39. Who Do You Call “Master”?
It was strange.
According to Gong Yiling’s original thinking, since Leng Yuli was learning her special forging technique, she should be considered her disciple, right?
Whether in name or in reality, she should be a disciple.
But the system hadn’t prompted her with a master-disciple system.
Even that fake one with Yan Chuyue counted, so why not this one?
“So, System—”
“Don’t ask. Don’t try to understand me. Try to feel me.”
Hearing this, Gong Yiling’s expression soured.
Although she knew the system often spouted this kind of nonsensical jargon, hearing it when she was looking for a solution was a bit… frustrating.
“What? You want me to be a player? Just going for the physical, not the emotional?” Gong Yiling deliberately twisted its words.
“I can’t ignore the host’s words.” The system said seriously, “I’m a proper system. I don’t engage in such things.”
“As for why Leng Yuli isn’t your disciple yet, it’s because you haven’t fulfilled a hidden condition. That’s why it can’t be initiated.”
Well, at least it told her there was a hidden condition, even if it didn’t specify what it was. Being left in suspense was always a bit… unsettling.
But was she really that concerned?
Recruiting disciples was a matter of fate.
She already had so many. One more wouldn’t make a difference, and she didn’t really mind if she didn’t have one more.
—If “disciples” were replaced with “wives,” then Miss Gong would be a killer. Unfortunately, she couldn’t replace them (or could she?).
Although she had hit a wall with the system, Gong Yiling wouldn’t neglect Leng Yuli just because she couldn’t be her disciple.
In fact, while Qiu Shui and Chun Lian were waiting at the inn to avoid Jiang Chenmo, Gong Yiling spent the most time with Leng Yuli.
Of course, most of that time was spent doing… intense exercise. The clanging and banging echoed through the entire workshop, as if there were an earthquake.
This was, of course, blacksmithing. Anyone with other thoughts should just… go away.
“Oh, right.” Gong Yiling, seeing Leng Yuli finish hammering a piece of raw iron, handed her a towel and said, “Has that guy been bothering you again?”
Leng Yuli took the towel and wiped her sweat. “He gave me a Universe Ring two days ago and said the things were inside. He said the ring was a gift and I didn’t have to return it.”
“How is he?”
Gong Yiling already knew the answer.
It had been four or five days.
If he was just buying something, it wouldn’t have taken so long. He must have gone digging for coal.
“He looked a bit… dusty.” Leng Yuli mumbled, “But he hasn’t come to see me since.”
“He has some self-awareness. He knows his trick won’t work anymore, so he’s just pretending nothing happened.” Gong Yiling shrugged. “It’s a shame we couldn’t teach him a better lesson.”
Leng Yuli, seeing her disappointed expression, suddenly leaned closer and asked, “Youyuan, can I ask you something?”
Gong Yiling winked at her. “Call me ‘Master’?”
During this time, Miss Gong would occasionally bring up this strange request, but Leng Yuli’s attitude was firm.
No.
Absolutely not.
Taking a woman who might even be younger than her as a master… it was too weird.
And in such trivial matters, Miss Leng’s tsundere nature was in full display.
Although she inwardly acknowledged that Gong Yiling’s skills were worthy of being her master, she would never admit it.
This time, she was thinking the same thing.
But since she wanted to ask Gong Yiling something, she should…
“Mr. Mo?”
“Huh?” Gong Yiling looked around, puzzled, but didn’t see Mo Yechong.
“There’s no one here.” When she turned back, she heard the other person whisper, like a mosquito, “Master.”
That was too soft!!!
If it weren’t for her good hearing, she wouldn’t have heard anything.
“You???”
“Ahem…” Leng Yuli coughed lightly and said seriously, her hands on her hips, “You didn’t say I had to hear it, right?”
As she spoke, she seemed to lack confidence, turning her head away and puffing out her cheeks.
This…
Theoretically, Miss Gong could have played some other tricks, like refusing to tell her anything unless she said it properly, but…
Since this girl had come up with such a move, and had said it, she would just let it slide.
“Alright.” Gong Yiling shrugged, as if to say, whatever you say. “What do you want to ask?”
“It’s just a possibility.” Leng Yuli asked mysteriously, “Yin Wuzong’s death, does it have something to do with you?”
Hmm?
Gong Yiling raised an eyebrow curiously. “Why would you think that?”
“Yin Wuzong died, and you disappeared. And the people from Ruohuai Daoist Mountain didn’t seem to care that you were gone. And he was found dead the day after he provoked you…”
“He provoked a lot of people.” Gong Yiling smiled. “And you know what he did. If someone like that is allowed to live, how can the Daoist masters of the Hundred Paths Mountain face the world?”
Hearing this, Leng Yuli crossed her arms with displeasure. “If you don’t want to say it, then don’t. If you really killed him, then I should thank you.”
“There are many things you should thank me for. This is just one of them.”
“Hey!” Leng Yuli patted her hand, but then, thinking about it, her words seemed to mean… “You admit it!?”
“It’s not a secret.” Gong Yiling said, “Since he was courting death, I gave him the opportunity.”
“Such a scummy fiancé, Ah Leng shouldn’t be too sad, right?”
“I’m not sad about that bastard!” Leng Yuli stomped her foot angrily, then her expression turned a bit sad. “But… never mind.”
Seeing her forced cheerfulness, Miss Gong immediately understood.
This girl was sad. Even if she could escape from that place, she had only entered another unknown cage.
The family… in the end, only saw her as a pawn. Was that it?
