Yue Jin’s left leg had been much better, but this push exposed her weakness.
Her face full of indignation, she straightened up and immediately began to scold: “Are you blind? Can’t you see a person this big? Go back and get your eyes fixed before coming out again.”
Ye Yushuang glimpsed the intimacy between the two. Just as she was about to stiffen her face and confront her, she thought better of it, remembering Fu Lingyi was watching. So she suppressed it slightly: “This must be the fellow cultivator I met for the first time last time, right? Just now I was only focused on Sister Lingyi, how rude of me.”
“Putting on an act? You were clearly deliberate, you…”
Yue Jin wanted to argue back, but Fu Lingyi quietly stopped her: “Don’t forget, we came here specifically to apologize to her.”
“…Hmph.”
Yue Jin said nothing more, but she let out a cold snort.
Ye Yushuang was impeccable in her manners. She had excellent upbringing from a young age, so naturally, she wouldn’t outwardly show displeasure. She stepped forward two paces, guiding the two towards Yaoguang Pavilion’s main hall, reminding them that the Pavilion Master had been waiting for a long time.
Yaoguang Pavilion truly lived up to its reputation as the most luxurious among all sects. The spiritual energy here wasn’t dense, but the smell of money was strong. After all, they always dealt with various cultivation sects or mortal merchants, just to seize that sliver of business opportunity and acquire greater resources.
But when it came to cultivation…
…it was all quite unsatisfactory.
The crowd here was bustling. Disciples hurried past them, and it was clear that even outer disciples were equipped with the finest magic artifacts, spared no expense.
Over there, Fu Lingyi had already put on her special ‘business smile’ and began exchanging pleasantries: “No wonder those seeking immortality always say that even someone with the worst talent, as long as they come to Yaoguang Pavilion, can be piled high with spiritual-grade magic artifacts and become a mighty cultivator.”
“That’s an exaggeration, Sister Lingyi is joking,” Ye Yushuang didn’t hide her full heart of admiration, giggling while covering her face. “It’s just external possessions; how could it compare to Disciplinary Hall Sword Sect? Every disciple there is absolutely outstanding.”
Yue Jin rolled her eyes.
Yaoguang Pavilion Master Ye Wenzhen was a relatively easy-going person. She was actually quite satisfied with Fu Lingyi’s character. Although she regretted that her daughter couldn’t become Dao companions with her, she was very pleased with the courtesy of her coming to apologize.
Listening to Fu Lingyi’s endless talk, she nodded and said, “These are all minor matters. That cultivation tabloid was originally heavily sponsored by us; it’s quite simple to get it to retract some statements. Ultimately, this matter was also Yushuang’s fault; let her handle it. You two stay at Yaoguang Pavilion for the next few days and let her show you around properly.”
“Ah, stay for a few more days?”
“Then many thanks, Pavilion Master Ye.” Fu Lingyi interrupted Yue Jin’s questioning voice and bowed respectfully in return.
“Can’t we just go back tomorrow?” Yue Jin walked towards the guest rooms, crestfallen. She really disliked it here. “What is there to see? The flowers and plants are the same as on Disciplinary Hall Mountain; what more could there be?”
“Qingshu, don’t talk like that. This is a welcoming courtesy. Having come today, how can we leave tomorrow?”
After Fu Lingyi finished speaking, seeing she was still so dispirited and couldn’t muster any energy, she had no choice but to speak again, her tone carrying a hint of coaxing: “Just bear with it a little. If you bear with it, I’ll take you down the mountain to eat at Wei Xian Tower next time.”
“Do I look that hungry?”
Fu Lingyi smiled: “Mm, yes.”
They lagged behind, causing Ye Yushuang ahead to turn back repeatedly. Unable to insert herself into the conversation, she could only worry anxiously.
The more she looked at Yue Jin, the more she found her ill-mannered. And the two were now very close, making her feel quite uncomfortable inside.
This person had even asked her for money before. She wondered if Sister Lingyi was aware of this matter?
She curled her lips, slowed her pace slightly, and walked alongside them: “Since the apology is settled, Fellow Cultivator Yu, please don’t mind. We at Yaoguang Pavilion usually like to give charity and relief. When the mortal world faces national disasters and broken homes, we even open porridge stalls to help beggars. So, that day’s aid to Fellow Cultivator Yu was merely lifting a finger.”
“Aid?” Fu Lingyi indeed reacted to this. “When?”
Yue Jin’s face turned deathly pale. She had wanted to admit it frankly and honestly, but for some reason, she just couldn’t open her mouth.
“Just a high-grade spirit stone, not much. Sister Lingyi doesn’t need to look into it.”
Ye Yushuang seemed very generous, but was actually quietly observing the expressions of the two people. Sure enough, Fu Lingyi was unaware of this matter.
Of course, given that person’s inherent flaws, why would she say anything?
Fu Lingyi looked at Yue Jin’s expression, thinking inwardly. She didn’t mean to blame her, she was just curious what this person needed the money for. She didn’t have opportunities to spend money, nor was there any point in saving it. It was highly likely a desperate measure taken during her previous escape down the mountain. That was understandable.
Fu Lingyi took out an identical high-grade spirit stone from her spatial pouch and handed it to Ye Yushuang: “Ever since she lost her memory, her temperament has become strange. I hope Miss Ye can accept this and not be too harsh on her.”
Yue Jin looked at that spirit stone, waves rising in her heart.
Ye Yushuang declined, but after a stalemate, she eventually couldn’t refuse Fu Lingyi and accepted it. Outwardly she said she wouldn’t, but inwardly she was secretly pleased.
That should create a rift between these two.
