As soon as Grandpa Long opened the courtyard door, he saw Zhi You carrying Jiu Hui, who had not been home for the day, walking towards the village. He was stunned for a moment, then silently and gently closed the courtyard door.

He always felt that it was inappropriate for the two children to discover him at this time, as he would be getting in their way and being a nuisance.

After a long while, he stealthily opened the door again and turned his head to meet the gaze of Uncle Wu, who had also stealthily opened his door.

“What are you looking at?!” Uncle Wu straightened up, patted the non-existent dust off his body, and strode out of the courtyard, leaving Grandpa Long with a proud back view.

Grandpa Long：“……”carpreads.pages.dev

If you have the guts, go yell at your kid, why are you yelling at him?!

Jiu Hui didn’t know that Grandpa Long had been scolded again. She returned to the courtyard with Zhi You, who looked at the sky and said, “Go back to sleep for a while. I’ll call you when it’s time for lunch.”

“Let’s not sleep.” Jiu Hui pulled him to sit down. The puppet lamb and rabbit brought them snacks and hot drinks. “Let’s chat.”

Zhi You sat down obediently. “What do you want to know?”

“Can you keep both Fuguang and Zhi You awake at the same time?” Jiu Hui held a hot drink and looked at Zhi You with burning eyes.

“Not really. If I put all my energy into Fuguang, Zhi You will become sluggish and sometimes even fall asleep.” Zhi You shook his head. “When I’m with you, Fuguang is mostly dormant.”

“The night before last, Little Senior Sister, you waited until I fell asleep before you rushed to Fuguang Mountain. Were you afraid that if I went to Fuguang Mountain, I wouldn’t be able to come back?” Zhi You lowered his eyelids, looking somewhat pitiful.

“I’ve only seen the blueprints of Fuguang Palace in the sect uncle’s library. I’ve never been here before, so I can’t be completely sure that you’re Fuguang.” Jiu Hui saw that Zhi You seemed a little aggrieved, so she sat down beside him. “It’s not that I don’t want to take you there. I’m just afraid that you’ll be in danger.”

“I know that Little Senior Sister is doing this for my own good.” Zhi You lowered his head. “Besides, it’s my fault for concealing my identity and getting close to you…”

“Keeping our identities a secret is the right thing to do. What if I were a bad person? If you had told me your true identity early on, wouldn’t that have caused even more trouble?” Jiu Hui tugged on his sleeve and shook it. “Alright, we’ve both kept a little something from each other, so let’s call it even.”

“When did Little Senior Sister find out that I was Fuguang?” Zhi You watched Jiu Hui’s dangling hand, his melancholy eyes gazing at her. “Actually, what I feared the most was that after you discovered my true identity, you would no longer treat me as your little junior brother, but as the Immortal Lord that everyone reveres.”

When he raised the illuminating pearl in the Fuguang Palace, many speculations flashed through his mind. He could accept Jiu Hui scolding him and being angry with him, but he could not accept Jiu Hui treating him like that aloof and superior Immortal Lord, looking at him with unfamiliar and awe-inspired eyes.

When he had pushed open the palace door, he had felt a sense of loss as he looked at the empty space outside, but he also let out a timid sigh of relief.

It didn’t matter if Jiu Hui didn’t come to find him. At least he was still her little junior brother whom she cared about.

It was not until she grabbed his hand and ran with him towards the outside of Fuguang Palace that he finally understood that in Jiu Hui’s eyes, he was Zhi You, Fuguang, and even more so, her little junior brother.

And he was not only the aloof and arrogant Immortal Lord.

No one knew that at that moment, he was like a mouse that had stolen the most delicious food in the world. Even though his greedy thoughts were shameful, he couldn’t control the joy that coursed through his body.

“What are you daydreaming about?” Jiu Hui knocked him on the head. “I don’t know what an aloof Immortal Lord looks like, but I know what my little Junior Brother looks like.”

“Did you join Wangshu Pavilion of your own free will?”

Zhi You nodded.

“Did you willingly call me Little Senior Sister?”

