Chapter 690 - 691: Blazing the Trail

Chapter 690: Chapter 691: Blazing the Trail

"Thank you, Senior Sister, for your great kindness and virtue."

Before the Tianyan Sect gates, Cui Hao cupped his hands in deep gratitude toward Chen Baiqing.

Cui Hao naturally understood his master’s intention in having him stay by his third senior sister’s side. Even if it meant standing up Zheng Zhaoling, he still wouldn’t leave her side.

So throughout the entire journey back, he hadn’t pondered the multiple-choice question Chen Baiqing had given him.

Instead, he had made a very decisive choice—he wanted it all!

Chen Baiqing’s expression was rather helpless as well.

Cui Hao had truly pushed his junior brother status to its absolute limit—I may be shameless and it’s embarrassing, but you’re my senior sister. If I act this shamelessly, aren’t you embarrassed too?

Along the way, Cui Hao had been endlessly flattering, throwing tantrums, acting like—if you really don’t care whether your junior brother lives or dies, then I’ll really die right in front of you.

Cui Hao had even used their master as leverage—doesn’t Senior Sister care about how master’s injuries are recovering?

Chen Baiqing could only temporarily head to the Xuanqing Heavenly Sect first, finish wrapping up the remaining matters, and then decide to take some time to bring Cui Hao back to Tianyan Sect.

Naturally, this wasn’t simply because Cui Hao’s pleading had worked—Chen Baiqing had her own calculations too.

Her fifth junior brother wasn’t stupid, but his methods were far too scattered, and sometimes it was hard to refuse on nominal grounds.

Her second senior brother was far more reliable. If possible, she’d rather swap Cui Hao out for him.

After all, it wasn’t just Zheng Zhaoling who could make an issue out of this—she could also say Cui Hao had dragged things behind.

Although their master’s intention certainly wasn’t to expect Cui Hao to actually provide any real help, and he might not even agree, everything still depended on human effort.

Chen Baiqing glanced at Cui Hao, who wore an expression of senior sister is the best, and said in a calm tone:

"Save the great kindness and virtue talk. You’re still counting on Zheng Zhaoling to show you great kindness and virtue."

Cui Hao smiled and leaned closer:

"That’s different. Senior sister is one of us. Zheng Zhaoling is an outsider."

Chen Baiqing didn’t respond, simply making her way toward the Peak of One Big Happy Family on her own.

Cui Hao’s flattery had become like a catchphrase at this point—she just needed to treat it as nonsense and listen accordingly.

Seeing Chen Baiqing ignore him, Cui Hao showed no displeasure—after all, his goal had been achieved.

The two transformed into streaks of light, flying straight toward the Peak of One Big Happy Family.

At the main entrance, the two revealed their forms and stepped inside together.

"Counting the days, we’ve been out for almost half a year now." Cui Hao watched the falling snow and said, "I wonder if master has missed me after not seeing me for so long."

Chen Baiqing led the way toward the large courtyard and replied:

"Master naturally worries when we’re away. Before, when second senior brother went out for training and didn’t like sending letters to master, master scolded him for just running off without a word, not even learning to send word to put people at ease—said he wasn’t even as smart as a dog."

Cui Hao paused at these words, his steps slowing slightly:

"Senior Sister... did you send master a letter this time while you were away?"

Chen Baiqing’s lips curved slightly, her tone casual:

"I had the Xuanqing Heavenly Sect send one when I had the chance."

Cui Hao’s eyes widened: "Senior Sister! How could you not remind your junior brother about something like this?!"

Chen Baiqing stepped into the small courtyard, turning her head slightly with a light smile:

"Those without the heart for it can’t be taught—it’s something junior brother needs to figure out on his own."

Before Cui Hao could condemn his third senior sister’s petty jealousy over their master’s attention, Chu Xingchen’s slightly surprised voice came through:

"Baiqing is back?"

"Yes. Has everything been well with master?"

"Nothing to do, so naturally very well. But why is there someone still standing at the door? Could it be they’re too ashamed to show their face?"

Cui Hao took a light breath and stepped into the courtyard.

Inside, his third senior sister had already familiarly taken over the tea-brewing duties.

His eldest senior sister was cracking melon seeds, while his second senior brother beside her was peeling them by hand—already a full plate’s worth, and it looked like he’d been at it for quite a while—if he was only using his hands.

His fourth senior sister held a letter in her hands, staring at it intently, unclear who it was from.

"Well, well, if it isn’t beloved disciple Cui Hao." Master’s teasing arrived as expected.

Hearing this, Cui Hao naturally replied:

"Your beloved disciple is back. Did you miss me, master?"

Chu Xingchen’s eyes held amusement:

"I’m fine, but someone misses you even more—and specifically asked to see you."

Cui Hao naturally knew who his master was referring to. After all, he’d borrowed her name and actually had her do something, so he did owe her a favor.

But putting it that way was rather boring.

"Sigh, that’s just how master’s charm works." Cui Hao waved his hand casually, familiarly leaning against the chair nearest Chen Baiqing, preparing to snag the first cup of tea. Then he looked at Chu Xingchen and said:

"Master’s charm far surpasses mine. Got any tricks to teach your disciple, so I don’t keep getting remembered by people when I go out?"

Hearing this, Li Yingling laughed so hard a melon seed shell flew out of her mouth.

Chu Xingchen reached over to the plate Li Xingtian had been peeling, grabbed a handful of shelled seeds, and wore an expression of deep empathy:

"Your master is also quite troubled. Having too much charm really is a nuisance."

Li Yingling shot a disdainful look at her master, as if saying—master has no shame either.

At the same time, perhaps tired of cracking seeds herself, Li Yingling also reached over and grabbed a handful of Li Xingtian’s peeled seeds, popping them into her mouth one by one, her expression growing rather leisurely.

It seemed the eldest senior sister had been living quite comfortably lately.

Li Xingtian said nothing, simply keeping his head down and silently peeling seeds.

Seeing this, Cui Hao asked curiously:

"Second senior brother, why are you only using your hands? Wouldn’t spiritual energy be faster?"

With Li Xingtian’s Nascent Soul cultivation, controlling the peeling with spiritual energy would probably match Qinghe’s eating speed. Why slowly peel by hand?

Hearing Cui Hao’s question, Li Xingtian sighed helplessly:

"They said my spiritual energy has a smell."

Cui Hao’s face showed guilt, quite regretting that he’d asked.

He naturally understood what kind of smell Li Xingtian was referring to—a crimson, blood-soaked stench.

"Second senior brother, let me do it." Cui Hao reached out to take over Li Xingtian’s task.

This would also make up for his careless remark just now.

Li Xingtian didn’t decline, handing the seeds to Cui Hao and accepting the teacup Chen Baiqing passed him.

Cui Hao also didn’t use spiritual energy to peel, instead using his hands as well.

If he used spiritual energy right in front of his second senior brother, what would that be but showing off to his face.

Peeling seeds, he looked at his fourth senior sister who was still staring at the letter and casually asked:

"Fourth senior sister, is that a letter from Mr. Li? How has she been lately?"

Lin Luoyu’s gaze shifted from the letter, and she pursed her lips lightly:

"Mr. Li... she’s walking the Sub-Sage Path. This letter has the latest news."

Cui Hao paused, instinctively expressing his confusion:

"Huh...?"

As a former prodigy Confucian cultivator, Cui Hao naturally understood what the Confucian "Sub-Sage Path" referred to.

It referred to the path of pioneering.

The path of blazing a trail so those who come after can go further.

And this path had absolutely no shortcuts.

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