Dao Companion Crippled, Coveters Move

Chapter 418 404: Pei Yuhang Who Never "Lies" to His Dao Companion and Eldest Disciple

"Master, why did you suddenly go to the back mountain?"

Qing Yueqiu suppressed the urge to go and question Jiu directly. On the surface, her expression remained gentle and serene. She lifted her gaze slightly, her eyes falling upon Pei Yuhang like tranquil water, as if trying to find a clue in his expression.

"Before Qianqian left, she gave me some rare and precious Spirit Plants. I plan to open up a Spirit Field in the back mountain to plant them, so that large piece of land doesn't go to waste..."

After experiencing countless impromptu performances from fairies, the current Pei Sword Immortal could lie without his face flushing or his heart racing, appearing perfectly natural and calm.

So much so that Qing Yueqiu, who had been by his side since childhood, didn't see any flaws in his act.

However, a fairy's intuition is often far sharper than logical deduction.

Qing Yueqiu's ruby-like eyes flickered. Her fingertips unconsciously tightened on the corner of her clothes, only to quickly release their grip.

She lowered her lashes to hide the trace of doubt in her eyes and said softly, "I understand."

After a pause, she added, "However, Master, I came to the back mountain to find an opportunity to break through to the Void Refining realm. The Luminous Shadow Sword told me I should walk around more."

As she spoke, Qing Yueqiu prepared to head up the mountain.

The corner of Pei Yuhang's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

'Jiu is being hunted by Shang Miaoyan right now. If Yueqiu finds out, she'll definitely see her as a nuisance and won't allow her to take refuge in the Cold Palace Sword Mansion!'

'But I just promised Jiu. I can't just turn around and tell her to leave. Even I would think I was a hypocrite...'

'So in the end, I can't let Yueqiu have her way. I can only let her stew in her anger.'

'Yueqiu has been so sensitive lately. I don't want my first disciple to feel like she's lost my trust or that I don't favor her anymore.'

'Therefore, the best way is to stop Yueqiu from going up the mountain! I can't let her meet Jiu!'

Pei Yuhang raised his hand and gently patted the young woman's shoulder, his tone consoling.

"I see. But the back mountain is too small; you won't be able to achieve any enlightenment there.

Besides, I've just planted the Spirit Plants and am preparing to seal the mountain. Why don't you go take a look outside the Cold Palace Sword Mansion, Yueqiu? Hidden Immortal Lake, Nine Tripod Mountain—they are both magnificent places of divine craftsmanship, perfect for seeking Enlightenment Dao."

Pei Yuhang impassively persuaded his first disciple to leave.

Qing Yueqiu bit her lip, a hint of struggle flashing in her eyes.

She looked up, meeting Pei Yuhang's gaze directly. Her own was clear and stubborn. "Master, are you sure you're not hiding something from me?"

"When have I ever lied to you?"

Pei Yuhang subconsciously avoided his first disciple's burning gaze.

Qing Yueqiu's voice trembled as her fingertips clutched his sleeve.

"Master, before… before, you went behind my back and let so many women bully you!"

Pei Yuhang's body stiffened. A trace of embarrassment appeared on his face, which had been calm and confident just a moment ago.

"This…"

"Back when you were looking for a Lifebound Spirit Sword for my junior sister—"

The more Qing Yueqiu spoke, the more agitated she became, her voice taking on a sobbing tone.

"Yu Gu Nan went to your room every night for 'special training,' but it was really… it was really to do *that* kind of bad thing, wasn't it! Right next door to me!

Every morning when she returned to her room, her face would be flushed and she'd be drenched in fragrant sweat. You lied to me back then, saying it was because she was training hard and was tired… And the worst part is, I believed you!!

When I wanted to join you and Yu Gu Nan for the 'special training,' you… you even drugged me with a sleeping potion! After I fell asleep, you must have been doing those bad things with Yu Gu Nan again, right…"

"And it wasn't just that one time! There's also Ji Xichan! Every time I argued with Ji Xichan, you would go to her room under the pretext of seeking justice for me…

But in reality, you were just going there to… to give yourself to her!! No wonder that Ji Xichan became more and more arrogant towards me!"

"It's all your fault, all your fault, all your fault! All you know is how to lie to me and curry favor with other women!"

As Qing Yueqiu spoke, a layer of mist veiled her crimson eyes, making her look utterly wronged.

"…Yueqiu, you knew all along."

Pei Yuhang's throat bobbed. For a moment, he found it difficult to face his first disciple.

'Actually, ever since Qing Yueqiu discovered the shameful, unknown true face of this supposedly aloof and pure White-clothed Sword Immortal, all the past inconsistencies no longer held up...'

It was just that they both knew about those things but had never brought them out into the open.

But today, after the young woman sensed he was lying again, she finally reached her breaking point and poured out all the words that had been brewing in her heart for so long.

"Master."

Qing Yueqiu suddenly threw herself into his arms, her cheek pressing against his chest as she said in a muffled voice, "We agreed we would always trust each other, right?"

"Don't lie to me, okay…? I don't want to be lied to by you anymore."

Pei Yuhang closed his eyes and sighed softly.

"Alright, I won't lie to you anymore."

"But I can only tell you. You absolutely cannot let your Mistress know, okay?"

"Master, must you choose to lie to one of us, either me or your Mistress?"

Qing Yueqiu's voice was tinged with resentment. She even felt that her weak Mistress, whom she used to find somewhat disagreeable, was now in the same boat as her—both were victims deceived by a scumbag Sword Immortal.

Pei Yuhang's ears turned red. He gave an awkward cough and tapped Qing Yueqiu's smooth forehead.

"I lie to you for your own good…"

"I just… I just don't want you to worry."

The corners of Qing Yueqiu's mouth twitched; she clearly didn't believe him.

Soon, Pei Yuhang told Yueqiu the whole story about Jiu, though he still omitted the part about Fan Xuan.

When Qing Yueqiu heard that Lin Qianyan and Shang Miaoyan had actually fought yesterday, a flicker of worry crossed her crimson eyes.

"Master, why didn't you call for me…"

"Call you for what? Qianqian and Shang Miaoyan are both Void Refining Cultivators. You weren't thinking of ganging up on Shang Miaoyan with Qianqian, were you?"

Qing Yueqiu heard the disdain in Pei Yuhang's voice and couldn't help but clench her fists.

'Her desire to become stronger grew even more urgent.'

The heartbroken young woman ultimately chose to change the subject.

"In that case, Master, keeping that woman at our mansion is probably very dangerous, isn't it? After all, Shang Miaoyan is no pushover."

Pei Yuhang shook his head and said softly, "She was targeted and ended up in this plight because she helped Qianqian and me. The teachings I received from my sect won't allow me to just abandon her."

"Besides…"

"Even if Shang Miaoyan wants to come and demand her, she'll have to weigh her own strength. After I ascended to the Void Refining realm, I completely broke the Curse Seal she left on me.

Now she can no longer do whatever she wants to me!"

As Pei Yuhang said this, he radiated an imposing Sword Intent and confidence.

However, Qing Yueqiu's eyes flickered. 'It's not that simple.'

"Master, that masked woman is one of Shang Miaoyan's people, a member of that unit of Death Servant imperial guards called the 'Red Lotus Guard,' right?

Since she's a Death Servant, her life and death should be completely in Shang Miaoyan's hands."

"And yet, she escaped to our home after only suffering some injuries… Could this be a trap?"

"What if Jiu is taking advantage of your kindness, Master?"