“Thump!”
Yao Dai, with her arm still around Gu Linshu’s shoulder, delivered a powerful knife-hand strike to the back of his neck.
He was completely off guard. In the final second of his consciousness, Gu Linshu’s eyes widened as he blacked out. This was nothing like the warm, tearful reunion he had imagined.
Had they not just recognized him? Why were they still hitting him?
Thud.
Yao Dai stepped back. The youth in white slumped to the ground, unconscious. His forehead even knocked against a rock, immediately forming a large bump.
...
【Host, your Eldest, Second, and Sixth are currently pummeling your Third. Are you really not going to step in?】
The system had notified Wen Li the moment Gu Linshu stepped foot into Tingyin Pavilion.
Wen Li was currently enjoying a blissful soak in the hot springs. Beside her were gourmet fruits and delicacies sent over by the female cultivators on Bai Songxu’s orders to pay their respects to her.
Truly, this kid lived up to being a junior trained by Bai Yu; he was exceptionally well-mannered.
Clad in her white inner robes while soaking in the water, Wen Li snacked on a banana, contentedly closing her eyes for a nap.
“What’s there to be afraid of?” she thought lazily. “Although Old Three is ruthless enough, he’s still not devious or cautious enough. This is the perfect chance for them to train him a bit.”
She knew the six of them would never live in peace together, nor did she want them to be too close or affectionate. This outcome was exactly what she wanted to see.
【Host, Old Three almost fainted from terror when he saw Old Second’s serpent form. Why is he so afraid of snakes?】
Wen Li let out a soft snort. 【When I was young, I didn't understand why Xu Xian would faint with fright just from seeing his wife’s true form. I used to think that if you loved someone, you loved them, regardless. Then I transmigrated from the modern world to the cultivation world and saw a hundred-meter-long black snake devouring children one by one with a sickening crunch. I was so terrified I vomited and ran a fever for three days and nights. I only got better after I erected a memorial tablet for Xu Xian overnight and burned incense to apologize to him.】
That works too?!
【Host, why did you transmigrate before I even arrived? How long have you been in this world?】 the system asked curiously.
Wen Li remained silent.
The system knew this was another one of those "secrets that cannot be told." Fine. It changed the subject. 【Host, what did you do back in the modern world before you came here?】
Wen Li thought for a moment. It had been so long she had almost forgotten.
【I think I was... breeding old sows.】
【Huh?】
【Yeah. I believe I was a Ph.D. candidate. I specialized in researching the development and breeding of sows. In the end, because my supervisor was a total slave-driver and I spent every night sleeping in the lab to work, I died from overwork.】
The system suddenly recalled some of her actions—like the book she gave Zongzheng Huangyue, An Analysis of the Causes and Resolution Strategies for Optimizing the Integration of a Possessed Body: A Behavioral Study. Or when she taught her five disciples, she had used a blackboard and chalk to draw diagrams of her thought process, like the definition of a villain, the role of a villain, the origin of a villain, and how to be an outstanding villain under the header The Self-Cultivation of a Villain.
The rigor of academic papers was practically marinated into her soul!
No wonder her mental state was so eccentric; there was a clear trail to follow.
【Host! Xin Jiuxian wants to strip Gu Linshu’s clothes!】 the system shrieked.
Wen Li replied indifferently, 【Then let her strip him.】
She didn't think Xin Jiuxian had any romantic interest in Gu Linshu. As for the clothes... she remembered that Old Three’s clothes were quite valuable. They were also white, matching Xin Jiuxian’s cold and elegant style. She probably just wanted to make a dress for herself.
...
The night was thick, and the autumn breeze rustled through the air.
On a certain mountainside.
The three of them stood in a circle around the unconscious Gu Linshu, staring down at him.
Xin Jiuxian asked suspiciously, “He isn't Old Three?”
“He is,” Xie Tinglan replied.
“Then why did you still hit him?” Xin Jiuxian asked.
Yao Dai crossed her arms and curled her lips in a cold sneer. “If he weren't our fellow disciple, we'd be heartless. Since he is... we'll show him even less mercy!”
Hitting? They were specifically hitting their fellow disciple!
She had been heavily injured twice and spat blood twice because of this brat’s talismans. She was going to settle that score first. He was so rich, and since Master loved money so much, she would definitely be biased toward him later.
Regardless, since they had never met him before, they would simply insist he was lying about being their junior brother. What could anyone do to them?
Xie Tinglan reached out to take Gu Linshu’s storage bag, but Yao Dai blocked his hand. “What are you doing? Thinking of keeping it all for yourself?”
“We’ll split it fifty-fifty,” Xie Tinglan said, knowing she wasn't easily fooled.
When Xin Jiuxian heard she wasn't included, she immediately prepared to squat down and pinch Gu Linshu’s cheeks to wake him up. Yao Dai stopped her.
“The three of us will split it equally.”
Xin Jiuxian stood up. “I also want his clothes.”
“You really want them?” Yao Dai’s eyes widened. “He really is Old Three; he’s a legitimate disciple Master took in.”
Xin Jiuxian replied calmly, “So?”
What did that have to do with whether she could rob him?
Yao Dai thought for a moment and tried a different approach. “There are definitely new ones in his storage bag. Why would you want the ones he’s already worn and sweated in when you can have brand new ones?”
Before knowing this guy’s identity, just based on how he had squandered over a dozen Golden Core talismans without blinking, she was certain this kid was exceptionally wealthy! It was best not to offend him to the point of no return.
“Fine. I want the clothes in the bag,” Xin Jiuxian relented.
And so, the three of them took Gu Linshu’s storage bag. Seeing the Blade of Tetanus lying beside him, Yao Dai looked at Xie Tinglan.
“He knows how to use this sword, so it’s likely very valuable. Do you want it?”
Xie Tinglan replied coldly, “I don't collect junk.”
Yao Dai saw that the sword was covered in blue and red rust. She simply kicked it aside, afraid of being contaminated by the countless molds on it.
The trio clutched the storage bag and prepared to leave. They planned to let Gu Linshu lie there until dawn, when he could go find Master himself. They would then give a unified testimony: they didn't know him, hadn't seen him, and weren't clear on what happened.
Suddenly, Yao Dai stopped in her tracks, her brows arching.
“I have a plan.”
“What is it?” Xin Jiuxian asked.
Yao Dai crouched down, hoisted Gu Linshu up, and tossed him to Xie Tinglan. “Weren't we going to mess with Hua Cishu tonight? He’s not around, and it'll probably be hard to catch him. Since Old Five has already incited public wrath and is the most hated, why not add one more?”
Xie Tinglan, who had been about to express his disgust at the idea of carrying Gu Linshu, immediately understood. He slung Gu Linshu over his shoulder like a slab of pork.
“Let’s go.”
Xin Jiuxian also realized the plan. Forgetting their fatigue and the lateness of the hour, the three of them set off toward Hua Cishu’s cave dwelling to shift the blame and redirect the trouble.
Rate on N.U.
