Yuchi Bing Xia gave a relieved sigh when he finally managed to drive the two disciples off. Ah, this really was too stressful. He had to make sure Yu Jin would soon start to take over so he could concentrate on cultivation instead. Mn, if he managed to attain the next stage, the Yun Zou Sect might also secure a better position again. Yu Jin would certainly understand that this was good for everyone.
He nodded to himself and finally left his palace. The first thing to do was to notify Grandmaster Zhangsun of what his disciple had done. And, well, to demand the cost for repairing the array from him.
He flew over to Zhangsun Xun Yi's peak and slowly walked inside. Ah, he didn't feel too good about this. Grandmaster Zhangsun certainly wasn't unreasonable like his disciple but just like with Qiu Ling the sect also couldn't do without him. Demanding something from a person like that wasn't easy at all.
He slowly approached the room where the Grandmaster was cultivating. Zhangsun Xun Yi had already noticed him and finally opened his eyes when he stepped into the room.
"Grandmaster."
One look at Yuchi Bing Xia's face was enough for Zhangsun Xun Yi to know that something had happened. If he came to him for that … "Qiu Ling?"
Yuchi Bing Xia took a seat and sighed. The Grandmaster really knew his disciple too well.
"Is it because of that boy from the outer sect? Is Qiu Ling still bothering you to make him part of the inner sect?"
"No. I already did that yesterday. It's not like we'll lose out or something. The problem is that nobody explained the jade pendant to him so he wasn't able to enter the inner sect today. Your disciple noticed and, well, took some radical measures to help."
Zhangsun Xun Yi's gaze flickered. Even he couldn't begin to imagine just what Qiu Ling might have come up with.
"Uh … He … kind of destroyed our array. I normally wouldn't bother you with this but you also know that we've fallen to the status of a second-rank sect. There is no way for us to repair the array." He looked down and sighed. Ah, he couldn't just outright ask for it! "Uhm … So, do you have any thoughts on this? I don't think we have to expect an attack right now but it doesn't seem too good to just ignore the possibility and leave it like this."
Zhangsun Xun Yi nodded. "No, we shouldn't do that." He pondered, his gaze flickering for a moment. "Well, if the sect lacks the materials, then we'll have to get them from somewhere."
Yuchi Bing Xia tightened his lips. Yes! So, please offer to have them come out of your pocket! "The Grandmaster has an idea?"
Zhangsun Xun Yi nodded. "The person who did the damage should make up for it. Just ask Qiu Ling to do it. He shouldn't have trouble to find some materials for the array. Just think of how fast he gathered everything needed for the Amethyst Lightning Pill back then."
Yuchi Bing Xia's eyes lit up. "Right! Then this shouldn't be too difficult for him. The array might be expensive but disregarding a few rare materials it's mostly the amount needed that results in that. If we give him a spatial ring it shouldn't be a problem to bring them back."
Zhangsun Xun Yi smiled wryly. "No need to give him anything. Let him deal with it alone." He wouldn't believe for a single moment that Qiu Ling would need anything from the sect.
Yuchi Bing Xia nodded happily but soon enough reality came crashing down on him. Ah, just imagining how he confronted that disciple … He coughed. "Uh, Grandmaster Zhangsun, could I bother you to inform him about this? Your disciple is a little … I'm not too sure he would accept the task from me."
Zhangsun Xun Yi looked at him strangely.
"Uh … What is it? Did I say something wrong?"
"Just tell him he should do it together with his fiance since they were both involved in this. He'll jump at the chance to take the mission."
"Is that really such a good idea? They broke up, after all."
Zhangsun Xun Yi lifted his brows. They broke up? But hadn't his disciple come by just yesterday to demand they make that Jing He part of the inner sect? Why would he … The Grandmaster thought back to when Qiu Ling had gone to gather the materials for the Amethyst Lightning Pill even though he didn't know if the boy would ever accept his advances. Alright. Maybe he shouldn't wonder that he still wanted him to become part of the inner sect. Well, he wouldn't mind as long as Qiu Ling helped to rebuild the array.
The Sect Master nodded. "Mn, it seems that things happened in the secret realm so …" He coughed embarrassedly. "Well, that Zhong Jing Yi is still quite young and even though your Qiu Ling is certainly a peerless genius, my Yu Jin isn't half-bad either. It's not too unexpected I guess."
Zhangsun Xun Yi frowned. Normally, he wouldn't care about something like this but his disciple was a dragon. If his beloved left him and got together with another man, wouldn't that impact him a lot? Ah, this wasn't good. He should go and ask that person for help.
Yuchi Bing Xia waited but didn't get an answer. "Uh … Grandmaster Zhangsun, the mission for your disciple?"
"Ah, yes, I think it would be a good idea. Whatever happened they should be able to work together. Now, please excuse me. There is something I have to talk about with that person."
Yuchi Bing Xia rose to his feet together with the Grandmaster. "Actually, I wanted to go there too and see how things stand. He's living at Yu Jin's place right now, after all. Right, did I mention already that I intend to have Yu Jin follow in my footsteps now that he is back?"
Zhangsun Xun Yi shook his head. "What about Wu Min Huan? Doesn't he mind? He was your head disciple for so long."
The Sect Master sighed while he followed the Grandmaster out of the palace. "Wu Min Huan isn't bad but … he lacks some qualities he'd need as the Sect Master. I still feel that Yu Jin is the best person for this. Well, let's see how he gets along with that person."