Chapter 404 - Brother, Everyone Loves You

It was noon and people were coming and going in front of the Heavenly Cloud Peak disciple's residences.

Along with the new disciples who passed the sword test, people like servants, book boys, and accompanying students, all lived in the disciples' residences on each peak.

These people were collectively referred to as the "outer sect disciples" of the Black Star Sect and were managed by special outer sect Elders. If any chores needed to be done, such as sweeping the mountain path or cleaning up the martial arts field, they would basically be handed over to them.

Ye Anping landed his sword in front of the disciples' residence. He showed his identity token to the gatekeeper and went to the manager's office to ask about the location of the courtyard where Hongyu and Liang Ating were currently staying. Then, he followed the way there.

After searching for about a quarter of an hour along the intersecting paths, he came to the gate of a small courtyard with a slightly old facade.

Swish-- swish--

Rhythmic sweeping sounds could be heard beyond the courtyard wall.

Ye Anping walked to the door and knocked lightly.

Knock knock---

The sound of sweeping stopped abruptly, and soon the door was opened from the inside.

Wearing the pale purple robe of an outer disciple, Hongyu stuck her head out. Seeing that it was Ye Anping, she was visibly surprised. "Young Master Ye is here?"

Ye Anping didn't quite understand the reason for her surprise, but he nodded slightly. "I came unexpectedly. There are some things I need you to do."

Before he could finish his words, Hongyu gently pulled his sleeve and pulled him into the yard, asking him to sit down on the stone table in the yard first, then whispered, "Young Master Ye, wait a moment, I'll go call Miss Liang."

"Eh..."

Ye Anping wanted to say that he was looking for her, but before he could open his mouth, Hongyu had rushed into the house.

He felt puzzled. Was Hongyu such an impatient person?

He didn't think so.

Hongyu was, after all, the personal maid that Tong Zilan kept by her side when she was the Empress. She should be very collected, but why didn't she even listen to him just now...

Xiao Tian, sitting on his head, also tilted her head in confusion.

"Anping, why is this girl acting so weird..."

Ye Anping replied with a shrug but didn't think much of it.

However, the commotion that followed in the next room, made him frown slightly.

"Sister Hongyu! What are you doing... Oh, I don't want to put on rouge! It's disgusting!! Hey! Stop pulling my clothes!! Hey! My hairpin!!"

"Miss Liang, be obedient! This is what Elder Tong has prepared for you..."

"I don't like it!! I don't..."

...

Ye Anping frowned deeper and deeper. It sounded like Hongyu was helping Ating dress up and put on makeup. Moreover, she said that Tong Zilan had prepared it for her...

As the saying goes, a girl will doll herself up for the one she likes.

Could it be that Tong Zilan meant to...

"Anping, it seems that the Empress wants to match you with Ating, eh?"

If Xiao Tian could hear it, how could he not?

Ye Anping pinched his nose bridge. After a simple assessment, he understood the reason.

First of all, the Nine Dragons Heavenly Seal, the sacred artifact of the Imperial Sect, now recognized him as its master.

Secondly, Tong Zilan and Si Xuanji had talked on the way back from the Imperial Sect, and she should have seen Si Xuanji's trust in him.

From these two points alone, Tong Zilan should be thinking that if Ating could marry him, he would surely be able to give her a carefree and happy future.

Ye Anping felt that Tong Zilan perhaps wanted to compensate for the years that Ating had spent drifting along with Brother Liang.

He shook his head slightly, feeling a mix of emotions.

---How come everyone wanted to throw their girls to him?

Then, Ye Anping smiled self-deprecatingly. "This Young Master is truly loved by everyone."

?

Xiao Tian was stunned for a moment. She frowned, looking at Ye Anping's face. She vaguely remembered hearing this sentence from Feng Yu Die before.

However, when Yu Die said this, she wanted to kick her ass.

But now, hearing Ye Anping say this...

"Yes, yes, yes, Anping is brave, resourceful, and talented." Xiao Tian's cheeks reddened as she jumped onto his shoulder, grabbed his face, and gave him a big kiss. "Chirp~ If I was a human being, I would definitely marry you Anping..."

?

The smile on Ye Anping's face froze instantly, and he shuddered. He turned his head and looked at Xiao Tian in horror, and then sucked in a sharp breath.

"Hiss--"

"Hee hee~"

'Hee hee', my ass, you freakin' Heavenly Dao...Yôur favorite stories at novelhall.com

Ye Anping rolled his eyes.

At this moment, the door of the main house in the small courtyard opened. Liang Ating, changed into a delicate pink dress with two light blue ribbons tied on top of her head, clutched her dress uncomfortably as she was pushed out from behind by Hongyu.

As the saying goes, clothes make the man, and saddles make the horse.

Ye Anping's first reaction when he saw Liang Ating was, "Who is this?"

"Young Master Ye, you don't like the Second Princess?"

"I do, but this is different from the love between a man and a woman."

"But..."

"No buts."

Ye Anping interrupted with a frown, scaring Hongyu into silence.