Zhi You nodded repeatedly.

“So what do the other things have to do with us?” Jiu Hui chuckled. “What I see and understand is the real you. So even if you’re an Immortal Lord, you’ll still have to accompany Uncle Wu to the mountains to prune branches and cut down trees later.”

Zhi You nodded. “Yes, good.”

Seeing his silly and dazed appearance, Jiu Hui couldn’t help but chuckle. “No matter what I say, you always agree. You’re so dull. How dare you ask me how I guessed that you’re from Fuguang?”

Zhi You looked at her with an innocent expression on his face.

“High cultivation, yet ignorant of worldly affairs, but you can talk about the major sects in great detail. You have lived in seclusion in the mountains since childhood, had no contact with outsiders, are full of merit, and know the person who injured Bu Ting…” Jiu Hui sighed softly, “If Lord Fuguang hadn’t been in Fuguang Palace all the time and never left, I would have guessed your identity long ago.”

Jiu Hui didn’t want to mention any merit to Zhi You, because all the merit on his body was exchanged with Zhi You’s lifelong loneliness and pain.

Zhi You pursed his lips. “I don’t want to hide it from my sect or the villagers, and I especially don’t want to hide it from my Little Senior Sister. If I’m unwilling, no matter how high someone else’s cultivation is, they won’t be able to see my merit.”

When he was in Wenxian City, he only planned to stay for three days. If no sect accepted him as a disciple, he would visit the surrounding cities and then resign himself to returning to Fuguang Mountain.

Setting aside his identity as Lord Fuguang, he was of mediocre aptitude. Even though he had prepared a background of having a senior who was willing to die for others, representing justice and sacrifice, still no sect was willing to take him in.

He walked past one sect after another, a sense of “disappointment” welling up in his heart, until Sect Uncle Mo called out to him.

He watched as Sect Uncle Mo fiddled with the sect’s jade token of Wangshu Pavilion. When he finally made the sect’s jade token emit a faint glow, Sect Uncle Mo’s face relaxed.

“I see that you have a connection with our Wangshu Pavilion. Would you be willing to join our sect?”

Zhi You was very glad that he had chosen to nod after hesitating.

If he had chosen to leave, he would not have been able to meet Jiu Hui.

“I know everything.” Jiu Hui smiled. “My little junior brother wouldn’t lie to us.”

What lofty Lord Fuguang? He was clearly a kind and gentle young man.

She yawned.

Zhi You stood up. “You traveled all night. Go get some sleep first.”

“Then I’m going to sleep.” Jiu Hui took two steps toward the door, then thought for a moment and turned back, reaching out to rub Zhi You’s head. “No matter what, you’re my precious little junior brother.”

Zhi You watched Jiu Hui’s departing figure, and the corners of his mouth slowly lifted.

No matter the time, you are always the… everything I care about the most…

After having breakfast with the elders, Zhi You obediently followed behind Uncle Wu, carrying an axe, and walked into a deep mountain.

“Little Jiu Hui just came back this morning. Do you know where she went yesterday?” Uncle Wu rolled up his sleeves and chopped down a tree, looking back at Zhi You.

Zhi You shook his head without saying a word. If Jiu Hui hadn’t told the elders, he wouldn’t have said anything either.

“Good boy, you’re even keeping a secret for her.” A hint of a smile appeared on Uncle Wu’s usually serious face. “These days, you’ve already learned how to prune branches and catch bugs. I’ll leave the north section to you. At noon, we’ll go back to eat together.”

“Alright.” Zhi You nodded and carried the axe towards the mountain in the north.

Uncle Wu watched his back and chuckled. He turned into a giant black crow, and with a flap of his wings, the nearby deadwood and branches snapped, and the bugs turned into dust.

It was still more convenient to do things in one’s original form.

Zhi You climbed up the tree and chopped off the dry branches one by one. He bundled up the deadwood neatly so that he could take it back to use as firewood.

“Zhi You!”

A beautiful emerald-feathered peacock flew into the woods with several other peacocks, landed, and transformed into a human form. He looked at him in disbelief. “Elder Wu actually let you into this place?!”

