensed Qu Yiqiu’s cultivation, he was even more startled.

To suppress the two, Qu Yiqiu had elevated her cultivation to the tenth level of Qi Refinement.

Wu Zhongdao, realizing this as well, turned pale. He suddenly pulled Chen Chuangfu to his feet and forced a smile at Qu Yiqiu. “We were being foolish. Who would have thought that after so long in seclusion, Senior Sister Qu would break through to the tenth level of Qi Refinement! As your junior, I offer my congratulations!”

Qu Yiqiu stared at him impassively. “You truly are ignorant. Since Master Hong of Wanqing Peak has no time to discipline you, Xiaoping Peak will do so on their behalf today!”

With that, she flicked out her iridescent sash once more. The dazzling colors made the two shrink away in alarm.

Chen Chuangfu and Wu Zhongdao retreated hastily, crying out, “Senior Sister Qu, what are you doing? We’re disciples of Wanqing Peak!”

“That’s precisely why I’m beating you!” Qu Yiqiu wasted no more words. Her delicate hands danced as she twirled the sash, sending the two scrambling wildly to escape.

In an instant, birds scattered and leaves fell throughout the small grove.

“Ow!!” The sash lashed across Chen Chuangfu, splitting his skin open.

Howling in pain, he shoved Wu Zhongdao aside and bolted, shouting as he ran, “Qu Yiqiu, you just wait!”

Wu Zhongdao, having taken several lashes, ran after him clutching his backside.

Zhou Chen watched the scene in shock, quickly stepping forward to stop Qu Yiqiu from giving chase.

“Senior sister, that’s enough. If you keep beating them, they’ll complain to Master Hong for sure!”

“Hmph. Even if Hong Bingyin himself came today, he would have to admit fault to Xiaoping Peak!”

Qu Yiqiu glared at the fleeing pair, then recalled her iridescent sash.

Zhou Chen’s lips trembled as he whispered, “It’s my fault. I failed to protect the array jade slip, letting them sneak in.”

Qu Yiqiu turned to glance at the white-plumed brocade crane, who had earlier looked down on her with disdain. Suddenly, she flicked out her sash, and before Zhou Chen or the spirit beasts could react, she wrapped the bird tightly and drew it before her.

Zhou Chen stammered in fright, “S-senior sister, you can’t do that!!”

Ignoring him, Qu Yiqiu ordered, “Go light a fire!”

“Senior sister…” Zhou Chen’s eyes widened in disbelief. What was she planning?

“Don’t ask so many questions. Just get the fire going, and make it as big as possible!” Qu Yiqiu commanded coldly.

Frightened, Zhou Chen swallowed hard and went to gather firewood.

The white-plumed brocade crane, possessing high intelligence and already at the early Foundation Establishment stage, immediately realized Qu Yiqiu’s intent. It struggled with all its strength, causing bulges and lumps to form in the iridescent sash.

Qu Yiqiu smiled, turning her gaze to the three clueless ironwater oxen.

...

“You fool, why did you run out with me?!” Chen Chuangfu kicked Wu Zhongdao on the buttocks, gritting his teeth.

Wu Zhongdao, already the worst beaten by the iridescent sash, yelped in pain as his wounds were struck again.

“Senior brother, she’s too ruthless, I couldn’t take it anymore!” he replied, hopping about in agony.

Chen Chuangfu looked at his tattered, blood-soaked robes and withdrew his fist in disdain. “If I hadn’t been afraid she’d hear me insult Mo Qingli, there’s no way I’d have taken that beating! She’s only at the tenth level of Qi Refinement—she’s nothing compared to Senior Brother Qi!”

Wu Zhongdao, still holding his backside, flattered, “You’re right, senior brother! No matter how worthless Mo Qingli is, he’s still a fake Golden Core. If we offend him, Senior Brother Qi would never stand up for us!”

Chen Chuangfu shot him an annoyed look, then glanced behind. “Why hasn’t the white-plumed brocade crane come out yet? It’s the peak master’s spirit beast and can’t remain on Xiaoping Peak!”

Wu Zhongdao’s eyes darted—surely Senior Brother Chen wasn’t going to send him back for the crane?

He glanced fearfully at Xiaoping Peak, then shrank into a corner.

“And those three ironwater oxen,” Chen Chuangfu added, shaking his head. “They’re too dim-witted to leave on their own without someone to lead them out!”

He then shifted his gaze to the sneaky Wu Zhongdao.

Wu Zhongdao grimaced in pain. “Senior brother, I wouldn’t dare lay a hand on Qu Yiqiu even if I went back in. Why don’t we wait until this afternoon after she leaves? The crane’s already at Foundation Establishment—she and Zhou Chen won’t be able to do anything to it!”

Chen Chuangfu considered and nodded. “Makes sense. Let them play on Xiaoping Peak for a while. When afternoon comes, even if Qu Yiqiu is still there, she won’t dare keep Master Hong’s spirit beasts from us!”

Delighted, Wu Zhongdao nodded vigorously. “You’re right! Once the crane’s had its fun, we’ll bring them back then!”

Chen Chuangfu narrowed his eyes at Xiaoping Peak. A gust of wind blew, making his split flesh ache as though cut anew. “Ugh—this pain is killing me!”

———

Thank you all for reading—Xiaoping Peak is about to take the stage!