Chapter 471 - 235: Crying Ming Yu
Chen Yunqi, as always, wore a white gauze coat, with a light pink ruqun underneath, her jade hairpin slanting atop her head, nestled within her dark hair.
Today, she did not wear a veil, revealing a graceful and gentle face. Her moist, autumn-like eyes naturally carried a hint of compassion.
Her body was tall and graceful, her slender waist delicate and nimble. The prominent white peaks on her chest were mostly hidden by her dress, giving an impression of clouds shrouding mist, half-revealed and half-concealed.
Her overall aura was neither demonic nor dazzling, yet in her every move, there was a natural allure. This was the typical "woman with innate charm," enchanting without being lewd, dignified and beautiful with a hint of seduction.
The ancients said: "The charm of a person is like the flame of fire, the light of a lamp, the lustrous hues of jewels, pearls, gold, and silver—things formless, yet present. A woman with charm, even with three or four parts of beauty, can surpass six or seven parts."
And this Sect Leader was far more than three or four parts beautiful. She was naturally the kind of woman who could bring chaos to the nation, a prime candidate for enchanting a sovereign and undermining the court’s vitality.
Gliding with grace, she led the guests to the Tai Xu Hall. Once there, Chen Yunqi settled in the main seat, smiling at Chu Xuan, "Young Master Chu, is it now the time to ask the child to step out?"
"No!" Xiaoxue, or rather Ji Mingyu, hurriedly clung to Chu Xuan’s large hand, convinced more than ever that this woman was like a fox spirit in disguise.
Chu Xuan also spoke softly, "Not yet, let’s discuss first."
So Chen Yunqi first locked the hall doors and activated the array, then unhurriedly said, "Let’s not rush to talk about dual cultivation. Young Master Chu, have you forgotten you are still our Honored Guest?"
Chu Xuan nodded, "But I also said that this identity as Honored Guest means I only intervene once for you. Once this favor is repaid, I will step down."
"It’s not just that~ Remember I also saved you in Gui Xu Grotto Heaven? It amounts to two favors. You should assist me twice, right?" Chen Yunqi spoke with a voice as soft and sweet as honey, with a slight coquettish tone.
"So what do you want me to do? Accompany you in dual cultivation?"
Chen Yunqi immediately covered her mouth with a smile, "Young Master Chu, I’m not foolish. Right now, the one interested in dual cultivation is you. How could I use that as a bargaining chip?"
"I brought it up just to remind you of my goodwill."
Chu Xuan saw it clearly: this woman was playing a game of attack and feint. Yet before he could respond, Xiaoxue indignantly exclaimed:
"Stop pretending, woman! Chu Xuan has already been to the Li’an Demon Sect and made thorough arrangements with Yao Yufei. If you wish to join, you’ll have to get in line."
As soon as she said this, Xiaoxue felt a headache: this doesn’t sound like something I would say, does it? Master, don’t mess around.
It was only then Ji Mingyu quickly stopped talking, secretly glancing at Chu Xuan, afraid that he would be angry and think she was interrupting.
Fortunately, Chu Xuan’s expression did not change much.
But Chen Yunqi’s face immediately changed, her expression unsightly as she said, "What does this mean??"
So Chu Xuan, with a composed tone, recounted everything he’d previously discussed with Yao Yufei.
"How about it?" Reaching out to her, he spoke with a voice full of temptation, "Would you like to join my cause? I’ve already prepared a position for you."
Chen Yunqi, turning her head in anger, "You first approached Yao Yufei; this shows there’s no place in your heart for me. Joining you means I’ll be subordinate, having to act according to her whims. Whoever wants that can go."
Of course, that was just her outward display. Inside, she was still quite astonished: is Chu Xuan really going to pick up everything the Celestial Evil Demon Venerable once had?
Indeed, with the Shangguan family pressing forward step by step, without doing this, it would be impossible to contend with this colossal force; it was a life-and-death struggle...
Chu Xuan shook his head, "I said I would grant you some authority to balance Yao Yufei, also to prevent the Li’an Demon Sect from becoming too large to control."
"Given the current stature of Hehuan Sect, if you strive for a higher position, you cannot compete with Yao Yufei."
Chen Yunqi’s eyes twinkled as she said with a suggestive tone, "Who says~ She can’t engage in dual cultivation with you, but I can."
"If we become Dao Companions through dual cultivation, wouldn’t Yao Yufei have to respectfully call me ’Ladyship’?"
Ji Mingyu gritted her teeth silently, unable to use Xiaoxue’s body to say more, only gripping Chu Xuan’s hand tightly.
Chu Xuan shook his head, "Becoming Dao Companions is impossible. You know very well there’s no emotional connection between us."
"Ah, emotions can be developed. Over time, they naturally emerge~" Chen Yunqi replied matter-of-factly.
Chu Xuan wasn’t sure if she was speaking in metaphors, but he replied seriously:
"Chen Yunqi, you’ve already made your choice. No need to haggle here. It was precisely because I valued your determination to take risks that I gave you this position."
As previously mentioned, Hehuan Sect is not like Li’an Demon Sect. Chen Yunqi publicly saved Chu Xuan at Gui Xu Grotto Heaven, which required great courage. If the Shangguan family retaliated, the first target would be them.
As for others, Ji Mingyu and Yu Zhanfeng are like those with nothing to lose; even if someone wanted to settle accounts, they might not find them.
The remaining three all have families and businesses. The Shangguan family can’t besiege Tianxu, and even Li’an Demon Sect is a tough nut to crack, naturally making Hehuan Sect the most vulnerable.
So now Chen Yunqi has no other choice but to follow Chu Xuan to the end—this is why he previously told Yao Yufei that taking over Hehuan Sect was just a matter of saying a word.