But then, she heard Ye Anping sighing earnestly.

"Well... actually I can understand Elder Tong's point of view. In the Central Region, in big families, marriages between relatives are common, and it seems to be called a double close relationship and a double happiness, but for me... this is against common sense."

As he spoke, Ye Anping took out an ink pen from his storage bag and wrote a sentence on the portrait Hongyu had just drawn of him and Liang Ating.

---I will take good care of Ating.

Hongyu looked puzzled, but then Ye Anping added, "I'll take good care of her as her uncle, that's all."

As he spoke, Ye Anping rolled up the painting and put a protection spell on it. Then, he tied it up and handed it over.

"Go back to the Hundred Lotus Sect, give this thing to Brother Liang, and convey a message to Elder Tong."

"...Young Master Ye, please say it."

"The Black Star Sect won't be able to help with the Justice Division's matter. As for myself, I don't guarantee that I can bring the entire Division back to the Western Region, but I will do my best. However, I am by no means someone who works for nothing. Saving the Justice Division means I will ask them to do something for me in the future..."

"...Got it."

As Ye Anping thought of something, his expression gradually relaxed.

"Also, tell Elder Tong again that Ating probably doesn't like to be a princess. She's been wandering around with Brother Liang since she was young. After living for so long on the streets, she doesn't like the rules of a big sect..."

Hongyu was a little confused but still nodded. "Yes..."

"And, if Elder Tong really wants to compensate Ating, then she should just confess her identity to her..."

"I will relay to the Empress your words exactly."

"After Brother Liang comes out of seclusion, have him and Ye Waner come to the Central Region to pick us up. I will have to lead the Justice Division to break through the encirclement of the demonic cultivators. If no one comes to pick us up, the Division may not be able to get out."

Hearing this, Hongyu finally realized what Ye Anping meant when he said that he would bring the Justice Division back to the Western Region. Her eyes widened in shock. "...Do you mean you will go to the Central Region? Why? Could it be that the demonic cultivators..."

"There's a 90% chance that Ghost Spirit Sect will take this opportunity to capture the Eastern Great Wall and three immortal cities of the Central Region. The Demon Clan needs to recuperate now, so they will definitely not take action and will step back temporarily. The Eastern Great Wall is now caught in the middle by the Demon Clan and the demonic cultivators, and the Cold Country also can't spare forces to help them for the time being, so... it doesn't look good, right?"

"Isn't this very dangerous?" Hongyu thought for a while with her chin in her hand. "Master Ye, although the Empress wants you to help the Justice Division, you don't have to put yourself in danger..."

"Heh, do you think I want to go?"

"Then why..."

"I have to go. After all, I am a responsible man, unlike her father."

?

Finishing what he had to say, Ye Anping removed the soundproof restriction around him and Hongyu, stood up, and cupped his hands in salute.

"Farewell."

"..."

Hong Yu stood rooted to the spot and only recovered after Ye Anping's figure passed through the main gate. She hurriedly chased after him, but by that time, Ye Anping had already flown away on his flying sword.

She frowned, looking at the scroll in her hand, and felt it was best to hurry back to the Hundred Lotus Sect as soon as possible. She returned to the house and tidied up briefly, then left a note for Ating:

"Miss Liang, I have to go back to the Hundred Lotus Sect for an urgent matter. I left about a thousand spirit stones on the table. Please spend it wisely. --Hongyu"

Then, she jumped out of the window and stepped on the flying sword, leaving the Black Star Sect behind.

Not long after Hongyu left, Liang Ating ran back in her pretty pink dress with a bottle of Spirit Gathering pills, but seeing that there was no one in the courtyard, she was baffled.

"Uncle?! Sister Hongyu?!"

No one answered. "..."

"Eh? Where is everyone..."

Liang Ating scratched the back of her head, and then a sweet voice like the god of death came from behind.

---"Ating!"

?!

Pei Lianxue walked into the yard and saw Liang Ating wearing a pink dainty dress. She was stunned for a long time, then a faint smile appeared on her face, and she praised her. "This dress is so pretty..."

"..."

"Now go change your clothes quickly. I am free for a while, so I will accompany you to the martial arts arena to practice swordplay."

"Woo---"

Liang Ating's face fell as she turned to look at Pei Lianxue. Then, she jumped onto the roof in one step to escape. Unfortunately, her skirt was too long, so she tripped and fell flat on the ground in the yard, scaring Pei Lianxue, who shrank her neck back.

"Ating?"

Liang Ating froze for a moment, and then she simply took advantage of the situation. She raised her head and slammed it hard onto the floor tiles.

Following a thud, her eyes rolled over, and she fainted in the middle of the yard.

Pei Lianxue quickly walked up to her and picked her up. Seeing that Ating would rather knock herself unconscious than practice the sword with her, she felt a little disappointed...

"Is Atting so afraid of me? Am I being too harsh..."

She bit her lip lightly, reflected for a moment, then let the matter go. She took Liang Ating and carried her to the clinic near the disciples' residence.