“Zhang San… That’s quite a common name.” Tao Gongshou squeezed to the side to give the onlookers behind him a clearer view. “What crime did he commit?”
“He attempted to kill ordinary citizens and recently colluded with others to poison cultivators.” Jiu Hui crossed her arms over her chest. “I figured Taolin City is in need of some able-bodied laborers, so I brought him here.”
“Cultivators work a lot and eat little. As expected of Pavilion Master Yu’s personal disciple, you think of us when there’s something good.” Tao Gongshou said, “Rest assured, Immortal, we have endless work, roads to repair, and fruits to pick in Taolin City. We’ll make sure he reforms himself properly.”
Outside the government office, there was a lot of noise. Many people were watching the excitement. Until City Lord Tao finished the case and the madman Zhang San was taken away, everyone was reluctant to leave. They talked to each other and inquired about the news.
Someone recognized Jiu Hui and greeted her from across the crowd.
“Miss Jiu, it’s been a long time. Where have you been recently?”
“I went back to my hometown to visit relatives, and it just so happened that my cousins wanted to come out and play, so I brought them to our Taolin City.”
“It’s rare for them to visit us, so we should treat them well. The restaurant across the street recently added some new delicious dishes to their menu. Don’t forget to take them there to try them.”
“Thank you, Auntie. I’ll take them there in a while.”
Yu Li and the other two saw how close Jiu Hui was with the people of Taolin City. Some even came over to greet them, so they quickly forced smiles onto their faces.
As expected of their young master, she was so popular wherever she went.
After Jiu Hui finally bid farewell to the enthusiastic people of Taolin City and returned to the carriage, she saw Yu Li looking at her with admiration.
“What’s wrong?” Jiu Hui looked at the three of them in confusion.
“Young Master, have you taken control of the entire Taolin City?” Yu Li asked in a low voice. “Is this the starting point of your grand plan in the cultivation world?”
“I’m asking you all, can’t you think of anything normal?” Jiu Hui laughed. “Taolin City is a city under the protection of Wangshu Pavilion. As the core disciple of the Pavilion master, it’s only natural that I’m acquainted with the people of the City Lord’s Mansion.”
“Taolin City isn’t that big, and I come here often, so many of the shop owners and stall vendors in the city know me.” Jiu Hui sighed. “Come on, I’ll take you to get something to eat.”
“Jiu Hui.” Zhi You lifted the curtain and got into the carriage, holding several bright red oranges in his arms. “The fruit stand owner gave these to us. She said this batch of oranges was picked from the mountaintop, and they’re the sweetest. She insisted that we take them home to try.”
The five of them shared the oranges. The fruits of the mortal world were naturally inferior to the spirit fruits of Nushen Mountain, but even Kong Cangnan, who usually spoke the most unpleasant words, did not say anything bad.
After sampling their new dishes at the tavern, Jiu Hui arranged for the trio to stay at the inn.
“Little Bai, keep an eye on those two. Don’t let them go out alone. Zhi You and I will return to the sect first and come back to you tomorrow.” Jiu Hui gave Kong Cangnan a warning look. “If anyone dares to cause me trouble, I’ll pluck all their feathers.”
Kong Cangnan: “…“carpreads.pages.dev
Of the three yaos, only his true form had feathers, so Jiu Hui’s words were clearly meant to target him.
“Fine, I won’t leave the inn until you get back.” Kong Cangnan shot a sour glance at Zhi You and turned to sit down on a nearby chair.
After Jiu Hui and Zhi You left, he opened the window in a huff and watched in silence as Jiu Hui and Zhi You walked away side by side.
Bai Yan smiled faintly and reached out to close the window. “Don’t look anymore. It’s impossible.”
Kong Cangnan pushed open the window with a shove. “Who cares what I’m looking at? And what’s more, are you talking about me or yourself?”
Bai Yan watched the ordinary people talking to Jiu Hui on the street corner. Someone handed Jiu Hui a bun, and she very naturally handed one to Zhi You.
