Junior Disciple C

Although Ji Chengyue had already said "Get up", Xue Ren did not follow suit.He just adjusted his posture, from kneeling on the ground to sitting kneeling.

After sitting upright, Xue Ren reached out and rubbed his red and swollen eye sockets from crying. Although the reason for crying was false, the grievance was real.

Apart from jealousy and resentment, Xue Ren felt wronged by Ji Chengyue's preference for Cao Zirui.

But he is no longer the kind of young man who has to tell his master everything. He is in his 30s. Although he looks young because of cultivating immortals, his age is in an ordinary family, and his children are almost adults.

So this grievance has always been suppressed in his heart, but today, because of being suspected by the master, he vented it all out.

Although Ji Chengyue's suspicion was not wrong, in Xue Ren's heart, what he thought was why the master doubted him so well?Obviously, Master had never been like this before Cao Zirui started.

Then it was because of Cao Zirui!Because his master's precious little apprentice was injured, he began to doubt himself!

There was a hint of viciousness in Xue Ren's eyes. Ji Chengyue's soft heart did not make him lose his way, but instead made him blame Cao Zirui for all his crimes.

He covered his eyes with his hands, Ji Chengyue did not see the change in Xue Ren's eyes.

Ji Chengyue only saw the bloody wound on Xue Ren's forehead stained with plaster on the floor, and he sighed softly.

"Come here." He called to Xue Ren, his tone no longer as severe as before.

Xue Ren's eyes flickered, and after a moment of consideration in his heart, he obediently moved his knees a few times and walked in front of Ji Chengyue.

Ji Chengyue took out his hand that was in his sleeve robe, holding a small porcelain bottle in his hand.

He first squeezed out the most low-level trick to attract water, which condensed the water vapor in the air and turned it into a thin stream of water, washing the wound on Xue Ren's forehead.

The broken skin wound was a bit painful when it came into contact with the cold water, but it was actually nothing. A wound of this degree was not comparable to the scratches from sword practice.

Xue Ren wouldn't call it pain because of this kind of wound, but at the moment when the water touched his forehead, he let out a soft "hiss".

It was a short sound, which seemed to be made when the owner couldn't bear the pain, and it disappeared quickly because he didn't want to expose that he was suffering the pain.

Ji Chengyue couldn't help but relax a little.

Xue Ren noticed the change in Ji Chengyue's movements, and the corners of his lips twitched where Ji Chengyue couldn't see.It seems that he took this step in the right way, showing weakness to the master, making the master soft-hearted, and then no longer pursue this matter.

After washing the wound, Ji Chengyue opened the porcelain bottle again, dipped his fingers in the cooling ointment inside the porcelain bottle, and gently applied it to the wound on Xue Ren's forehead.

While applying it, he felt a little emotional: "The last time I applied the medicine for you, it seemed that it was 20 years ago. Before you established your foundation, you got injured all over your body because of a martial arts competition."

Afterwards, as Xue Ren got older, it was probably due to boys' innate independence and strong mentality. Xue Ren no longer told Ji Chengyue what was on his mind, and no longer complained to the master when he was injured. The vice lord looks like he can handle everything by himself.

Although Ji Chengyue was a bit reluctant, he let go slowly. The child will grow up, and one day he will leave the protection of the teacher and take charge of himself.

He first observed secretly for a while, and saw that Xue Ren handled many things well, so he completely let go and let Xue Ren go out and travel by himself.

The companionship when they were teenagers made the relationship between the master and the apprentice even better than that of blood relatives, and they became the people who knew each other best.

But because Xue Ren often practiced outside after the establishment of the foundation, the time he spent with each other became shorter and shorter, and the distance between them became farther and farther.

This process was very slow, like the silent spring rain moistening things, before Ji Chengyue was aware of it, an insurmountable ditch had already formed in front of the two of them.

To this day, the people who look at the opposite side through the ditch are only strangers.

He suddenly realized that at some point, he no longer knew Xue Ren, even if he met face to face, he no longer knew exactly what Xue Ren was thinking.

Just like he never imagined that Xue Ren would instruct others to murder his fellow apprentice.

For a moment, looking back at the past and looking at today, Ji Chengyue can only sigh with emotion.

