Chapter 229: Two Plots

　　“This girl is not easy to deal with!” Sir Ning said as soon as they left.

　　What Lu Mingshu really meant was, “I know that you are purposely provoking me.”

　　It was hard to deny that Yu Ruohan quarrelled with Xuan Xiu specifically to show Lu Mingshu how hard this chance was to come by.

　　With Yu Ruohan’s mild temper, how could she not know what Xuan Xiu was like? Why would she try to add on to the fire by talking things out with her when she was angry?

　　“So? Do you think that she’s not a good choice?”

　　“It’s not the best.” Sir Ning had a worried look on his face. “We’ve only known her for a day, and Liu Jizhen isn’t even that close to you. The fleet’s life and death are now in her hands, so I can’t possibly be at ease.”

　　Yu Ruohan smiled at Sir Ning. “True. If it wasn’t a critical time, I wouldn’t make this decision either.”

　　“She’s a lady, but she’s way more decisive than me.” Sir Ning laughed softly.

　　“Who asked us to not have a strong base?” Yu Ruohan sighed dejectedly. “Putting aside the sects and aristocratic families, even the Pure White Grace Pavilion has a much stronger base. They have much more outstanding disciples to choose from, but we only have a few. If this didn’t concern such an important matter, why would I give an outsider such benefits?”

　　Sir Ning nodded. Even if the Grandmaster ended up seeing nothing in their disciples, it still benefitted them greatly just to enter Jasper Sun Mountain.

　　Suddenly, something came to his mind. “This young lady is rather observant. Would she have guessed our plight?”

　　“How long do you want to hide it from her?” Yu Ruohan smiled thinly. “Liu Jizhen may be straight-laced, but he’s not dumb, and she’s a lot like him. Our situation isn’t exactly hard to guess either. She’s agreed, but there’s a high chance that she knows that we need her help, so we can’t do anything bad to her.”

　　“What if she ends up succeeding and can’t resist the temptation? After all, it’s a promise from a Grandmaster! If she asks him to teach her a skill, she’ll reach heaven in a single bound.”

　　“That risk would still be there even if it was one of our own. After all, there’s an example.”

　　Both shared a glance and sighed.

　　This was indeed a scenario that tested someone’s heart. In the past, there were only two people that the Grandmaster saw potential in, and one of them betrayed their group. He should’ve requested benefits for his family, but as if he was possessed, he changed his request at the last minute. Even though Lu Mingshu was an outsider that they just met, that person was related to his group by blood.

　　…

　　After agreeing, Lu Mingshu made requests without restraint. “Firstly, I need a quiet environment with no disruptions. Secondly, I need detailed experiences of people who have gone to Jasper Sun Mountain. Thirdly, I need information about the previous two who gained acknowledgement.” Lu Mingshu paused for a while before continuing. “And if it’s possible, could I get the Fairy Gravel first? I’ll have a higher chance of succeeding if I could forge my sword beforehand.”

　　“We have already prepared your second and third request. I will pass it to you later. As for the Fairy Gravel, I will get it for you later as well.” Yu Ruohan then looked at her weirdly, “But for the first point… isn’t this place good enough?”

　　Lu Mingshu bit her lips.

　　“Oh, okay. We have an island, you can use it for now.”

　　“Thank you, Senior.”

　　…

　　In the Ye Family’s courtyard, Ye Zhenyan listened to In-Charge Bi’s report with an ugly expression.

　　“…in summary, that’s it.”

　　“So, that’s what the Bon Voyage Fleet is currently planning?”

　　In-Charge Bi looked carefully. “For now, yes. Third Young Master is wise indeed!”

　　In-Charge Bi admired the Third Young Master deeply. Back then, neither he nor Ye Seventh Master would have thought about this. The Third Young Master was always at home, yet he thought of it first. No wonder all the elders value Third Young Master so much. His foresight is extremely powerful.

　　Even though he was being bootlicked, Ye Zhenyan didn’t look happy. He only replied calmly, “Okay, pass this message to the elder.” He paused before changing his mind. “Nevermind, I’ll do it myself.”

　　“Okay.” In-Charge Bi was secretly pleased with himself. Even though he had done some stupid things before, trying to get close to the Third Young Master was the cleverest thing that he had ever done. The Seventh Master may be taking control of Remainder Island and have so much experience, but the Third Young Master is the one making the decisions! Decision-wise, the Seventh Master isn’t as firm as the Third Young Master.

　　“Third Young Master, should we play some tricks?” He was feeling complacent, and a trick came to his mind. “It’s too good for her if we let that girl get to Jasper Sun Mountain smoothly!”

　　“Idiot!” Ye Zhenyan chided. “Think about it; this concerns the Bon Voyage Fleet’s life and death. How importantly do you think they are taking this matter? Their island is filled with five Spirit Realms, guarding it safely. Try to go in if you can!”

　　As if he was splashed with cold water, In-Charge Bi was brought back to reality. He slapped himself hard. “Third Young Master is indeed right, I’m such an idiot.”

　　Looking at the in-charge slapping himself cheekily, Ye Zhenyan didn’t bother to say anything more. He may be a stupid dog at times, but he’s still quite smart.

　　He pondered for a moment. “You said that Yu Ruohan fought with Xuan Xiu?”

　　“Yes.” After being scolded, In-Charge Bi thought twice before answering. “Because of that girl, Xuan Xiu’s disciple lost her spot on the list of disciples being sent to Jasper Sun Mountain, so she was upset….”

　　“How close are they?”

　　“They quarrel at times, but Yu Ruohan’s patient, and she’ll give in to her mostly,” In-Charge Bi answered almost immediately.

　　Ye Zhenyan’s smile was hard to decipher. “No matter how good-tempered someone is, why would they give in to someone every day for years? Especially when she’s not someone who shares a blood relation?”

　　In-Charge Bi stared blankly at Ye Zhenyan. “Third Young Master means that…?”

　　“Take a close look at Xuan Xiu and look for a loophole.”

　　In-Charge Bi immediately got what he meant. “Servant understands. Third Young Master, please be at ease, I will do it perfectly for Third Young Master.”

　　Ye Zhenyan sneered. “One more mistake and you’ll pay for it with your head!”

　　“Yes!”

　　In-Charge Bi went off.

　　Ye Zhenyan laid out some paper and started grinding ink while thinking about how he should write the letter.

　　Previously, he could’ve let Lu Mingshu off or even treated her nicely while making her stay in the Ye Family to prevent her from messing up important matters, given her relationship with Zhongzhou. Now though, the Bon Voyage Fleet was involved, so he had to start thinking of new ideas.

　　We can’t offend Zhongzhou’s royalty. The Ye Family has quite a lot of business there, and if the rumours are true, it would be hard to clean up the mess. But we have to suppress her no matter what. The previous two people that the Grandmaster chose leapt to heaven in a single bound. If this happens to my family, we would be the best among the three biggest aristocratic families in Beiming, and things would be way different for us.

　　As Ye Zhenyan was writing the letter, In-Charge Bi bumped into Ye Seventh Master as soon as he left the room.

　　“Ai, isn’t this In-Charge Bi? Did you get promoted?”

　　Hearing this particular voice, In-Charge Bi dropped to the ground and knelt in front of Ye Seventh Master immediately. “Seventh Master….”