"Donât you think itâs a bit rude to ask something like that so directly?" Zhou Huixin said irritably.
"Eh, then how should I ask?" Wang Ming responded innocently, causing her eyebrows to twitch.
âYou shouldnât ask something like that at all!â she thought, resisting the urge to scream it aloud. Taking a deep breath, she finally answered.
"Itâs because of her. Itâs all her fault!" Zhou Huixin said, pointing at Feng Mei, who looked utterly incredulous.
"Eh, are you pointing at me?" Feng Mei, who had been listening to the conversation with an amused smile, suddenly froze when Zhou Huixin pointed a finger at her, leaving her utterly dumbfounded.
"Yes, itâs partially your fault, Disciple Feng Mei," Zhou Huixin grumbled.
"How is your low cultivation her fault? Shouldnât it be your own fault for not cultivating diligently? And also, how is it her fault that your peak is in last place?" Bai Lingxi asked with a confused frown.
"Yeah, how is it my fault? And moreover, even if it is, shouldnât you be thanking me since you became the Peak Master because of meâthough I doubt thatâs the case," Feng Mei retorted, causing Zhou Huixinâs eyebrows to twitch in annoyance.
"Like I wanted to be the Peak Master! Do you know how much paperwork you have to do?" Zhou Huixin muttered, shuddering at the thought of the endless forms and reports. She looked as though she might cry.
"I understand. Paperworkâthe mortal enemy of all humans," Wang Ming said with a serious expression, as if discussing a life-threatening foe. Like many in his past life on Earth, he absolutely hated doing paperwork.
âWhat do you know about paperwork?! â the girls screamed inwardly, their lips twitching in disbelief at his dramatic statement.
"The previous Peak Master shoved all the responsibilities onto me and left," Zhou Huixin continued, her tone laced with frustration. "And that person happens to be very close to you."
"Do you mean..." Feng Meiâs eyes widened as realization dawned on her.
"Yes, itâs your motherâElder Feng Chang," Zhou Huixin said with a mix of exasperation and resignation.
"Oh," was Feng Meiâs only response. If her mother was involved, then it all made sense; she had a knack for causing trouble.
Your journey continues with empire
"But how is she to blame?" Wang Ming asked, and the others also turned their attention to Zhou Huixin for an explanation, making her lips twitch in irritation.
"Many years ago, I was her direct disciple. At the time, she was the Peak Master of the Jade Peak. When she became pregnant with you, she used it as an excuse to make me the temporary Peak Master, saying she would leave for just a year and then return. For that year, I got a firsthand experience of what hell looks like, thanks to the sheer amount of paperwork. Still, I endured, hoping my misery would end soon," Zhou Huixin said, taking a deep breath before continuing.
"Then one day, I was informed that I had been promoted to the permanent Peak Master of the Jade Peak. She even sent me a congratulatory message! That was the last I saw of her. Every time I try to meet her, she vanishes before I arrive," Zhou Huixin explained, her tone filled with lingering irritation.
Everyoneâs lips twitched as they listened to the absurdity of the story.
âHmm, that sounds exactly like my mother,â Feng Mei thought to herself, nodding several times in agreement.
"You said my mother avoids you, right? Do you want me to call her?" Feng Mei asked curiously. She was startled when she saw the Peak Master leap out of her seat, grab her shoulders with both hands, and look at her seriously.
"Do it. Call her," Zhou Huixin said, her cultivation leaking out in her excitement.
"F-Fine! No need to get so hyper, Peak Master," Feng Mei replied, slightly flustered.
How in the heavens did the sect master allow her to become a Peak Master? the girls thought collectively.
Even if Zhou Huixin knew what they were thinking, she wouldnât have reacted. Normally, she was strict and maintained a dignified appearance, but now that they were alone and Wang Ming had agreed to join her peak, she let her guard down completely.
Ring Ring
Feng Mei brought out a communication wooden token and called her mother, waiting patiently as the ringing sound echoed.
Click.
"Looks like sheâs busy working," Feng Mei said to Zhou Huixin, who slumped back into her seat.
"Heh, busy? Iâm pretty sure sheâs taking a nap. Even when she was Peak Master, she had the habit of shoving a small amount of her work onto me while she lazed around," Zhou Huixin said, her veins bulging as she recalled those times.
"Iâll call her again," Feng Mei said with a twitch of her lips.
Ring Ring.
Click.
Ring Ring.
Click.
Ring Ring.
Click.
Feng Meiâs lips twitched as her mother continued to ignore the call. She glanced at Zhou Huixin, whose expression clearly said, I told you so.
"Maybe she really is sleeping," Shi Yu muttered, and the girls nodded in agreement.
Ring Ring.
"Keep trying. Iâm pretty sure sheâs not going to pick up anytâ" Zhou Huixinâs sentence was cut short as her eyes widened.
Clank.
"Finally," Feng Mei almost teared up when the call was finally picked up, but the next moment, her expression froze.
"Ugh... Stop calling me. Iâm busy... Zzzzz," a lazy voice came through the token before the call disconnected.
âBusy? Youâre clearly sleeping!â Everyoneâs foreheads throbbed as veins bulged in irritation.
Feng Mei fumed and called again. This time, the call was picked up.
"Fuck... who is it?" Feng Changâs irritated voice came through the token.
"Mother, itâs me," Feng Mei said, a hint of irritation in her voice.
"Oh, my dear daughter! Why did you call me? Didnât you go to cultivate with Disciple Wang Ming? Could it be that youâre already tired due to your low stamina?" Feng Chang said with a chuckle, which only made Feng Mei feel even more embarrassed as everyone around her stared.
"Shut up, Mother! I have something to ask you," Feng Mei said, regaining her composure.
"Oh? Ask away," Feng Chang replied curiously.
"Were you the Peak Master of the Jade Peak?" Feng Mei asked.
"Cough...How did you find out about that?" Feng Chang said in a shocked voice.