Xue Ren's heart was also moved when he heard Ji Chengyue's words. After so many years of experience outside, what he learned most was calculation and disguise. It became a habit over time, and he never took off the disguise when he returned to the teacher's school.

But at this moment, Ji Chengyue's words brought him back to 20 years ago, and he recalled the self who would run to the master without any scruples because of a small injury and ask the master to help him apply the medicine.

His mask of disguise was broken a little, and finally a truth was revealed through the gap, but it was complaining: "If Master cared more about me, he wouldn't have missed my wound that needs to be medicated for 20 years."

But if Ji Chengyue could give half of his attention to Cao Zirui to him, he might not take this step.

Ji Chengyue heard the complaints in these words, and he couldn't help laughing. He smiled and shook his head: "You are too old, and I probably don't want to take care of you like a child."

Xue Ren also smiled when he heard that, Master was right, and he really didn't want Master to treat him like a child anymore.

This kind of estrangement should have been a natural process, if Cao Zirui hadn't appeared.

If Cao Zirui hadn't appeared, he wouldn't have felt jealous because of the difference in Master's attitude towards the two.

If Cao Zirui hadn't appeared, he wouldn't have killed Cao Zirui just because he was worried that he would take away his position as head.

If Cao Zirui hadn't appeared, he wouldn't have faced these troubles. After all, Master's care and the position of head should all belong to him.

So in the final analysis, it was Cao Zirui's fault.

He must die!

After the medicine was applied, Ji Chengyue withdrew his hand on Xue Ren's forehead, Xue Ren also sat upright again, and smiled at Master.

After these few words, the tense atmosphere caused by questioning late at night dissipated a lot, and now there is a sense of intimacy from a long time ago.

It's just that under Xue Ren's smile, he became more determined to kill.

But Ji Chengyue didn't know it at all, he squeezed the center of his eyebrows, and waved his hand to signal Xue Ren to leave.

However, Xue Ren sat still, but had no intention of leaving like this.

It is rare to have such an opportunity to ask his master some things alone, of course Xue Ren will not miss it.

"Master." Xue Ren suddenly called again.

Ji Chengyue looked at Xue Ren with some doubts, and saw that Xue Ren frowned, and suddenly brought up another topic: "Master, during the few days I stayed in Beihai City, I met many monks from other sects, and I happened to hear them talking about The master behind the scenes in Beihai City, the master of the god Beiming in the heavens."

Hao Chen, who was hiding under the bed, was a little surprised when Xue Ren mentioned him, so he temporarily gave up fiddling with Feng Ye's hand covering his mouth, and listened to the corner of the wall to see if Xue Ren was going to speak ill of him.

Unexpectedly, Xue Ren's next sentence was: "While they were talking about the Lord of the Northern Darkness, they naturally brought the topic to another High God."

When Xue Ren said this, he carefully observed Ji Chengyue's expression, and whispered the name: "War God Yinglong."

Ji Chengyue looked slightly startled, but it had been a long time since he heard anyone mention this name in front of him.

Hao Chen was disappointed. Feelings are a springboard. Xue Ren just used himself to bring the topic to Ying Long.

He turned his attention back to Feng Ye, and saw that Feng Ye was listening very seriously without moving his eyes.

"The enmity between Ying Long and our sect is also known to the disciples, but the disciples have never been able to understand what happened a hundred years ago? Although there are records in the books in the Cangshu Pavilion, the disciples only feel more confused after reading it."

Xue Ren made a puzzled look: "Whether it is recorded in the book or the words of the foreign disciples, the uncle is said to be a sinner through the ages, but after thinking about it, I feel that the uncle did not do it. What's wrong."

Ling Yun is Ji Chengyue's senior brother, so it is reasonable for Xue Ren to call him his senior uncle.

It's just that Xue Ren's attitude towards Ling Yun can be regarded as unique compared to most people who don't even want to recognize the former head.

After all, when a normal person hears about this elder who has committed a heinous crime, he should wish to disassociate himself from him, so why would he affectionately call him uncle.

Ji Chengyue was a little distracted, Xue Ren's words made him inevitably recall some of the past, and he became a little indulged in the past that he almost didn't want to mention again.

Ji Chengyue didn't speak for a while, but not speaking, it also represented a certain attitude.

