Master, they are good people.

The new sect was still in the preparation phase, gathering materials, and had not yet officially begun construction.

At the moment, the only structure that could remotely be called a building was the matchstick house crafted by Li Yingling and Li Xingtian.

In Chu Xingchen’s sect, no one was foolish enough to force hardship upon themselves unnecessarily.

For now, they continued to reside in the courtyard house in Yuzhou City.

Outside the courtyard gate, Chu Xingchen held Chen Baiqing’s hand and whispered instructions: "Once we go inside…"

Chen Baiqing’s small face was solemn as she gave her master a reassuring look:

"Master, don’t worry. I understand."

"Good that you do."

Satisfied, Chu Xingchen nodded and pushed the door open.

Inside, his eldest disciple sat on a stone chair, facing two visibly tense guests.

Hearing the door open, all three turned to look.

Li Yingling’s face brightened with a smile. "Master, you’re back. Look who’s here!"

Ning Qianqian, seated on the stone chair, couldn’t hide her nervousness as she forced a smile toward Chu Xingchen.

"Qianqian and her father happened to join the construction work for our sect," Li Yingling explained, her tone carrying a note of wonder. "After this chance meeting, they wanted to express their gratitude to you personally."

Ning Kun stood abruptly and kowtowed deeply before Chu Xingchen. "Thank you for saving our lives!"

Chen Baiqing, hiding behind Chu Xingchen, studied Ning Kun carefully, sensing his emotions.

Once she confirmed there was no ill intent, she relaxed.

If this man had come with hidden motives, she would have had to warn her master.

Over the past few days, Chen Baiqing had grown certain that the voice in her heart was accurate—it could discern the general emotions of others.

Of all the people she’d encountered, only her master’s emotions remained imperceptible to her.

Yet, she could always read the look in her master’s eyes when he gazed at her.

Seeing her father’s gesture, Ning Qianqian quickly knelt as well.

Chu Xingchen lifted them both effortlessly with a surge of spiritual energy, dismissing the formality.

"No need for this. It was merely fate."

Ning Kun, however, remained earnest. "A debt of gratitude is still a debt."

Chu Xingchen scanned Ning Kun with his system’s appraisal and, unsurprisingly, found the trait [Loyal and Righteous]. But that wasn’t all.

Ning Kun also possessed a blue-tier trait—[Master Craftsman].

With a slight nod, Chu Xingchen motioned for the two to sit.

Ning Qianqian tugged at her father’s sleeve, and they both settled back down.

Now that her master had returned, Li Yingling naturally stood up—since the gratitude was meant for him, not her.

She reached out cheerfully. "Come here, Baiqing! Let your senior sister give you a hug!"

Hearing her call, Chen Baiqing toddled over and happily let herself be scooped up.

Li Yingling grinned as she held her. "Did Master teach you anything strange today?"

Chen Baiqing replied seriously, "Master taught me to 'guard against deceit.'"

Pleased, Li Yingling nodded. At least her master had some principles.

"Good! Today, your senior sister will take you out for sweets!"

"Thank you, Senior Sister." Chen Baiqing beamed before casting a reassuring glance back at her master.

Perfect.

From today onward, his little "warm-hearted disciple" was no longer Li Xingtian—it was Chen Baiqing!

Chu Xingchen took a seat on the stone chair and turned to Ning Qianqian and Ning Kun.

"Was there anything else you needed from me?"

Ning Qianqian shook her head quickly. "No, we just… never properly thanked you, Great Immortal."

She then explained the situation in full.

Ning Kun planned to open a blacksmith shop but was short on starting funds. When he heard about the construction work, he brought Ning Qianqian along to earn some money, as he also had carpentry skills.

While working, they happened to run into Li Yingling and Li Xingtian.

Their last parting had been rushed, leaving no time for proper thanks. Seeing that the sect was building permanent structures, they decided to visit and express their gratitude.

They intended to stay at an inn for the night before returning to work the next day.

Ning Kun assured Chu Xingchen that he would oversee the construction with utmost dedication.

Though Chu Xingchen thanked them, he insisted they stay for a meal.

Ning Qianqian and Ning Kun initially declined but were firmly persuaded.

After all, their meeting was fated—though Chu Xingchen didn’t cook himself.

Instead, he sent Li Xingtian to fetch dishes from a nearby restaurant.

Li Yingling, ever the food enthusiast, added a few of her favorite dishes to the order before taking Chen Baiqing out for candy.

With the three disciples gone, Chu Xingchen stayed behind to entertain the guests.

Ning Qianqian, having spent some time with Chu Xingchen before, conversed with relative ease.

Ning Kun, however, was visibly awkward, rubbing his palms against his trousers in silence, only speaking when Chu Xingchen directly addressed him—and even then, his replies were stiff with nervousness.

Fortunately, it didn’t take too long before Li Yingling and Chen Baiqing returned after buying the sweets.

When they came back, Chen Baiqing was holding two sugar paintings in her hand and handed one of them to Ning Qianqian.

Ning Qianqian appeared somewhat mature for her age, but that was only because children of the poor grew up fast.

She was likely only fifteen or sixteen years old, and in earlier years, during the famine, she had even struggled to get a proper meal.

To her, something as simple as sugar was considered a rare luxury.

So when Chen Baiqing offered her the sugar painting, she hesitated to take it.

Chen Baiqing, naturally sensing Ning Qianqian’s hesitation, said with an innocent expression:

"Big sister, this was bought especially for you. If you don’t take it, Yingling will…"

Ning Qianqian glanced at Chen Baiqing in surprise, then quickly reached out and accepted the sugar painting.

After handing it over, Chen Baiqing didn’t say much more—to her, these people were still strangers.

She walked straight over to Chu Xingchen, extended the sugar painting in her hand, and asked:

"Master, would you like a bite?"

Chu Xingchen reached out and ruffled Chen Baiqing’s hair. "You eat it," he said.

"Oh…" Chen Baiqing withdrew the sugar painting and took a small bite.

Not long after, Li Xingtian returned with the dishes he had bought.

Ning Qianqian and Ning Kun didn’t eat much, only picking a few bites to fill their stomachs before clasping their hands in farewell.

For them, this meal had been an uncomfortable experience.

This time, Chu Xingchen didn’t try to stop them. His gaze followed Ning Qianqian and Ning Kun as they walked away.

Ning Qianqian clutched the uneaten sugar painting tightly in her small hand as she trailed behind her father.

Chen Baiqing also watched their retreating figures and said softly:

"Master… they’re good people."