This was the heart of the yaos’ protective formation. How could an outsider like Zhi You get close to it?

“Young Master Kong?” Zhi You wasn’t surprised at all to see Kong Cangnan transform from a peacock back into a human. He put the dead branch away into his storage ring. “What do you need?”

“What are you collecting these dead branches for?” Kong Cangnan snorted coldly. “You really are an outsider. You find everything strange.”

“I’ll take it back to use as firewood.” Zhi You added, “Young Master Kong may not know, but Little Senior Sister likes chicken soup stewed with firewood. She says that kind of soup is the most fragrant.”

Kong Cangnan: “…”

“What’s the difference between cooking with firewood and cooking with spiritual energy?” He retorted sarcastically. “This is really all you can do.”

“As long as it’s something my little Senior Sister likes, it’s a big deal to me, no matter how small.” Zhi You raised his eyes and chuckled lightly. “Young Master Kong naturally looks down on these little things, but for me, I am very willing.”

“You! You!” Kong Cangnan was so angry that he could barely speak, but he couldn’t find any fault with the other party’s words. After a long while, he finally said, “You’re so eloquent and shameless.”

Zhi You lowered his eyelids. “I was born ordinary, not as noble as Young Master. I just want to stay with my Little Senior Sister and make her happy. Nothing else matters.”

“You……”

“Young Master.” A clansman secretly tugged at Kong Cangnan’s sleeve and whispered, “This kid has profound methods. If you continue, you’ll lose even worse.”

“Who did you say lost?” Kong Cangnan glared at his clansman with a dark face.

“Young Master, you don’t understand.” The clansman was not afraid of Kong Cangnan’s anger and continued, “Men outside know best how to tempt a woman’s heart. They will use any means to please a woman’s heart, such as being considerate, playing the qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, or that whatever adding fragrance to their blue sleeves.”

“Who says I want to please a woman?” Kong Cangnan said with insufficient confidence, “I just doubt his origin. What if this person plots against our yao world?”

Clan members: “…”

When the young master was born, the patriarch and his wife didn’t say that his mouth was the hardest part of his body. How did it become so hard?

“Young Master, you don’t have to worry. If I have any ill intentions towards Little Senior Sister, may I be struck by heavenly thunder and my soul be extinguished.” Zhi You looked at Kong Cangnan. “With the heavens as my witness, I swear that if I break this oath, it will be the day I perish.”

Several members of the Peacock Clan gasped. That was ruthless!

Whether it was a yao or a human, they would not mention the Heavenly Dao lightly. As long as they mentioned it, it meant that they were going to make a true oath.

Just now, the clansmen who had been persuading Kong Cangnan shut their mouths. The other party’s oath was so sincere and ruthless, and he had so many ways to please women. How could their young master compare to him?

It’s hopeless. After Young Master Jiu and Young Master Zhi get together, he could just go home and cry secretly!

Kong Cangnan did not expect that Zhi You would suddenly swear an oath to the Heavenly Dao. He opened his mouth and said after a long while: “Even if you are not disloyal, it does not mean that you can seduce Young Master Jiu Hui. Do you know Jiu Hui’s identity?”

Zhi You watched him quietly.

“With your status, you’re not even worthy of being a concubine,” Kong Cangnan said. “As the young master of the yao clan, even if she were to take a husband, she would only choose a yao of noble bloodline.”

“Young Master, you’ve forgotten again,” the clansman reminded him in a low voice. “Shanghuang Village doesn’t allow for concubines or side consorts.”

Kong Cangnan glared at his clansman with a livid face and gritted his teeth, saying, “If you don’t speak, no one will treat you as a mute!”

“I don’t understand the customs of the yaos, nor do I care if my little Senior Sister will choose a yao of noble bloodline as her husband in the future.” The wind blew up his robe, making him look extremely helpless and weak. “As long as I can stay by my Little Senior Sister’s side, I will be very satisfied. I dare not ask for anything else.”

