"Yes, I just woke up this morning," replied Yi Zhiye, nodding.
Fujiwara Shifei said nothing more and led Bai Ying into the inner room.
After a short while, Bai Ying emerged from the inner room again. "My master is talking with Senior Martial Brother Ruan inside. She asked me to come out first."
As soon as Bai Ying appeared, Lu Taobao sidled up to her. "Yingying, have you had breakfast yet?"
"I have already eaten," Bai Ying replied in a low voice.
As they were talking, a voice filled with sarcasm suddenly echoed from outside.
"Oh, where did this country bumpkin come from, daring to dream of eating swan meat and getting close to our Junior Martial Sister Hong?"
"Exactly. Junior Martial Sister Hong is such an intelligent and beautiful person, how can anyone covet her?"
Everyone looked towards the sound and saw Bai Gē'er leading a group of followers.
Seeing this, Bai Ying frowned. "Bai Gē'er, if you can't control your dogs, you should tie them up at home. Don't let them run out and bark at others. It's annoying to listen to."
Bai Ying's words drew sideways glances from Shen Xiaoyan and the others. They hadn't expected the usually sweet and cute Bai Ying to be so sharp-tongued when arguing!
Despite Bai Ying's sarcastic retort, Bai Gē'er did not seem angry.
His narrow eyes were filled with tolerance and tenderness.
"If they have upset Junior Martial Sister Hong, I will punish them later and prevent them from appearing before her again. I brought them here today under orders. I ask for Junior Martial Sister's understanding."
Hearing Bai Gē'er speak so gently, Shen Xiaoyan felt goosebumps erupt on her skin.
If she remembered correctly, Bai Gē'er had been trying to curry favor with her just yesterday.
Not to mention, a hundred years ago, he had schemed against Yi Zhiye extensively because of Na Mu Zhong.
Looking at him now, did Bai Gē'er think he was a romantic hero?
That for any woman he desired, he would treat her with deep affection?
Did he not know that a man like him had a rather fitting moniker... a stud?
Bai Ying was seething with anger, but Bai Gē'er responded with gentle words. Bai Ying felt as if her full rage had hit a soft shield, having no effect whatsoever.
Seeing Bai Ying's flushed face from anger and her chest rising and falling with heavy breaths, Bai Gē'er's gaze turned obscure.
"Junior Martial Sister Hong, please do not be angry. Once Senior Martial Brother finishes his business, I will certainly apologize to Junior Martial Sister."
After speaking, Bai Gē'er no longer looked at Bai Ying.
While teasing a beauty was a pleasant experience, he had not forgotten his main task.
He looked at Yi Zhiye, who stood by with a cold expression, a fleeting glint of killing intent flashing in Bai Gē'er's eyes.
"Yi Zhiye, the Sect Master sent me to fetch you to the main hall. Of course, Junior Martial Sister Na Mu Zhong will also be brought."
"Rest assured, Junior Martial Sister Na Mu Zhong. With Senior Martial Brother here, I will ensure your safety and prevent you from suffering any injustice."
Shen Xiaoyan looked at the confident Bai Gē'er, her hand starting to itch.
She wanted to slap this self-important fellow to death. What should she do?
Bai Gē'er waited for a long time without hearing Yi Zhiye speak and couldn't help but sneer. "What, you have the guts to talk back but not the guts to come with me to see the Sect Master?"
"Haha, what do I have to be afraid of?" Yi Zhiye laughed heartily, then looked at Bai Gē'er coldly. "However, you say the Sect Master is looking for me, so I should believe you?"
Na Mu Zhong also stepped forward. "Exactly. You're not the Sect Master's disciple, so why would the Sect Master send you to deliver a message?"
Shen Xiaoyan chuckled at this. "Perhaps someone is using the Sect Master's name to do some unsavory things."
This "someone," of course, referred to Bai Gē'er. Everyone present understood the implication of Shen Xiaoyan's words.
Seeing Shen Xiaoyan and the others' mocking gazes, Bai Gē'er's heart seethed with resentment, but he maintained a smile. "This young lady is truly humorous. This is Sun Heat Sect. The Sect Master sees everything. Do you think the Sect Master of our Sun Heat Sect is just sitting around doing nothing?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Bai Gē'er realized his mistake.
Although his intention was to refute Shen Xiaoyan, he had still insulted the Sect Master. If these words reached the Sect Master's ears, it could have negative consequences for him.
As they were speaking, footsteps suddenly came from the inner room. Everyone looked and saw Fujiwara Shifei and Yi Maodun emerging one after the other.
Yi Maodun did not spare Bai Gē'er and his group a glance. He looked at Yi Zhiye and said, "Ah Xie, although you are no longer a disciple of Sun Heat Sect, as a junior, since you have returned to Sun Heat Sect, you should still greet the Sect Master."
Yi Zhiye cupped his fists in agreement and then said with a smile, "Father is right. Since my friends have come uninvited, I should naturally bring them along to see the Sect Master and discuss the expenses of staying here. We can't possibly take advantage of Sun Heat Sect for free, can we?"
Hearing Yi Zhiye, Bai Gē'er gritted his teeth.
What was he saying? Would the esteemed Sun Heat Sect, one of the three great sects, lack such a small amount of crystal coins?
Would they be unable to support these few people?
