Chapter 116: She Needs Someone to Love Her, Tian Erni Is Captured

Chapter 116: Chapter 116: She Needs Someone to Love Her, Tian Erni Is Captured

"I know!" A flash of pain crossed Jiang Yebai’s eyes. "I was the one who taught her the Flute Skill."

"No wonder." Pei Shaoqing feigned a look of sudden understanding, not bothering to explain that the ’flute’ in question wasn’t a musical one. Grinning, he cupped his hands in a salute. "Many thanks to Young Hero Jiang for the rousing accompaniment."

Jiang Yebai instantly flushed with anger. He lunged forward, pressing his Jade Flute against Pei Shaoqing’s throat. "I’ll kill you!"

"Lan’Er would hate you for that," Pei Shaoqing said lightly, smiling with unconcern.

Jiang Yebai looked devastated. He retracted his flute and grabbed Pei Shaoqing by the collar, demanding through clenched teeth, "Why? You don’t even love her!"

"That’s why she needs someone to love her. And that person can only be you," Pei Shaoqing said blandly.

Jiang Yebai was completely baffled. "What do you mean?"

"Lan’Er being with me doesn’t stop you from loving her," Pei Shaoqing replied with a perfectly straight face.

Jiang Yebai’s brain was about to short-circuit. He understood every word Pei Shaoqing said, but strung together, they made no sense.

"You loving her is your business. Her loving me is her business. Me not loving her is my business. None of it affects you loving her," Pei Shaoqing explained, trying to untangle the logic for him.

Jiang Yebai started to understand, but that only shocked him more. He blurted out, "You don’t mind?"

"I may be a lecher, but I also respect pure love." Pei Shaoqing looked utterly sincere, like a die-hard romantic masquerading as a degenerate. "As long as it doesn’t affect me, I’ll allow you to love and protect her silently, in your own way."

Jiang Yebai slowly let go of Pei Shaoqing’s collar.

"My status means I’m destined to have many wives and concubines. Lan’Er’s background is too humble. If no one has her back, she’s bound to be bullied and ostracized. After all, I can’t possibly keep an eye on the rear courtyard at all times." Pei Shaoqing’s tone was earnest and sincere. "I imagine you don’t want to see Lan’Er living in misery, do you, Young Hero Jiang?"

"I understand. I’ll train hard and help Master bring glory to the Iron Sword Sect, so Lan’Er will have someone to rely on," Jiang Yebai said, his tone firm.

’Ah, Pei Shaoqing loved these kinds of simps who thought they were paragons of deep love. Their goddess was their remote control.’

And now, he held the remote control for Jiang Yebai.

Pei Shaoqing smiled faintly. "See? There’s no need to hate me. I won’t treat Lan’Er poorly. Our ultimate goal is the same—for Lan’Er’s sake. So, we should just use our own methods to make her happy."

Jiang Yebai was exceptionally talented and the senior disciple of the Iron Sword Sect, making him the undisputed future Sect Leader. He just lacked ambition. That was why Pei Shaoqing had to use Zhao Zilan to activate him.

He would make him toil like an ox, shedding blood and sweat for the future happiness of Mr. Pei and Zhao Zilan.

And as long as Jiang Yebai started striving, he would inevitably come to respect Pei Shaoqing more and more.

Just like Gongsun Yi.

Jiang Yebai’s expression was complicated. He hated Pei Shaoqing for stealing the love of his life, yet he was also grateful that the man would allow him to continue loving his junior sister. For a moment, he was at a loss for words.

He truly couldn’t understand how a person could be so despicable and shameless, yet so open-minded at the same time.

After a long silence, he finally choked out, "Be gentle with her."

He couldn’t even bear to flick his junior sister’s forehead too hard.

But based on the sounds from the room just now, it was as loud as a slap to the face. There wasn’t a trace of tenderness in it.

He couldn’t imagine what his junior sister had been put through.

"She likes it," Pei Shaoqing said after a brief pause.

Jiang Yebai’s fists clenched, then relaxed. With a strained, emotionless expression, he said, "It doesn’t matter if she likes it. For her own good, you can’t spoil her."

"I’ll try my best, then," Pei Shaoqing nodded.

Jiang Yebai fell silent again. After a moment, he said, "For Lan’Er’s sake, I will never marry. I’ll focus my energy on improving myself and the Iron Sword Sect. If you ever betray her, I swear I will take your head with my sword."

