Xia Qing smiled. "Since Senior Sister Kong has put it this way, there must be a reason. Of course I agree, but it would not be good to keep it from Master, would it?"
Kong Que said, "I will naturally report it to Master. You only need listen and say nothing."
After hearing this, everyone thought it harmless and nodded in agreement.
Kong Que then told them about Zhang Xiaohua entering the Incense-Passing Cult as a medicine boy. Chen Chen clapped her hands as soon as she heard. "Such a loyal and righteous lad naturally ought to join our Incense-Passing Cult. Right, Senior Sister Kong, you must put in a good word for him before Master and let him become an inner disciple—our junior brother. What do you think?"
Before Kong Que could speak, Xia Qing cut in. "Senior Sister Chen is mistaken. Although Ren Xiaoyao has the courage and loyalty of a hero, he is already fifteen. Our inner sect certainly will not accept him. Besides, he is a medicine boy from the Pill-Refining Hall, far from meeting the standards for an outer disciple. How could Master agree? Senior Sister Kong merely needs to tell Master about it. Why would Master concern herself with such matters?"
Chen Chen could not help curling her lips, deeply regretful that she could not have such a junior brother.
When Kong Que spoke of Nie Qianyu losing control of herself at their parting, the girls sighed and clucked with sympathy. They repeatedly urged her to have Zhang Xiaohua come over so they could meet him. Kong Que lifted the carriage curtain and instructed the disciple outside to summon Zhang Xiaohua. The inner sect female disciples all leaned out, giggling as they watched.
Before they saw Zhang Xiaohua himself, they first saw Four Unlike,