The two of them seemed to be one entity. Anyone who stood with them would feel out of place.
Jiu Hui was the wind, the fire, the flowing river.
Zhi You could be the cloud accompanying the wind, drifting wherever the wind blew. He could be the firewood that made the fire burn brighter, and he was also the stream willing to merge into the river.
These days, he often observed Zhi You. Compared to Jiu Hui, Zhi You was silent and almost had no sense of existence, but whenever Jiu Hui needed him, he was always there.
Putting aside his selfish motives, Zhi You was indeed very suitable to be the zhuixu of the yao clan’s young master.
“You can pretend that we’re talking about me.” Bai Yan smiled faintly and slowly took a sip of tea. “If that can make you feel a little better.”
“Bai Yan!”
Bai Yan raised an eyebrow and put the teacup on the table. “Stay in the inn and don’t forget what you promised the young master.”
Kong Cangnan’s face darkened. “I don’t need your reminder.”
Yu Li looked at the two of them in confusion. What had happened? Why were they arguing again?
“They must be arguing again.” On the flying sword, Jiu Hui said to Zhi You with certainty, “Ever since I can remember, Kong Cangnan has loved to argue with people. He has argued with almost all the young masters of the dozens of villages near Nushen Mountain.”
“I didn’t indulge his bad habits, and after fighting with him a few times, he stopped arguing with others and only started arguing with a few young masters whom I had more contact with.”
“Bai Yan… seems to listen to you a lot?” Zhi You asked as if unintentionally. “He’s much more composed than young master Kong.”
“According to the human world’s way of speaking, he should be considered my subject?” Jiu Hui explained, “However, the yaos don’t have so many rules, so we don’t usually pay much attention to it.”
“Subject?” Zhi You lowered his eyelids, looking a little pitiful. “Is it a closer relationship than little junior brother or lackey?”
Jiu Hui: “…”
She sighed, “You and I are the best in the world. No one else can compare to you.”
“Really?” Zhi You’s eyes were full of light.
“More real than pearls*.” Jiu Hui tilted her head to look at Zhi You. “Are you a little happier now?”
TN: rhyming joke, real is zhen and pearls is zhenzhu
“Mm.” Zhi You nodded, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. “Yes.”
“If you’re happy, then hurry back to the sect.” Jiu Hui grabbed his sleeve and sped up as they flew towards the sect. “I’ve saved up a lot of things to bring back to everyone.”
The return of Jiu Hui and Zhi You was naturally met with a warm welcome from the entire sect, especially after Jiu Hui took out a large pile of spiritual fruits, spiritual meat, and jade. The Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters looked at the two of them with eyes as gentle as if they were looking at the sect’s most precious treasures.
Going back home to get good stuff from elders to support the sect’s members, what kind of camaraderie is this?!
“And here are these dragonbone fish.” Jiu Hui took out a large bag full of dried dragonbone fish. “Grandpa Long knew that everyone would eat them, so he asked me to bring them.”
“T-this many dragonbone fish?” Chang He stuttered. When had their sect ever been so wealthy? Such rare dragonbone fish were actually packed in sacks.
“There are also some other fish, and shellfish,” Jiu Hui said, taking a sip of water. “I was in a hurry when I left, so I didn’t have time to pack much. When I come back for New Year’s Eve, I’ll bring more things.”
“Are you going back for Chinese New Year?” Yu Jing asked.
Jiu Hui nodded. “I brought three relatives from my hometown. I need to take them back before New Year’s Eve. I’m a little worried about leaving them alone outside.”
The main reason was that she didn’t trust others.
“That’s great.” Chang He clapped his hands. “Yesterday, we were still discussing and planning to go to Jiutian Sect in advance as a sect to celebrate Fellow Daoist Nan Feng’s succession. However, Sect Master and several Sect Uncles were worried that you and Zhi You would come back early, so they were preparing to write a letter to ask you.”