Although the other party was showing weakness with every word, Kong Cangnan felt extremely frustrated.

“Young Master.” The other clansmen showed pity on their faces. “Why don’t we forget it? He looks so pitiful.”

What was there to pity?!

Kong Cangnan looked at his clansmen in disbelief, “Which village are you all from?!”

Traitors! A bunch of traitors!

“Young Master Kong.” Zhi You put down his axe and bowed to Kong Cangnan. “Please grant me this favor, Young Master.”

“You want to stay by that woman Jiu Hui’s side, what does it have to do with me?!” Kong Cangnan said impatiently, “Don’t play these coquettish tricks in front of me.”

“That’s great.” Zhi You chuckled. “I thought that Young Master had feelings for little Senior Sister and that’s why he hated me being around her. It turns out that I misunderstood.”

“Please forgive me, Young Master.” Zhi You bowed gracefully.

Kong Cangnan pursed his lips. He glared at Zhi You, waved his hand to knock down a tree beside him, and turned to leave.

Watching Kong Cangnan’s departing figure, Zhi You bent down to pick up the axe on the ground, and stepped on the tree that Kong Cangnan had knocked down, a smile appearing on his face.

“Young Master.” The clansman hurriedly caught up to Kong Cangnan and secretly observed his expression. Seeing that his face was ashen, it was obvious that he was quite angry. He took out a book from his arms. “I bought this book in the mortal world a few days ago. Would you like to take a look?”

“What book?” Kong Cangnan asked, frowning at him.

“The protagonist of this book used all sorts of methods to defeat all of his rivals in love, and in the end, he was the only one who won the favor of the female lead.” The clansman stuffed the book into Kong Cangnan’s hands. “Why don’t you take some time to… take a look at it?”

Kong Cangnan lowered his head to glance at the title of the book: “After Marrying In*, I Alone Received Her Favor?”

TN: another book about marrying into the wife’s family as a son-in-law

He scoffed and casually stuffed the book into his sleeve. “What a load of nonsense. I can’t be bothered to read it.”

-—–

In the cultivation world, the news that Bu Ting had offended Lord Fuguang had spread to the ears of all cultivators.

“I really don’t understand. How could someone like Immortal Venerable Bu make such a big mistake?” A disciple of the Wenxing School shook his head. “Who in the world doesn’t owe Immortal Lord Fuguang a favor?”

“Didn’t the Jiutian Sect just finish thoroughly investigating the identities of the newly enrolled disciples?” A Senior Sister looked at Yu Luan. “Junior Sister Yu Luan, you joined the sect last year. What did the people from the Jiutian Sect ask you that day?”

“He asked about my family and who my parents were.” Yu Luan clutched the purse at her waist. “He also held a mirror up to my face.”

“A mirror?” The Senior Sister pondered for a long time. “Could it be a mirror that can reveal the true form of a demon or a yao?”

“I don’t know either.” Yu Luan shook her head gently.

“Let’s not talk about that. I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you yet.” The Senior Sister smiled. “Junior Sister Yu Luan, because of your outstanding talent, you’re going to be accepted as a core disciple by the Grand Elder.”

“Congratulations!” Everyone congratulated her.

“Thank you, Senior Sister. Thank you, Senior Brother.” Yu Luan slowly loosened the purse at her waist, revealing a sweet smile. Then she continued to lead the conversation back to the Jiutian Sect: “Immortal Venerable Bu committed such a big mistake. Was he not punished?”

“I heard he’s going to step down as the sect master.” The Senior Sister lowered her voice. “Rumor has it that the Immortal Lord bestowed the Silent Bell upon Immortal Venerable Qiu Hua, making her the number one cultivator in the world.”

“Is that so?” Yu Luan laughed. “Immortal Venerable Bu must have been very sad.”

“Shhh,” the Senior Sister quickly said. “Don’t talk anymore. The Sect Master returned early this morning. He has always disliked us talking about these things. Let’s hurry back to our cultivation.”

No one could have guessed that this was only the beginning. In the following two months, the Qinglan School made frequent moves. Not only did it replace the former status of the Jiutian Sect, but it also overturned many of the rules that the Jiutian Sect had established, acting in a very assertive manner.

