Liu Yao: The Revitalization of Fuyao Sect

Chapter 18

Only "innocent" little Cheng Qian displayed a baffled face.

Yan Zhengming was shamed into anger. He picked up a stone to throw at Han Yuan. Han Yuan covered his head and dodged, then distracted Yan Zhengming by pointing at the Heavenly Monster. "I have something serious to say! Senior Brother, mercy! Here's a female monster, are we going to adopt her?"

"It depends on master. In any case, monsters in the Demon Valley won't accept her," Li Yun said.

Everyone went silent at his words.

No one wanted her.

This sentence prickled Cheng Qian's heart. He glanced at the Heavenly Monster, who had fallen fast asleep again after a few murmurs, and involuntarily felt compassionate because of their shared suffering.

Yan Zhengming said, "It's most likely that she'll stay with us. Master loves to carry things back with him. However, I think we'd better come up with a name for her before master returns. Otherwise..."

He pointedly looked sidelong at Han Yuan, whose eyelids twitched at the thought of his unlucky name.

Yan Zhengming sneered, "If master names her Han Shouzhi(sucking fingers), I'm afraid she'd want to die when she grows up."

They started discussing all of the most elegant and common names for a girl.

Eventually, Yan Zhengming made the final decision. "Since we took her out of the pond, I think 'Tan(pond)' is good. And combined with master's surname, the full name will be Han Tan."

Han Yuan added: "Not bad, and we've got a pet name for her, 'Puddle'."

Yan Zhengming: "..."

He didn't even bother beating Han Yuan this time because it would only detract from his own elegance.

A long time passed, and because he'd been so sleepy and tired, Cheng Qian had unconsciously dozed off on top of a rock while listening to the sound of his martial brothers' relaxed chatting. When the dew began to form and dawn was to break, he was nudged awake.

Cheng Qian gave a start. Rubbing his eyes, he saw Muchun Zhenren staring at them, his face shadowed with melancholy. The decency he had shown while fighting Zipeng was nowhere to be seen now.

Muchun was confused. How did his disciples enter the valley as four people, and after passing a day, come out as five?

After running his eyes over his early-riser first apprentice, his yawning second apprentice, his blankly-staring third apprentice, and finally the fourth apprentice who looked down to avoid eye contact, he sighed, "Do you know why I look like Zipeng Zhenren's father when I am actually three hundred years younger than her?"

Before they replied Muchun continued, looking straight at Han Yuan. "Because she didn't have any apprentice."

Han Yuan's chin almost dropped to the ground.

"Master, what did you say to that old hen?" Yan Zhengming interrupted as if he hadn't sensed the hint of criticism in master's words. "Did she scratch you?"

Muchun Zhenren rolled his eyes heavenward. "I naturally talked sense into her—Zhengming, cultivators should be cautious, pay attention to their words and deeds, and try to win people over through virtue. Why are you always verbally abusing your seniors?"

"She almost scratched me! Someday I'm going to pull out all of her feathers and make a duster out of them to clean the Mission Hall!"

Muchun: "..."

Finishing that, Yan Zhengming felt much more comfortable, and just then thought of the business.

"By the way, Master," he said to Muchun very casually, "We've picked up an apprentice for you!"