"However..."
"If I may, Martial Uncle, I don't quite understand. When did Yi Zhiye stop being a disciple of Sun Heat Sect? Did he voluntarily leave the sect? This is... ungratefulness!"
As he reached the end, a look of excitement flashed across Bai Gē'er's face.
If the label of ungratefulness were to spread, Yi Zhiye's reputation would be utterly ruined!
Yi Maodun did not turn his head, but said in a cold voice, "As a mere disciple, are you now interfering in matters between this elder and the Sect Master?"
Bai Gē'er's face flushed red upon hearing this, and his anger intensified.
"My apologies, Martial Uncle. This disciple is clumsy with words. However, I must ask for your understanding. The Sect Master is still waiting in the hall."
Bai Gē'er knew that the other party had more people on their side, and he would not fare well if he continued to argue. Thus, he said no more, merely invoking the Sect Master's name.
Fujiwara Shifei stepped forward at this moment and said to Yi Maodun, "Senior Martial Brother, please rest assured. I happen to need to see the Sect Master about something, so I will bring Ah Xie and the others along."
Yi Maodun showed no surprise and nodded in agreement.
Seeing this, Shen Xiaoyan secretly guessed that they had already discussed this in the room.
When Bai Gē'er heard that Fujiwara Shifei would also be going, surprise flashed across his face, followed by a hint of worry.
Fujiwara Shifei held a rather high position within the sect, and even the Sect Master doted on her. Her words carried significant weight.
If Fujiwara Shifei had not been absent from the sect back then, perhaps Yi Zhiye would not have been banished to the lower realm.
If Fujiwara Shifei were to accompany them today, would the original plan encounter unforeseen complications?
Although it was only a moment's thought, countless possibilities flashed through Bai Gē'er's mind.
Despite feeling a trace of fear towards Fujiwara Shifei, Bai Gē'er still mustered his courage and said, "Senior Martial Aunt Fujiwara, the Sect Master only instructed me to bring Yi Zhiye and the others. If Senior Martial Aunt accompanies us, I might be punished by the Sect Master."
Shen Xiaoyan inwardly sneered at this. It would be even better if he were punished!
Fujiwara Shifei replied, "This elder will explain to the Sect Master myself. You need not worry about it."
With that, Fujiwara Shifei turned decisively and strode out of the door.
Bai Ying stuck out her tongue at Lu Taobao and quickly followed.
Although it didn't concern her directly, as her master's personal disciple, she naturally had to go wherever her master went.
Yi Maodun patted Yi Zhiye on the shoulder and said, "You all go too. Go early and return early."
There was no hint of worry in his tone, as if Yi Zhiye and the others were merely going for a meal or a cup of tea and would be back soon.
Seeing this, Bai Gē'er inwardly cursed. When Yi Zhiye could never return, he would make Yi Maodun pay!
Yi Zhiye led Shen Xiaoyan and the others away, not sparing Bai Gē'er even a glance.
After Yi Zhiye and the others departed, Yi Maodun turned and entered the inner room.
Seeing that everyone was ignoring him as if he didn't exist, Bai Gē'er gnashed his teeth in anger.
Just then, the sharp-mouthed man sidled up again.
"Senior Martial Brother, they are disrespecting you so much! It's utterly outrageous!"
Bai Gē'er, full of pent-up anger with nowhere to vent, roared at the sharp-mouthed man, "No one will think you're mute if you don't speak!"
With these words, not only the sharp-mouthed man but also the other disciples couldn't help but shrink their shoulders.
Hearing the sound of all his disciples taking a step back in unison, Bai Gē'er seemed to regain his composure.
Realizing his outburst was inappropriate, Bai Gē'er turned around with a smile plastered on his face.
"Yi Zhiye has returned from a fortuitous encounter, and he has become even more arrogant than before. Such a person, if left within the sect, would surely bully the junior disciples. As your senior martial brother, I will clear all obstacles for you! Do you believe me?"
The sharp-mouthed man was the first to react to Bai Gē'er's grand declaration, his face breaking into a wide smile. "How could we not believe you, Senior Martial Brother? We will always follow your lead. Anyone who opposes you, we will absolutely not let them off!"
Bai Gē'er nodded with satisfaction at the sharp-mouthed man's words. "Since that's the case, let's go too. We can't keep the Sect Master and our elders waiting."
Meanwhile, Shen Xiaoyan and the others followed Yi Zhiye towards the main hall.
As they walked, Shen Xiaoyan admired the surrounding scenery. Yesterday, things had been too rushed, and she hadn't examined her surroundings carefully.
Looking around, Shen Xiaoyan felt a sense of awe. It was truly worthy of being one of the three great sects, the Sun Heat Sect. Putting aside their strength, the environment alone was breathtaking.
What met her eyes was like a celestial realm.
Taking a deep breath, the spirit-infused air instantly refreshed her.
Although the air here wasn't as potent as that in her spatial realm, it was vastly superior to the air in Yingcheng.
It seemed that either the location of the Sun Heat Sect was a place with abundant spiritual energy, or the sect possessed a powerful spirit-gathering formation.
Before long, they arrived outside the main hall once more.
The hall was the same one they had seen yesterday, but today, rows of disciples stood by the entrance, giving it a more solemn and dignified atmosphere.