Yekong did not open his eyes, merely waving his hand to signal Lin Yaoyao to leave first.
Though Lin Yaoyao wanted to stay and help, Yekong refused outright, so she dropped the matter and stepped out of Yekong's thatched cottage.
***
Outside Yekong's thatched cottage, everyone was gathered and waiting for news. The moment they saw Lin Yaoyao emerge, they swarmed her.
" Eldest Senior Sister, how is Master?"
" Eldest Senior Sister, did Master leave any last words?"
" Eldest Senior Sister, do we get to attend the funeral banquet?"
The final question came from Xier. At once, the voices died away, and everyone turned to stare at her.
Looking utterly innocent, Xier suddenly realized her blunder and patted her own little mouth.
" Slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue."
Lin Yaoyao spoke with a heavy heart, "I don't know Master's condition, so stop guessing. For now, everything remains as it was—go about your daily cultivation, and Master will sort himself out."
Remembering something, Bai Wuchen chimed in, "Eldest Senior Sister, what if Lord Ling comes to Xiaoyao Peak again?"
Lin Yaoyao knew about Ye Ling's previous visit to Xiaoyao Peak, as she had run into her then.
"Tell them Master has returned from his travels and is in seclusion on Xiaoyao Peak to cultivate. If anyone else comes looking for him while he hasn't recovered, we refuse them all."
The others nodded in succession and dispersed, no longer crowding around the thatched cottage to disturb Yekong.
Chapter 423