Naturally, some of the Elders of the Jiutian Sect were dissatisfied, but after Qiu Hua’s sword strike had flattened one of the Jiutian Sect’s mountain peaks, the Jiutian Sect kept their complaints to themselves.

The other eight sects also behaved themselves in accordance with the Qinglan School’s wishes, and there was a subtle trend of respecting the Qinglan School as the leader.

It was obvious to everyone that Immortal Venerable Qiu Hua was trampling Bu Ting’s face on the ground, so the grudge from five hundred years ago was secretly spread throughout the cultivation world again.

Some people wondered what that mysterious female yao was like. She had been in Immortal Venerable Qiu Hua’s heart for so long that she had even become enemies with Bu Ting for her.

This feud in the cultivation world eventually spread to the yao world.

“Nonsense, we yaos are the least likely to seduce humans.”

“It’s clear that the humans are the ones who are full of tricks and are most adept at charming people’s hearts. I didn’t expect them to turn the tables on us.”

“Their Immortal Venerable likes our female yao, that’s because our female yaos are charming, how is that considered bewitching?”

When Jiu Hui took Zhi You to the White Tea Clan to celebrate the Clan Leader’s 2,000th birthday, she heard the little yaos gossiping about the people in the cultivation world. She curiously dragged Zhi You into the crowd.

When she arrived, the little yaos instantly quieted down and silently squeezed to the side, leaving the most space for her and Zhi You.

“Why have you all stopped talking?” Jiu Hui asked, munching on a spirit fruit. “Keep going.”

“Young Master Jiu, have you also heard about Bu Ting and Qiu Hua?” A little yao with bear ears asked Jiu Hui, his voice trembling with fear.

“I have heard of it.” Zhi You nodded. “Continue with what you were talking about.”

The little yaos were a bit hesitant.

“If you don’t want to talk, how about we spar?” Jiu Hui raised an eyebrow.

“Let’s talk, let’s talk!” the bear yao said hurriedly. “We were just cursing the shameless cultivators. They’re the ones who are obsessed with our yao women, but they say that we yaos are the ones who bewitch people’s hearts. That’s complete nonsense!”

“Yes, who doesn’t know that the outside men are the best at seduction?” Kong Cangnan appeared behind them, speaking in a sarcastic tone. “When it comes to scheming, who can compare to the human heart?”

“When did you get here?” Jiu Hui was startled by Kong Cangnan who suddenly appeared behind her.

“You’re with Young Master Zhi You all day long, so how would you notice anyone else?” Kong Cangnan sneered, “Recently, the people from the Jiutian Sect have been searching everywhere for the land of the yao, and you still have the mood to gossip about them?”

“What are they doing looking for our yao territory?” The yaos were confused. “Our yaos and the human race don’t bother each other. With their cultivation, they’re no match for the elders of Shanghuang Village.”

“Who knows?” Kong Cangnan glanced at Zhi You. “Those who are not of our kind will surely have different intentions. Maybe they want to attack our yao clan.”

“The Qinglan School is the one that truly holds sway over the cultivation world now, not the Jiutian Sect.” Jiu Hui glanced at Kong Cangnan. “Let’s not talk about what the Jiutian Sect is thinking for now. Don’t drag all the human race into this. Do you want to wipe out the entire human race?”

Kong Cangnan: “…”

“That won’t do. We’re on the right path of cultivation. Wouldn’t killing people randomly bring us a lifetime of sin?” The other yaos quickly waved their hands. “Young Master Kong, if you want to go, go ahead. We Bear Village won’t participate in this.”

“Since none of you from Bear Village are participating, then none of us from Xiahe Village will participate either.”

The yao clan, which was like a plate of loose sand, proved once again how loose they were.

“You’re out of your mind. Who said I’m going to kill anyone?” Kong Cangnan gritted his teeth and said, “I’m telling you to be more vigilant against the human race. Don’t let them fool you.”

