While Mei Chao Bing could imagine how she was feeling, he didn't say anything. In the end, this was also a valuable lesson for Kui Min. People wouldn't always be on their side. Even among the people of their Teng Yong Sect or from the other righteous sects, there would be some that wouldn't only have good intentions.
While not everybody would immediately become a traitor like his Master, there were other things that could happen. There were enough young talents that had suffered because of that kind of thing. There would be somebody jealous of them that wanted to trip them up to shine in their stead or maybe somebody who was after the resources they would otherwise get.
There were even situations were the relationship between two people might go south not because of anything that had to do with cultivation but because of personal relationships. After all, how often did it happen that two people fell in love with the same person or somebody might antagonize somebody with a thoughtless remark? The type of grudge on from this might be enough grounds for retaliation.
It was best to learn that early on. That way, she might be spared from needless suffering in the future.
Turning back to Elder Baili, Mei Chao Bing summarized his worries. "Ao Jing wouldn't inquire about this just on his own. It is likely that he is doing this for Yang Wu Huang. I'm afraid that he is planning something."
Elder Baili nodded. "That is very likely. Unfortunately, it's hard to say what his goal is from just this." He turned to Kui Min, taking in how she was apparently pondering something. "Ao Jing wouldn't have mentioned anything else, would he?"
Kui Min raised her head but then shook it. "No, I'm afraid not. At the very least, I can't remember anything of that kind. But it could also be that I just wasn't able to understand a clue."
Elder Baili shook his head. "I wouldn't worry about that too much. It is very likely that he was careful not to expose anything. After all, they are in the wrong here."
Mei Chao Bing couldn't help but pipe up at that. "Kui Min mentioned that when the group went out today, Yang Wu Huang and the other two seemed to have separated from the rest of the group for a while. This was under the command of Yang Wu Huang when they were searching a place. Even if there was something to search for, this is quite suspicious in my opinion."
The Elder nodded once again, his brows furrowing tightly. "You're right about that. I guess we will have to pay some more attention to the matter." He turned to Kui Min, giving her a nod as well. "Thank you for informing us. For the time being, try not to let Yang Wu Huang and the others know that you figured out that something is going on. Just behave like you usually would. If you talk with them ..." He took a moment to consider what kind of tip to give her. "It would be suspicious to say nothing but saying something might also allow them to plan for whatever it is they have in mind. It would be best if you were able to deflect their questions or mention something that will be of no consequence at all."
Kui Min nodded but she didn't seem quite sure. "That ... What kind of thing might that be?"
Baili Chao scratched his head and then looked over at Mei Chao Bing and Yun Bei Fen. Yang Wu Huang's group probably wanted to know about them. After all, the one Yang Wu Huang was out to get was Mei Chao Bing as the previous troubles that had come up showed. He probably wouldn't care about the others at all. So what could she talk about that was on-topic but not too informative? It had to be something that could come from the two of them ...
Yun Bei Fen only looked confused, not sure how to help at all. He just continued to pet Xiao Hui, hoping that his Master and Mei Chao Bing would figure out a way to go about this.
Elder Baili puckered his lips and then turned back to Kui Min, motioning over with his hand. "Just tell them about that thing."
"That thing?" Kui Min glanced over but couldn't see anything that the Elder might refer to.
"Fen'er's spiritual beast. Isn't it cute? I'm sure a girl like you will like that kind of spirit beast. Actually, you'd probably love to have one as well. That's understandable. You're young and such cute things might have a fatal attraction to you just like it had on my Fen'er. It's nothing to be ashamed of." He nodded as if he was talking about something serious right now, making Kui Min's eyes widened. He pretended not to notice and just waved. "Don't be embarrassed. Since you like it, just go and play with Yun Bei Fen for a while. I'm pretty sure that Ao Jing and the others will be very interested to hear all the details about it later on."
Kui Min continued to stare at him with wide eyes while Mei Chao Bing had to turn away and press his lips together so as to not to laugh. Just imagining how Yang Wu Huang or one of his people inquired from Kui Min what they were doing and then they would have to listen to an hour-long monologue about Yun Bei Fen's little spiritual beast, he felt some schadenfreude. It was a pity he wouldn't be there to see it. He was sure it would be a sight to behold!