Along the way, Ye Danxia did everything she could to stall for time. But Ma Hongyu never took his eyes off her, not even for a second. She didn't get a single chance to slip away. In the end, she was dragged all the way to Zhao Wuji's door.
The gatekeeper informed them that Zhao Wuji was still tending to Han Xiaoyu's condition.
Ye Danxia's eyes lit up at the news. She quickly said, "Uncle-Master Ma, it seems the timing is a bit off. Why don't we come back another time?"
Ma Hongyu grabbed Ye Danxia's arm and smiled. "Danxia, there's no need to rush. Since the Sect Master is busy, we'll simply wait here. Waiting for the Sect Master is our duty. It wouldn't be right to make him wait on us. That's what being a disciple is all about."
Ye Danxia struggled to shake off his grip, but couldn't break free. Annoyance crept into her heart, but it was clear she had no choice but to stay.
The time she spent waiting outside the door was pure torment. Her mind raced for a way to smooth this over. Ideally, she could shift the blame onto Ma Hongyu.
But how?
Just as she was racking her brain for a way out, the door opened on its own.
Han Xiaoyu stepped out.
From inside came Zhao Wuji's voice. "Hongyu, Danxia, come in."
"Senior Brother Han." Ye Danxia gave Han Xiaoyu a tender, affectionate look.
Han Xiaoyu had originally planned to leave, but the way she looked at him made it impossible for him to take another step. He stopped and turned back, following Ye Danxia into the room.
Zhao Wuji had always doted on him. Han Xiaoyu wasn't worried that his master would send him away. As expected, Zhao Wuji only gave him a fond glance when he saw him return. There was no trace of reproach in his expression.
Zhao Wuji nodded slightly to Ye Danxia, but when his gaze shifted to Ma Hongyu, his demeanor changed into one of solemn authority. "Hongyu, were the spirit herbs all collected? How does the quantity compare to previous years?"
Ma Hongyu shook his head. "Sect Master, I'm not sure."
Zhao Wuji's expression darkened. "You're not sure? You've always handled this matter. If you don't know, who should I ask?"
Ma Hongyu glanced at Ye Danxia and feigned surprise. "Sect Master, you didn't know?"
Zhao Wuji frowned. "What exactly should I know?"
Ma Hongyu deliberately glanced at Ye Danxia again. The hesitation and unease in his eyes were clear for all to see.
Zhao Wuji's frown deepened. "Is something going on? Why did you bring Danxia along? Does this have anything to do with her?"
Ye Danxia kept her head down, too afraid to speak. She had tried to find an opportunity, but Ma Hongyu was far too cautious. She hadn't managed to create an opening.
Ma Hongyu looked genuinely bewildered. "Sect Master, I was going to collect the spirit herbs yesterday, but Danxia came with your command token, saying that you had entrusted her with the task instead. I examined the token, and it was indeed the one you always carry. According to the sect rules, a token is as good as your personal presence. I didn't dare disobey. So, the spirit herbs were collected by Danxia. I haven't even seen a single leaf."
As Zhao Wuji listened, his face shifted through several expressions.
Why was his command token in Ye Danxia's hands?
Zhao Wuji instinctively looked at Han Xiaoyu.
The token had been borrowed by Xiaoyu, who had wanted to study the inscriptions on it. That child had always had a fascination with the art of talismans, and the command token did have several talismanic engravings.
Zhao Wuji had always spoiled this illegitimate son of his. He had assumed Xiaoyu would be careful and didn't think it would cause any problems. So, he had lent it to him.
Now, that token had somehow ended up with Ye Danxia, and she had used it to issue false orders?
Han Xiaoyu's expression also shifted. He looked at Ye Danxia, puzzled.
Didn't she say she only wanted to look at it for a bit?
Ye Danxia's heart thudded, but she forced herself to speak calmly. "Master, I... I just thought Uncle-Master Ma was busy and wanted to help him out."
Zhao Wuji narrowed his eyes.
He still had some fondness for Ye Danxia.
But after everything that had happened, his trust in her had waned.
He asked, "Where are the spirit herbs?"
Ye Danxia hesitated, biting her lip. She was scared, but finally took out her storage pouch and handed it over.
The look on her face made Zhao Wuji's heart sink.
He scanned the contents with his spiritual sense. His expression changed.
The amount of spirit herbs inside was half of what they'd collected in previous years.
And based on Ye Danxia's guilty expression, it wasn't hard to guess where the rest had gone.
Fury simmered in Zhao Wuji's chest.
But he forced himself to hold it in.
There was no doubt something was wrong with Ye Danxia.
But Ma Hongyu was right there. If he exposed her now, she—already marked as a transgressor—would only be condemned even more harshly.
"Master..." Ye Danxia's face had gone pale. She looked at Zhao Wuji with pleading eyes.
It was just some spirit herbs, wasn't it?
Zhao Wuji had skimmed off plenty of resources for himself over the years. Surely he wouldn't hold this against her.
But his expression turned pitch-black.
This wasn't just a matter of whether he wanted to let it slide.
In the past, with the entire Tianxing Sect under his control, he had more resources than he could use. Much of it had gone into cultivating himself and a few favored disciples. Just recently, he had paid a steep price to invite Li Heng's help.
Now, his personal stores were already stretched thin. Worse still, he was gradually losing his grip over the other peaks. In order to stabilize the last three peaks under his influence, he'd had to offer even more incentives.
This batch of spirit herbs was supposed to help him recover some of those losses.
And yet...
Ye Danxia had embezzled so much?
Outrageous. Absolutely lawless.
"Master, is something wrong?" Han Xiaoyu asked, a little nervous.
His gaze kept flicking to Ye Danxia, filled with unspoken affection.
Zhao Wuji grew even more irritable.
Clearly, his son had developed feelings for Ye Danxia.
Back when she was still considered a prodigy with a Heavenly Spirit Root, she had been a worthy match. But now? Her actions were beyond reckless.
Zhao Wuji suddenly recalled how Han Xiaoyu had been consuming far more medicinal pills than usual lately. He had thought it was just because Xiaoyu's body was recovering quickly.
But now, he wasn't so sure.
Perhaps there was more to it.
Anger boiled within him. But Ye Danxia was still his beloved disciple. If he exposed her here and now, Han Xiaoyu might become estranged from him as well.
Yet if he accepted such a massive loss in silence...
That was something Zhao Wuji could not do.
He turned to Ma Hongyu, his tone suddenly calm. "Hongyu, come here."
Ma Hongyu stepped forward obediently.
Zhao Wuji handed him the storage pouch. "I don't know how this year's collection compares to previous years. Help me count everything. No need to rush. Take it back with you and give me a full report tomorrow."
Someone had to take the fall for this massive loss.
Ma Hongyu... was the perfect candidate.