CHAPTER 60: CHAPTER 60: HOPELESSLY FOOLISH

"You useless thing, get in here right now."

The icy reprimand of Zhu Yuxian echoed, and Lu Chengfeng scrambled up from the ground, somewhat embarrassingly smiled at Cai Xia beside him, and trotted inside.

As he entered, he saw Zhu Yuxian reclined on a jade couch, dressed in a semi-transparent black silk dress, which made her look even more fair-skinned, like a beautiful snake.

Before the bed, a maid was brewing tea, her movements as fluid as flowing clouds and running water, a delight to watch.

"Alright, Yu Lu, you may leave now!"

Zhu Yuxian instructed, and the maid paused her actions, placed two cups of perfectly brewed tea on the table, and quietly withdrew.

Seeing no outsiders around, Lu Chengfeng unhesitatingly knelt down with a thump, "Master, save me."

This time, Zhu Yuxian didn’t ask him to get up; instead, she sneered and said, "I thought after you met Old Ghost Li and ate two of his fish, you’d obediently heed his words and seclude yourself for half a year, perhaps having long forgotten you have a master like me."

"Why have you suddenly turned into a kowtow bug?"

Lu Chengfeng spoke with some grievance, "Before going to the Law Enforcement Hall, I felt something was amiss, perhaps with ill intentions towards me. Therefore, I instructed my wife, Suyi, that if I didn’t return late, she should go to Jade Immortal Peak to seek your help."

"Who could have predicted that at Celestial Punishment Peak, I would be caught by the Great Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, and he wanted to punish me with six months of seclusion. I dared not disobey!"

"During these six months, I reflected deeply and realized that it’s because I act too rashly and forget I have a master to rely on, that others could take advantage of me. That’s why I came to see you as soon as I got out."

Zhu Yuxian, noncommittal, leaned slightly on the soft couch, picked up a cup of tea from the table with one hand, gently blew at it, causing the tea to ripple.

"And why are you clamoring for me to save you now?"

Lu Chengfeng didn’t hide anything and spoke directly, "Even though I was in seclusion, I heard that the sect recently discovered the relics of Black Shark Loose Man. The Inner Peak Elder led a large number of disciples to explore the relics."

"I faintly sense something is wrong, and given the handle held by the Great Elder, if any incident occurs in the sect, I fear I can’t avoid being manipulated, hence my plea for your help."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuxian’s eyes flashed with a subtle gleam as she seriously scrutinized Lu Chengfeng for a while. "You are quite smart, stand up, my disciple should not have knees so soft."

"That’s right, I only kowtow to Master, in front of the Great Elder, my back is straight." Lu Chengfeng chuckled and got up, sitting by Zhu Yuxian’s table without waiting for an order.

"Master, allow me a cup of tea to calm my nerves!" Lu Chengfeng grinned cheekily, and before Zhu Yuxian replied, he already picked up the remaining cup of tea and took a small sip.

The tea tasted slightly bitter yet brought a refreshing sensation straight to his brow, making the celestial star hovering above it even more brilliant.

Amazed, he said, "Master, this tea is truly extraordinary, looks like I’ve stumbled upon a treasure."

Zhu Yuxian proudly said, "You’ve got a good eye, this is Cloud Stack Bitter Vine Tea, an ultimate treasure that nourishes the spirit. I only have about three or four ounces of it, it’s precious."

"You cheeky brat, always taking what I treasure."

Lu Chengfeng laughed and said, "Thank you for the tea, Master." With that said, he gulped it down in one go.

Unable to help herself, Zhu Yuxian scolded, "What a waste to give this tea to you. It’s like a cow chewing on peonies."

Lu Chengfeng set down the cup and said, "I’m not as refined as Master, I was just quenching my thirst with a sip of tea from you."

Zhu Yuxian, for some reason, suddenly found interest and also drank the tea in one gulp, then lightly licked her red lips, "This way, it has a unique flavor."

Seeing Lu Chengfeng staring at her lips, she coldly huffed and rebuked, "Mind your gaze, or I’ll pluck your eyes out."

Lu Chengfeng quickly calmed himself, lowered his eyes, and dared not provoke his master again.

"Tell me, what news have you gotten? I don’t believe you rushed here for a mere rumor of relics." Zhu Yuxian put down her cup and asked.

After a slight pause, Lu Chengfeng said, "I wouldn’t dare to deceive you, Master. During my summons, the Great Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall slandered you, saying things that were utterly intolerable."

"Although I haven’t been your disciple for long, I absolutely don’t believe those slanders about Master. Besides, we are master and disciple, I’d naturally never side with outsiders."

"The Great Elder seems to be targeting you, starting with me. When I left seclusion, many experts suddenly rushed out, leaving the sect empty."

"Only then did I sense something was off. If there are ill-intentioned people making a sudden move, the sect will likely be in turmoil, so I came to seek your help."

Zhu Yuxian asked, "What did that old scoundrel say to slander me?"

Lu Chengfeng lowered his head slightly, "I dare not say."

"You didn’t say it, so what are you afraid of?" Zhu Yuxian lightly rebuked, "Tell me the truth."

Only then did Lu Chengfeng speak angrily, "The Great Elder said that twenty years ago, Master Xun’s death was conspired by you with outsiders, that you are an infiltrator from another sect, and even claimed you killed my former master, Zhao Changzhen."

"These accusations are pure slander. If not for my lack of strength, I’d have drawn my sword to face him in life and death."

Zhu Yuxian instead smiled, "Oh, aren’t you afraid I am indeed a traitor in the sect? If what he said is true, wouldn’t you be walking into the lion’s den?"

Lu Chengfeng instantly raised his head, resolutely saying, "I absolutely don’t believe what that old scoundrel said. What reason is there to distrust your own Master and believe in outsiders instead?"

"Besides, even if what he said were true..."

After a brief pause, Lu Chengfeng firmly stated, "So what? All I know is that you are my Master."

"The principle of master and disciple unity doesn’t need to be taught by outsiders. Whether in life or death, fortune or disaster, I’ll stand by Master’s side."

Zhu Yuxian, noncommittally, asked, "What about your Master Zhao Changzhen? If he was killed by me, would you still acknowledge me as your Master?"

Lu Chengfeng instead sneered, "Among all the slanders, this is the most absurd. With Master’s martial arts, why would you need three moves to kill Zhao Changzhen?"

"I saw the person who stormed Bixiao Peak that day with my own eyes, it absolutely wasn’t Master."

"The Great Elder’s baseless slander must harbor ill intentions, how could I believe a word he says?"

Zhu Yuxian observed him for a long time before sighing deeply, "You are somewhat clever, discerning people and matters clearly, unlike certain fools who are utterly hopeless."