“She's the Lin Mu I told you about, my Seventh Junior Sister,” Jiang Jin said.
“She's Lin Mu? The girl you have feelings for? She truly possesses an extraordinary aura and peerless beauty.”
Jin Wuchou's eyes lit up. “Then this will be easy. Since you two have a special relationship, just ask her to speak to the Hall Master. He'll surely agree.”
Jiang Jin hesitated, then shook his head. “I don't know why, but she has been somewhat distant lately. Before...”
Feeling a bit embarrassed and annoyed, he lowered his voice. “When I asked her about her feelings earlier, she avoided the question. I doubt she'll listen to me.”
“Oh, girls are naturally shy. How could she just agree to you so easily?”
Jin Wuchou patted his shoulder. “Besides, didn't you say she's incredibly talented? A favored child of heaven like her must have countless suitors and a proud heart. You have to persevere to move her.”
“But there is one thing you must watch out for.”
Changing his tone, he added seriously, “This girl seems much more socially adept than you. It hasn't been long, yet she's already so well-liked by the others in Nine Saints Hall, whereas you're still barely acquainted with them.”
“Be careful. You must never let her surpass you. Otherwise, she'll look down on you even more, and she might even snatch away things that should have belonged to you in the future.”
Jiang Jin: “...”
Looking at the table full of dishes and fine wine, an inexplicable sense of unease washed over him.
Why did he feel like he didn't even have to wait for the future? It seemed she had already snatched away some things that should have been his.
Masking his emotions, he composed himself and said, “Don't worry about it. I'll find a way.”
...
Having drunk wine and stayed up reading ancient texts yesterday, she slept all the way until noon.
Hearing voices outside, Song Yao put on her Daoist robe, stretched her limbs, and walked out.
In the courtyard, her master and Fourth Junior Brother were sitting opposite each other at a stone table, playing chess.
She couldn't tell what they were talking about, but both had cold, expressionless faces.
Upon seeing her, Fusheng's expression softened. He tapped the warm bowl of medicine on the table. “Come drink your medicine.”
Song Yao strolled over, gulped down the medicine, and popped two pieces of candy into her mouth. “Aren't we supposed to go to the Beiyao Sect? Let's go.”
Xie Zhou placed a chess piece, looked up at her, and said in a light voice, “Master isn't letting you go.”
Fusheng: “?”
He had clearly said that since Yao'ao's injuries hadn't healed yet, she should recuperate for a few more days, and then an idle elder from the hall could steer a spirit vessel to take her to the Beiyao Sect for fun.
How did that suddenly turn into not letting her go at all?
Little Fourth was acting less and less like a human.
Seeing Song Yao cross her arms with a look that screamed she was about to cause trouble, Fusheng shook his head helplessly, threw his chess piece back into the jade tray, and asked, “When will you be back?”
Song Yao: “Ask Fourth Junior Brother.”
Xie Zhou: “Seven days at most.”
Fusheng: “Fine.”
A Concentric Jade appeared in his hand, and he handed it to Song Yao. “Keep this close to you. If anything happens, crush it, and I will come to you immediately.”
Song Yao took it, took a few steps, squeezed her hand, and the Concentric Jade instantly shattered into pieces.
Fusheng: “……”
Song Yao accused him, “Didn't you say you'd come immediately? Liar. This is a defective product.”
Fusheng massaged his temples, completely helpless. “We are too close, Yao'ao.”
Song Yao stretched out her hand to him. “Oh. Then give me another one.”
“……Fine.”
Fusheng gave her two more jade items. Only when he saw her hang them clinking from her waist did he feel a bit more at ease.
Suddenly remembering something, he looked at his fourth disciple. “Do you want one?”
Xie Zhou: “……No need.”
Fusheng: “Alright.”
Worriedly, he took out some medicinal pills and repeatedly urged Song Yao to take them daily. Considering how little she cared about her own health, always wearing an indifferent attitude, he also lectured Xie Zhou, telling him to supervise her.
After much nagging, they were finally ready to set off.
Since they had prisoners to escort, they still used several spirit vessels.
The Third Elder sat on a grand armchair atop the leading spirit vessel, instructing the cultivators to double-check the seals at the back. When he looked up and saw Song Yao following behind Xie Zhou, his pupils dilated in shock. “L-Little Seven is going too? Didn't the Supreme Elder tell you to rest on Mingjing Peak?”
Song Yao smoothly walked over to him, sat on the armrest of the grand armchair, and rested one foot on the edge of the seat.
The Third Elder's heart leaped into his throat. He hurriedly yanked away his robe, which she had almost stepped on, and scrambled back a few steps as if fleeing for his life. “I-If you wanted to sit, you could have just said so! It's not like I wouldn't have given up the seat for you...”
Having successfully claimed the seat, Song Yao leaned back and grabbed a peach from the table. “Fourth Senior Brother said that the two of you would be too lonely delivering prisoners to the Beiyao Sect by yourselves, so he wanted me to tag along. No need to thank me.”
The Third Elder: “……”
He had thought going out would allow him to escape trouble.
Who would have thought he'd bring the trouble right along with him?
And this trouble was clearly letting herself go now, not even bothering to pretend anymore...
Questioning his life choices, he glared angrily at Xie Zhou. Unfortunately, Xie Zhou ignored him completely, his gaze locked onto Song Yao as if she might vanish the moment he looked away.
Feeling an indescribable sense of helpless frustration, the Third Elder flicked his sleeve and walked toward the back. “Since you two are here, I will go guard the rear spirit vessel. Unless it's something urgent, do not wander around, and definitely do not come to the back to look for me.”
Munching on her peach, Song Yao asked considerately, “Won't you be too bored by yourself? Should I keep you company?”
The Third Elder stumbled mid-step. “N-No need! I prefer quiet. Being alone is perfectly fine...”
The moment he pushed open the door, he saw Jiang Jin, who was just about to knock. Treating him like a saving grace, he cried, “Ah, perfect! Little Six is here. How about this: Little Six will guard the rear section with me, and you two can take care of the front!”
Without giving anyone a chance to speak, he grabbed Jiang Jin and dragged him out, waving to dismiss several cultivators guarding the spirit vessel along the way, before shutting the door tightly behind them.
In an instant, only the two of them were left in the spacious spirit vessel.
Xie Zhou walked over to her. He looked down, his long eyelashes casting dark shadows beneath his eyes.
His voice was somewhat cold. “When he heard you were coming, he insisted on joining as well. Master agreed.”
Song Yao didn't catch on. “He? Who is he?”
Xie Zhou paused, then said, “Jiang Jin.”
Just hearing the name made Song Yao feel a wave of bad luck. She waved her hand. “Ignore him. There's something wrong with his head. Before, he actually ran all the way to Black Cloud Mountain to ask if I wanted to marry him. He's probably eyeing one of my sword techniques.”
She didn't notice the sudden darkening of Xie Zhou's eyes. She had suddenly remembered that Jiang Jin was supposed to be the overpowered protagonist of this book, and in the story, her Fourth Junior Brother was his right-hand man.
Talking bad about him in front of Fourth Junior Brother would inevitably trigger his madness again.
She immediately changed her tune, trying to smooth things over. “Well, actually, he isn't that terrible. His talent is pretty decent, and he's quite loyal. If he really likes my sword techniques, he could have just told me the truth. It's not like I wouldn't teach him...”
Rate on N.U.
