Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 137: Chapter 137: The Sorrow of Parting

After Yao Yue left, the atmosphere grew silent.

Ye Qingchen and Xiao Xiao were reluctant to part, but they knew the separation was inevitable. They had already exchanged too many words of comfort. Now that it was just the two of them, they found themselves at a loss for what to say. Parting has always been the bitterest sorrow for those with deep affection.

In the end, it was Xiao Xiao who changed the subject. ”Young Master,” she said to Ye Qingchen, ”I know you haven’t had a proper rest since returning from the Heavenly Pond Sea of Fire. You should go rest now.”

”Alright! You get some rest, too!” Ye Qingchen nodded. He had a thousand things to say but didn’t know how to begin. Rather than stand there awkwardly, he decided to return to his room. Even if he couldn’t sleep, it was far better than enduring the pain of their impending separation.

After Ye Qingchen returned to his room, Xiao Xiao stared at his door for a long, long time. Finally, she made up her mind and walked out of the courtyard.

Xiao Xiao wanted to do one last thing for Ye Qingchen before she left. Although Ye Qingchen wasn’t coddled growing up, he had been so focused on nurturing Li Susu’s body that he never had to worry about his own daily needs. Xiao Xiao feared that after her departure, no one would be there to take care of him, and he wouldn’t fare well on his own.

Therefore, Xiao Xiao decided to find Hei Ze and ask him to become Ye Qingchen’s attendant. While she still considered Hei Ze clumsy, his ability to care for others had slowly earned her approval after her careful tutelage. Xiao Xiao had already asked Hei Ze where he lived, so even though it was her first time going, she was confident she wouldn’t get lost.

Hei Ze really has it tough, living in such a rundown place, Xiao Xiao mused, her heart filling with emotion as she looked at the secluded surroundings and the dilapidated thatched cottage.

In her eyes, ever since the incident with the Outer Sect disciple Hei Ze had served, he was an unwanted, pitiable man. If he hadn’t met Ye Qingchen and her, he probably couldn’t have even managed to feed himself. Otherwise, why would he have always been coming to their house to freeload?

But what Xiao Xiao didn’t know was that Hei Ze was a Revered Elder of the Qingyun Sect, with a status equal to that of the Sect Leader, Li Qingfeng. The reason he chose to live so modestly was that, as a Revered Elder, he had experienced a great deal and no longer cared for material conditions. This quiet environment was far more conducive to cultivating his inner state of being.

He frequently visited Ye Qingchen out of curiosity. The boy had obtained the Divine Wood Decision, a Divine-Level Cultivation Technique that even Hei Ze himself had been unable to acquire. After several interactions, he had grown quite fond of Ye Qingchen’s talent and character, as well as Xiao Xiao’s innocent charm. That was why he willingly let her order him around—he wanted to witness Ye Qingchen’s growth with his own eyes.

”Hei Ze, are you there? It’s me, Xiao Xiao.” Xiao Xiao arrived at Hei Ze’s residence, gently knocked on the door, and called out.

A moment later, the door opened, and Hei Ze appeared before her, still dressed in a black robe, lean but full of spirit.

”Little Girl Xiaoxiao, what brings you here? Please, come in.” Hei Ze hadn’t expected her visit at this hour. After greeting her, he quickly invited her inside.

But Xiao Xiao was clearly not in the mood for pleasantries. She waved her hand and said, ”I won’t come in. I came to find you because I have a few things to tell you.”

Seeing her low spirits and lack of her usual cheerfulness, Hei Ze had a premonition about why she was here. ”Little Girl Xiaoxiao, if there’s anything you need, just say the word.”

Xiao Xiao sighed wistfully. ”I’m leaving the Qingyun Sect tomorrow. With me gone, no one will be here to look after the Young Master. I can’t help but worry.”

Hei Ze looked at her in surprise. He knew a little about her situation. He knew that with her ten-star Vermilion Bird Holy Soul, she had long been accepted as a disciple by the nine-star Wuji Immortal Palace. However, because she was reluctant to leave Ye Qingchen, she had willingly remained by his side as his maid. Through their time together, Hei Ze had also learned that Xiao Xiao had a three-month pact with the Wuji Immortal Palace and would have to leave with its envoys when the time was up.

The Wuji Immortal Palace was a nine-star Sect. While the Qingyun Sect hoped Xiao Xiao would stay, they didn’t dare compete with such a powerhouse for a disciple. Now that she spoke of leaving, the appointed time must have come.

Before Hei Ze could speak, Xiao Xiao continued, ”Hei Ze, I know things haven’t been easy for you. You’re all alone at your age, often living from one meal to the next. When I’m gone, you won’t even have a place to scrounge for food, so I’m a bit worried about you too.”

Hei Ze was rendered speechless. He was a Revered Elder of the Qingyun Sect, a figure revered by thousands. How did he sound so pathetic in Xiao Xiao’s words, almost no better than a beggar?

But Xiao Xiao had clearly come prepared and didn’t give him a chance to reply. ”I’ve given it some thought. The Young Master has no one to care for him, and you’re all alone. Why don’t you go and serve as the Young Master’s attendant? Having been around you for so long, I think you’re a decent person. Don’t worry, it won’t be for nothing. When I return, I’ll definitely pay to buy your freedom, and I’ll even find you a wife. How about it? Isn’t that a good deal?”

Her voice was full of a sweet, coaxing quality, like a big bad wolf luring a little white rabbit.

Her words, however, made Hei Ze smile wryly. Buy my freedom? Find me a wife? Only someone like Xiao Xiao would dare say such a thing. Even Li Qingfeng, the Sect Leader of the Qingyun Sect, wouldn’t dare speak to me like that!

But Hei Ze knew she was inherently pure and kind. Her words were spoken without malice; she likely meant every word she said. Besides, he was genuinely interested in Ye Qingchen. He wanted to see just how far the boy who obtained a Divine-Level Cultivation Technique could go!

With that in mind, Hei Ze nodded. ”I appreciate your kind intentions, Little Girl Xiaoxiao. As for Ye Qingchen, you can rest assured. With me here, I won’t let him be mistreated!”

Xiao Xiao smiled in satisfaction but still added a warning. ”You must take good care of the Young Master’s meals and daily life. Don’t you dare let him get thin from hunger! Also, from now on, you can’t call him by his name directly. You have to call him ’Young Master,’ just like I do. The Young Master is generous and kind-hearted. If you perform well, he definitely won’t treat you poorly.”

Hei Ze scratched his head in embarrassment. He couldn’t even remember the last time someone had talked to him like this.

Xiao Xiao gave him a few more instructions before leaving, finally reassured. As she left, she didn’t forget to add, ”Hei Ze, I’m leaving early tomorrow morning. You should pack up tonight and move to the Young Master’s place first thing tomorrow. It might not be luxurious, but it’s certainly much better than this shabby thatched hut of yours!”

After saying her piece, Xiao Xiao left, hopping and skipping away.