Be Gentle, Immortal Master

Chapter 206 – Separate Ways

The Gatekeeper's face darkened. "What else do you expect? She needs to pay for her mistakes."

It took me a little while to realize what the Gatekeeper was implying. Although it wasn't required to further punish expelled disciples in ways other than driving them out of the sect, it also wasn't uncommon. Knowing the Gatekeeper's grudges against me and what he had already tried before … He was surely thinking of shattering my spiritual roots.

A cold shiver climbed up my spine. That was a punishment I couldn't afford. I needed my power to maintain the connection with Twin Stars, which might turn out crucial for finding the solution we needed.

Of course, Bai Ye wouldn't simply watch me get hurt either. "I see no mistakes in anything she has done," he said. The look he gave the Gatekeeper was cold and dangerous. "What will you do if I refuse to accept your judgment?"

My heart skipped a beat, and I squeezed his hand again, this time in worry. Was he only bluffing like he said he was going to? But his tone sounded too serious, and with that firm stance the Gatekeeper was holding … Would a bluff work at all?

The Gatekeeper let out a strange laugh. "You've always been overprotective of this disciple, Bai Ye. And now I understand why." He glanced at me disdainfully before turning his eyes back onto Bai Ye. "I have not had a chance to cross blades with you for decades. If you insist on shielding her and continue on your strayed path, then I will be glad to witness your famed sword art once more."

My hands grew cold. I had to get Twin Stars, that was the first thought that came to my mind. I had to help Bai Ye, and that was the only way to give me enough power to do it. It was ironic that this entire discussion had started as a distraction to avoid our trouble with Twin Stars, only to end up leading us back to them in the end. But I didn't have any other choice. "Bai Ye," I tugged on his sleeve lightly and whispered, hoping that he would look at me. Yet his eyes were fixed firmly on the Gatekeeper, his hand moving towards his sword hilt. Fear started coursing through me. "Bai Ye—"

"Gatekeeper." Teng Yuan suddenly spoke, his voice rising above my whisper. "If a challenge is to break out between two of the strongest immortals at Mount Hua, the ripples of spiritual power will reach quite far. Our neighboring sects might notice the change … Not to mention all our disciples will surely be disturbed."

"Gatekeeper," another master from the group added, "Teng Yuan makes a valid point. A challenge on such a scale would undoubtedly lead to speculations, and if Bai Ye is to leave Mount Hua immediately after … Regardless of what reasons we tell others, there will be suspicions."

The Gatekeeper frowned, considering their words. "What will you suggest instead?" he turned to Teng Yuan and asked. "Such abominable and reckless behavior cannot be left undisciplined. It will set a bad example for others to follow."

Teng Yuan looked like he had to fight back a chuckle. "A bad example … for whom? If no one else except everyone present will know about this, I certainly don't expect that this example is sufficient to influence any of us old souls standing right here."

A few masters stared down at the ground again to hide their expressions. The Gatekeeper's frown deepened. "Teng Yuan," he growled, "we are discussing a serious issue."

"And I am offering a serious opinion," Teng Yuan said. "The best and only way to let this incident pass without repercussions, Gatekeeper, is to let Yun Qing-er leave with Bai Ye on that indefinite errand. She will still be expelled in essence, which serves her right. But any further punishment, regardless of whether or not she deserves it and whether or not Bai Ye accepts it, will attract too much attention from outsiders."

"You're saying that we should let her just leave?" Su Nian's high-pitched voice followed. "After committing such a despicable act?"

Teng Yuan smiled. "Precisely because this is a despicable act that hasn't occurred at Mount Hua in decades … Do you really wish for the news to spread, Su Nian? What kind of blemish would that bring onto all of us?"

Those words rendered Su Nian tongue-tied. For once, I felt grateful that the reputation of Mount Hua mattered to so many. I let out a small breath and released Bai Ye's sleeve, seeing the expression on the Gatekeeper's face slowly starting to change.

The Gatekeeper was silent for a long while. "Five days," he sighed and said at last. "The two of you will have five days to clear out of this hall. You need not deny your ties with Mount Hua to other sects while you travel, but you will never be allowed to return. Am I clear?"

Bai Ye's grip on his sword hilt finally loosed. "Perfectly," he replied. "I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Chu Yang. And I am glad that we can reach a consensus on one last issue before we part for good."

The Gatekeeper pursed his lips. "The rest of you should know what to do with today's accident," he turned back towards the group and added. Then he summoned his fly sword. But before he got on, he gave Teng Yuan a long look. As if remembering something, he swirled to look at Bai Ye, then at me. A shock appeared on his face.

"Who is she exactly?" he squinted at me and muttered, to no one in particular.

I felt my heart stop. I must've failed to hide my nervousness, as the look on the Gatekeeper's face settled into a revelation. But before he spoke further, Bai Ye replied calmly, "We will no longer be associated with Mount Hua in five days, Chu Yang. Does it matter?"

The two of them stared at each other in silence, and I thought I saw a swordless battle being exchanged in mere seconds. In the end, the Gatekeeper shook his head.. Turning back one last time, he got onto his flying sword and disappeared with the rest of the group into the distance.