The departing Yue Zhong frowned, "Xiao Qin, that name sounds familiar."
"Young Master, you've forgotten. You sent two cooks to the small kitchen, and Xiao Qin was one of them," Yang Wei quickly reminded Yue Zhong.
Yue Zhong suddenly remembered. He had seen Xiao Man in the main dining hall and, noticing her Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivation, had wanted to keep her by his side. However, Xiao Man had been uncooperative and refused him. To torment her, he had deliberately sent her to the small kitchen to cook for Yue Ran, never expecting she would be capable enough to make Yue Ran eat only her cooking.
"If I recall correctly, you are friends with them?" Yue Zhong looked at Yang Wei beside him. Yang Wei had voluntarily sought to become Yue Zhong's attendant. Although his cultivation was low, he was adept at handling matters and exceptionally good at reading people's expressions, so Yue Zhong had taken him in.
"Replying to Young Master, I am from the same village as Liu Han. As for Xiao Qin, I am not familiar with him."
"How is the relationship between your village friend and Xiao Qin?"
"They are very close."
"Very well." A smile curved Yue Zhong's lips. He leaned in and whispered a few words into Yang Wei's ear. Yang Wei nodded repeatedly and headed towards the small kitchen.
Xiao Man and Liu Han were strolling in the outer courtyard. Xiao Man was scouting the terrain, while Liu Han was filled with curiosity about everything in the Heavenly Sword Sect.
"The Heavenly Sword Sect is so vast. I've never lived in such a large compound before."
"The room we live in is just a small one, and we share it."
"That's still huge. Before, our entire family of over ten people squeezed into one room, sleeping on a communal bed. Later, when I followed Brother Yang out to make a living, I could finally sleep in a bed by myself." Liu Han gazed incessantly at the tall buildings and painted beams, filled with envy. "I've dreamed of entering the Heavenly Sword Sect, and now that I'm here, it feels like a dream."
Xiao Man reached out and pinched Liu Han. Liu Han yelped in pain, "Xiao Qin, why are you pinching me?"
"Does it hurt?"
"Of course, it hurts," Liu Han rubbed his pinched cheek.
"Good that it hurts." Xiao Man smiled and said, "The pain means it's real. You're not dreaming; you've truly entered the Heavenly Sword Sect and become an auxiliary disciple in its small kitchen."
"In the future, I will be promoted to an outer disciple, and then an inner disciple!"
"Good ambition. I believe you can do it. Keep it up!"
"Liu Han." Yang Wei, having failed to find Liu Han in the small kitchen, came out to search.
"Brother Yang, have you entered the inner courtyard too?" Liu Han, overjoyed to see Yang Wei, rushed to greet him. "The Heavenly Sword Sect's treatment is truly excellent. Xiao Qin and I share a very large room."
"I am now working for the Eldest Young Master and live in a sizable room as well." Yang Wei immediately inquired, "How are you two getting along in the small kitchen? Have you been bullied?"
"No, the matron is quite considerate, and no one has bullied us."
"That's good. We are newcomers and unfamiliar with the place, so avoid any conflicts," Yang Wei cautioned Liu Han. His gaze swept over Xiao Man beside him, and he then pulled Liu Han aside.
"Does Xiao Qin know the Young Sect Master?"
"No, why do you ask?"
"Is Xiao Qin cooking for the Young Sect Master?" Yang Wei was always sharp and eager to climb the ranks, and he was particularly skilled at assessing situations. While the Eldest Young Master seemed noble, he was no match for the Young Sect Master. Who was the Young Sect Master? He would be the future Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect. If he could win the Young Sect Master's favor, his ascent to prosperity would be within reach. Su Dan Novel Network.
"Yes, Xiao Qin is so capable. The Young Sect Master only eats food prepared by her, not even the matron's cooking. He specifically requests her."
Yang Wei's thoughts stirred. The Young Sect Master clearly disliked the Eldest Young Master. But the Young Sect Master was still the Young Sect Master. If he had to choose between the two, he would naturally follow the Young Sect Master.
"Xiao Qin, the Eldest Young Master sent me to find you," Yang Wei said with a hint of difficulty. "To have you meet him... I fear... it might put you in a difficult position."
"What? Why would the Eldest Young Master want to trouble Xiao Qin? What should we do?" Liu Han grew anxious. "Xiao Qin, what do we do? Will the Eldest Young Master kick you out?"
Xiao Man looked at Yang Wei, "Why does the Eldest Young Master want to see me?"
"This morning, the Eldest Young Master went to see the Young Sect Master, who had angered the Sect Master and was confined. He heard the Young Sect Master mention you, so he remembered you. Upon learning that I knew you, he asked me to bring you to see him." Yang Wei sighed. "I am now an attendant to the Eldest Young Master, and I cannot disobey his orders. You'll have to come with me."
"No, the Eldest Young Master will bully Xiao Qin."
"Senior Brother Liu, don't worry. Perhaps the Eldest Young Master heard from the Young Sect Master that my cooking is good and wants to try it. He might not be looking for trouble. Please return to the small kitchen first. I'll be back soon."
"This... alright."
Xiao Man turned and walked out. Yang Wei pondered for a moment, then whispered into Liu Han's ear, "If Xiao Qin does not return within an hour, go find the Young Sect Master for help."
Liu Han nodded profusely. Seeing the two disappear from view, he hurried back towards the small kitchen.
"The Eldest Young Master dislikes being defied. When you meet him later, speak carefully and do not anger him. We auxiliary disciples are as lowly as ants; our lives are not our own," Yang Wei cautioned Xiao Man.
Xiao Man nodded, accepting Yang Wei's good intentions. Regardless of Yang Wei's reasons for reminding her, she accepted the goodwill.
Yang Wei wasn't sure if Xiao Man understood him, but he couldn't be too explicit in reminding her that the Eldest Young Master wanted to use her to deal with the Young Sect Master. If Xiao Man betrayed him, he wouldn't even have a plausible excuse.
Yang Wei led Xiao Man to the Eldest Young Master's residence. Along the way, Xiao Man meticulously memorized the terrain. Chen An's soul was of utmost importance and would likely not be in the young masters' residences, but she needed to understand every inch of the land to facilitate her actions.
Fortunately, she had the Tongtian Pagoda to conceal her cultivation. Otherwise, sneaking into the Heavenly Sword Sect would not have been easy, as who would believe a Golden Core cultivator would willingly enter the Heavenly Sword Sect as an auxiliary disciple!
As the legitimate eldest son, Yue Zhong resided in a lavish dwelling, occupying a small courtyard alone. When Xiao Man entered, Yue Zhong was practicing his swordplay.
Xiao Man stared at Yue Zhong's back, her eyes narrowing. He looked somewhat similar, yet something was missing. It seemed the person who abducted her mother was indeed from the Heavenly Sword Sect. Could it be the Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect?
"Eldest Young Master, Xiao Qin has arrived."
Yue Zhong finished a set of sword techniques and suddenly threw his sword. It flew past Xiao Man's side and embedded itself into the trunk of a tree behind her. Yang Wei, standing beside Xiao Man, felt his legs go weak and knelt on the ground. Xiao Man glanced at the still trembling sword hilt, then withdrew her gaze and looked at Yue Zhong.