Translator – Misty

Chapter 43: Unworthy

Gu Qingfeng had originally not planned to meet with that so-called Daoist Master Fei Xue. However, to his surprise, Tan Siru paid him another visit, insisting on discussing matters related to Ouyang Ye.

Uncertain about what was happening with the young lady, Gu Qingfeng pondered and decided to see for himself. Following Tan Siru, they arrived at a garden filled with the chirping of birds and fragrant flowers. As they entered the hall, he saw a dignified and elegant woman standing in front of a bookshelf, deeply engrossed in reading.

“Master, this is Gu Qingfeng, the Young Master of Crimson Flame,” Tan Siru reported, then sneered at Gu Qingfeng before silently retreating to the side.

Fei Xue did not respond, nor did she even glance at Gu Qingfeng, continuing her reading with a cold demeanor.

“I’ve heard about the affair between you and my disciple,” she said indifferently. “I hope you will leave her and end this laughably naive love at first sight.”

“Whether you are a dragon among men, I do not know, nor do I wish to know. Your musical attainments, I am ignorant of and equally disinterested in. As for your family background, it holds no interest for me.”

“I’ve called you here today to make you understand one fact—you are not worthy of my disciple.”

Gu Qingfeng did not speak, only finding the situation somewhat amusing. Since the beginning, the whole affair was a sham, and he was curious about the young lady’s situation but could not respond, simply listening with interest.

“Perhaps you feel resentful, thinking that I deem you unworthy because of your failure in Foundation Establishment. If that’s what you believe, you are gravely mistaken. Even if you had succeeded in your Foundation Establishment, you would still be unworthy of my disciple.”

“My disciple comes from an extraordinary background, something beyond your reach and imagination.”

“Her status is something you cannot aspire to.”

“Her future dao companion will undoubtedly be a true dragon among men.”

“Do not blame me for being cold-hearted; reality is cruel. If you’re unworthy, then you’re unworthy.”

“I’m also aware of your purpose in coming to the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect. You wish to use my disciple’s connection to seek Elder Huo De’s help in re-establishing your foundation.”

“However, I advise you to abandon this thought. Although failure in Foundation Establishment does not entirely preclude a second attempt, the likelihood is extremely slim.”

“Of course, if you insist, I won’t drive you away. After all, it was my disciple who brought you here, and I don’t want to upset her.”

“But from today onwards, you must cease all contact with my disciple.”

“Remember, this is not a negotiation, nor is it persuasion. It is a warning, and I will not repeat myself.”

“If I find that you still have any contact with my disciple, I will make you regret coming into this world.”

“Having said that, Tan Siru, see him out.”

From beginning to end, Daoist Master Fei Xue never raised her head to look at Gu Qingfeng, continuing to focus on her book, her contempt so deeply ingrained that she did not even give Gu Qingfeng a chance to speak. Just as she said, this was not a negotiation or persuasion, but a warning, and she only gave one.

After a while, when Tan Siru returned, she asked, “Master, why didn’t you directly drive him away?”

Previously in the Red Leaf Forest, Tan Siru had lost face and always wanted revenge. At the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect, Gu Qingfeng was protected by Elder Huo De, and even the Li clan could do nothing about him. If Gu Qingfeng were to leave, the Li clan would surely kill him, allowing her to avenge her humiliation. However, she did not expect her master to allow Gu Qingfeng to stay.

“I’ve already mentioned, since he was brought here by Ye Ye, driving him away would surely affect her emotions and her cultivation, which is not worth it,” Fei Xue replied emotionlessly. “Moreover, Guang Yuan’s failure with Elder Huo De already shows how important this man is to Elder Huo De. Why should I offend Elder Huo De over such a trivial matter?”

Tan Siru acknowledged, about to speak, when Fei Xue’s cold voice suddenly interjected.

“One more thing, do not involve yourself in Ye Ye’s private affairs from now on.”

“Private affairs? Master, I have never meddled in my junior sister’s private matters.”

“Hmph!” Daoist Master Fei Xue snorted coldly, raising her head with a pair of icy eyes glaring over. She rebuked, “Do you think I don’t know how many benefits you’ve secretly received from Li Sen?”

“Master!” Tan Siru’s face paled with fear, and she immediately knelt down, explaining, “I… I did it… for my junior sister’s sake, hoping she could have a good match. After all, Li Sen is the son of the Li clan…”

Before she could finish, Daoist Master Fei Xue interrupted her with disdain. “What of the Li clan? Not to mention Li Sen, even his brothers are not worthy of Ye Ye.”

Li Sen’s brothers were among the most distinguished disciples of the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect, one being a Core Disciple and another the chief of one of the Twelve Courtyards. Tan Siru could not understand what made Ouyang Ye so special to her master.

“Let this matter rest. I have already found an excellent dao companion for Ye Ye.”

“And who might the master have chosen as the dao companion?” Tan Siru inquired.

“It is none other than our Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect’s Chief of the Nine Halls, Zhong Tianying!”

