Xiao Man followed Lu Qing diligently in alchemy. Though she often blew up furnaces, the frequency of such incidents was decreasing. Jun Fei Er would peek from the top of the wall daily, worried Xiao Man might be bullied, much to Zhai Ge’s exasperation.
“Junior Sister, Senior Brother needs you to go to the Thousand Machine Sect,” Zhai Ge lifted Jun Fei Er down from the wall. “Wipe your drool; your clothes are soaked!”
Jun Fei Er took a swig from her wine flask. “Senior Brother, didn’t the Second Senior Brother always handle such matters in previous years? Why is it me this year?”
“Second Senior Brother is investigating the Yan Family Fortress matter. Elder Zong Yi of the Thousand Machine Sect and I don’t get along. If I were to go, they’d likely double the price of the weapons they supply us this year.”
Jun Fei Er pondered for a moment. “That makes sense. I want to bring Xiao Qin.”
Zhai Ge refused without hesitation. Xiao Man was a troublemaker who caused chaos wherever she went. If she went to the Thousand Machine Sect and stirred up a heap of trouble, it would be hard to manage.
“That kid isn’t one to stay put; she’s always stirring up trouble. It’s best she continues her studies with Martial Uncle Lu,” Su Dan Novels.
“Senior Brother, are you speaking human words? What do you mean by ‘always stirring up trouble’? If others bully her to her doorstep, should she not fight back? My Xiao Qin is clearly good-looking and intelligent; you’re just jealous!”
Zhai Ge looked disgusted. In his opinion, Xiao Man was a disaster magnet. Even the difficult Martial Uncle Lu couldn’t do anything about her. Elder Zong Yi, despite his eccentric nature, would likely suffer at Xiao Man’s hands. Zhai Ge chuckled abruptly.
“Fine, you can bring her. It’s better than her spending all day cooped up practicing alchemy and getting bored. Consider it a change of scenery.”
Jun Fei Er eyed Zhai Ge suspiciously, unaccustomed to his sudden change of attitude. “Are you really letting me bring him?”
“Indeed.” Zhai Ge nodded firmly. Given Xiao Man’s nature of never backing down, it would be the Thousand Machine Sect that would have a headache. Even if she caused trouble… Zhai Ge looked at Jun Fei Er with a hint of pity. The sect leader would punish the junior sister.
Then the junior sister would understand that spoiling a disciple was no different from punishing them. They shouldn't indulge her too much, lest she develop a fearless personality and dare to venture into any disaster.
“Senior Brother, are you plotting something bad?” Jun Fei Er narrowed her eyes. She had a feeling Zhai Ge’s change of attitude was ill-intentioned.
Zhai Ge was somewhat annoyed. “So, are you going to bring her or not? If I don’t let you, you’re unhappy. If I let you, you think I’m plotting something. Then tell me, what do you want me to do to satisfy you?”
“Senior Brother, don’t be angry. I was just joking.” Jun Fei Er plastered a smile on her face. “Since I’m taking Xiao Qin, what about Martial Uncle Lu…”
“I’ll speak to him. Doesn’t Xiao Qin have an old friend at the Thousand Machine Sect? It’s a good opportunity for her to reconnect with them,” Zhai Ge walked towards the North Courtyard, as Lu Qing was still staying there as he hadn’t found a suitable cave dwelling yet.
“Thank you, Senior Brother.” Jun Fei Er beamed. “By the way, Senior Brother, my Xiao Qin has already reached the rank of a fourth-grade alchemist. How is your Shi Lan? Has she reached fifth grade? If so, they should be selecting suitable alchemy furnaces for them from the forbidden grounds.”
“Shi Lan can only refine seventh-grade pills now. Not everyone can be as monstrous as Xiao Qin, able to produce elixirs even after blowing up a furnace!” Zhai Ge was quite jealous, but it was useless. “When you return from the Thousand Machine Sect, I’ll report to the sect leader, and they can enter the forbidden grounds to choose their alchemy furnaces. That will also prevent Xiao Qin from blowing up other people’s furnaces every other day!”
“Thank you, Senior Brother.”
Jun Fei Er truly lived up to her status as the beloved of the Hundred Medicine Hall and the wealthiest elder. She even had a dedicated flying carriage for her travels!
“Master, how come I didn’t know you were this rich?” Xiao Man exclaimed in amazement. After all, Lu Qing always traveled by sword flight with her, unlike Jun Fei Er who rode in a carriage.
“It’s because I care about you!” Jun Fei Er said crossly. “Look at you, acting like a delicate baby all day. You must have suffered a lot under Martial Uncle Lu, right?”
Xiao Man thought about the involuntary upturn of Lu Qing’s lips when she left, as happy as a child, as if he were finally free.
“I didn’t suffer, but Senior Martial Uncle Lu probably did. When I left this morning, he looked like he was about to burst into tears of joy.”
“He’s sad because he has no one to accompany him now that you’re gone.”
“Do you believe that yourself?” Xiao Man teased.
Jun Fei Er covered her mouth and laughed. “Even if we know he’s been suffering, we can’t say it out loud, can we? Otherwise, how would he save face?”
“Master, what exactly are we going to the Thousand Machine Sect for this time?” Xiao Man asked lazily, leaning against the cushion. The carriage was indeed spacious and comfortable, with no bumps at all as it traveled.
“We have business dealings with the Thousand Machine Sect.”
“Are you talking about the magical artifacts developed by the Thousand Machine Sect?”
“Yes, the disciples of our sect may not have high cultivation, but many covet us. We need some means of self-defense. The weapons developed by the Thousand Machine Sect are very suitable for us, so we will use elixirs or spirit stones to purchase their weapons.”
“I see.” Xiao Man nodded in agreement. The weapons developed by the Thousand Machine Sect were indeed effective. When encountering someone slightly higher in cultivation, they could serve as a trump card for victory.
The carriage stopped directly at the entrance of the Thousand Machine Sect. Bai Chen, who had been waiting at the entrance since early morning, quickly stepped forward.
“Disciple greets Martial Uncle Jun.”
Jun Fei Er pushed open the carriage door and looked at Bai Chen. “Is your master in?”
“Reporting to Martial Uncle, Master is in.” Bai Chen’s gaze shifted to the carriage interior, where Xiao Man was sleeping soundly. “Are Junior Brother Xiao’s injuries fully healed?”
Jun Fei Er reached out and nudged Xiao Man. “We’ve arrived. Hurry up and get up.”
Xiao Man stretched and sat up. “Senior Brother Bai Chen, it’s been a while. You’ve become even more handsome than before.”
Bai Chen blushed. “Such sweet talk!”
Xiao Man alighted from the carriage and then helped Jun Fei Er down. “Is Elder Zong Yi in?”
“My master is in. Be careful what you say when you go inside later.” Bai Chen reminded Xiao Man. His master was still holding a grudge about Xiao Man’s previous infiltration of the Thousand Machine Sect’s outpost and incapacitating him with medicine. He had grumbled about it for a long time when he heard Xiao Man would be accompanying Jun Fei Er to the Thousand Machine Sect.
“Is Xi Wen doing well here?”
“Junior Brother Xi Wen is doing well and is working exceptionally hard.” Bai Chen walked alongside Xiao Man. “We’ve developed quite a few new magical artifacts this time, and Junior Brother Xi Wen played a part in them. Don’t forget to praise him when you see him later.”
Xiao Man smiled and nodded. Since their near-death experience in the secret realm, Bai Chen and she could be considered friends after their initial animosity. They had gone from rivals to friends.