Xue Ren felt certain in his heart.He just called Uncle Ling Yun and spoke for Ling Yun. Ji Chengyue didn't refute himself immediately, he could only explain...his master was indeed different from what he showed outside. Although he was silent about the accusations against Ling Yun, he still thought that Ling Yun was not wrong.

Xue Ren continued to probe: "What an amazing and talented person my uncle is. If this accident did not happen, I think my Lingxiao Sword Sect would not be the same."

"Master, a hundred years ago, in the fire in the East China Sea, it was said that Jianmu was completely burned in the sky fire, and my uncle also died in the sea of ​​fire. But Jianmu is so big, so tall, and such a towering tree, it is really so easy to burn out. Will it leave any fragments in the flames?"

Xue Ren gradually brought the topic to his real purpose, and he seemed to have a sudden thought: "Master, tell me, if Jianmu is really not completely burned, then the uncle who is connected with Jianmu can use it Is this fragment coming back to life?"

Ji Chengyue's thoughts were inevitably taken away by Xue Ren's words, he thought for a while following Xue Ren's words, and then suddenly realized, and immediately reprimanded: "Enough!"

He stood up almost in a panic, then turned his back, stopped looking at Xue Ren, and said sternly: "Nonsense! Never mention such nonsense again!"

"The disciple is confused." Xue Ren also stood up, bowed to Ji Chengyue and said, "It's getting late, so the disciple will go back first."

Ji Chengyue waved his hands behind his back, and Xue Ren turned to leave.

But before he opened the door and left, he turned his head and glanced at Ji Chengyue. He was already [-]% sure of his master's attitude.

He has to hurry to report to God, Xue Ren thought of this, closed the door, and left quickly.

With a "squeak", as the door was closed and the footsteps in the corridor got farther and farther away, the room fell completely silent.

Only Ji Chengyue was left standing in front of the incense table, neither speaking nor moving, just letting the flickering candlelight freeze his shadow on the wall, like a lonely silhouette.

Although only superficially lonely.

Xue Ren left, but the two people under the bed hadn't left yet. The three people in the room were so lively that it was enough for a table of poker.

Feng Ye stared at Ji Chengyue, but he was thinking about Xue Ren's seemingly pointed words.

Xue Ren's question...too suited Feng Ye's wishes, Xue Ren almost asked Feng Ye what he wanted to ask.

First, he tested Ji Chengyue's attitude towards Ling Yun, and after he roughly concluded that Ji Chengyue didn't blame Ling Yun, he followed the result to test whether Ji Chengyue might have hidden pieces of building wood.

If Ji Chengyue didn't, hearing Xue Ren's words would only feel absurd, but Ji Chengyue's reaction was flustered, as if Xue Ren inadvertently revealed the panic he had hidden for many years.

This kind of reaction, Feng Ye is now almost 100% sure that it was built on Ji Chengyue.

It's just...why did Xue Ren ask such a question?

Although he used Beihai City as an introduction, Feng Ye didn't believe that the reason why he asked Ji Chengyue about this matter was really just doubts caused by overhearing other people's discussions inadvertently.

It's not such a coincidence, I don't ask sooner or later, but I just ask when there is a change in Jianmu.

Xue Ren was not the man in black robe he met at the exit of the secret place on the floating island, Feng Ye was sure of this, their eyes looked nothing alike.

So...does Xue Ren have any connection with that black-robed man?

Feng Ye thought in his heart.

In fact, if he asked Hao Chen this question, everything would be solved easily.

Although Hao Chen didn't hear what Xue Ren and Ying Long discussed, but judging from the expressions on both sides in the video, they must have reached some kind of deal.

So Xue Ren suddenly mentioned Jianmu, Hao Chen was not surprised at all, it must have been instigated by Ying Long, Ying Long was looking for Jianmu, and Xue Ren was looking for Jianmu.

It was logical to send Xue Ren to Ji Chengyue's place to find out.

But just like the vests that both parties are unwilling to take off until now, their identities are not honest, let alone the information they know about each other.

However, based on deduction alone, Feng Ye's guess was almost indistinguishable from the truth, and he also connected Xue Ren to the man in black.

Since the opponent has already started to act, he also has to hurry up.Right now, it depends on who finds Jianmu first.

Where is Jianmu?

I have to ask Ji Chengyue.

The incense stick that was lit after Ji Chengyue returned to the room finally burned out, and Ji Chengyue finally made a move.