“Our entire sect is going?” Jiu Hui pondered. “Then, Zhi You and I will meet up with you on the first day of the new year.”
“The succession of the new Sect Master of the Jiutian Sect is a big deal. The gift we send can’t be too light, and if we send too few people, it will be a loss.” Yu Jing touched the gift box that Jiu Hui had given her. “All of us should go. It shows that we value this matter. Could the Jiutian Sect possibly drive us away?”
Jiu Hui felt that, with Nan Feng’s personality, he might really think that this was Wangshu Pavilion valuing his succession ceremony, so they would go to congratulate him as a sect.
“The hot pot is ready.” Elder Mo greeted everyone at the table in the courtyard. “Come and sit down. Tonight, we’ll celebrate the New Year’s Eve in advance. Let’s eat and drink well.”
“Coming.” Jiu Hui pulled Zhi You to sit next to Senior Sister Luo Yan. “It smells so good.”
“This soup base was specially prepared, so of course it’s fragrant.” Elder Mo smiled honestly, taking out a handful of red envelopes from his sleeve. “Although the New Year is still half a month away, since we’re celebrating New Year’s Eve early today, I’ll give you these red envelopes early.”
“Thank you, Master.”
“Thank you, Sect Uncles!”
The juniors rushed forward and snatched all the red envelopes from Elder Mo’s hands, then looked at the other elders in unison.
After the elders finished giving out red envelopes, Jiu Hui drank fruit wine and ate hot meat, closing her eyes in satisfaction and saying, “This is the life!”
Those days in the Demon Realm were terrible. They ate that pitch-black food every day. Even a dog would starve to death.
“Where did you take your family and friends from the village? You look so thin and hungry.” Yu Jing put the mutton she had snatched with her chopsticks into Jiu Hui’s bowl with a pained expression. “Eat more.”
“Thank you, Master. You’re the best.” Jiu Hui quickly stuffed the mutton into her mouth. “You’ll be shocked to hear this, but Zhi You and I were in the Demon Realm a few days ago.”
Everyone who was busy grabbing meat was so shocked that their chopsticks almost fell. Jiu Hui gave Zhi You a look, and Zhi You moved his chopsticks like lightning, scooping all the cooked meat into Jiu Hui’s bowl.
“Little Junior Brother, little Junior Sister, you two have such dirty tactics for grabbing food!” Chang He screamed miserably, condemning the two of them with anger: “Little Junior Brother, I didn’t expect you to learn from Junior Sister and became so bad.”
“Stop messing around. I’ll cook two more plates for you.” Elder Mo poured the sliced meat into the pot, his face full of worry. “How did you and Zhi You end up going to the Demon Realm?”
“Zhi You and I didn’t go there willingly.” Jiu Hui covered her bowl, preventing others from taking the meat from her bowl. “Sha Luojia threatened the lives of my relatives, so Zhi You and I had no choice but to surrender.”
“Did she bully you?” Elder Xi snapped the chopsticks in his hand. “If she hurt you, we’ll go to the Jiutian Sect tomorrow to seek justice!”
“Don’t worry, Sect Uncle. I’m smart, so how could she bully me?” Jiu Hui hissed as the meat scalded her. Zhi You quickly brought her a cup of iced fruit drink, which she gulped down. “But what does this have to do with the Jiutian Sect?”
“Sha Luojia is the daughter Bu Ting had with a female demon outside. A father should pay his daughter’s debts. Who else should we go after if not him?” Elder Chang gracefully lifted his sleeve, quickly and accurately picking up a chopstick full of meat. “Our Wangshu Pavilion is in the right on this matter. Even if the Jiutian Sect is powerful, we’re not afraid.”
“Um…” Jiu Hui’s hand holding the chopsticks trembled. “Who said Sha Luojia is Immortal Venerable Bu’s biological daughter?”
“Who in the entire cultivation world hasn’t heard of this incident? The Jiutian Sect even used many methods to suppress the truth of the matter.” Elder Chang sneered, “Based on my many years of experience, this matter is very likely to be true.”
