Chapter 356: Chapter 356 Look into My Eyes and Say It
Here, there was no sun, no white snow, only the gentle breeze sweeping by, the distant mountains, lush ancient trees, and the grass underfoot, all bathed in a sea of green.
The scenery was tranquil and leisurely.
The Emperor Spirit followed from behind, with Jiang Ni’er sitting on its shoulder, humming a tune only she could understand. Beside them were the Earth Chicken and Hei, occasionally lifting their eyelids to look around, appearing quite content.
Chen Pingping and Wen Yuqing walked side by side. He was in a white robe that was simple yet clean and neat, his face seemingly unchanging for the past ten thousand years. He was still so handsome.
Despite his delicate features, which bore a semblance to a woman’s, his overall appearance was not effeminate. On the contrary, he possessed a kind of inexplicable elegance.
At first glance, he was like a scholar. At second glance, he seemed to transform into a scion of a noble family. After the third look, he was like an exiled immortal from the Nine Heavens, dressed in white like snow, untainted by worldly dust, gallant and heroic.
Indeed, Chen Pingping was genuinely good-looking. It was just that he usually didn’t dress up and didn’t care much about his attire, thus greatly downplaying his attractiveness.
As Wen Yuqing said this, she was looking at him from the corner of her eye, that half of her face appearing especially charming at that moment.
Suddenly, Chen Pingping also glanced over, his eyes filled with mirth, and said, "I was but an orphan by the roadside, homeless, yet you forcibly took me in, led me into cultivation—Master! Do you think you should take responsibility for me?"
Orphan? Take responsibility? Wen Yuqing was taken aback. She believed the first half of the sentence, but upon hearing the latter half, her face involuntarily reddened. She quickly shifted her gaze away, staring into the distance, and murmured softly, "You’re not an orphan."
For some reason, at this moment, her heart was somewhat chaotic, her thoughts in disarray.
The words "You’re not an orphan" had slipped out before she knew it. She simply couldn’t think of anything else to say.
The atmosphere felt off.
Hmm! This rebellious disciple was also off. That look from just now, brimming with laughter—what was he up to?
"I’m sorry. Though I brought you into the fold, I never taught you how to cultivate and neglected you," Wen Yuqing changed the subject. "Do you blame me?"
"I do," Chen Pingping said with a smile.
What the devil? In such a situation, shouldn’t he be saying, ’No, I don’t’?
That made sense. It was only natural for him to blame her, considering how irresponsible she had been as a Master.
Wen Yuqing took a deep breath and said, "When I return unbeatable, I will teach you cultivation properly."
"Can’t it be now?" Chen Pingping asked.
"Not now, I have more important things to do."
"What things?"
"You cannot know, it’s too dangerous."
"I’m not the same as I was back then; I’ve become very powerful now. Master, please take me with you!" Chen Pingping finally said, speaking his heart’s desire.
He had been waiting far too long for this day.
With the strength of Emperor Tao Eighth Heavens, plus these little pets and his own foundations—unless a Saint Realm expert intervened, he had the ability to escape unscathed even if a Lord came to kill him.
He was confident he wouldn’t hold Wen Yuqing back, as long as she was willing to take him with her.
Wen Yuqing remained silent.
Another breeze passed by, her light blue dress fluttering, accompanied by her cascading hair. Her enchanting face—just like Chen Pingping’s—had not aged a day, even after decades.
From a distance, the two walking shoulder to shoulder did not resemble master and apprentice, but rather a pair of Tao Companions.
"Alas," Chen Pingping said helplessly, "If this path is so difficult, so perilous, why won’t you let me follow you? Perhaps I could be of help."
Truthfully, Wen Yuqing was moved.
They didn’t have a deep master-disciple bond, yet Chen Pingping repeatedly tried to keep pace with her, and now even voiced his intentions, wanting to go forward with her and share the difficulties.
In the long years, apart from those under her command, almost no one had spoken such words to her. She was deeply touched. But she was also level-headed. Their relationship was only that of a weak master and disciple, without other ties. She could not selfishly bring Chen Pingping along. It would harm him.
The Wen Dynasty was a terrible burden. The path she had to walk was bound to be arduous, and at its end, she would face countless formidable enemies.
My foolish disciple, accompanying me for this part of the journey is already more than I could ask for. You have your own life, your own pursuits. How could I selfishly destroy all that for you? This difficult path is for me to walk. When I return invincible, I will protect your path. Then, you can go wherever you wish.
Wen Yuqing said with a smile, "In the Wasteland, I once saw a girl who was quite lovely. Back then, she was leading your old ox, Lao Huang."
"Oh." Chen Pingping felt a twinge of disappointment. Wen Yuqing changing the subject meant she wouldn’t take him along.
So be it. He resignedly said, "Her name is Guang Xiaoyu, a demon cultivator. But rest assured, Master, I will protect her."
Wen Yuqing laughed, "Truly, it doesn’t matter whether one is a demon cultivator or follows the so-called Righteous Cultivation. In essence, they are the same, striving for power, seeking invincibility. Since you’ve brought her back, it means you’ve accepted her presence."
The Wen Dynasty did not oppose demon cultivators. On the contrary, long ago, they even tried to form an alliance with the demon cultivators to unify the Human Clan. Regrettably, they failed. But she didn’t know that Guang Xiaoyu’s existence would completely change this situation.
Chen Pingping continued, "There’s also a junior sister, named Zi Ji, from the Central Continent. However, her true identity is that of a Netherworld princess."
Upon mentioning this, he looked towards Wen Yuqing.
Wen Yuqing smiled and nodded. "I would really like to meet them."
"They are here too!" Chen Pingping said.
"There’s no time," Wen Yuqing raised her head. "You cut off a branch of the Fusang Tree, which has awoken it. The Golden Raven Clan slumbering within this tree will also revive, and countless powerful ferocious beasts will soon swarm here..."
She felt helpless. Because of her own reasons, she had no choice but to have Chen Pingping accompany her, which would also put him in jeopardy.
Chen Pingping smiled, "Don’t worry, Master. No matter how many formidable enemies there are, I will slay all who come."
"Good!"
She nodded, then asked, "In your years of cultivation, have you taken a liking to any girl?"
"No!"
"Look into my eyes and say that."
"Master, please don’t. Looking into your eyes makes me shy," Chen Pingping said, a bit flustered.
He didn’t know why he was flustered.
Wen Yuqing was even more flustered. Why had she even asked that question?
ROAR!
A roar echoed from the distant mountains, and the earth began to shake.
Wen Yuqing’s expression turned grim. "They’re here," she said solemnly.
"Master, no need to worry. It’s just an Ancient Ferocious Beast," Chen Pingping said, glancing over dismissively.
"I’m severely injured and can’t make a move. As for you..." Wen Yuqing frowned. "An adult Ancient Ferocious Beast is equivalent to a Lord of the Human Clan. Can you handle it?"
"Not a problem," Chen Pingping said with a smile, looking back at Hei.
WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!
Hei barked loudly and immediately rushed out.
Wen Yuqing’s expression darkened. "Pingping! That’s an Ancient Ferocious Beast!"