Whether it was due to a shared understanding as women or her disdain for a certain scumbag, Elysia developed a strong dislike for Ma Yanqing.
"If she can still fall for him, then I have nothing to say. Lin Zhaoyu would only have herself to blame for being deceived."
Shrugging, Chang Yuan spoke indifferently.
As expected, the following days unfolded just as predicted.
Without Su Mei needing to seek him out, Ma Yanqing would actively approach her.
He constantly pestered her with questions, even though Lin Zhaoyu had more experience and Cheng Lingshuang was stronger.
Yet, Ma Yanqing ignored them and focused solely on Su Mei.
In order to secure this one usable ally, Su Mei acted warmly, as if she were fulfilling her duty as a senior sister by teaching him.
Not long after, Hua returned to the mountain carrying a young girl in her arms.
"With the seventh disciple of Taixuan here, it should be soon. Let's see if Su Mei has the guts to go through with it."
Watching the unconscious Qin Suyi in Hua's arms, Chang Yuan narrowed his eyes.
In the original timeline, the betrayal by the seven disciples happened shortly after the seventh disciple joined.
Now that the final piece was in place, he was curious whether Su Mei would dare to act without the support she had in the original timeline.
At that moment, Qin Suyi, in Hua's arms, opened her eyes.
"Where am I?"
Looking at Hua's face, Qin Suyi reached up to touch it, then glanced around.
Her eyes were filled with confusion, as everything around her was unfamiliar.
"This is Mount Taixuan. It seems you've lost your memory due to some trauma. But where I found you, I only knew your name. You are Qin Suyi.
From now on, you are my seventh disciple. I will take good care of you, and you must study hard."
Seeing Qin Suyi regain consciousness, Hua gently set her down on the ground.
Once steady, Qin Suyi instinctively clung to Hua's sleeve, unwilling to let go.
"Master..."
Holding onto Hua's sleeve, Qin Suyi refused to release her grip.
Hua sighed helplessly, allowing her to cling to her as she followed along.
"Our new junior sister seems... shy?"
Lin Zhaoyu tilted her head, finally concluding.
"No, Master said she's lost her memory, so she's probably just confused."
"Big Sister is right. I've never been this clingy with Master. I'm a little envious of our seventh junior sister."
"Lost her memory? Heh."
While the others were thinking about how to care for their new junior sister, Su Mei had other plans.
People who've lost their memories often seek to rely on others. Wouldn't this be the perfect time to persuade her?
However, over the next few days, Qin Suyi remained glued to Hua.
Since Hua wasn't in her deranged state this time, she had no choice but to play the role of a mother figure, which left Su Mei with no opportunity.
...
"Hua, the empress of that country has invited us to attend a festival today. Will you go, or will you stay on the mountain as usual?"
"...You go ahead. I'm still not used to such lively atmospheres."
Stopping her meditation, Hua opened her eyes and shook her head lightly.
Of course, attending the festival was just an excuse.
"Alright, what about the rest of you? Anyone want to go?"
Chang Yuan looked at the seven disciples and asked.
Of the seven, aside from Su Mei, Ma Yanqing, and Qin Suyi, the other four decided to go.
"We'll stay on the mountain with Master. Have fun, Senior Chang Yuan."
Su Mei spoke obediently.
If not for knowing her true nature, Chang Yuan might have been fooled by her act.
Ma Yanqing, the simp, stayed behind because Su Mei did.
Qin Suyi stayed because she was too attached to Hua.
"Alright, then it'll just be the four of you on the mountain. Take care of yourselves, and don't forget to eat."
Chang Yuan gave Su Mei a deep look and smiled.
"Oh, Hua, after this, we'll be settling down on Mount Taixuan. Make sure to save us a spot~?."
Elysia added casually.
Hua was momentarily stunned but quickly understood their intentions.
She sighed helplessly and looked at the disciples who had stayed behind to accompany her.
Hearing that Chang Yuan and the others would be settling on the mountain, Su Mei grew anxious.
If they stayed, she would never be able to achieve her revenge.
Thus, a wicked idea formed in Su Mei's mind.
Soon, the group bid farewell and parted ways. Hua remained seated, meditating quietly.
After a while, she spoke, "Su Mei, go prepare the meal."
"Understood, Master. Little Ma, come with me."
She didn't call Qin Suyi, as over the years, Su Mei had noticed how clingy she was to Hua.
Their bond was too strong for Su Mei to interfere.
To avoid any complications, Su Mei decided not to involve her.
In the kitchen, Su Mei prepared the meal as usual, and Ma Yanqing helped, thinking nothing of it.
But when the meal was nearly done, Su Mei pulled out a small porcelain bottle.
"Second Senior Sister, what's that?"
Ma Yanqing looked at the bottle in Su Mei's hand, confused.
Was it some special seasoning?
"This is the most potent poison in the martial world. It's said that even the Immortal Phoenix would perish instantly if she consumed a single drop."
Su Mei spoke without hesitation.
Hearing this, Ma Yanqing took a few steps back in shock.
"Second Senior Sister, what are you planning? Master has taught and cared for us."
"Heh, she killed my mother and expects me to call her Master? Do you think that's possible? Of course, you can go report me now. I can't stop you. Either way, I'm dead."
As she spoke, Su Mei kept her eyes on Ma Yanqing, observing his reaction.
If Ma Yanqing decided to report her, Su Mei would kill him the moment he turned around.
After a long pause, Ma Yanqing looked at Su Mei and said, "I'll help you, Second Senior Sister."
"Heh, Little Ma, I knew I wasn't wrong about you. Once we succeed, we'll leave this place and go somewhere no one knows us."
Su Mei wasn't surprised by his answer.
Over the years, she had noticed that this young man was infatuated with her, to the point where he would stand by her side no matter what she did.