“Vermilion Bird pays respects to the Sect Master!”
A cold voice rang out from outside, followed immediately by another familiar voice.
“Azure Dragon pays respects to the Sect Master!”
Vermilion Bird and Azure Dragon had arrived.
As the right and left hands of Nine Thousand Years, Ye Qiu naturally couldn’t afford to neglect them and quickly got up to greet them.
Stepping outside, he saw Azure Dragon in a wheelchair, his complexion slightly better than before, offering a faint smile to Ye Qiu.
“How’s your health?” Ye Qiu asked.
“Much better,” Azure Dragon said, pointing to the woman beside him, “Sect Master, this is Vermilion Bird.”
Ye Qiu then turned his gaze to Vermilion Bird.
He was momentarily stunned.
Beautiful!
The woman before him had fair skin, delicate features, cherry lips, and peach-like cheeks, truly a peerless beauty.
In terms of appearance alone, she was in no way inferior to Su Luoying.
But her aura was entirely different from Su Luoying’s.
Standing there, the woman held herself with a straight posture, exuding a cold, proud demeanor, like an unapproachable snow-capped peak.
Ye Qiu had heard from Qilin before that Cao Qingcheng’s beauty was breathtaking, comparable to the capital’s top heiress. Seeing her today, she indeed stood out as extraordinary.
“You’re Nine Thousand Years’ sworn sister, Vermilion Bird Cao Qingcheng?”
While Ye Qiu was sizing up Vermilion Bird, Cao Qingcheng was also observing him.
Though she knew Ye Qiu’s identity and background, this was her first time meeting him in person.
Her first impression of Ye Qiu could be summed up in three words.
Handsome!
Young!
Cao Qingcheng glanced at Ye Qiu twice, then bowed respectfully, saying, “Vermilion Bird pays respects to the Sect Master!”
“We’re all family here, no need for formalities. Come inside and talk,” Ye Qiu said, personally pushing Azure Dragon’s wheelchair into the room.
Since they were to hold Nine Thousand Years’ farewell in Miaojiang, Ye Qiu was temporarily staying in a house belonging to the Witch God Sect.
As Cao Qingcheng entered, she noticed Su Luoying and Su Xiaoxiao, pausing in surprise.
She hadn’t expected to find two stunningly beautiful women in Ye Qiu’s room.
Cao Qingcheng was momentarily captivated by Su Luoying’s beauty, then shocked by Su Xiaoxiao’s figure.
Heavens, what does this girl eat to be so… endowed?
Cao Qingcheng asked Ye Qiu, “Sect Master, which of these two is Su Xiaoxiao?”
“I am,” Su Xiaoxiao said, looking at Cao Qingcheng with confusion, “And you are?”
Cao Qingcheng stepped forward and slapped Su Xiaoxiao across the face.
Slap!
Her action left everyone puzzled.
Su Xiaoxiao, a bit angry, demanded, “Who are you, old woman? Why did you hit me?”
Cao Qingcheng wasn’t actually old, only about twenty-five or twenty-six, but hearing Su Xiaoxiao call her an old woman, her brows furrowed, and she said coldly, “Listen well, my name is Cao Qingcheng.”
“Cao Yuan is my big brother.”
“By seniority, you should call me Aunt.”
Aunt?
Su Xiaoxiao was stunned, then glanced at Ye Qiu.
Ye Qiu said, “You were once the saintess of the Witch God Sect, so you should be familiar with Dragon Gate’s higher-ups. She is Vermilion Bird, one of the four Dragon Envoys, and your father’s sworn sister.”
Su Xiaoxiao, a bit embarrassed, said, “I didn’t know her identity…”
“You didn’t know before, but now you do, right?” Cao Qingcheng said assertively, cutting off Su Xiaoxiao, “Big Brother died because of you. I slapped you because I was angry.”
“Now my anger is gone.”
“From now on, I’m your aunt. If anyone dares to bully you, tell me, and I’ll wipe them out for you.”
Su Xiaoxiao felt a touch of warmth in her heart.
Though Cao Qingcheng’s actions were a bit overbearing, she meant no harm.
“Thank you, Aunt,” Su Xiaoxiao said gratefully.
Cao Qingcheng’s gaze then fell on Su Luoying, saying, “If I’m not mistaken, you must be Su Luoying, the current leader of the Witch God Sect?”
“That’s me,” Su Luoying replied politely.
Cao Qingcheng said to Ye Qiu, “Sect Master, as the leader of the Witch God Sect, Su Luoying is also a key culprit. I suggest executing her on the spot to honor Nine Thousand Years’ spirit in heaven.”
At her words, Su Luoying’s face paled instantly.
Su Xiaoxiao hurriedly said, “No! My sister is only the nominal leader of the Witch God Sect, with no real power. All the actions of the sect’s disciples were ordered by the Witch God and have nothing to do with her.”
Cao Qingcheng said, “She’s the sect leader. Even if her subordinates did wrong, she, as the leader, cannot escape responsibility.”
“Even if she had no real power, with the Witch God Sect’s disciples committing atrocities like burning, killing, and plundering, does she truly bear no responsibility?”
“Sect Master, I still suggest killing her.”
Ye Qiu felt a headache coming on.
This Vermilion Bird, beautiful as she was, why did she have to stir up trouble right away?
Ye Qiu glanced at Qilin and Azure Dragon, hoping they’d say something, but the two acted as if they saw nothing, completely ignoring him.
“Ahem…”
Ye Qiu coughed twice and said, “Vermilion Bird, Xiaoxiao is right. Although Su Luoying is the leader of the Witch God Sect, she’s only a figurehead and hasn’t done any evil.”
“Moreover, she’s Miaojiang’s top divine doctor and has treated many of its people.”
“Now that the Witch God is dead and the sect is destroyed, let the past stay in the past!”
Hearing Ye Qiu’s words, Su Luoying cast him a grateful look.
Cao Qingcheng let out a cold snort, saying, “Whether the Sect Master wants to execute her or let her go, I have no say, but I’ll keep my opinion.”
Azure Dragon finally spoke, “Vermilion Bird, that’s enough. Sect Master, let’s discuss business!”
“Alright,” Ye Qiu gave Su Xiaoxiao a look, and she immediately led Su Luoying out of the room.
Once they left, Ye Qiu asked Azure Dragon, “Why did you arrive so late?”
According to the original plan, Azure Dragon and Vermilion Bird were supposed to arrive in Miaojiang the next day, but now it was the third day.
Azure Dragon explained, “The Sect Master said to build a bronze statue for Nine Thousand Years. Vermilion Bird and I have been busy with that these past two days.”
Ye Qiu asked, “How’s the statue coming along? It’d be great if it could be ready before Nine Thousand Years’ funeral.”
“It’s already done,” Cao Qingcheng said, “The statue is on its way here. It should arrive in about ten hours.”
Ye Qiu was delighted, “Excellent.”
Then, Ye Qiu instructed, “I had Zhao Hu send invitations to the major martial factions, inviting them to attend the funeral in Miaojiang. They should be arriving soon.”
“Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, you two will be in charge of receiving the guests.”
“Qilin, you’re responsible for security.”
“Any issues?”
The three replied in unison, “No issues.”
“Good,” Ye Qiu said, “This time, as we bid farewell to Nine Thousand Years, we must make it grand and flawless. If anyone dares to cause trouble, kill them without mercy.”
“Yes!” Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, and Qilin responded in unison.
At that moment, a loud shout came from outside, “Ye Qiu, get out here!”