He didn't light any more incense, but reached out to pick up the spirit tablet placed on the incense table.

Ji Chengyue sat down on the futon again holding the spirit card. He looked at the spirit card in his hand and said to the ancestors on the tablet: "Did I do something wrong?"

Regarding Xue Ren's murder of Cao Zirui, Ji Chengyue thought about it and finally figured out some key points.

Why did Xue Ren kill his junior brother in such a good manner?The reason for killing is nothing more than a conflict of interest or hatred.

And Xue Ren probably has both.

In fact, when Cao Zirui first started, Xue Ren didn't seem to like this little junior brother very much, and it hasn't changed much this year, he is lukewarm and never initiates a conversation.

Ji Chengyue also noticed it, but he never cared about it.

Because he didn't like his senior brother very much at the beginning, he always felt that senior brother acted recklessly and arrogantly.

Ji Chengyue also used to feel depressed and even jealous because of the gap between himself and his senior brother, so he kept a distance from Ling Yun and ignored him.

Just like Xue Ren today, he is also gifted with dual spiritual roots, and his seniors also have single spiritual roots that are unique in thousands of miles.

After a hundred years, the two pairs of brothers and sisters are so similar.

It is true that Ji Chengyue hated Ling Yun very much at first, but gradually, as he got along with Ling Yun day by day, he also discovered a completely different side of Ling Yun under the arrogant appearance.

What is Ling Yun's name outside?Similar to the current Cao Zirui, the proud son of heaven, he is high above and not easy to get close to.

It was even worse, Cao Zirui was putting on an iceberg face at best, while Ling Yun was so proud that he was about to look at people with his nostrils.

It can be said that Ling Yun is far better than Cao Zirui in terms of attracting hatred.

Cao Zirui was pampered by Ji Chengyue, and Ling Yun back then was pampered by their master Xuanxu Zhenren.

Such a person is expected to be arrogant and domineering.

This is not wrong, his senior brother is indeed like this most of the time.

Dare to poke no big basket, dare to break into any disaster, lawless.

But at the same time, Ling Yun has the boldness of a knight in a storytelling book. He is never hesitating to share with others. Anything, such as magic tools and spirit stones, as long as he has a few words of friendship, as long as he asks for it, he can freely share it Lend all the spirit stones on your body to the other party.

There are as many people who can pay back as there are those who can't, so even though he is a direct disciple of the sect master, Ling Yun sometimes comes to ask Ji Chengyue to borrow money.

Besides the magic weapon Lingshi, Ling Yun has been pondering and improving his own sword techniques, and he will teach them whenever anyone asks.

Although he will laugh at you for being too stupid and slow to learn while teaching, but he teaches seriously and patiently.

Ji Chengyue didn't take the initiative to ask Ling Yun to teach him, because of the unspeakable jealousy in his heart, he kept showing a cold face to Ling Yun.

Ling Yun came over to teach him on his own initiative, and at the same time taught him, he was disgusted at the same time, and he deserved a beating.

Ji Chengyue really beat Ling Yun with his hands, although he didn't.

But at that time, Ling Yun, who had not mastered swordsmanship, was also successfully beaten by him and his right cheek was swollen. Ling Yun ran to Ji Chengyue's room with his red and swollen cheeks, not for revenge, but to sew clothes with a needle and thread.

At that time, Ji Chengyue was so shocked that he couldn't keep his cold face, his mouth was the size of an egg, looking at his senior brother who stood tall in front of others, while complaining, he helped him mend the clothes that were damaged during the fight.

"Your clothes have been damaged so many times, how can I explain when Master asks?" Ling Yun also plausibly said: "I must have thought that I was bullying you, but you were the one who started it first, alas, being a senior brother is hard, you have to give in to everything you."

"Who wants you to let me go!" Ji Chengyue became angry when he heard it at that time, he knew that his senior brother couldn't spit ivory out of his mouth.

Immediately there was another fight with Ling Yun, and this time he was bumped into by the master who happened to come back. When he questioned the two brothers about the cause and effect, Ji Chengyue was about to stand up and admit it, but unexpectedly Ling Yun stood up first and took all the faults on himself.

Afterwards, Ling Yun was punished by his master to kneel all night. Ji Chengyue stood in front of Ling Yun who was punished and asked with a complicated expression, "Why?"