The guest room door closed, the candlelight was bright. Yue Jin sat silently on the soft stool, her back looking lonely.
“Get some rest early. I heard there’s a Flowing Light Waterfall here at Yaoguang Pavilion; the spiritual energy is abundant and it’s very beautiful. Miss Ye will take us to see it tomorrow.” Fu Lingyi stood at the doorway watching her, her tone gentle.
“I’m not going.”
The person didn’t turn back, her voice very stubborn.
“The ‘Upside-Down Drunk’ wine in Qianchao City is a specialty. Want to try it tomorrow?”
“I’m not drinking.”
Refusing this and that, it was clear she was sulking.
Fu Lingyi sighed. Ever since she stopped intentionally provoking Yue Jin, this person got angry with her more often instead.
“Then…”
“I’m not eating.”
She directly predicted what she was about to say.
Fu Lingyi walked closer, seeing that person constantly straightening her back, as if waiting for something.
As she moved forward again, that person tensed even more, sitting perfectly straight.
“Last time, you and Miss Ye…”
Yue Jin finally couldn’t hold back. She slapped the table hard, making the ground tremble: “There’s nothing difficult to admit. She was right.”
Fu Lingyi was surprised: “I was just asking…”
“Crude, vulgar, despicable. Say whatever you want to say, I don’t care.”
Yue Jin still didn’t turn her head. Her back was to the light, her figure slightly trembling in the flickering light.
So that’s what she was dwelling on.
“Has someone said things like that about you?”
Fu Lingyi’s voice was low. She walked over and pressed the person’s trembling shoulder.
“Those aren’t good words, and they don’t apply to you. I don’t mean to blame you, nor do I think you did anything wrong.”
Yue Jin lowered her head.
Fu Lingyi spoke again: “You are not crude. Don’t think of yourself that way.”
Yue Jin lowered her head even more.
The two were silent for a long time, until the candle had burned down halfway and a breeze blew through. Only then did Fu Lingyi pat her again: “Go to sleep. I’ll come call you tomorrow morning.”
“I’m useless.”
“What?”
Why is she suddenly saying she’s useless?
Yue Jin turned around. She raised her head, her eyes slightly red: “I didn’t use that spirit stone. It fell into the water.”
“Was that when you fell into the water?”
“Yes. I’ll pay you back.”
Yue Jin bit her lower lip. As long as she returned to Qingyuan Palace, she could have as many spirit stones as she wanted. By then, she could throw a basketful at Fu Lingyi.
Fu Lingyi gazed at her, suddenly reached out, pinched her cheek, and pulled it outwards.
“You don’t need to pay me back. Disciplinary Hall Sword Sect isn’t so destitute.”
Yue Jin’s brewing emotions were shattered by this pull. Extremely angry, she flailed her limbs: “What are you doing!”
“Hahaha,” Fu Lingyi laughed heartily. She slightly turned her face away to hide herself. “Every time you get angry, your face puffs up really round, hahahaha.”
“…”
“Then you’re not allowed to pinch me either!”
They argued and bickered, but it cleared up the confusion between them. Yue Jin pushed her out the door, said she needed rest, and slammed the door shut.
Such a small matter, she wouldn’t have agonized over it for so long before.
It’s not like me at all.
Yue Jin was frustrated. She flopped onto the bed, messed up her hair while crying out, then bounced up, flipped over, and buried her head in the soft, thin blanket.
“Thump thump”
The window was knocked. It sounded like someone tapping twice against the wooden frame.
She closed her eyes and ignored it.
“Thump” “Thump”
The sound came again. This time the knocking was louder. Yue Jin got out of bed, went to the window, and suddenly pushed it open: “Who is it!”
A paper kite drifted up and down, flew in, and landed neatly on the back of her hand.
She frowned, jumped onto the windowsill, and searched outside, determined to find the person who sent her the message.
The paper kite unfolded by itself, rose in front of her, and burned to ashes.
Ji Peilan’s residence has crucial evidence
“Who are you?” Yue Jin asked impatiently. “Why do you keep sending me messages? You’re not from Qingyuan Palace. What do you want me to do for you?”
No one replied.
Looks like they’re not nearby.
The ashes scattered outwards, as if desperately wanting to destroy the evidence. Yue Jin climbed over the windowsill and followed the direction of the ashes.
Ji Peilan was mentioned again.
If Wu Xi really died, then Qingyuan Palace must have been targeted.
Thinking about it this way, my cultivation being completely lost wasn’t such a simple matter.
Even if it’s a trap, I have to go investigate.
The woods at night were silent. The guest rooms were close to the main hall, so the Grand Elder’s residence couldn’t be too far.
She hurried several steps, finding a pavilion that looked unassuming among all the grandeur. The simple, low-key architecture fully displayed the owner’s taste.
Peizhu Pavilion
Yue Jin looked at the plaque, roughly confirming it was Ji Peilan’s residence. She went around to the back of the building, stepped on a brick, and jumped in.
My moves haven’t changed.
Even though I’ve lost my cultivation now, the instincts of physical techniques are still there.
Thank you, Yue Yuanqiu.
Yue Jin went up from the dark first floor. She searched floor by floor, rummaging through things, then carefully putting everything back in place.
After searching for a long time, she felt a bit dispirited. The entire pavilion was full of cultivation technique books, piled high. There wasn’t any useful clue at all.
Makes sense. No one would leave important things in a bright, open spot for people to pick up.
As if her thoughts were guessed, another paper kite flew in, landing crookedly on the spine of a book.
Yue Jin was just about to grab it, but unintentionally pushed the book inwards.
The ground rumbled and opened a small hole, just big enough for one person to pass through.
Good work 👏