Jiu Hui and Zhi You exchanged a silent glance, both feeling a little guilty and not daring to say another word.
“Did Sha Luojia really not bully you?” Elder Chang asked worriedly, “Don’t worry, your sect uncle will definitely find a way to help you get revenge.”
“No.” Jiu Hui quickly shook her head, afraid that Elder Chang would really go to Jiutian Sect to cause trouble. She explained, “Zhi You and I were just captured in the Demon Realm for two days, and the old Demon King died.”
“Did Sha Luojia really kill the old demon?” Luo Yan asked curiously, and the other senior brothers and sisters also leaned in.
With so many pairs of eyes fixed on her, Jiu Hui shook her head. “No.”
The Senior Brothers and Sisters felt a little regretful: “So, it wasn’t Sha Luojia who killed the old Demon King for her biological father, Bu Ting?”
Jiu Hui: “…”
No way, what exactly are you regretting?
Do you really have to force a cheap daughter on Bu Ting?
“You were only in the Demon Realm. You didn’t witness the Demon King’s death firsthand, so how would you know the truth behind those grudges and vendettas?” Chang He was unconvinced. “Maybe Sha Luojia did it.”
The others nodded in agreement.
Jiu Hui: “…”
Alright, alright, alright. She only killed the old Demon King. How could she know the truth about how the old Demon King was killed?
“Let’s drink, let’s drink.” Jiu Hui raised her wine cup. “Shall I wish you all an early Happy New Year?”
Jiu Hui took a sip of the sweet fruit wine and looked up at the crescent moon in the sky. The full moon would be in a few days. She wondered if Bu Ting, who was recuperating from his injuries, knew about the rumors circulating outside.
-—–
Jiutian Sect.
Nan Feng’s succession ceremony was approaching, but the sect master was seriously injured and unable to get out of bed. In addition, rumors were spreading outside, and the entire sect was in a state of chaos.
“Eldest Senior Brother, the Sect Master of the Dongcheng School and Sect Master Zhuang sent jade slips, asking the Jiutian Sect to give them an explanation.” A disciple of the Jiutian Sect held two jade slips and handed them to Nan Feng.
“This matter has nothing to do with our Jiutian Sect. What explanation can we give?” Nan Feng did not accept the two jade slips. “Tell them directly that our Jiutian Sect is also a victim of these rumors.”
“The Elders have already explained, but they don’t believe it.” The disciple whispered, “Fortunately, the Yuzhen Sect and the Wanhuo Sect are mindful of past favors and haven’t expressed any dissatisfaction, or things would be even more troublesome.”
“The two Sect Masters are reasonable people, so they naturally won’t come to cause trouble for the Jiutian Sect because of these baseless rumors.” Nan Feng rubbed his forehead. “Go and tell the others to never mention this matter in front of the Sect Master.”
“Yes.” The disciple saw that Nan Feng looked exhausted and said with concern, “Eldest Senior Brother, you worry about the sect’s affairs during the day, and you still have to serve the Sect Master Immortal Venerable at night. Please take care of your health.”
“I know,” Nan Feng smiled reluctantly.
Not long after the disciples left, Shiyi rushed in from outside. Seeing Nan Feng closing his eyes and pretending to sleep, he quickly lightened his steps.
“Shiyi.” Nan Feng opened his eyes. “Have you found Yin Ji yet?”
Shiyi shook his head. He walked over to a chair and sat down. “I’ve had people searching everywhere, even asking around in the demon realm, but no one knows where he is.”
“Could it be…” Nan Feng whispered, “Could it be that Sect Uncle Yin Ji killed the old Demon King?”
“Senior Brother, Yin Ji is just a traitor who betrayed the sect. Why are you looking for him?” Shiyi thought for a moment. “Why don’t we ask Young Master Jin to help us ask around? Yuzhen Sect’s shops are all over the cultivation world. They must have some information channels that we don’t know about.”