Ling Yun touched his nose and said as a matter of course: "You are my junior brother. My brother makes mistakes. What can I do if I don't worry about it?"

He ignored all of Ji Chengyue's cold faces, treating it as his younger brother's temper tantrum, and never took it to heart.

He really took care of Ji Chengyue as his own brother, but Ji Chengyue never regarded Ling Yun as his own brother.

But after this incident, Ji Chengyue slowly changed his attitude towards Ling Yun, he began to try to regard Ling Yun as his elder brother, if he couldn't do it, he would treat Ling Yun as his own brother, he just picked him up to make do with it.

After that, the two experienced many things. For example, when Ji Chengyue lost to a disciple from another faction in a certain martial arts competition, Ling Yun, who played behind Ji Chengyue, used the method of the other party to defeat Ji Chengyue, and picked the other party out of the ring. .

Or when going to some secret place to hunt for treasure, Ling Yun would rather throw away the treasure than turn around to save his junior brother.

By the time Ling Yun was going through the master trial and Ji Chengyue was guarding the last step, Ji Chengyue was already able to ask Ling Yun to let him go, without any unnecessary self-esteem.

And he can say the phrase "I'm always inferior to senior brother" sincerely, there is no element of jealousy in this sentence, he is really happy for Ling Yun's achievements.

The position of head should belong to his senior brother, so he feels ashamed of himself.

Didn't their brothers, who had a very bad relationship at the beginning, gradually get along with each other?So Ji Chengyue felt that Xue Ren and Cao Zirui could do it too.

However, Ling Yun is different from Cao Zirui, and he is also different from Xue Ren.

He didn't realize until now that he had taken it for granted.

Not every kind of contradiction can be dissolved because of getting along with each other, and some of them will become more and more sharp and become deadly daggers.

Xue Ren's emphasis on the position of head is a conflict of interest, jealousy of Cao Zirui's talent, and his partiality this year are the source of hatred.

The two catalyzed each other and finally evolved into today's situation.

Ji Chengyue now thinks back on his actions in the past year, and realizes that he is a little biased.

But it's not because he doesn't like Xue Ren...he's just...just...he really hopes that Cao Zirui can become the next Ling Yun...

He has been the head of the sect for nearly a hundred years. Although he has kept the Lingxiao Sword Sect, the Lingxiao Sword Sect has been at the bottom for a hundred years.

Since the founding of the Lingxiao Sword Sect, there has never been such a trough.

He has already proved with his own experience that his talent really cannot lead Ling Xiao Jianzong back to the top, but his senior brother will definitely be able to.

Ling Yun can definitely do it.

But Ling Yun was dead, so he could only hope for Cao Zirui, who was as talented as Ling Yun.

Just like Ling Yun hoped to lead the Ling Xiao Sword Sect to truly surpass the sky, this is not Ji Chengyue's wish.

He was too urgent, so urgent that he could not take care of Xue Ren, and put all his energy on Cao Zirui, only hoping that Cao Zirui would grow up quickly.

That's all, he just hopes that Ling Xiao Jianzong will improve soon, and don't let down the expectations of his master and senior brother. Did he do something wrong?

Ji Chengyue asked the spirit tablet, hoping to get an answer from the deceased.

He waited for a moment with no response.

Of course.

But after he asked, he found the answer in his heart.

Is he wrong?

wrong.

Xue Ren is his apprentice, and he is Xue Ren's master.Be a teacher for one day and be a father for life, and the son does not teach the fault of the father.

Xue Ren made a big mistake, and it was also his fault.

But Xue Ren failed after all, and there is still a chance to redeem everything.

He didn't expose Xue Ren this time, but he wouldn't just sit back and watch Xue Ren continue to make mistakes.

He already had a plan in his mind, and everything was waiting for dawn, and he went to announce his decision to the sect's stewards.

At this moment, in the gap between dawn and dusk, he touched the name engraved on the spirit card and sighed: "If only you were still alive..."

"Brother..." Ji Chengyue called out in a low voice.

Feng Ye, who was hiding under the bed, opened his eyes slightly, watching Ji Chengyue's movements, Ji Chengyue split the overly thick spiritual tablet in two.

And Ling Yun's name was written on another spirit tablet hidden under the first spirit tablet.

This spirit card was so perfectly made, he was so close just now that he didn't even see the seam between the two spirit cards.

