Volume 8, Chapter 517 – Can You Reward Me with a Rope?

Early the next morning, Shi Yuqi knocked on the door.

“The Sect Master has summoned all high-ranking members at the level of Peak Master or above for a meeting. Come with me,” Shi Yuqi called out.

“Isn’t this inappropriate? I’m not a high-ranking member of Huarong Sect,” Cheng Hongling hesitated.

“It’s fine. She specifically asked me to invite you. It’s probably because you exposed Hua Yu’s scheme and rendered a great service. She likely wants to commend you publicly,” Shi Yuqi speculated.

“Did you tell her that monitoring Hua Yu was my own doing?” Cheng Hongling asked.

“Of course. How could I take credit for my disciple’s achievements? Yesterday, I only stepped in because the Cao family was present,” Shi Yuqi explained.

“Go. If we want our names inscribed on Huarong Sect’s Immortal Stele, we’ll need both cultivation and merit. The more exposure, the better,” Qi Huang advised from within the Sea of Consciousness.

“Alright.”

After some thought, Cheng Hongling found the reasoning sound and accepted the invitation.

Soon, Cheng Hongling and Shi Yuqi arrived at Huarong Sect’s grand assembly hall. High-ranking members gradually filled the room, and the atmosphere quickly grew lively.

“I wonder what the Sect Master has summoned us for?”

“Nonsense. What could be more urgent than the Holy Maiden’s impending marriage?”

“Speaking of which, we owe thanks to Shi Yuqi’s disciple yesterday. Otherwise, we would have unwittingly aided a villain.”

“Indeed. Had we all spoken in support, the Sect Master would have been forced to accept that two-faced proposal, and Huarong Sect would have become nothing more than the Cao family’s wet nurse, worse than sewing a bridal gown for someone else’s wedding!”

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“Speaking of Shi Yuqi, why did she bring that personal disciple of hers? Though the girl is talented, she has no right to attend a sect meeting yet.”

“Who knows? Perhaps she dotes on the girl and wants to broaden her horizons.”

“Broaden her horizons? This assembly hall is a solemn and sacred place, not just anyone can waltz in. How irresponsible.”

“She’s only in her thirties. For a cultivator, that’s practically a child. It’s normal for her to be ignorant. Besides, she just rendered a great service, youthful arrogance is to be expected.”

“True. A few setbacks will teach her. Sect Master Hua despises those who grow arrogant from favoritism.”

After murmuring among themselves, the elders’ gazes settled on Shi Yuqi and her disciple.

Through the Sea of Consciousness, Qi Huang observed that most of the high-ranking members present were elderly, making them Shi Yuqi’s seniors. She couldn’t help but feel exasperated, Biyu Peak was not only the weakest but also the lowest in seniority. How frustrating.

‘We must elevate Biyu Peak’s legacy. Otherwise, we won’t even be able to hold our heads high in public.’

Qi Huang made a silent vow.

Before long, Hua Ruyi entered the hall with Hua Yu in tow. After a night of reflection, Hua Yu’s expression had returned to its usual calm, as if nothing had happened.

Instead of taking her seat on the throne, Hua Ruyi stood before the steps and clasped her hands in greeting.

The elders exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of the Sect Master’s intentions.

“Esteemed elders, I’ve called you here today for three matters…”

Hua Ruyi paused, then turned her gaze toward Cheng Hongling.

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“First, as you all witnessed yesterday, thanks to the quick thinking of Shi Yuqi’s disciple, we were spared from being deceived by my unworthy disciple. Thus, I must publicly commend her.”

“What? Wasn’t it Shi Yuqi who ordered her to act?” Elder Zhou asked in confusion.

“No. This was entirely my disciple’s own doing. Yesterday, I only stepped in because the Cao family was present,” Shi Yuqi clarified.

“Shi Yuqi, do you take us for fools? That girl has only been here a few days, why would she know so much about Huarong Sect’s affairs and intervene on her own? You’re just trying to pass the credit to her. What a devoted master you are,” Elder Zhou retorted skeptically.

“Elder Zhou, you flatter me too much. That Shadow-Retaining Mirror she used is an extremely rare artifact. Have you ever heard of me possessing one?” Shi Yuqi countered.