“This matter cannot be known by outsiders, and Yin Ji… may not be entirely as the rumors outside say.” Nan Feng shook his head. “Moreover, Jin Qingqiu has recently been involved in rumors related to the Demon Clan. Even if he wanted to avoid suspicion, it would not be good for him to take care of this matter.”
“Then let’s go find Jiu Hui?” Shiyi had an inexplicable trust in Jiu Hui: “Maybe she can help us think of a way.”
“Have you forgotten about last year during the Dragon Boat Festival when Yin Ji attacked Taolin City?” Nan Feng immediately rejected the suggestion. “Even if she were willing to help, I wouldn’t have the face to ask her.”
“Eldest Senior Brother.” A young boy ran over in a hurry. “The Immortal Venerable summons you.”
To heal his wounds, Bu Ting had moved into a quiet courtyard with abundant spiritual energy. When Nan Feng arrived at the courtyard, Bu Ting was wearing a loose robe and sitting in the courtyard, admiring the moon.
“Master.” Nan Feng bowed to Bu Ting.
“I heard that you’ve been searching for Yin Ji’s whereabouts these past few days?” Bu Ting’s face was as pale as paper, his eyes were much colder than usual.
“Yes.” Nan Feng did not expect that his master would already know about this matter. He knelt down on one knee. “Disciple acted on his own accord. Please punish this disciple.”
“In twenty-two days, you will become the Sect Master of the Jiutian Sect. It’s not inappropriate to exercise the authority of the Sect Master in advance.” Bu Ting’s expression was indifferent. “Get up. There’s no need to apologize for such a trivial matter.”
“This disciple has no such intention.” Nan Feng did not dare to get up. “This disciple just didn’t want to bother Master with such a trivial matter.”
“Yin Ji’s natal sword has been broken, and his cultivation can never progress again. This is the letter he sent back.” Bu Ting handed the letter to Nan Feng. “He volunteered to live in seclusion under an assumed name. You don’t have to worry about him anymore.”
“But my sect uncle…”
“Nan Feng!” Bu Ting glared at him. “As the master of a sect, you must think of the bigger picture.”
Nan Feng hesitated.
He wanted to ask his master, what was the big picture?
Was it a grand plan to let Sect Uncle Yin Ji bear the infamy, not to clear his name after his natal sword was broken, and not to let him return to the sect?
But looking at his master’s pale face, he couldn’t say anything.
“Bu Ting, come out here!”
“Jiutian Sect, you must give me an explanation today!”
Not good!
Nan Feng’s face changed. It was that hot-tempered sect master Zhuang.
“I’ve only been injured for a few days, and now someone dares to bully our Jiutian Sect, causing a scene in front of the sect.” Bu Ting stood up with a cold face. “I’d like to see who is so arrogant.”
“Master.” Nan Feng stopped Bu Ting. “Leave this insignificant matter to your disciple. It’s getting late. Such an ill-mannered fool isn’t worth your time.”
“With someone bullying me at my doorstep, how can I possibly be in the mood to heal my wounds?” Bu Ting summoned the Cosmos Sword, used a jade hairpin to tie up his hair, and strode out of the courtyard.
“Master.” Nan Feng once again blocked Bu Ting’s path.
“You’re hiding something from me?” Bu Ting squinted at his usually obedient disciple. “You haven’t even become the sect master yet, and you’re already eager to restrict my movements?!”
Those words were truly heartbreaking. Nan Feng stared blankly at Bu Ting, suppressing the shock and pain in his heart. “This disciple dares not.”
Outside the sect, the person was still shouting, “Jiutian Sect, you have the ability to ruin my reputation, but you don’t have the guts to come out and give me an explanation?!”
“I was hasty just now. I know you didn’t mean it that way.” Bu Ting quickly softened his expression. He reached out to help Nan Feng, who was kneeling in front of him, and said gently, “What exactly is it that has you so troubled?”
“Bu Ting, you have the ability to make a woman give birth to a daughter, but you don’t have the ability to come out and acknowledge her?!”