Ji Chengyue's usual attitude is indeed false, it's not that he doesn't miss his senior brother, but he doesn't dare to miss him in front of others, he only dares to hide his senior brother's spirit card behind his master and secretly mourn.

Many thoughts popped up in Feng Ye's heart at once, and he still had a clear understanding.

He may have been making the mistake of being dark under the lights. The most dangerous place is the safest place. Ji Chengyue may not have hidden Jianmu in some secret room mechanism, but placed it in the most conspicuous place.

The spirit tablet engraved with Ling Yun's name might contain Jianmu!

Feng Ye was a little excited when he thought of this, after searching for a long time, he finally had a clue, he just waited for Ji Chengyue to leave and went to check the spirit card.

It's almost dawn, and there is already a little light shining into the room through the gaps in the doors and windows. Ji Chengyue must be leaving soon, and I just need to wait patiently for a while...

There was a "bang", like the sound of something hitting a wooden board.

Ji Chengyue's gaze turned to his bedroom and the position of the bed.

After Feng Ye realized that his elbow had hit the bed board, he immediately moved lightly, but it was too late, in such a quiet place, it was impossible for Ji Chengyue not to have heard the sound.

Feng Ye couldn't help but glared at Hao Chen. He looked good, and suddenly felt that the hand covering Hao Chen's mouth was hot and humid. He lifted his hand and hit the bed board.

And Hao Chen looked innocent, as if he had done nothing.

Feng Ye wished he could take Hao Chen's collar and go out to fight now, but it's really not the time to settle accounts now, so it's better to muddle through quickly.

Teleportation array?No, time is too late.Phantom array?I can't keep up...Feng Ye listened to Ji Chengyue's approaching footsteps and thought quickly.

And Hao Chen unconsciously poked him, opening his mouth as if he wanted to speak.

Feng Ye didn't let him speak at all, and turned over directly on Hao Chen's body, using his own weight to restrain Hao Chen from moving around.

At the same time, he covered Hao Chen's mouth and nose with one hand to ensure that the fish would not make any more movement, and drew phantom patterns in the void with the other hand, and tried it before it was too late, a dead horse is like a living horse doctor!

Feng Ye's heart beat a little faster, he looked at Ji Chengyue's boots that had already reached the bedside.

He heard the sound of cloth rubbing again, as if the owner was squatting down.

It's over.Feng Ye thought to himself that he hadn't finished drawing the phantom formation yet.

Ji Chengyue's face appeared in front of Feng Ye, but it wasn't the shock or anger at seeing two big living people hidden under his bed, but doubts.

Ji Chengyue looked confused, there was obviously nothing hidden under the bed, what was that noise?

He didn't leave immediately, but continued to squat down, observing the bottom of the bed, and tentatively touched it with his hand.

Feng Ye and Hao Chen held their breath together.

There is only a water curtain between them and Ji Chengyue.

Before Ji Chengyue really squatted down, Hao Chen took out his fan from Feng Ye's pressure with great difficulty, and swung the fan out of the water curtain.

Those on the side of the water curtain could clearly see Ji Chengyue.

But Ji Chengyue couldn't do it, he could only see the empty bottom of the bed.

But this casually made water curtain is actually not very safe. The water curtain is just a cover-up. If Ji Chengyue stretches his hand a little further, he will touch the water curtain. The place he touched is obviously empty, but his hand will be wet .

A fool will realize that something is wrong.

Both of them looked nervously at Ji Chengyue's movements, watching his hands groping in front of the water curtain, there was only a slight difference...

The sound of footsteps outside the door solved the crisis in front of the two of them.

"Master, Elder Zhou has something to do with you." A disciple came to spread the message.

Ji Chengyue's movements paused, and he took another look at the bottom of the bed to make sure that there was really nothing there, then withdrew his groping hand.

He straightened his sleeves and replied, "Got it."

After speaking, I wanted to leave the bedroom.

However, before leaving, he stood in front of the door for a moment, thinking of something, and suddenly returned to the incense table, and put the two tokens that had not been put back together into his storage bag.

With a "squeak", the door closed.

Feng Ye and Hao Chen were finally able to breathe a sigh of relief and were not found.

But this is not something to be happy about, because Ji Chengyue took away the spirit tablet that probably contained Jianmu.