"That won’t do! Young Hero Jiang, you must marry and have children," Pei Shaoqing said, his expression serious.

Jiang Yebai was confused. "What’s it to you?"

’Of course it is! If you don’t get married and have kids, you’ll have no ties, no weaknesses. I can’t rely on Zhao Zilan as your remote control forever, can I? What if you fall for someone else? What if you have a sudden fit and decide to take revenge for me stealing your love today?’

’Without a weak spot, how can I use you with peace of mind?’

"If you don’t marry and have children, never mind how you’ll explain it to Sect Leader Gongsun and his wife, but Lan’Er will also feel responsible. Do you want her to live every day consumed by self-blame and guilt?" Pei Shaoqing laid on the guilt trip.

Jiang Yebai opened his mouth but was rendered speechless.

Pei Shaoqing softened his tone. "So you must marry and have children as soon as possible. Of course, that doesn’t stop you from continuing to love Lan’Er in your heart. For Lan’Er’s sake, I don’t even care about that! Are you telling me you’re not even willing to endure this small grievance for her? Besides, it’s hardly a grievance."

"Fine!" Jiang Yebai took a deep breath and agreed.

’Since I can’t marry Lan’Er, marrying anyone else is all the same anyway.’

"Senior Brother! Young Master!"

Having finally recovered, Zhao Zilan came running out with her clothes hastily thrown on, terrified that the two had come to blows.

"It’s all right, Lan’Er." Pei Shaoqing stepped forward, pulled her into his arms, and smiled. "I’ve already worked things out with Young Hero Jiang. He’s willing to give us his blessing. From now on, the most important thing is for the three of us to live our lives well."

"Senior Brother..." Zhao Zilan looked at Jiang Yebai.

Jiang Yebai forced a smile, nodded, and said softly, "As long as you’re happy, I’m happy."

"Senior Brother... Thank you for your blessing," Zhao Zilan said, biting her lip, both moved and guilty.

Jiang Yebai just smiled and looked up at the moon.

That way, the tears wouldn’t flow into his heart.

Pei Shaoqing said, "Young Hero Jiang, if there’s nothing else, Lan’Er and I are going to get some rest."

"Alright. Sweet dreams. I still have to attend the wake for my second junior brother." Jiang Yebai waved his hand with feigned nonchalance and turned elegantly, heading towards the Memorial Hall.

Halfway there, he remembered he hadn’t picked up the sword he’d dropped. But he was too embarrassed to go back for it, so he just pretended to have forgotten and disappeared into the night without a backward glance.

Zhao Zilan felt a little down, but also a little relieved. "I never expected Senior Brother to be so accepting. That’s good. I was afraid he’d be heartbroken."

"You should still write to him often in the future to maintain your sibling-like bond," Pei Shaoqing instructed Zhao Zilan.

Zhao Zilan nodded obediently. "Mm-hm."

Meanwhile, Jiang Yebai, who had just made such a suave exit, was squatting behind a courtyard wall, clutching his Jade Flute and wailing his heart out. Snot bubbles formed as he repeatedly punched the wall.

"Junior Sister! Junior Sister! Oh, my Junior Sister!"

’Even though he could still love his junior sister in silence...’

’Even though loving someone didn’t mean you had to possess them...’

’But watching someone else have her... it hurt so damn much!’

"Who’s there? Huh? Senior Brother, what are you doing here?" A disciple on night patrol discovered Jiang Yebai.

"Junior Brother! Oh, Junior Brother!" Jiang Yebai thought fast and changed his tune, pretending to be weeping over Ye Yu’s death.

"Sigh... Senior Brother, my condolences. Please take care."

...

「The next day」

Gongsun Yi discovered that Jiang Yebai had changed.

He was no longer frivolous and lazy, nor did he drink to excess.

First thing in the morning, he was leading the other disciples in sword practice.

And he was extremely strict, no longer laughing and joking around with the newly initiated junior brothers as he used to.

"Husband, is Yebai alright?"

Liu Yuheng looked at Gongsun Yi, her face etched with worry.

Gongsun Yi stroked his beard. "Perhaps Yu’Er’s death served as a wake-up call, making him resolve to pull himself together."

Ye Yu had been carried up the mountain and buried in the early hours of the morning.

"Keep practicing. Don’t stop," Jiang Yebai tossed out coldly before walking over to Gongsun Yi and Liu Yuheng and bowing respectfully. "Master, Mistress."

"Mm," Gongsun Yi grunted, then said with relief, "You’re finally starting to look like a senior disciple."