Hearing the name Zhong Tianying, Tan Siru was startled. She knew of Zhong Tianying, not only knew but secretly admired him. In fact, many female disciples of the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect admired and loved Zhong Tianying because he was enviable in terms of family background, talent, and cultivation. Most importantly, he was a hot candidate for the Heir-Apparent Disciple position. Whoever became his dao companion could potentially become the Sect Leader’s wife.

…

On the way back, Gu Qingfeng strolled through the surrounding scenery, munching on Red Leaf Fruits, seemingly unaffected by Daoist Master Fei Xue’s words.

Indeed.

The whole matter was a farce from the start, so there was nothing to be affected by.

Even if it were true, he felt he could understand.

Any master would naturally wish for their disciple to find a partner with a good family background and talent. After all, choosing a dao companion is a lifelong matter. A partner with a good family and talent can help both parties in their cultivation. Conversely, a partner from a poor background with lesser talent could not only fail to aid in cultivation but might even become a burden.

The only thing that bothered him was Ouyang Ye’s refusal to clarify things.

Gu Qingfeng thought it best to find time to have her clarify everything to avoid any real misunderstandings.

Returning to the Hidden Spirit Garden in the rear mountain.

Wang Dashan was standing at the gate, seemingly anxiously waiting for something. Upon seeing Gu Qingfeng, he hurried over.

“Young Master, you’ve returned.”

“What’s the matter?”

“Fei Kui, the Grand Enforcer, has been waiting for you for a long time.”

Fei Kui, the Grand Enforcer?

Gu Qingfeng was puzzled. What was special about today that so many were seeking him out? As he wondered, a chubby figure emerged from the Hidden Spirit Garden.

Indeed, it was a chubby man, rotund and plump, with a face full of flesh shining with grease and a small braid, smiling amicably. Upon seeing Gu Qingfeng, the chubby man jogged over, bowing slightly and politely asking, “Are you Young Master of Crimson Flame?”

“And you are?”

“I am Fei Kui. Elder Huo De must have mentioned me to you?”

Fei Kui?

That sounded familiar.

After a moment of thought, Gu Qingfeng remembered that Elder Huo De had mentioned this name, saying that Fei Kui was one of their own and would arrange everything for the assessment.

“I remember now, Elder Huo De did mention you.”

“Hehe, that’s right. Young Master, Elder Huo De has already informed me about your matters. Shall we walk and talk?”

“Oh?”

Gu Qingfeng, somewhat curious, asked, “What did Huo De tell you?”

“Everything.”

“Everything?” Gu Qingfeng was quite surprised. Had the old man revealed his identity? He asked, “Do you know who I am?”

“Aren’t you the Young Master of Crimson Flame?”

“And then?”

“Then?” The chubby Fei Kui was startled and said, “What then? There’s nothing more… Elder Huo De said you are the Young Master, and we should serve you well.”

“Is that so…”

Gu Qingfeng was genuinely startled, thinking Elder Huo De had betrayed him.

“Young Master, please let me know when you are available, so we can handle the matter.”

“You mean the assessment?”

“Yes, Young Master. Elder Huo De has already detailed the plan to me. Your current status is that of an Outer Sect Disciple, so we can directly participate in the Inner Sect assessment.”

“Outer Sect Disciple? Since when did I become one? Wasn’t I supposed to be assessed first?”

“Young Master, it’s like this: the recruitment of Outer Sect Disciples in the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect is not very strict. Those with excellent Spiritual Roots don’t need assessment, while those with ordinary Spiritual Roots do. If they fail the assessment, some connections and benefits can still get them in… so… after Elder Huo De instructed me, I took care of it three days ago…”

“So it’s like that… Seems like money works at all times!”

Thinking back, Gu Qingfeng had passed the entrance examination, but was rejected due to poor Spiritual Roots. At that time, he could also have relied on connections, but as an orphan, where would Gu Qingfeng find such connections or red envelopes to give?

Feeling nostalgic, Gu Qingfeng suddenly realized something amiss.

“What did you say? You took care of it three days ago?”

“Yes! After Elder Huo De’s instructions three days ago, I swiftly handled it for you. You have been an Outer Sect Disciple of our Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect since then.”

Three days ago?

Gu Qingfeng thought carefully. He had only agreed to help yesterday, but Elder Huo De had already started planning three days ago.

In other words, that cunning old man had predicted his agreement.

Damn! That old man is quite cunning!

“Young Master, what’s wrong?” Fei Kui, still bowing, asked cautiously, “Is there any problem?”

“No, if it’s settled, that’s fine. Since I’m already an Outer Sect Disciple, I remember Elder Huo De mentioning something about competing for the chief position of the Twelve Courtyards of the Outer Sect?”

“Young Master, the chief positions of the Outer Sect’s Twelve Courtyards are always held by Inner Sect Disciples. So, to become the chief of one of the Twelve Courtyards, you must qualify as an Inner Sect Disciple.”

“I see… Alright, then tell me about the Inner Sect assessment.”

“The Inner Sect assessment in our Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect is quite strict. Every Outer Sect Disciple who wishes to be promoted to the Inner Sect must pass the personal scrutiny of Elders Ren De, Zi Heng, Fei Xue, and two other elders…”

(End of Chapter)