“We’re not leaving the yao territory, so who could possibly trick us?” The yaos were bewildered. “As long as we don’t go out, the humans won’t be able to deceive us.”

Kong Cangnan: “…”

How come it was so hard to talk to these stupid yaos?

You have such a big person standing right in front of you, but you still can’t see him or understand the hints?

The yaos silently turned their heads, pretending not to see Kong Cangnan’s anger.

Your rivalry with the human man was your own business, and they dare not get involved. Any yao with a brain could see that Young Master Jiu, the little tyrant, doted on that human man, Zhi You. They couldn’t even flatter him enough, so how could they dare to offend him?

It was you who are fighting over a man, but we could not be the ones who get beaten up.

“What do you mean by that, Young Master Kong?” Bai Yan walked over, holding his wine cup. He glanced at Zhi You beside Jiu Hui. “Although Young Master Zhi is a human, I believe he will not betray our yao clan. Are you saying this because you don’t trust the Elders of Shanghuang Village, or because you don’t trust Young Master Jiu?”

The yaos perked up their ears. Another one was coming, another one!

Start arguing, then fight!

“Did I just mention Zhi You?” Kong Cangnan snorted coldly. “It seems to me that you’re the one who thinks that way, that’s why you said such things.”

“Stop arguing.” Jiu Hui pointed to an empty space not far away. “Arguing is useless. You should fight first!”

Kong Cangnan and Bai Yan stopped talking.

“I don’t care what your intentions are.” Jiu Hui stood up, holding Zhi You’s hand, and said loudly, “Zhi You has the token of my Shanghuang Village, so he is a member of our Shanghuang Village. If you have any complaints, you can come to me.”

“Jiu Hui.” Kong Cangnan looked at Jiu Hui, his expression pale. “Are you really going to protect him like this?”

Bai Yan also fell silent.

“Little Senior Sister.” Zhi You gently tugged at Jiu Hui’s sleeve: “Don’t make everyone unhappy because of me. As the saying goes, time reveals a person’s true colors. After a long time, everyone will believe me.”

“You’re my little junior brother. If I don’t protect you, who will?” Jiu Hui said, “Zhi You was brought to Shanghuang Village by me. I’ll keep an eye on his actions, so you all don’t need to worry.”

“I made an oath in the forest last time. If Young Master Kong doesn’t believe me, I’ll make it again in front of everyone.” Zhi You held Jiu Hui’s hand and said loudly, “Today, with the heavens as my witness, I, Zhi You, will never harm Jiu Hui. If I break this oath, may I be destroyed, both body and soul!”

As soon as this oath was uttered, the entire venue fell silent. Even the elders of Shanghuang Village looked over in astonishment.

Moments later, Bai Yan gave a wry smile and bowed to Zhi You. “Young Master Zhi, I understand your intentions.”

He took a deep look at Jiu Hui, closing his eyes to hide all the emotions in his heart.

Jiu Hui came back to her senses in a daze. After a long while, she looked at Kong Cangnan and said, “Kong Cangnan, you actually forced my Zhi You to swear twice?!”

Kong Cangnan’s eyes widened in disbelief. What did she mean that he forced him?!

“Little Senior Sister, I think Young Master Kong was just overly worried about the safety of the yaos, so he kindly reminded everyone. Don’t blame him,” Zhi You gently held Jiu Hui’s wrist. “I’ve never had the intention to hurt you, so naturally I’m not afraid to make an oath. What’s more, as long as I make an oath, everyone will no longer misunderstand you. I don’t want you to have an unpleasant time with everyone because of me.”

He looked at Kong Cangnan and revealed an extremely pleasant smile. “Young Master Kong, are you satisfied with this?”

Author’s Note

Zhi You: They are all ignorant and want to make things difficult for you, unlike me, who only feels sorry for my sister~

Zhi You: I just want to stay by my Little Senior Sister’s side, even if I have no name or status~

Kong Cangnan: Look! This is a green tea!

Little Garlic Chive: Nonsense, my little Junior Brother is so well-behaved and obedient, he just feels sorry for me!