“Uh…”

Elder Zhou was left speechless.

“So that’s how it is! No wonder she’s here today!”

“Having rendered such a monumental service, she certainly has the right to stand here.”

“To be so sharp-witted at such a young age, and with such talent. Her future is boundless.”

The elders quickly shifted to praise, their expressions softening.

“Jiang Ling, was it? For your great service, I intend to reward you. What would you like?” Hua Ruyi asked warmly.

“What would I like?”

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Cheng Hongling fell into thought.

Qi Huang did the same, then suddenly had an epiphany and hurriedly transmitted her thoughts:

“Quick, quick! Ask for a binding-type magical artifact. One with extreme durability, something even an Incarnation Realm cultivator can’t break free from!”

Cheng Hongling froze, her face burning with embarrassment, but she mustered her courage and spoke softly:

“Sect Master, do you have any artifacts designed for… restraining people? The kind that doesn’t harm the body?”

The surrounding elders exchanged bewildered glances, unsure what the girl was getting at.

“A binding artifact? That’s all you want?”

Hua Ruyi looked surprised, but she quickly recovered.

“Huarong Sect’s Armory does possess an artifact called the ‘Phoenix-Patterned Bridal Cape’. Its sole function is restraint, and its material is incredibly supple, no cultivator below the Divine Realm can break free. It should meet your requirements.”

“A bridal cape?”

Cheng Hongling was taken aback. She had expected something like a rope.

“Indeed. In appearance, it resembles an ordinary bridal cape, but its craftsmanship is exquisite, embroidered with phoenix motifs, hence the name. When not in use, you can drape it over your shoulders as ordinary attire. It will only enhance your elegance.”

“Then I thank the Sect Master.”

Cheng Hongling clasped her hands in gratitude. Though it wasn’t what she had imagined, a cape was far better than a rope, at least it wouldn’t chafe the skin.

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“I don’t know why you’re so pleased with yourself. Because of you, Huarong Sect is now in an impossible position. If war breaks out, you’ll be the sect’s greatest sinner,” Hua Yu sneered from the side.

Cheng Hongling remained silent. Unlike Qi Huang, she had never been fond of verbal sparring.

“Silence, you disgrace! This mess is entirely your doing, yet you dare shift blame?” Hua Ruyi snapped before turning back to the assembly with an apologetic bow.

“My apologies for the disruption. The second matter concerns my unworthy disciple and that Cao family scoundrel. The details are known to all, so I’ll spare the repetition. I seek your counsel, for the deadline Cao family set is but half a month away.”

“I oppose it! Yesterday proved that if Hua Yu marries into the Cao family, Huarong Sect will become their personal treasury, exploited at will, forever enslaved!” Shi Yuqi declared vehemently.

“Shi Yuqi, do we even have a choice? You saw how easily they pressured us yesterday. If they truly act, our entire sect could be annihilated!” Elder Zhou argued.

“Elder Zhou, have you considered that if we allow Hua Yu to marry out, our sect’s laws will become meaningless? Future Holy Maidens will elope without consequence, and soon we’ll lack the resources to nurture any disciples at all!”

“Not only that, but the longer a bloodline is diluted, the rarer nine-point bloodline talent geniuses become. If Hua Yu leaves, when will the next one appear? Without one, Huarong Sect will decline swiftly,” added a tall, middle-aged woman, the same Peak Master who had fought over Cheng Hongling at the gates.

“How laughable. If we can’t even survive this month, what use is worrying about the future?” Elder Zhou scoffed.

“So what if we don’t survive? Since when have I, Shi Yuqi, feared death? A nation without laws cannot stand. If everyone cowers like you, we won’t even control ordinary disciples, let alone Holy Maidens. Huarong Sect will shatter!”

The hall erupted into chaos as the elders split into two factions, arguing fiercely. On one side, led by Elder Zhou, were those who supported Hua Yu’s marriage. On the other, spearheaded by Shi Yuqi, were those who opposed it.

“I actually agree with Elder Zhou. Do you truly believe the Cao family will show mercy?” Hua Yu interjected, a mocking smile on her fox-like face.

“They want me, not Huarong Sect. If you insist on defiance, the thirtieth of this month will mark the sect’s annihilation. Those who oppose will be remembered as traitors.”