"Pardon my ignorance, but may I ask... just who exactly are you, esteemed senior?"
In Shu Fu's eyes, Jiang Xuesheng's features remained unchanged—still that plain, unremarkable face, utterly ordinary in appearance.
It was obvious this wasn't his true visage.
Even someone as slow on the uptake as Shu Fu could guess that the master Liu Ruyi had described as "so handsome even monkey spirits would clamor to bear his offspring" couldn't possibly look so... generically forgettable.
Yet even with that nondescript face, the moment Jiang Xuesheng lowered his lashes, Shu Fu felt an inexplicable sense of awe, as if standing before a temple statue of the Buddha.
"I am but a drop in the ocean, an insignificant speck of dust. Your words flatter me beyond measure, fellow cultivator."
In response to her question, the corners of his eyes crinkled with amusement, his voice clear as ice crystals chiming. "Did I startle you? Ruyi has known me since childhood. Even after becoming my disciple, he still calls me 'Sir' out of habit. Truthfully, he's never treated me with the deference due to an elder."
He covered his mouth with a light cough. "To outsiders, we hardly resemble a conventional master-disciple pair."
Shu Fu forced a dry chuckle. "Yeah, not even remotely."
"That's the point."
Liu Ruyi interjected cheerfully, "Back in the Xuan Jade Palace, Sir was more like a mentor and friend to me—why bother with stuffy formalities? After I left and we joined another sect together, we needed some semblance of hierarchy for propriety's sake. So we performed a token bowing ceremony."
Jiang Xuesheng added, "Unless he needs a favor, he never addresses me as 'Master.' When all's well, I'm 'Sir Jiang.' When trouble arises, suddenly I'm 'Honored Master.' He keeps the distinction quite clear."
Shu Fu: "..."
She'd figured it out now—this was a textbook case of a master-disciple duo bonded by mutual sarcasm, neither being what one would call "easy to handle."
Their rapport wasn't lacking, but it was galaxies away from her imagined "traditional sect hierarchy." The master carried no airs, the disciple followed no decorum—less like teacher and pupil, more like old friends who'd spent years roasting each other.
Such a distinctive pair would surely be renowned in the cultivation world. Their refusal to disclose their relationship wasn't just indifference; it was likely to avoid revealing their whereabouts.
This little exchange spoke volumes about Jiang Xuesheng's... unconventional teaching philosophy.
The thought reminded Shu Fu of another matter. "Liu-daoyou, earlier you mentioned a 'little junior sister.' Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe I was attempting to join the Xuan Jade Palace?"
Liu Ruyi's eyes darted sideways, his expression suddenly awkward. "Ah, that was... a slip of the tongue. Sir here might have such intentions, but he probably isn't ready yet—"
"Ruyi spoke rashly. Pay it no mind, fellow cultivator."
Jiang Xuesheng smoothly took over, his tone leaving no room for debate. "Once matters here are settled, I'll explain everything properly."
Though his manner bordered on abrupt, his certainty and sincerity made it feel anything but dismissive—rather, it carried a weight of solemnity.
Reading between the lines, Shu Fu was no naive girl. She recognized Jiang Xuesheng's unspoken intent to take her as a disciple, though the timing wasn't right for formalities.
An industry heavyweight showing interest in her? Was she happy? Obviously.
She just couldn't fathom what made her special enough to catch this caliber of expert's eye.
Was it her refreshing lack of pretension, wielding a guqin like a meteor hammer, standing out from all those flashy attention-seekers?
Shu Fu gave up on unraveling the mystery and instead produced a newly purchased Immortal-Binding Rope, trussing up Qi Xinlei and Qi Yuwei back-to-back into a lumpy dumpling of human limbs.
"Now they can torment each other for a while."
Pleased with her handiwork, she planted her hands on her hips triumphantly. "Young Master Bai, Miss Tian—still conscious? Could you escort these two, along with the unconscious civilians and young nobles, back the way we came? Bai Tian, once home, inform your family elders. They'll know how to demand answers from the Qi Clan."
During the guqin's earlier sonic assault, Shu Fu's jade hairpin had shielded her, Bai Tian's high-grade protective artifacts (courtesy of doting parents) held firm, and Tian Xin, being a wraith, remained unaffected. Post-crescendo, aside from Jiang and Liu, only their little group remained standing.
Tian Xin was too busy fussing over the dazed Big Yellow to respond, offering only a nod.
"Understood. I won't fail you."
Bai Tian, his earlier bravado thoroughly deflated like a rejected peacock, mumbled dejectedly, "Your courage and wisdom command respect, Shu-guniang. We'd be fools not to heed you. No wonder Liu-gongzi favors you..."
Shu Fu: "???"
She'd basically just charged into a fight, got poisoned, and nearly had her skull ventilated by a sword.
And that was enough to earn admiration points? Guess her guqin acrobatics really were that impressive.
"Since arrangements are made, we depart."
Jiang Xuesheng gave a nod of approval, raising no objections to her decisions. "Miss Tian, this Hong—ahem—'Big Yellow' has lost his memories. Let him remain with me to recuperate. Rest assured, I have methods to restore him within three months to a year."
"..."
Tian Xin studied him carefully, acutely aware that a mere flick of his wrist could scatter her soul to the winds. His courteous tone was wholly unnecessary.
