Chapter 26: Striking Gold

Chu Chen returned to that familiar room, where the air still held the same sweet scent.

Bai Ning glanced at the skeletal little girl. "Who is this?"

Chu Chen offered a goofy grin. "Master, this is a disciple I have taken in, named Wu Xingyao." As he spoke, he nudged the girl with his elbow. During the journey here, Chu Chen had told her many stories about his master’s foul temper, leaving the little girl’s scalp tingling with apprehension.

"Greetings, Mistress!"

Bai Ning did not reply, simply staring intently at Wu Xingyao. Chu Chen’s heart climbed into his throat; he was thick-skinned enough to endure a thrashing, but he feared that if his ruthless master decided to test the little girl, she would be "tested" right into the grave.

As Bai Ning slowly raised her hand, Chu Chen flopped to his knees and slammed his forehead against the floor. "Master, I was wrong. I shouldn't have taken on a disciple without your permission, nor should I have brought her before you. I only brought