Chapter 151: Searching for the Blue Steam Mountain; The Return of the Illustrious, Well-respected Star Disciple, Senior Brother Yang!
The group of 150 White Serpent Sect disciples walked alongside a few Dragon Blossom Sect disciples. While the visiting female disciples didn't interact much with the male Dragon Blossom Sect disciples, they seemed to be getting along well with some of the female disciples from the sect. Laughter and giggles could occasionally be heard as the women shared moments together.
Yang Wei wandered on his own, curious about his surroundings.
I should wait for the right moment to slip away from this crowd. After that, I'll come back, but this time as Yang Wei. Then I'll go see Shūjie and Lin'er...
He nodded gently, smiling smugly; he could already imagine the faces of all his junior disciples that missed him.
Deng Rulan turned to Ling Meiyan and asked, "Are we almost there?"
Ling Meiyan smiled apologetically and replied, "Sorry for the delay. We should be getting there soon. It's a less popular mountain in the sect, so it'll take me some time to figure out where it is."
Hu Meizhen couldn't resist making a jab, saying, "Or maybe you're just stupid!"
Deng Rulan flicked Hu Meizhen's forehead and scolded her, "Stop that. You should speak more respectfully to a Grandmaster."
Frowning, Hu Meizhen rubbed her forehead and protested, "It's not fair! You didn't have to hit me like that. It hurt!"
Deng Rulan retorted, "Quit being a child. If you don't want to get hit, show some respect."
Hu Meizhen groaned in response.
Ling Meiyan, with a concerned expression, gently interjected, "You really don't have to hit her. She might just be tired from all the stress today." Then, she turned to Hu Meizhen and smiled with genuine warmth as she asked, "Right?"
"Uh..." Hu Meizhen, surprised that Ling Meiyan didn't take offense, nodded in confusion and muttered, "Y-yes..."
Deng Rulan shrugged and conceded, "Fine, if that's what you want."
Sun Yujing, who had been quiet until now, turned to Ling Meiyan and inquired, "So, where is this Star Disciple, Yang Wei, everyone's been talking about?"
Nervously, Ling Meiyan laughed and replied, "Well, he's been out of the sect for a while..."
Sun Yujing tilted her head and asked, "Oh? Why exactly?"
Ling Meiyan glanced at the ground, wearing her usual calm expression but seeming somewhat innocent, as she admitted, "I don't really know. I don't know much about him or talk to him much."
Sun Yujing nodded and replied, "I see, well, that's disappointing."
Ling Meiyan chuckled softly and admitted, "Yeah, it's a bit. It's not that we avoid each other, but I'm usually busy helping the matriarchs with various tasks. And when I'm finally free, I tend to forget and spend time with my more familiar friends instead."
"I heard he's handsome!"
"Shhh, don't say that, you know that's forbidden..."
...
Leading the group towards Spirit Harmony Peak's residential area, Ling Meiyan seized the chance to study the map intently, pinpointing the location of Blue Steam Mountain to minimize any unnecessary delays. Arriving at Yang Wei's private courtyard, originally belonging to Mu Lingxi, she paused and announced, "Alright, fellow cultivators, here's where our infamous Yang Wei resides..."
The female disciples gazed at the courtyard with surprise, prompting Sun Yujing to inquire, "Can we have a look inside? I wouldn't want to intrude, but a glance at the courtyard wouldn't hurt."
Ling Meiyan's panic was evident as she glanced aside, eyes wide.
I forgot they'd ask something like this!
Deng Rulan interjected, "Surely, we didn't come all this way just to stare at his residence. Let's at least see what his courtyard looks like; we're not that jobless."
With a forced chuckle, Ling Meiyan added, "I'll open it up. I've got the keys to this place, after all."
I DON'T!
Sun Yujing spoke with surprise, "That's unexpected. You said you barely speak to Yang Wei; trust like that isn't easily earned." Unbeknownst to her, Ling Meiyan was clueless about how to open the gate without destroying it.
Ling Meiyan awkwardly agreed, "Right? It doesn't huh..."
Someone save me...
.net
Before she could attempt to open the gate, a voice behind them interrupted, "Oh? What brings you guys here so late at night?"
Ling Meiyan halted.
That voice...
Everyone turned to see Yang Wei standing there holding a huge bundle of long bamboo leaves.
All the Dragon Blossom Sect disciples immediately broke into bright smiles.
"SENIOR BROTHER YANG!!" they exclaimed with joy.