Precisely because of that unnecessary courtesy, she decided to gamble on Jiang Xuesheng's character, nodding firmly. "Very well. We entrust him to you, Immortal Master."
Then, after a pause, her gaze—now tinged with complex emotions—landed on Shu Fu as she added in a hushed voice, "I must escort the young master away. What comes next... I likely won't witness it. Immortal Master, that girl's sword—I recognize it. She's Tong..."
Her voice faded, dissolving into the faint glow flickering around her translucent form.
Her figure wavered like candlelight, yet her expression held the grave earnestness of a child imparting wisdom beyond her years.
"Just... take good care of her. And Big Yellow."
——
I know. She's Tong Yao's successor.
Truthfully, it wasn't such a monumental revelation.
During Tian Xin's lifetime, while wandering the world with Big Yellow, she'd once crossed paths with Tong Yao. A single encounter was all it took to sear the image of that dashing "heroine" into her memory—the swordswoman in her fine furs and gleaming blade, whose eyes held the same sharp glint as Jiang Ruoshui's.
What a breathtaking person. What a breathtaking sword.
Back then, she'd thought: If fate allows, I'll cultivate too. I'll become someone like Lady Tong, roaming the rivers and lakes with Big Yellow, righting wrongs wherever we go.
But fate granted no such chance.
Tian Xin died—crushed underfoot by Lingxiao City's cultivators like an insignificant insect. And Big Yellow, driven mad by her death, had dragged Tong Yao to mutual destruction, leaving behind only the infamy of a "rampant demon beast."
The departed linger only in memory; bygone dreams can never be reclaimed.
Her life had been too rushed, too fleeting—so much so that even this trivial wish had vanished unheard into the void.
So, at the very least—
She hoped that beautiful sword could survive alongside the successor of Tong Yao.
"Rest assured, young lady. It shall be so."
Jiang Xuesheng nodded slightly, flicked his wide sleeve to tuck away the orange cat, then traced a few invisible strokes in the air before lightly pressing his fingertip to Shu Fu’s forehead, murmuring an incantation whose meaning was unclear.
"This is an invisibility talisman," Liu Ruyi explained. "This spell can conceal the aura of the living. It’s quite complex, but the master draws it effortlessly. Later, we’ll take you into the Qi residence and treat you to a good show—consider it compensation for the hardships you’ve endured."
Shu Fu: "A good show?"
Liu Ruyi: "Yes, a good show."
……
……
Late at night, the Qi family’s private estate.
This mansion was the personal property of Third Master Qi, and unlike the Qi family’s usual simple yet dignified style, its furnishings were extravagantly opulent—filled with rare treasures, exotic flowers, and an atmosphere thick with decadence. Compared to this, Qi Xinlei’s extravagance was but a drop in the bucket.
Though the night was deep, the estate blazed with light, glowing brilliantly under countless emerald-green pearls illuminating the darkness, as if in anticipation of distinguished guests.
"Second Young Master Ling, Elder of Mount Kongtong, please, take the seats of honor!"
"For the two of you to grace this humble backwater with your presence truly brings radiance to our humble abode. How could this Qi San possibly deserve the honor of the Second Young Master’s personal visit…"
The man known to others as the formidable, all-powerful "Third Master Qi" was, at first glance, no three-headed, six-armed monster—just a dignified middle-aged man with a handsome beard trailing down to his chest, exuding an air of authority and refinement.
Yet at this moment, he behaved like a butler from a wealthy household, bowing and scraping obsequiously, showering the two golden-robed cultivators with endless flattery as he ushered them into the grand hall.
As for the two cultivators, their appearances were equally unforgettable.
The "Elder of Mount Kongtong" was a tall, gaunt old man with a dark, leathery face, deeply lined with wrinkles, his downturned mouth framed by severe nasolabial folds—resembling nothing so much as a desiccated purple sweet potato peel.
A senior figure in Lingxiao City, renowned for his mastery of formations, he carried himself with arrogant self-importance, barely sparing Third Master Qi a glance as he swaggered past.
The "Second Young Master Ling," however, was delicate and refined—fair-skinned, red-lipped, and slight of build, his fine robes and jade belt failing to lend him any imposing presence. His lips curled naturally, his eyes perpetually curved in a smile, lending him an air of gentle charm and effortless grace even when expressionless.
"Not at all. We were delayed on the road, and arriving so late is truly an imposition on my part."
"My father and elder brother are preoccupied with pressing matters, so I’ve come in their stead. I must beg Third Master Qi’s forgiveness for any youthful indiscretions."
……
Not far away, concealed by the invisibility talisman and wholly absorbed in the unfolding drama, Shu Fu stiffened in shock.
She didn’t recall the sect "Lingxiao City," but she certainly remembered the name "Ling Xiyue."
Him?! Wasn’t he that gloomy, obsessive, ruthless, and manipulative yandere supporting character who subjected the female lead to forced marriage, imprisonment, drugging, threats, and attempted assault?!
Holy shit! I am so fucking terrified!
Shu Fu wasn’t fazed by idiots, but she was deeply unsettled by the prospect of a (potentially fixated-on-her) psychotic lunatic. She immediately backpedaled three steps, her expression grave as if facing a mortal enemy.
Liu Ruyi: "Miss Shu, what’s wrong?"
Shu Fu: "I… suddenly have a premonition. That Second Young Master Ling will fall madly in love with me in the future. This is absolutely horrifying."
Liu Ruyi: "……"