"I was foolish in the past and made Master and Mistress worry. From now on, I will never again be so absurdly negligent in my Martial Arts practice," Jiang Yebai said.

Gongsun Yi was delighted. The change even washed away much of the grief he felt over his second disciple’s death.

’His heir was finally shaping up!’

This further ignited his own fighting spirit.

But Liu Yuheng was still worried. She said in a soft, gentle voice, "Yebai, don’t push yourself too hard."

"Mistress, I know," Jiang Yebai replied.

Just then, Pei Shaoqing walked over with Zhao Zilan. "Sect Leader Gongsun, Lady Gongsun."

Seeing the two arrive together, and walking so closely, the color drained from Liu Yuheng’s face as she glanced at Jiang Yebai.

"Good morning, Young Master. Did you and Lan’Er rest well last night?" Jiang Yebai greeted Pei Shaoqing proactively.

Liu Yuheng and Gongsun Yi stared at each other.

’From Jiang Yebai’s words, he clearly knew about Pei Shaoqing and Zhao Zilan. How could he be so calm?’

Pei Shaoqing nodded. "Well enough."

"Master, Mistress, I will return to instructing the junior disciples." Jiang Yebai cupped his fist in a salute and turned to leave.

Pei Shaoqing saw the doubt and astonishment on their faces and explained softly, "Last night, Young Hero Jiang caught Lan’Er and me in our room together. I had a chat with him, and he has agreed to give us his blessing. He also said he would marry and have children as soon as possible, and that for the rest of his life, he will focus all his energy on Martial Arts and revitalizing the Iron Sword Sect."

"What? This... Yebai’s change is because of your counsel, Young Master?" The Gongsuns were utterly astounded.

They couldn’t imagine it. After catching Pei Shaoqing and Zhao Zilan in the act, Jiang Yebai not only didn’t cause a scene or fall into despair, but had actually become more ambitious!

Pei Shaoqing nodded calmly. "Mm."

"Thank you, Young Master! You’ve done me a huge favor! Yebai is a good lad in every way, his heart just wasn’t in the right place. Now that he’s seen the light, the Iron Sword Sect has a successor." Gongsun Yi moved as if to kneel in thanks.

Pei Shaoqing quickly stopped him. "It was just a matter of a few words. Sect Leader Gongsun, there’s no need for such ceremony."

"I truly never expected your mouth to be so skilled, Young Master," Liu Yuheng said, her face blossoming into a smile.

As soon as she said it, she suddenly recalled Lan’er telling her about Pei Shaoqing’s... particular ’talents,’ and his tendency to ’betray from within.’ Realizing the double meaning in her words, her pretty face flushed red.

Pei Shaoqing laughed. "You flatter me, my lady. My mouth isn’t what’s truly formidable. It’s other parts."

Hearing this, Liu Yuheng felt a wave of embarrassment and anger, thinking Pei Shaoqing was flirting with her. But seeing his open and honest expression, she thought she might be overthinking it. After all, he couldn’t possibly know that she knew about his... appetites.

"The Young Master’s truly formidable part must be his mind, without a doubt," Gongsun Yi said with an obsequious smile.

Pei Shaoqing burst out laughing. "Close enough."

’The little head is still a head, after all.’

"Sect Leader! Sect Leader!" Just then, a disciple hurried over. "Reporting to the Sect Leader, someone from the Jing’an Guard is here to see Young Master Pei! They say they’ve captured Tian Erni and have requested the Young Master to come to the Bazhou Hundred Households at once."

Pei Shaoqing was overjoyed at the news.

’He hadn’t expected them to catch Tian Erni so quickly.’

"Young Master, I will accompany you," said Gongsun Yi at once, eager to avenge his disciple with his own hands.

Liu Yuheng followed up immediately. "I’ll go too."

Pei Shaoqing nodded. "Good. Everyone goes."

Although he felt the Fox Demon hiding behind the scenes probably wasn’t that strong, he subscribed to the philosophy of "no kill like overkill." More experts meant more insurance.

Soon, the Gongsuns arranged matters at the Iron Sword Sect and descended the mountain with a dozen or so disciples.

"This subordinate greets you, my lord!"

The one Zhou Li had sent with the message was none other than Wang Peng.

"At ease. We’ll talk on the way." After waiting for him to mount his horse, Pei Shaoqing asked, "What exactly happened?"

And so, Wang Peng began his detailed report.