Upon hearing this, the smile on Bu Ting’s face instantly turned cold. He glanced at Nan Feng and said calmly, “Let’s go. I’d also like to know where this daughter suddenly came from.”
Sect Master Zhuang had a fiery temper. He was a rough man who ate and drank heavily. He didn’t care about the status of the Jiutian Sect and went straight to their door.
These Elders of the Jiutian Sect tried to persuade him, but it was useless. He would never leave the Jiutian Sect without seeing Bu Ting.
He wanted to continue cursing, but when he saw the emaciated Bu Ting come out with a pale face, he swallowed the rest of his words. He was afraid that he would curse Bu Ting to death.
“Immortal Venerable Bu…” He put down his saber. “It’s just that you had a daughter with a female demon. You don’t have to be so angry about it.”
“Bu_-mou_ has been cultivating my entire life and have never had any dealings with women from the Demon Clan. Where would I have a daughter?” Bu Ting had always disliked the unintelligent Sect Master Zhuang. “Please refrain from making such baseless accusations, Sect Master Zhuang.”
“How dare you say I’m talking nonsense?” roared Sect Master Zhuang. “You had an affair with the Demon Consort, cuckolded the Demon King, and even had someone else raise your daughter as their own.”
“Now that your daughter is grown, you father and daughter have colluded to kill the old Demon King and seize the throne. Who would have thought that although the old Demon King is dead, your plot has been exposed, and the throne…”
“Master!”
Nan Feng supported Bu Ting, who was vomiting blood, with a look of horror on his face. His voice trembled as he said, “Master, I’ll help you back to rest.”
Sect Master Zhuang was so frightened by Bu Ting’s reaction that he took several steps backward.
Oh no, could it be that Bu Ting was really angered to death by him?
He only wanted to stop the Jiutian Sect from spreading rumors about innocent people to cover up Immortal Venerable Bu’s scandal, but he never intended to anger Immortal Venerable Bu to death.
“I’m fine.” Bu Ting wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and looked at the burly sect master with a chillingly calm gaze. “What else? Keep talking.”
Sect Master Zhuang shook his head. “Forget it. It’s all small stuff. I won’t hold it against you.”
Seeing Bu Ting’s half-dead appearance, he decided to let him go.
“A small matter?” Bu Ting sneered. “I’m also very curious to know when I fell in love with the Demon Consort and even had a little bastard with her.”
He looked at the Jiutian Sect crowd: “Since you all know, have you found out the source of the news?”
No one dared to speak.
“Speak,” Bu Ting said, turning his gaze to a young disciple.
“The entire Demon Realm and the cultivation world are spreading it, but no one knows the source of the news.” The young disciple trembled in fear from Bu Ting’s gaze.
“All?”
Bu Ting clutched his chest, once again vomiting a mouthful of blood.
Who exactly was it that used such underhanded means to scheme against him?
-—–
“Ah-choo!” After finishing the hot pot, Jiu Hui had just returned to the courtyard entrance when she sneezed. She rubbed her nose and looked around, muttering softly, “Who’s talking bad about me?”
“Zhi You…” She turned her head to look behind her. Where had such a big person Zhi You gone?
“Junior Brother Zhi You,” Yan Bo said as he took out a few recently printed books from the house. “These are a few new books in the ‘zhuixu’ series. They’ve been quite popular lately. Which one do you like?”
Zhi You looked at him and said, “Senior Brother, can you give me all these books?”
“Of course you can, but I think the best written one is this one, ‘After Marrying In, I Relied on My Wife to Dominate the Three Realms’. You can read more of it.” Yan Bo whispered, “It’s an absolute masterpiece.”
Zhi You nodded and solemnly gathered the books into his arms. “Thank you, Senior Brother. I will definitely read them carefully.”
Author’s Note
Zhi You: Maintaining good reading habits is the ladder of progress for men!
Bu Ting: In my entire life, I’ve never taken on such a huge shit pot.
Jiu Hui: Hehe~